NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 62 owner complaints for the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan. Most complaints involve air bags (28) and electrical system (23). The EPA rates it 22–23 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Tiguan and CC vehicles. The air bag Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may have a defective power supply capacitor that can result in air bag deactivation or inadvertent deployment of the air bags.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles manufactured January 15, 2015, to January 21, 2015, and 2015 Audi Q5 vehicles manufactured January 13, 2015, to February 3, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with driver and front seat passenger seat-mounted air bag inflators that may rupture in the event of a crash.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Tiguan model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 167 |
| 2010 | 110 |
| 2011 | 162 |
| 2012 | 153 |
| 2013 | 140 |
| 2014 | 84 |
| 2015 | 62 |
| 2016 | 97 |
| 2017 | 77 |
| 2018 | 289 |
| 2019 | 196 |
| 2020 | 141 |
| 2021 | 144 |
| 2022 | 279 |
| 2023 | 72 |
| 2024 | 79 |
| 2025 | 58 |
| 2026 | 38 |
“Car was recently repaired from a deer related accident. Within a week of getting car back I heard an unwinding like sound from steering wheel area while making a left hand turn into parking lot. My airbag light came on and all steering wheel functions like buttons and horn ceased to operate. I did see that this year Tiguan did have an airbag recall.”
“Airbag light comes on indicating that the airbags are not functioning properly per the instrument panel. A recall item on this particular model not listed under my VIN number, however, it is, I didn’t quote the complaints from other VW Tiguan who have experienced the same thing. Apparently this was a recall item that happened in November 2019. The first time my instrument Dental started indicating any issues was after it was serviced July 2021 although it was intermittent. Eventually it became an everyday thing. The airbags are always an indicator and every third start up will trigger intermittent signals that clear once the vehicle is turned off and turned back on yet airbag warnings are still adamant. Be present anytime the vehicle is in the on position.”
“Eagle valley motors sold me an unsafe car I kept telling them that the brakes were bad the transmission fluid was dark and the engine oil was black the tires were bad it was in real bad need of a tuneup I wrote and told the bbb about it and they did absolutely nothing I told Carlos he will lie about it just like how they lied to the bbb about getting in touch with me these people need to be out of business they put profits over people and they’re safety and I’m not the only one they’ve done this to I want all my money back I put close to $2000 dollars in this car 600 For the tires 703.76 for the brakes and tuneup 247.82 for the transmission 117.00 for the oil change they lied and said all that was taken care of bologna it wasn’t I have pictures of all that they said they did and did not I’m out a lot of money because of them I’m a senior on a super fixed income and they took total advantage of me a senior and they put profits over my safety as well as my Family and Friends and my Service Animal i want to pursue this these people need to be held accountable for doing this not only to me but others as well and if You can’t help me please get me someone who can…”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiguan Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 26 | 23 | $3,350 | 393 |
| Tiguan 4motion Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 26 | 22 | $3,500 | 395 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
4 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 62 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (28), electrical system (23), engine (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan at 22–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan 4 out of 5 stars overall.