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2016 Volkswagen Tiguan: airbag warning light

20 of the 97 complaints about the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan describe airbag warning light.

owner complaints
20
of this car's complaints
21%
typical mileage
55,000
recalls
1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 6 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Airbag warning light by model year

What owners say

Filed Oct 13, 2022 · Airbags · 94,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while his wife was reversing, the vehicle emitted abnormal clicking sounds with the air bag warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the horn was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the replacement part was on backorder. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

Filed Aug 22, 2022 · Airbags · IN

The clockspring failed at under 62,000 miles. Air bag light came on, steering controls stopped working, and horn stopped working. Lots of other VWs have had clockspring issues--wondering why this is not included yet?

Filed Jul 19, 2022 · Airbags, Electrical · 150,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving, the horn and radio became inoperable. The TPMS and airbag warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the clockspring needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Jul 2, 2022 · Airbags · MA

Air bag light on due to recall, dealership cannot fix because the part is out of stock and there is no ETA.

Filed Jun 22, 2022 · Airbags · UT

Issues related to the vehicles airbag light being on and no sound when horn is pushed, the dealer has stated is due to a bad clock spring. they said it could be replaced under warranty but they don’t know if they will ever receive a clock spring from VW. This vehicle is unsafe to drive without a horn.

Filed May 20, 2022 · Airbags, Steering · LA

The clock spring in my vehicle broke back in December of 2021. This was diagnosed by a Volkswagen dealership service department. It is now 5 1/2 months after the part was ordered and still no part. This makes the car undriveable. The air bag and horn do not work and the entire dash is unusable. It is a safety issue that has rendered my car undriveable for the past 5 months. We can’t get dealership to answer calls. We have found many others complaining of same thing being wrong with their Tiguan and have all been told the part is indefinitely delayed with thousands of people needing the part but none are being made. Volkswagen needs to do something to help people who purchased their product and can’t even use them. My daughter was driving the vehicle when she heard a crunch and her air bag light came on and the steering was affected. Thankfully she pulled over until someone could help her. We are still paying monthly for a car that is not driveable.

Filed May 16, 2022 · Airbags, Electrical · 37,147 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated when the vehicle was started, the instrument cluster was inoperable. Additionally, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed with an air bag failure however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 37,147.

Filed May 14, 2022 · Airbags · RI

I had my clockspring replaced in March 2021 and it broke again January 2022 (less than a year and only 10k miles added) The part is nationally backordered, there has been a 7+ month wait time and no end in sight. The clockspring causes clicking in the steering wheel, the buttons and HORN do not function, and the airbag light goes on. VW just tells you it’s fine to drive even though this is a safety issue. I was not able to pass my inspection, it was over the 30 day extension so my registration was revoked! Corporate said there was nothing they can do so my car was just sitting in my driveway undrivable. I traded it in for a Honda after 4 months because this was stressful not having a car to drive. VW needs to be held responsible and this needs to go public.

Filed May 9, 2022 · Airbags · PA

I turned my steering wheel while pulling into a parking space and heard a crackling sound. My airbag light went off and the horn and controls on the steering wheel stopped working. I was told it was an issue with the clock spring when I took it into the shop. This happened almost 4 months ago and it cannot be repaired do to inability to obtain a new clock spring. I have found forums of other people complaining about the same issue. This is atrocious. My car is up for inspection this month and will therefore be undriveable until the issue is fixed. Other Volkswagen owners are talking about contacting news outlets at this point. I DO NOT HAVE A FUNCTIONAL HORN OR AIRBAG AND THERE IS NO SOLUTION IN SIGHT. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE!!!!!!!!

