Volkswagen Tiguan steering noise problems

Filed May 9, 2023 · Airbags, Electrical · CA

While making a uturn my neighborhood with steering wheel turned to the left I started to hear and feel a "clicking and grinding" noise in steering wheel. Moments later, the airbag error light illuminated on dash and has not turned off. Front driver airbag error, airbag will not deploy in the event of a collision. Horn no longer works. Steering wheel controls do not work. Airbag error warning light displayed on dash and alarms during vehicle ignition. Clock spring seems to be defective and complete power steering failure has happened on multiple occasions, in very dangerous and inconvenient situations (i.e getting on the freeway). Once the engine and computer is powered down and restarted, no longer power steering failure for the time being. No active recall but all sources say this is the recall that has been covered previously. Car is unsafe to drive.

Filed Sep 19, 2022 · Airbags, Electrical · MI

Turned the steering wheel, heard a popping noise and then an airbag error appeared. The horn no longer works either. Assumed to be the known clock spring issue for this year/make/model.

Filed Sep 10, 2022 · Airbags · MA

The clock spring failed in my steering wheel. There is no active horn or airbag for the drivers side. None of the steering wheel system works. The steering wheel was making a clicking sound for a week and then one night the airbag error light came on and has stayed on. The vehicle was taken to VW they said it is the clockspring that needs to be replaced but they are on back order for months.

Filed Aug 13, 2022 · Airbags · PA

Approximately three months ago I was in my 2017 Tiguan, headed to have brunch with some close friends. Upon backing out of my garage, I turned the wheel and heard an odd clicking sound in my steering wheel/column. I made my way to meet my friends, only to find that my airbag light and tire pressure sensor had come on in my dash. Later on, I discovered I couldn’t use any of the controls on my steering wheel, and my horn wasn’t functioning. Thankfully I don’t use the car to travel much because I work from home, but there are times when I need to run errands. I researched the problem and the only conclusion I could reach was the clockspring was damaged. I have yet to take it to my garage because apparently, there is a shortage of the part needed. I have also read there was an initial recall on this part several years ago, but I’m concerned this is still an issue in these vehicles. I’m also concerned that because the part shortage, it won’t pass inspection. Something needs to be done to remedy this defect. It’s far too dangerous to let this go any longer.

Filed Jun 15, 2022 · Airbags · MA

Approximately three weeks ago I began to hear a clicking sound in the steering wheel when turning in either direction. Within two days I began to receive an error message that stated "error air bag". The airbag error icon displays on the console at all times. Two days ago, I went to use the horn and it does not work. Both these issues represent a significant safety issue. I do not feel safe driving the vehicle. The car is available for inspection upon request. A diagnostics was done at an independent dealer. Results, driver side airbag igniter issue, no communication between control unit and steering wheel. The car has not been inspected by manuf. police or insurance. Sudden onset of issues.

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 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 Feb 11, 2022 · Airbags, Electrical · NY

The clock spring has broken. When the wheel turns, this results in a loud clicking from the steering wheel post. The airbag light is on, the horn does not work, and the electrical controls on the wheel do not either. This is a known issue on VW Tiguans. Earlier years have a recall while the 2016 is only covered by an extended warranty. Dealer confirmed the clock spring is the issue. This is the real problem: VWs response is unacceptable. There are no replacement clock springs available in the country. There is no time estimate for the delivery of the replacement part. According to the service center, they are not even in production. I have been waiting weeks for VW to fix a known issue - affecting the horn, airbag and electrical controls - and there is no estimate for when it will be fixed.

Filed Jun 22, 2021 · Electrical · SC

2016 Tiguan - 75k Miles. Steering wheel starting making clicking noises when taking sharper turns, a few days later, the airbag light came on along with an airbag "error" message. That same day, all buttons on the steering wheel stopped working, along with the horn. I took the car into the dealership and they IMMEDIATELY knew what was wrong. The clockspring. Quite frankly, this is absurd... If this is a known issue why isn't this a recall? I was told by the service representative that they see 2-3 CASES OF THIS A DAY... What the heck? Comeon.... This is a serious safety issue... Do something about it.

Filed Apr 16, 2021 · Airbags, Electrical · 130,000 miles · OR

Steering wheel made clicking noise, suddenly the airbag light came on and no steering wheel controls would work while driving down the highway. Looked up that it could be the recall on the clock spring stating debris could get into the area and cause a failure. Spoke with vw of america, states the vehicle is only covered up to 120,000 (my mileage at time of call to vw was 135k). Given this is a known issue for these vehicles and the investigation even needed to be re-opened in 2018, you think the company would care about the safety of their customers as I am now driving a vehicle with an airbag that won't deploy upon impact (possibly fatal).