2018 Volkswagen Tiguan: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan: 14 recalls, 284 owner complaints and up to 24 mpg combined.
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Recalls
14 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #17V662000 · 2017 · 5,509 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected inner taillight assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2017.
Airbags Vehicle recall #18V102000 · 2018 · 3,768 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, the incorrect air bags May not protect the driver as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel and front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2018.
Engine Vehicle recall #18V159000 · 2018 · 4 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace engine support bolts, free of charge. The recall began March 26, 2018.
Suspension Vehicle recall #18V262000 · 2018 · 7,430 vehicles
What's wrong: 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
Why it matters: If the lower loop of the rear shock absorber detaches, there May be a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear shock absorbers, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2018.
Suspension Vehicle recall #18V324000 · 2018 · 2,473 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will replace the nut on the lower ball joint and, as necessary, clean the thread in the ball joint, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2018.
Airbags Vehicle recall #18V375000 · 2018 · 821 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the air bag were to tear or unfold incorrectly during deployment, it can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began July 19, 2018.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #18V467000 · 2018 · 45,457 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the power supply for the panoramic sunroof LED module, free of charge, until a future service action can safely reactivate the feature. The recall began July 24, 2018.
Electrical Vehicle recall #18V824000 · 2018 · 73,549 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2018.
Suspension Vehicle recall #19V188000 · 2019 · 56,173 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall began April 12, 2019.
Other / unknown Vehicle recall #19V679000 · 2019 · 113 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
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 repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #20V724000 · 2020 · 10,835 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A torn seat belt May not adequately restrain the seat occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat belts and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 13, 2021.
Body & structure Vehicle recall #21V732000 · 2021 · 2 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will be replace the roof reinforcement, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2021.
Body & structure Vehicle recall #22V226000 · 2022 · 6,553 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: An insufficiently attached spoiler May separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the spoiler, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2022.
Steering Vehicle recall #26V590000 · 2026 · 208,724 vehicles
What's wrong: Volkswagen group of america, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 tiguan, 2018-2019 atlas, and 2019-2021 Audi q3 vehicles. One of the bolts that attaches the steering rack to the subframe May corrode and break. If this happens, the steering rack housing can break.
Why it matters: A broken steering rack housing can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the right-side steering rack mounting bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 10, 2026.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 11 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (81): the most common themes are warning light on (23), stalls / loses power (19).
- Other / unknown (52): the most common themes are noise or vibration (17), leaks (6).
- Transmission & drivetrain (49): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (29), stalls / loses power (9), warning light on (8).
- Electrical (44): the most common themes are warning light on (10), electrical failure (9), door / lock issues (9).
The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan has 284 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 18 Tiguan model years for complaints (2.2× the average Tiguan year). Complaints peaked in 2018 (92 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 1 year old, at a median of 6,700 miles. Neighboring years: 2017 (76 complaints, 4 recalls), 2019 (192 complaints, 5 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 27 | 24 | Regular |
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 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan.
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FAQ
Does the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 14 vehicle recalls for the 2018 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 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan problems?
Owners have filed 284 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (81), other / unknown (52), transmission & drivetrain (49).
What gas mileage does the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan get?
EPA ratings run up to 24 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic (S8)), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2018 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.