I started my car and the red power steering light came on and I had no power steering assistance. This has happened multiple times when I have started my car. I can turn it off, let it sit a minute, start again and 9 times out of 10 it will start normally. I don't know if this can happen while I'm driving, but that would be really dangerous. In doing some research I have found that this was a known issue for an earlier model of this car and that there are quite a few complaints of this happening to this year car. With price increases, the dealership will charge about $5000+ for repairs. This is a car that I should be able to drive well over 100k miles without any major issue like this.
The worst 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags30
- Engine16
- Steering14
- Electrical12
- Fuel system8
- Transmission5
- Body4
- Brakes3
- Driver assistance1
- Lights1
- Seat belts1
- Tires1
- Visibility1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan
Airbag light 14No deployment 5Power steering loss 5Stalling 5
Recalls 4
Unknown or other
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Touareg GP, Tiguan, Golf A6, E-Golf GP, CCF, 2016-2017 Passat GP, 2018-2019 Golf R GP, and 2018 Atlas vehicles. These internal-use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
- Risk
- Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of injury, crash, or fire.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will repurchase the vehicles. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01F1.
Recall number 21V321000 · Recall details
Unknown or other
- What is 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.
- Risk
- If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
- Remedy
- 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. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298.
Recall number 18V329000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal
- What is 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."
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, the incorrect air bags may not protect the driver as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- 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. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69V2.
Recall number 18V102000 · Recall details
Seat belts: pretensioner
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, if the air bags and/or the seat belt pretensioners do not inflate or function properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bags and seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298 or Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834.
Recall number 16V955000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan 591
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This supporting FAQ is for the Turbocharger Limited Warranty Extension Class Action Settlement
- Prevent Sporatic Misfire Faults.
- Checking engine oil level.
- Reprogramming Control Module process
- Engine missfire diagnostic aid
- Identifying and Mixing Volkswagen Engine Coolants
- Safety Related Inquiry and Reporting
- Suggested fuel additive
- This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
- Permission to change Daily Order upgraded to RED Order
2017 Volkswagen Tiguan fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 20 | 24 | 22 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | AWD | 20 | 23 | 21 |
What 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Intermittent lack of steering and steering wheel fell off luckily it happened while driving slow otherwise could have caused a major accident.
Ive had every now and then a steering wheel light come on then come off. Well today 9/1/26 I had lost all steering to my 2017 vw tiguan. The electronic power steering has failed and I believe this is a safety issue that needs to be addressed. And push for a recall to be made on these vehicles.
A/C has been a consistent issue since I purchased this from Columbia SC- CarMax's dealership in 2022. I've replaced the compressor and valves, and no resolve. The car sucks up oil and the electrical system is wacky!
No crash or incident occurred. While starting the vehicle normally, the airbag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed fault code P0588 — driver side airbag igniter at resistance limit. The mechanic confirmed that all airbags are non-functional as a result of this fault. No accident, collision, or unusual event preceded this failure. The part failed during normal use and operation. This is the same component covered under Safety Recall 69P4, issued February 2017 for driver and passenger airbag igniters on 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles. My VIN was not included in that recall but is experiencing the identical failure. I purchased this vehicle certified pre-owned from a Volkswagen dealership in 2020. The Carfax report provided at purchase shows no record of any airbag recall service ever being performed on this vehicle. When I contacted VW Customer Care, they confirmed my vehicle has an extended clock spring warranty and directed me to a dealership for service. The existence of an extended warranty on this specific component suggests Volkswagen is aware of a defect population broader than the original recall. I am currently driving a vehicle with non-functional airbags, creating significant safety risk to myself and my family. I believe this recall should be investigated for expansion to additional 2017 Tiguan VINs experiencing the same failure.