Filed May 4, 2022 · Airbags, Electrical · VT

The clock spring has failed and confirmed by a local dealer, part number 5K0-953-569-AL. After talking with several dealers, I found out VW has a "hit list / back order list. This part is on it. I have also been told there are 1000 currently on back order and it may be 6 months before I receive a replacement. I have no horn and my air bag may or may not work. I have no way to warn a pedestrian or another vehicle should an issue arise, safety issue. No air bag could cause severe personal injury or death. Both are unacceptable and this part failure has been on going for more than 4 years. The sign of this failure is no horn, air bag light "ON" and no controls on the steering wheel function. I asked VW Customer Care twice what is VWs protocol for driving with a broken clock spring in writing, no response. I asked to speak with a manager, none got back to me. At the dealership I indicated I thought this was a safety issue as I have no horn. The service counter person said no one has ever brought this up in the 4 years they have been at the dealership. HUGE SAFTEY ISSUE which has been ongoing for years, no safety response on protocol, none, and no solution in sight, maybe months down the road. I do have copies of emails from VW Customer Care.

Filed Apr 28, 2022 · Airbags · SC

2016 Volkswagen Tiguan - CLOCK SPRING IS BROKEN & THE PART IS BACKORDERED "INDEFINITELY”. MY AIRBAGS, HORN, AND STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS NO LONGER WORK. VW WANTED TO CHARGE ME THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE ( A LITTLE OVER $100) TO PUT ME ON THE WAITING LIST FOR A REPLACEMENT PART. THEN TOLD ME I WAS OVER 3000TH ON THE "WAITING LIST". ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE & A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. MY CAR IS BASICALLY WORTHLESS UNTIL THEY START REMANUFACTURING THE PART. NO TIMELINE GIVEN FOR THIS PROCESS. WILL VW COVER THIS? I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS IS BEING ALLOWED & APPARENTLY IGNORED. Check engine light came on early March 2022. Took it to VW to have checked out. Spent $465 on an intake valve hand cleaning, 4 new spark plugs, and a vehicle inspection. No more than a week later I started hearing clicking noises coming from the steering wheel when I turned. One turn caused a loud pop....after that pop, my airbag light dinged on. My airbags do not work (but can deploy at any time?? WHAT), my horn doesn't work, and neither do any steering controls. In sum: No replacement parts are available / Told I was over 3000th in line for when they start “remanufacturing” the part / Given no timeline of manufacture / Told there was nothing I can do. Took the car to a place that specializes in Audis & VWs. He scanned the car for free and repeated the same thing as VW but put me on two different waiting lists. He said that there are some clock springs available that are made in china and are crap/will not last. He mentioned they could put the “wrong part” in as a replacement for $700 and only the airbag would work, but I would still need to get the correct steering clock from VW put in whenever it’s available. I haven’t decided if I’m going to have that done yet….but in regards to the correct part, they will call when they have the part but that it would probably be 1.5- 2 YEARS. UNREAL. HOW IS THIS ALLOWED? WHAT DO I DO? WILL THE CAR EVEN PASS INSPECTION? CAN IT STILL BE INSURED? HELP!!!

Filed Apr 16, 2022 · Airbags · TN

Airbag light has been on since October 2021. Dealership indicated the clockspring needs to be replaced. Was giving a 2-3 week window for replacement to arrive. I have felt unsafe operating my vehicle not know if my airbags would deloy if needed. Rental car was not offered nor provide upon request. Dealership has not ETA. In addition to the airbag, the horn is nonfunctioning which is a safety hazard as well.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Air bags: air bag/restraint control moduleReported July 17, 2019 · 27,822 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Tiguan and CC vehicles. The air bag Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may have a defective power supply capacitor that can result in air bag deactivation or inadvertent deployment of the air bags.
Risk
Deactivated air bags increases the risk of injury. Inadvertent deployment of the air bags increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install new software and replace the air bag ECU as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 25, 2019. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Z5.

Recall number 19V535000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan airbag light

Is airbag warning light a common problem on the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan?

20 of 97 owner complaints about the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan (21%) mention airbag warning light. The model year with the most reports is 2013.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan?

There is 1 recall and 6 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan

Steering noise 9Sunroof shattered 8Check engine light 6

All model years of the Volkswagen Tiguan

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