2011 Volkswagen Tiguan: airbag warning light

Filed Jan 22, 2026 · Airbags · ID

My 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan was included in the Volkswagen clock spring safety recall. According to Volkswagen’s records, the recall repair was completed in 2016. The same defect has now reoccurred: the steering wheel controls, horn, and driver airbag are disabled again due to a failed clock spring. This is a reoccurring safety defect that directly affects the airbag system. The airbag warning light is on, and the driver airbag is currently non‑functional. I contacted Volkswagen corporate, and they confirmed that my VIN was included in the original recall and that the repair was performed. However, they are refusing to repair the defect again, stating that the recall is “closed” and the warranty extension has expired, even though the original recall remedy has failed and the safety defect has returned. Volkswagen also declined to provide a written denial. I am reporting this because the recall remedy appears to be inadequate, and the safety defect has not been resolved. The vehicle is unsafe to drive with the airbag disabled. The clock spring failure disables the airbag, horn, and steering‑wheel controls. The defect matches the symptoms described in the original recall. The failure occurred without any modification or damage to the steering wheel area. Volkswagen refuses to authorize a second repair despite the safety risk.

Filed Dec 24, 2019 · Airbags · 119,000 miles · MD

Vehicle repaired under recall 15v483000 on 5/2015. However, the repaired/replaced part appears to have failed again (clicking noise when turning wheel, air bag light on, complete loss of power in steering wheel). Airbag light came on after starting the car while parked on side of city street and merging into traffic at low speed.

Filed Nov 5, 2018 · Airbags · 61,200 miles · NY

There was no crash or physical damage to my vehicle, airbag system is malfunctioning. For about a week now, "error: airbag" message is shown up on dashboard and the airbag light has turned on. In addition to that, even I buckled up, when I make a right turn seat belt alarm is beeping and seat belt light has turned on while I am driving. I am concerning about this serious safety issue. I am driving my car everyday with potential threat of accident without airbags being deployed.

Filed Sep 4, 2018 · Airbags, Electrical · 57,000 miles · OH

When doing a full turn my steering wheel started clicking and then my airbag light illuminated. I also lost all steering wheel controls and horn. After doing some research, I found out it was a clock spring. Volkswagen has had many models affected by this even my 2011 year tiguan but when volkwagen pulls up my VIN, they are claiming it is not part of the recall which is very frustrationg.

Filed May 29, 2018 · Airbags, Steering · 89,000 miles · PA

After driving my 2011 tiguan fine a couple times earlier in the day, I came back to my parked car, and turned it on. When I did this my airbag light came on with an "error: airbag" message on the display. After this happened, I notice the horn and other electrical features of the wheel didn't work. I took it into the shop, and their said the clock spring needs replaced. It wasn't until after all of this that I found out there had been a recall. I was never notified of this recall before. Although the clock spring needs replaced, the vw service center said they cannot get the clock spring part to replace it. They couldn't tell me a time that the part would be available.

Filed May 15, 2018 · Airbags · 78,687 miles · TX

As I was turning the steering wheel with the vehicle in motion, I heard a clicking sound and then a snap. The airbag light immediately came on and all electronic controls on the steering wheel and the horn ceased to work. I had the cover put on based on the previous recall, which obviously failed. I took it into the dealership and after a hard fight, had them replace the clock spring. They refuse to acknowledge that the issue with the horn was related to this; however, I have read several other complaints indicating the same issue. Currently, they have not been able to repair my horn.

Filed May 1, 2018 · Airbags · CO

Clock spring failed twice causing passenger airbag light to fail and horn does not work. First repair was under warranty and 2nd repair was under the recall. Dealer said I have to call vw too cover it and vw customer service said it will not be covered until a 2nd recall is ordered. So far vw has no plans to recall it again on their own.

Filed Feb 6, 2018 · Airbags, Driver assistance · 69 miles · GA

My airbag light stays on in the car it is my dashboard I have had it reset and it still keeps coming on and it says airbag error what can I do about this

Filed Aug 24, 2017 · Airbags, Electrical · 60,000 miles · DE

Vw has recognized a defected part in the steering wheel clock spring. We took our vehicle to have the repair, dealership said that the previous owner had the vehicle repaired and a dust cover was put on 7/20/16. Well the dust cover has broke and the air bag light is on and horn is not working. Service department said it wasn't covered because of previous fix, mind you they said dust cover and not a new part. We called vw and they will not honor the repair for the defected part. The part was never replaced, just a band aid put on the problem. Vw said they only had to honor their repair for 1 year. How is this possible when they never really replaced the part????? The dust cover they previously put on snapped when I was turning into a parking spot, airbag light immediately came on. The part cost $348.08 and $170.00 in labor.

Filed Aug 23, 2017 · Airbags, Steering · 100,000 miles · MA

Faulty clock spring - clicking noise came from steering wheel when turned then none of the buttons would work and the airbag light came on. Came to find out it was a faulty clock spring and the airbag wouldn't deploy if we were in an accident.

Filed Aug 9, 2017 · Airbags, Steering · 106,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 volkswagen tiguan. While turning the vehicle, the contact heard a clicking noise in the steering column. Also, the horn, cruise control, and hands free phone service failed, and the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to darcars volkswagen silver spring (12511 prosperity dr, silver spring, md 20904, (301) 622-7000) where it was diagnosed that the clock spring was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and stated that the warranty did not cover the repairs. No further assistance was offered. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v483000 (air bags) and stated that the vehicle previously had a cover assembly placed over the clock spring, but the failure recurred. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.

Filed Dec 8, 2016 · Airbags, Steering · 82,300 miles · PA

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 volkswagen tiguan. The contact had not experienced a failure until the vehicle was repaired per the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v483000 (air bags). Shortly after the dealer's repair, the ribbon cable snapped internally and caused a failure. The steering wheel seized and the air bag indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ribbon cable affected the function of the horn, steering, cruise control and other components. The contact stated that the remedy failed to provide a solution. The dealer indicated that the clock spring assembly needed to be replaced. It was also stated that the steering wheel, multi-function switch, and cruise control needed to be repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 82,300.