2016 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls and problems

The 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan has 2 recalls and 97 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is air bags.

Pictured: a 2015 model; the 2016 may differ in details. Photo: 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan by EurovisionNim, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How the 2016 compares

Average

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Average complaint count among 18 Tiguan model years — 11th most.

2recalls

97complaints

4crashes

2fires

3injuries

45,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

Check your VIN →

2 recalls

Air Bags

Jul 17, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V535000 · 27,822 vehicles

Problem: 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 & notes

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Latches/locks/linkages

Jun 24, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V464000 · 5,658 vehicles

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 CC vehicles manufactured January 12, 2016, to February 3, 2016, Golf R and Tiguan vehicles manufactured November 25, 2015, to January 28, 2016, and e-Golf vehicles manufactured November 25, 2015, to January 11, 2016. Vibrations, such as those created by opening and closing a vehicle door, may cause the rear child door locks to disengage, allowing a child to open a rear door while inside the vehicle.

Risk: If an unrestrained child unexpectedly opens a door, they may fall from the vehicle increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy & notes

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the child lock(s), free of charge. The recall began on August 22, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 58C9.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Unknown or other23

Engine11

Vehicle Speed Control3

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2016 vs. other Volkswagen Tiguan years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2016. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns covering the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan, the latest from Jul 17, 2019 (air bags). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention air bags (37), electrical system (27), unknown or other (23). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.