Problems · by component

2016 Volkswagen Tiguan air bags problems

37 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan cite air bags, 38% of all 97 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
37
38% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“My car has never been in an accident. One day while turning into my driveway, I heard a large clicking sound. Since then, my airbag malfunction light is on and my car horn does not sound/work. All steering wheel controls are broken. This has been an issue for about 6 months. I've been waiting on a recall impacting my specific VIN/year/make/model, however I am being informed that I will need to pay out of pocket to have this major safety concern taken care of. I will be taking this car to the dealership this week in hopes to have a repair quote that I will have to save a significant amount of money over an extended period of time to complete.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2025Steering, Air bagsODI 11694522
“Airbag error light on dashboard, passenger seat shorted out water pooled under passenger seats front and rear soaking wet coming up through carpets with moldy smell. You tube says it may be the panoramic roof drains.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 8, 2023Electrical system, Air bags, Unknown or otherODI 11548902
“The electric connection for the air bag has malfunctioned . The same vehicle with different VIN numbers have already been recalled for the exact same reason. Not sure why my car was not included. Many people on the VW forums are having the same issues. Please recall.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 17, 2023Air bagsODI 11545033
“Steering Wheel Clock Spring has gone out on my VW Tiguan, driver air bag is on which means the airbag wont come if we get in a accident. Pressure light is on as well. This will be the 3rd Steering Wheel Clock Spring installed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 6, 2023Air bagsODI 11510370
“The clock spring part of the steering wheel has failed rendering all steering wheel controls and most importantly the air bag inoperable. This is a major safety hazard for the driver and ultimately passengers as well. This part has been a well known problem with this vehicle and has been covered under an extended warranty, yet Volkswagen refuses to make the part readily available to their customers who are under extended warranty coverage for said part. This is a major safety risk in that they are showing months long delays in getting parts forcing people to choose ability to get to work over safety. Volkswagen is wilfully exposing customers to undue safety compromises. Recall the car and make them fix this. And compensate owners.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 15, 2022Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11493702
“The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while his wife was reversing, the vehicle emitted abnormal clicking sounds with the air bag warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the horn was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the replacement part was on backorder. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 13, 2022Air bagsODI 11489138

Showing 6 of 37 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

Air bags: air bag

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jul 17, 2019NHTSA 19V535000
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 2016 Tiguan problem areas