2013 Volkswagen Tiguan: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan: 3 recalls, 139 owner complaints and up to 23 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #14V441000 · 2014 · 151,389 vehicles
What's wrong: Volkswagen group of america, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 tiguan vehicles manufactured July 2007 to June 2014. When using winterized fuel, in certain conditions bubbles May form in the fuel system which could result in the vehicle stalling.
Why it matters: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle's software to increase the fuel pump pressure, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin August 19, 2014.
Airbags Vehicle recall #15V483000 · 2015 · 415,825 vehicles
What's wrong: Volkswagen group of america, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen cc, and passat, 2010-2013 eos, 2011-2014 golf, gti, jetta, and tiguan, and 2012-2014 jetta sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris May contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination May tear the…
Why it matters: A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will…
Other / unknown Vehicle recall #18V329000 · 2018 · 252 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (63): the most common themes are warning light on (31).
- Electrical (35): the most common themes are warning light on (13), electrical failure (10).
- Engine (29): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (14), warning light on (12), leaks (7).
- Steering (27): the most common themes are steering problems (24), warning light on (11), noise or vibration (6).
The 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan has 139 owner complaints, ranking #9 of 18 Tiguan model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 128). Complaints peaked in 2018 (27 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 53,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2012 (153 complaints, 3 recalls), 2014 (84 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 26 | 23 | Premium |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan.
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FAQ
Does the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan problems?
Owners have filed 139 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (63), electrical (35), engine (29).
What gas mileage does the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan get?
EPA ratings run up to 23 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic (S6)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.