Problems · NHTSA complaints
2017 Volkswagen Tiguan problems
Owners filed 77 complaints about the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan with NHTSA between May 2017 and Nov 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (30).
Complaints
77
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
6
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Air bags30
- Engine15
- Steering14
- Electrical system12
- Fuel/propulsion system6
- Power train5
- Structure4
- Service brakes3
- Fuel system, gasoline2
- Seat belts1
- Engine and engine cooling1
- Forward collision avoidance1
- Tires1
- Exterior lighting1
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
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
2
8
5
7
4
21
9
3
11
7
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 21 |
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 | 7 |
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.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Air bags
30 reports5 crashes1 related recall
“No crash or incident occurred. While starting the vehicle normally, the airbag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed fault code P0588 — driver side airbag igniter at resistance limit. The mechanic confirmed that all airbags are non-functional as a result of this fault. No accident, collision, or unusual event preceded this failure. The part failed during normal use and operation. This is the same component covered under Safety Recall 69P4, issued February 2017 for driver and passenger airbag igniters on 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles. My VIN was not included in that recall but is experiencing the identical failure. I purchased this vehicle certified pre-owned from a Volkswagen dealership in 2020. The Carfax report provided at purchase shows no record of any airbag recall service ever being performed on this vehicle. When I contacted VW Customer Care, they confirmed my vehicle has an extended clock spring warranty and directed me to a dealership for service. The existence of an extended warranty on this specific component suggests Volkswagen is aware of a defect population broader than the original recall. I…”
Engine
15 reports
“I am filing this complaint to seek a full buyback and debt cancellation for a 2017 VW Tiguan (VIN: [XXX] ) sold to me by Carvana for $40,000. Summary of Deception: Carvana sold this vehicle as "Certified" with a "150-Point Inspection" guarantee. This was a fraudulent misrepresentation. Within six months, the vehicle required 45+ mechanical services, including a full internal teardown that revealed catastrophic wiring corrosion caused by a long-term sunroof leak. These were latent defects present at the time of sale. The vehicle has has 2 Turbos: one recalled (now currently being recalled again) and one replaced 3 months into ownership. The vehicle slowed down on [XXX] traffic and I had to make an emergency exit and take to the dealership. This make and model were completely overhauled engine and externally after my model 2017. 45 mechanical services in 12 months justifies a recall and an exchange, Safety & Financial Hardship: As a high-level executive commuting from [XXX] to [XXX] , I required a reliable vehicle. Instead, this car decelerated dangerously on [XXX] , nearly causing a collision. Despite active steering and turbo recalls, Volkswagen mechanics have…”
Steering
14 reports1 crash
“I started my car and the red power steering light came on and I had no power steering assistance. This has happened multiple times when I have started my car. I can turn it off, let it sit a minute, start again and 9 times out of 10 it will start normally. I don't know if this can happen while I'm driving, but that would be really dangerous. In doing some research I have found that this was a known issue for an earlier model of this car and that there are quite a few complaints of this happening to this year car. With price increases, the dealership will charge about $5000+ for repairs. This is a car that I should be able to drive well over 100k miles without any major issue like this.”
Electrical system
12 reports1 crash
“A/C has been a consistent issue since I purchased this from Columbia SC- CarMax's dealership in 2022. I've replaced the compressor and valves, and no resolve. The car sucks up oil and the electrical system is wacky!”
Fuel/propulsion system
6 reports
“when was driven i lost power and got the ECU light and check engine light when scan for codes got fuel system and also car went into limp mode and had low fuel reading from live feeding and since have replaced the high pressure fuel pump and live reading are good now it still won’t start and won’t come out of limp mode”
Power train
5 reports2 crashes
“On December 3, 2025, Volkswagen of XXX performed an intake manifold recall repair on our 2017 Tiguan (VIN: [XXX] ) while the vehicle was under factory warranty. Approximately six weeks later the low coolant warning light appeared and the vehicle began actively leaking coolant. No other work had been performed between the recall and the onset of the leak. Our independent mechanic discovered physical damage to the original water pump consistent with a tool strike during the recall procedure. A new OEM water pump was installed but failed immediately due to an underlying pressure issue originating underneath the intake manifold. The vehicle has been at VW of South Charlotte since February 11, 2026 — seven weeks — with no root-cause diagnosis or repair. The dealership falsely documented OEM parts as aftermarket, refused to diagnose the vehicle, and the service manager made his final decision based on text messages rather than any inspection. VW Customer Care opened and closed six separate case numbers on this single unresolved complaint. Safety concern: The vehicle is non-operational and actively leaking coolant. The damage originated during a recall repair and has…”
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.