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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2013 Volkswagen Tiguan Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 140 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Volkswagen dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2013 Volkswagen Tiguan owner complaints

Owners have filed 140 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan, describing incidents dated October 25, 2012 to May 4, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Air Bags 63 complaints
  • Electrical System 36 complaints
  • Engine 30 complaints
  • Steering 27 complaints
  • Fuel/Propulsion System 18 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 16 complaints

Of the 140 complaints on file, 2 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 140 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11772354 · Filed

    Engine light on at around 50K - dealership said it was just an "issue with the warning lights" don't worry unless it blinks. At 74K I found out the turbo boost was the reason for this and I should have been told when the car was still under warranty. Realized in December of 2020 the car was soaking…

  • ODI #11736239 · Filed

    When driving down the highway, my power steering went out with zero warning or indicators leading up to it going out. Upon researching, this is a problem that many people have experienced with this make and model of vehicle.

  • ODI #11716090 · Filed

    Feb 2026 My airbag light came on few days ago, now my horn doesn't work, and the functions on the steering wheel don't work, like being able to reset tire pressure and check functions for the car, the phone, the radio/cd information. Jan 2025 My seat belt (driver ) lock is broken ,to attach the seat…

Read all 140 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan in 3 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Modifications to Vehicles Made them Noncompliant

NHTSA #18V329000 · Unknown or Other · NHTSA notice

Reported May 16, 2018 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 252 vehicles

Repair completion: 78.09% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Volkswagen campaign 01C5/01C6 · Owners notified November 29, 2018 · Vehicles built February 28, 2011 – December 23, 2014 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

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.

Air Bag Clock Spring may Fail

NHTSA #15V483000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice

Reported August 4, 2015 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 415,825 vehicles

Repair completion: 76.45% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Volkswagen campaign 69L2 · Owners notified January 15, 2016 · Vehicles built February 28, 2011 – February 26, 2014 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.

Safety consequence

A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.

Notes

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.

Bubbles in Fuel may Result in Engine Stall

NHTSA #14V441000 · Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA notice

Reported July 21, 2014 · Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 151,389 vehicles

Repair completion: 89.97% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Volkswagen campaign 24AV/2W · Owners notified August 19, 2014 · Vehicles built July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2014 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Tiguan vehicles manufactured July 2007 to June 2014. When using winterized fuel, in certain conditions bubbles may form in the fuel system which could result in the vehicle stalling.

Safety consequence

A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle's software to increase the fuel pump pressure, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin August 19, 2014. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24AV/2W.

Notes

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.

Other Volkswagen Tiguan model years

Check your 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Volkswagen Tiguan at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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