I am filing this complaint to seek a full buyback and debt cancellation for a 2017 VW Tiguan (VIN: [XXX] ) sold to me by Carvana for $40,000. Summary of Deception: Carvana sold this vehicle as "Certified" with a "150-Point Inspection" guarantee. This was a fraudulent misrepresentation. Within six months, the vehicle required 45+ mechanical services, including a full internal teardown that revealed catastrophic wiring corrosion caused by a long-term sunroof leak. These were latent defects present at the time of sale. The vehicle has has 2 Turbos: one recalled (now currently being recalled again) and one replaced 3 months into ownership. The vehicle slowed down on [XXX] traffic and I had to make an emergency exit and take to the dealership. This make and model were completely overhauled engine and externally after my model 2017. 45 mechanical services in 12 months justifies a recall and an exchange, Safety & Financial Hardship: As a high-level executive commuting from [XXX] to [XXX] , I required a reliable vehicle. Instead, this car decelerated dangerously on [XXX] , nearly causing a collision. Despite active steering and turbo recalls, Volkswagen mechanics have deemed the car "unsafe for road use" since January 2025. I am warned that any further driving will void my warranties due to engine damage risk. Bad Faith Negotiations: I have attempted to resolve this with Carvana and Volkswagen Executive Care. Carvana offered a mocking $500 gesture for a $40k total loss, while their supervisors were condescending and dismissive. They have refused to provide the original inspection report. Impact: I have lost tens of thousands in wages, rental costs, and storage fees while my credit and mental health suffer under $19,000 of debt for a "shell. " I am seeking an immediate buyback at their expense to resolve this matter and restore my ability to work safely. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
On December 3, 2025, Volkswagen of XXX performed an intake manifold recall repair on our 2017 Tiguan (VIN: [XXX] ) while the vehicle was under factory warranty. Approximately six weeks later the low coolant warning light appeared and the vehicle began actively leaking coolant. No other work had been performed between the recall and the onset of the leak. Our independent mechanic discovered physical damage to the original water pump consistent with a tool strike during the recall procedure. A new OEM water pump was installed but failed immediately due to an underlying pressure issue originating underneath the intake manifold. The vehicle has been at VW of South Charlotte since February 11, 2026 — seven weeks — with no root-cause diagnosis or repair. The dealership falsely documented OEM parts as aftermarket, refused to diagnose the vehicle, and the service manager made his final decision based on text messages rather than any inspection. VW Customer Care opened and closed six separate case numbers on this single unresolved complaint. Safety concern: The vehicle is non-operational and actively leaking coolant. The damage originated during a recall repair and has never been properly diagnosed or repaired. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Steering rack and pinion, yes. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? There is no power steering and unable to make a quick turn to maneuver the car around a potential hazard in the road. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, two independent service centers. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Just a power steering light when it failed.
when was driven i lost power and got the ECU light and check engine light when scan for codes got fuel system and also car went into limp mode and had low fuel reading from live feeding and since have replaced the high pressure fuel pump and live reading are good now it still won’t start and won’t come out of limp mode
During a collision in which my vehicle was struck by another driver, the airbag warning light activated, my seatbelt locked in place, and white smoke with a strong electrical smell filled the cabin. No airbags deployed (frontal or side). There is now an "ERROR: Airbag" warning on my dashboard, and the seatbelt is completely locked. The vehicle currently has multiple open safety recalls for airbag systems, including frontal and side/window airbags. I am concerned that these recalls may be related to the malfunction experienced. This failure could have resulted in serious injury if the impact had been greater. I am requesting investigation and confirmation as to whether the non-deployment is related to known defects.
Compare the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan
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Other model years
200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
Questions about the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan
Is the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?
Owners have filed 77 complaints about the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan, fewer than a typical Tiguan model year.
What is the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan year score?
The 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan scores 75 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Volkswagen Tiguan: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan?
Airbags, with 30 complaints, typically around 27,749 miles. Next is engine (16).
How many recalls does the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan have?
4 recalls, covering unknown or other, air bags and seat belts.
Was there a recall on the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan airbags?
Yes, 1 recall: 18V102000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Volkswagen Tiguan have bad airbags?
The Volkswagen Tiguan model years with the most airbags complaints are 2013 (63 complaints), 2014 (46 complaints) and 2016 (37 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan get?
Official estimates for the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan range from 21 to 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 20 city and 24 highway.
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