Problems · NHTSA complaints

2013 Volkswagen Tiguan problems

Owners filed 140 complaints about the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan with NHTSA between Jan 2013 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (63).

Complaints
140
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags63
  2. Electrical system36
  3. Engine30
  4. Steering27
  5. Fuel/propulsion system14
  6. Service brakes6
  7. Power train6
  8. Structure5
  9. Vehicle speed control5
  10. Fuel system, gasoline4
  11. Electronic stability control (esc)3
  12. Suspension2
  13. Seat belts2
  14. Wheels2

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20136
201411
20155
201611
201714
201827
201910
202012
202111
202212
20235
20243
20256
20267

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

63 reports1 related recall
“Feb 2026 My airbag light came on few days ago, now my horn doesn't work, and the functions on the steering wheel don't work, like being able to reset tire pressure and check functions for the car, the phone, the radio/cd information. Jan 2025 My seat belt (driver ) lock is broken ,to attach the seat belt in place..I have to just keep it clicked in, and put it over my shoulder (over a yr now) Also , as of Aug 2025, my car keeps having issues of stalling/ bucking, even though my mechanic has changed the points/plugs twice now. And the overheat light comes on ,off and on.. sometimes clears up once the car is shut off and then turned back on.. some times has to sit for a while, then clears up”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 6, 2026Electrical system, Air bags, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11716085

Electrical system

36 reports
“Engine light on at around 50K - dealership said it was just an "issue with the warning lights" don't worry unless it blinks. At 74K I found out the turbo boost was the reason for this and I should have been told when the car was still under warranty. Realized in December of 2020 the car was soaking wet inside. Front and Back carpet was soaked like a sponge. Thought it was from driving in slush - turns out it's the moonroof drains. Repaired by VW dealership - all carpet and padding was ripped out and had to dry and then be reinstalled. Dealership ripped the interior moonroof headline while installing and didn't tell me. Huge fight with insurance - finally got fixed. Was told Cam cover leaking, and needed manifolds cleaned because of direct injection engine. Car has no power anymore. Car towed multiple times for jerking and flashing engine light. 2 engine coils replaced within 6 months. Even with moonroof drains cleaned yearly - car still gets wet inside and visible moisture on dashboard. Both back coil springs broke Aug 2026. Didn't realize until I saw the 2nd one laying in the driveway. $800 to repair those. Known recall issue with 2015 coil springs breaking by…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2026Suspension, Electrical system, EngineODI 11772354

Engine

30 reports
“As of Aug 2025, my car keeps having issues of stalling/ bucking, even though my mechanic has changed the points/plugs twice now. Now the overheat light comes on ,off and on.. sometimes clears up once the car is shut off and then turned back on.. some times has to sit for a while, then clears up”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 6, 2026Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11716088

Steering

27 reports1 crash
“When driving down the highway, my power steering went out with zero warning or indicators leading up to it going out. Upon researching, this is a problem that many people have experienced with this make and model of vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 7, 2026SteeringODI 11736239

Fuel/propulsion system

14 reports1 crash1 fire
“Feb 2026 My airbag light came on few days ago, now my horn doesn't work, and the functions on the steering wheel don't work, like being able to reset tire pressure and check functions for the car, the phone, the radio/cd information. Jan 2025 My seat belt (driver ) lock is broken ,to attach the seat belt in place..I have to just keep it clicked in, and put it over my shoulder (over a yr now) Also , as of Aug 2025, my car keeps having issues of stalling/ bucking, even though my mechanic has changed the points/plugs twice now. And the overheat light comes on now, off and on.. sometimes clears up once the car is shut off and then turned back on.. some times has to sit for a while, then clears up I see no recall on my car VIN #, for these issues??? How can that be possible???”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 6, 2026Air bags, Seat belts, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11716090

Service brakes

6 reports
“NORMALLY VW IS EXTREMELY INTELLIGENTLY DESIGNED BUT THEIR DESIGN OF THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE MODULE LEAVES MUCH TO BE DESIRED. THE MODULE CONSISTS OF A RECESSED ELONGATED TOGGLE SWITCH THAT ALLOWS ONE TO SET THE PARKING BRAKE AT THE FLICK OF A FINGER AS OPPOSED TO THE OLD HANDBRAKE/FOOTBRAKE PEDAL (EFFECTIVE MODEL YEAR 2013). UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS SUPER EASY TO ACTIVE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE/PARKING BRAKE BY CAUSING YOUR COFFEE CUP TO PULL UP ONE THE TOGGLE SWITCH (IF MEMORY SERVES ME RIGHT, THERE HAVE BEEN 8 ACCIDENTAL ACTIVATIONS WHILE ON THE FREEWAY.) MY PROBLEM DE JOUR WAS THE OPPOSITE. I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY AND LATE FOR WORK AND THE PARKING BRAKE WOULDN'T DISENGAGE. I TRIED EVERYTHING FROM DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY TO WIGGLING IT BACK & FORTH AND NOTHING WORKED. MY DEALER'S QUOTE WAS APPROXIMATELY $1,500.00 WHICH CAUSED ME TO FAINT. I RAN MY BLUE DRIVER OSBD II SCANNER AND IT SHOWED NO PROBLEMS? I THEN STARED HOPELESSLY AT THE SWITCH AND NOTICED IT WASN'T FLUSH WITH THE CONSOLE, MEANING IT WAS A TOP LOADER (THANK GOD). I IMMEDIATELY REMOVED IT BUT COULDN'T UNDO THE WIRE HARNESS WITHOUT TURNING IT UPSIDE DOWN & SHAKING IT. WELL, WHEN I DID THAT...AN AMERICAN D-I-M-E…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 16, 2021Service brakesODI 11408458
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

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