Problems · by component

2011 Volkswagen Tiguan electrical system problems

47 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan cite electrical system, 29% of all 162 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
47
29% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“My Tiguan randomly shuts down or stalls while driving. I have come very close to accidents because It is in the middle of the road where I can't pull over, people coming around a curve behind me that may not have time to brake, specifically RV's and Semi-trucks. It is terrifying. I have maintained my vehicle meticulously and payed thousands in repairs only to be told by dealerships and VW corporate offices that there is nothing they will or can do and that there are no recalls and out of warranty. However...There WAS one in 2014 citing DANGEROUS to drive because of stalling. According to KBB. I don't know what else to do and I am not able to get a new vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 26, 2024Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11604747
“The clock spring is broken in my 2011 VW Tiguan at 114,000 miles. Therefore, the driver airbag on the steering wheel does not work. Therefore, there is a safety issue if one drives the car. The problem is not fixed because there are no parts to fix it. Apparently there is a chip in the clock spring and there are no chips available to manufacture replacement springs. I was told that the part has been on back order since October 2021. I was told that the part may be available in July 2022, but there are no guarantees. Until a replacement part is available, the vehicle is potentially unsafe to drive.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 3, 2022Steering, Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11463294
“THE LIGHTS ON THE CAR START FLASING ,WHEN YOU TURN OF THE CAR , EVERY LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD & THE STERRING WHEEL HAVE A NOISE SOUND LIKE THE CLOCK RING HAS SOME DUST IN SIDE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 24, 2020Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bagsODI 11330670
“F16 FUSE BOX MELTING AND FUSE BURNT BUT NOT TRIPPED IN HOOD. ALL EXTERIOR LIGHTS WERE LOST WHILE DRIVING AND WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED AT HIGH SPEEDS ON HIGHWAY. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 26, 2020Electrical systemODI 11326096
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V569000(EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LEITH VOLKSWAGEN OF CARY (2300 AUTOPARK BLVD, CARY, NC 27511, (919) 297-1640) FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING FAILED AND TURNED OFF WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER THE LIGHTING FAILURE, SEVERAL ERROR MESSAGES APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SAME DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUSE BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, WHICH WAS NOT COVERED IN THE INITIAL RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN SERVICED PER THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000. *LN*JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 28, 2019Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11271595
“WHEN DOING A FULL TURN MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED CLICKING AND THEN MY AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. I ALSO LOST ALL STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS AND HORN. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND OUT IT WAS A CLOCK SPRING. VOLKSWAGEN HAS HAD MANY MODELS AFFECTED BY THIS EVEN MY 2011 YEAR TIGUAN BUT WHEN VOLKWAGEN PULLS UP MY VIN, THEY ARE CLAIMING IT IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL WHICH IS VERY FRUSTRATIONG.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 4, 2018Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11124242

Showing 6 of 47 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Electrical system: fuses and circuit breakers

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tiguan vehicles manufactured July 2007 through June 2011. Due to a problem with the fuse for the exterior lights, the holder for the fuse that controls the vehicle's exterior lights circuit may melt.

Electrical systemReported Nov 22, 2013NHTSA 13V569000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Other 2011 Tiguan problem areas