Federal safety data shows 13 recalls and 273 complaints for the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan, a elevated safety profile overall. Check the known issues section below for the most common problem areas.

Recalls

273

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Recall Findings

18V3750002018-06-06

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas and Tiguan vehicles. In the event of a crash, the passenger frontal air bag may tear or not properly unfold during deployment.

If the air bag were to tear or unfold incorrectly during deployment, it can increase the risk of injury.

View at NHTSA

18V8240002018-26-11

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas and Tiguan and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles that do not have keyless entry. The instrument cluster may not provide an audible warning to let the driver know that the key is still in the ignition when the door is open. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."

If the driver is not notified by an audible noise that the key is left in the ignition, it can increase the risk of vehicle theft or crash.

View at NHTSA

19V1880002019-06-03

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Golf Sportwagen, 2019 Jetta, 2015-2019 Golf, and 2018-2019 Tiguan vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.

If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

View all 13 recalls

20V7240002020-20-11

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan LWB vehicles. In the event of a crash, one or both of the front seat belt's webbing may tear.

A torn seat belt may not adequately restrain the seat occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

View at NHTSA

21V7320002021-23-09

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan vehicles. During the repair of roof damage, an incorrect roof reinforcement assembly may have been installed.

The incorrect roof reinforcement may decrease the roof's structural integrity or impact deployment of the side curtain air bags, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

View at NHTSA

18V3240002018-16-05

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan and Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. The nut that holds the lower ball joint of the front wheel on each side of the vehicle may be loose or improperly tightened.

A loose or improperly tightened ball joint nut can result in the separation of the lower ball joint causing steering, traction or other stability issues, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

19V6790002019-25-09

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible 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.

If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.

View at NHTSA

18V2620002018-25-04

SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan long wheelbase (LWB) vehicles. A lower loop of a rear shock absorber may separate from its base due to an incorrect welding process

If the lower loop of the rear shock absorber detaches, there may be a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

18V4670002018-13-07

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles. The LED module for the panoramic sunroof ambient light bar may short circuit.

A short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

View at NHTSA

18V1020002018-09-02

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Tiguan Limited vehicles. The front driver air bag installed on these vehicles may not be intended for use in vehicles sold in the United States. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

In the event of a crash, the incorrect air bags may not protect the driver as intended, increasing the risk of injury.

View at NHTSA

18V1590002018-08-03

ENGINE

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. The engine support bolts on these vehicles may not have been properly tightened.

If the engine support bolts were not properly tightened, an unexpected engine breakdown or loss of engine power may occur, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

17V6620002017-18-10

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. The back-up lights in the taillight assemblies may not be bright enough. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

If the back-up lights are not bright enough, other drivers may not see the vehicle reversing, or the driver may back into an obstacle, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

22V2260002022-06-04

STRUCTURE:BODY

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Tiguan and 2018-2021 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. Due to incorrect installation instructions, the accessory rear hatch spoiler may be insufficiently attached to the vehicle.

An insufficiently attached spoiler may separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Top Complaint Areas

Of 273 issues reported over 1 model years, engine problems are the most common for the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan. A pre-purchase inspection should focus here first.

01Engine23

02Unknown Or Other21

03Structure21

04Power Train13

05Fuel/propulsion System11

273 total across 1 model years (2018–2018)Full data at NHTSA.gov

Volkswagen Tiguan Fuel Economy

22–24mpg combined

19-22city

25-27hwy

$1,800-$2,650/yr

The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan delivers 22 to 24 MPG combined across 4 powertrain combinations. If fuel cost matters to you, pay attention to engine and drivetrain. The spread is significant.

By Trim

Tiguan - Automatic (S8)

24mpg

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive

22 city27 hwy~$1,800/yr5/10 Average

Tiguan 4motion - Automatic (S8)

23mpg

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo · All-Wheel Drive

21 city27 hwy~$1,900/yr5/10 Average

Tiguan Limited - Automatic (S6)

23mpg

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive

20 city26 hwy~$2,500/yr5/10 Average

Tiguan Limited 4motion - Automatic (S6)

22mpg

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo · All-Wheel Drive

19 city25 hwy~$2,650/yr4/10 Average

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Where to Find 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan

35States

26%in top 3

Florida has the most inventory at 10%, with options spread across 35 states. Willing to ship? Your selection opens up significantly.

FLFlorida

1,71810%

CACalifornia

1,5399%

TXTexas

1,2727%

NYNew York

1,0096%

ILIllinois

9215%

PAPennsylvania

7975%

DCWashington DC

7644%

DEDelaware

7524%

MDMaryland

6544%

MOMissouri

6254%

NJNew Jersey

6043%

GAGeorgia

5573%

COColorado

5223%

MNMinnesota

5163%

OHOhio

4923%

AZArizona

4803%

NCNorth Carolina

3762%

WA310

MI279

TN271

NV261

NH240

CT230

UT228

IN228

OK218

OR184

WI175

MA169

KY159

RI158

NE119

ME103

Geographic distribution reflects all active listings for this model, not just 2018.

2018 Volkswagen Tiguan: Questions Buyers Ask

Pricing, reliability, and ownership answers

Is the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan a good car to buy?

Here's the short version on the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan. There are 13 recalls to verify before purchase. Dig into the safety overview and pricing trends for recall-by-recall detail.

Are there recalls on the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan?

Yes, 13 recalls on record. The good news: recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Check the safety report for specifics, and always run the VIN before buying.

What's the gas mileage of the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan?

Fuel economy ranges from 22 to 24 MPG combined. If you drive 15,000 miles a year, that gap is worth about $199 annually. See the fuel economy section for per-trim data.

What are common problems with the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan?

ENGINE problems top the list with 273 total complaints filed. Not every car is affected, but it's worth asking about and inspecting. Full details in the known issues section.

How does the 2018 compare to other Volkswagen Tiguan years?

Each Volkswagen Tiguan model year has different pricing, recall counts, and owner satisfaction patterns. Compare all available years on the Volkswagen Tiguan overview page.