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2018 Volkswagen Tiguan airbags problems

15 complaints (5% of all complaints for this car). 2 crashes reported.

owner complaints
15
of this car's complaints
5%
crashes
2
recalls
2

Which part fails

Owners did not name a specific part.

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Volkswagen Tiguan airbags problems in other years

2009201520202026

Related recalls

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported June 6, 2018 · 821 vehicles affected
What is 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.
Risk
If the air bag were to tear or unfold incorrectly during deployment, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began July 19, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69W8, and 69W9.

Recall number 18V375000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontalReported February 9, 2018 · 3,768 vehicles affected
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

What 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 31, 2026 · Airbags, Electrical · NY

The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the parking brake independently activated, and the air bag warning light illuminated. In addition, while attempting to turn off the vehicle, the key failed to function as intended. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road and turned off. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The parking brake was not activated. Additionally, the front driver's side door latch failed to unlatch as needed. The contact stated that none of the electrical system features functioned as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed wiring harness and a failed front driver's side door harness. The contact was informed that the wiring harness and front driver's side door harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer reset the codes. The contact was informed that until the repair was performed, the failure would recur. The contact referenced an unknown recall with a similar failure; however, the VIN was not associated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Mar 24, 2026 · Airbags, Body · NY

My 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan experienced a failure of the airbag control module caused by water intrusion through the HVAC access area and failed seam seal tape at the cowl support. The dealership confirmed that water leaked through a factory seam, accumulated at the airbag module, and caused the module to fail. The airbag warning light is illuminated, and the system is inoperable. This failure matches the same defect pattern covered under Volkswagen’s recall campaigns for the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport (water intrusion leading to airbag control module failure), but my VIN is not included. The root cause and safety implications are identical: water entering through a body seam/HVAC area and compromising the airbag system. This is a safety‑critical issue that disables the airbags and creates a risk of injury in a crash. I am requesting the federal safety agency review this defect for potential recall expansion. Dealership Findings: • Water present at airbag control module • Water leaking through HVAC access hole • Failed seam seal tape at cowl support • Water accumulation damaging the airbag module • Cowl trim cracked and repaired • Recommended replacement of airbag control module and seam sealing tape • Estimated repair cost: $1,377 + tax Safety Concern: Airbag system is disabled due to water intrusion from a factory seam. This creates a risk of injury or death in the event of a collision.

Filed Dec 11, 2025 · Airbags, Driver assistance · FL

One time the car Just Lost power on the freeway and the e-card engine light came on and the cat Ran rugh and stalled and jerked hard almost causing me to cause a serious accident...I took it to vw and explained the severity and they bypassed that And installed a new water pump..2months later the same thing happened exactly to where I was very lucky and very upset...and took it to them once again and explained more issues where I'm urging . As to the front warning light and motion has came into play a few times witch was shocking...also the car would be on slow mo mode....and constant warning lights would come on the dashboard as well as the car would feel so unstable and Feel as if it were On gear 1/L while in the drive position...also the Eco turn of feature would playout ..and stall from time to time..then the car would get stuck on speed when foot would come off the accelerator to brake before a stop sign or red light intersection witch just started to concern me and I again took these concerns to Rick case vw and They thought I was inventing this story..then the car leaked coolant..and it rusted out the whole bottom of my car ..hoses...and they replaced the thermostat this time around and now the car has misfired..could not start ..idle was ver rough and just vibrated dramatically and damaged coils and spakplugs and blew out fuel inject #2 and can't hold pressure past 30 ..changed out the spak plugs and coils and the car is just crippled and its a safety hazard and in many occasions has almost caused me to cause a serious accident...

Filed Jun 23, 2025 · Airbags · MI

Airbag fault light is illuminated. drivers side, Fault Code: B101715 - crash sensor for side airbag, drivers side open circuit to B+ Intermittent occurred on 5/19/2025 at 56000 mile. Data from vehicle Software Number; 5Q0959655AG Software Version: 0336 Hardware Number: 5Q0959655AG Hardware Version: 004

Filed May 15, 2025 · Airbags, Fuel system · AR

Seat belt light on. Car went into limp mode while on the highway. Seat belt acted like it was loose. Went for scan and it pulled up diagnostic code P0203 which is Replace Fuel injector wiring harness. Saying Cylinder 3 circuit malfunction. Also threw code P050B.

Filed Jan 16, 2025 · Airbags · MA

Air Bag Warning Light

Filed Sep 8, 2023 · Airbags, Driver assistance · NJ

My vehicle has had repeated issues with passenger airbags, after last repair all of the safety sensors failed and received warning on dashboard (no collision protection, no Adaptive cruise control) after bringing back to dealer car was returned to me and told the parts are unavailable. Currently I have had a vehicle under warranty which has no collision protection features that came with the car. Car by dealer’s own statement it is unsafe to drive yet was returned to us. It has been nearly 3 months and are continually told that there is no fix in site.

Filed Jul 11, 2023 · Airbags, Brakes · TX

Solo prendieron la luz

Filed Sep 8, 2021 · Airbags · AR · crash · 1 injury

I was involved in a head-on collision going 35mph. The airbags failed to deploy. Due to this fact, my leg arms, and shoulder took all the force of the accident causing edema and bursitis to my left shoulder. The car was towed to one of State Farm’s Collison centers where it was inspected. There were no warnings or symptoms prior to total failure of the system.

Filed Jan 26, 2021 · Airbags · GA · crash · 1 injury

My name is [xxx] and I was a car accident on thursday, january 21, 2021 a vehicle hit me. I was in motion heading straight and the other car failed the right away and hit me on the drivers side. My airbags did not deploy. I'm wondering if there was recall or if anyone else has had this issue? Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Questions about the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan airbags

Does the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan have airbags problems?

Owners have filed 15 complaints about the airbags of the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan, 5% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan airbags problems start?

Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.

Was there a recall on the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan airbags?

Yes, 2 recalls: 18V375000, 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).

Other 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan problems

Engine 82Transmission 49Electrical 46Fuel system 41Body 39Acceleration 21Brakes 21Driver assistance 21Lights 17Seat belts 16Steering 16Suspension 10Visibility 8Wheels 2Seats 1

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