2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: October 1, 2025 · Filed: October 22, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a clunking sound coming from the vehicle while depressing the brake pedal and making left turns. The contact stated that the failure became worse over time. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the steering rack mounting bolt was fractured due to corrosion and half of the bolt had seized. The contact was advised that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact was notified about NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V590000 (STEERING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 82,000.

Incident: October 21, 2026 · Filed: October 21, 2026

My vehicle is under safety recall NHTSA 26V590 (Volkswagen 48LG / 48VT). The steering rack mounting bolt can corrode and break, which can cause a loss of steering control. I was notified of this recall about a month ago. As of October 21, 2026, there is still no remedy available, and I am told owner letters may not go out until around November 10 — nearly two months after the recall was announced — with no date for when a repair will actually exist. This is my only vehicle, and I have to commute to work in it every day. On October 21, 2026, I contacted Volkswagen customer care and asked for a loaner or alternative transportation until the remedy is available. I was offered nothing — only told to keep driving the vehicle and wait. I do not think it is acceptable for owners to be told to keep driving a car with a known steering defect, with no repair available and no alternative transportation offered. I am asking NHTSA to press Volkswagen on the remedy timeline and on providing interim transportation for owners who have no other vehicle.

Incident: October 10, 2026 · Filed: October 10, 2026

Within 6 months of purchasing car CPO from dealer, car went into limp mode. Was less than 35k miles, still having same issues at 85k miles. Took to dealer, they said nothing was wrong with car. Car began to have ECU light come on frequently in the middle of driving, took back to dealer. They replaced the fuel injector harness under warranty. Began to have issues with fuel injector misfires, car stalling and lagging at stop signs, sputtering when given gas. When driven for long periods at a time, would intermittently not start. Took back to dealer within a year, spent 1800 on maybe fixes, modules and carbon filter replacement. Same issues. Took back again, spent another 1800 replacing modules. Same issues repeated. Took to a european car specialist as we were frustrated with not getting the vehicle properly fixed for years at the dealer, had the engine walnut blasted for any carbon buildup and fuel injectors cleaned, they diagnosed and said the fuel rail harness is bad. Took back to Volkswagen, they re-evaluated and said there was no issue- my husband had to explain to them that there was a repair just done so code reading would not be sufficient and they needed to get under the car and use a multimeter to diagnose the wiring harness. Service team needs additional training- after doing so they found the fuel harness used may in fact be bad and replaced it a second time. Called VW corporate who was no help and told me we are at the discretion of the dealer and they years of the same issues are just what happens at times when the vehicle is out of warranty. There are thousands of reports online- I have been out of use of the vehicle for at least 6 months in my 5 years of ownership. I cannot believe that VW has consistently faulty product relating to the fuel rail system and has not recalled the vehicles.

Incident: September 27, 2026 · Filed: October 9, 2026

Suspected Electrical Defect and Potential Fire Hazard – 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL I am reporting a suspected electrical safety defect involving the sunroof wiring harness in my 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL. While my vehicle was parked, an attempt was made to replace a blown F23 fuse. Smoke began coming from the sunroof area and filled the cabin. Afterward, multiple warning lights illuminated, the vehicle displayed a “turn car off” warning, the door locks repeatedly cycled, the climate control stopped working, and the infotainment/navigation screen shut off and restarted. A mechanic subsequently determined that the sunroof wiring harness had melted and required replacement. I was informed that the wiring harness (part number 5NA971648C) is unavailable and has been placed under Volkswagen’s “quality inspection” process due to suspected fire-hazard concerns. Volkswagen reportedly no longer supplies this harness separately, requiring replacement of the entire sunroof assembly, including the glass, even though the glass is not the source of the problem. The repair is estimated at $3,900 and requires extensive labor, including dashboard removal and a VIN-specific part from Germany. My primary concern is safety, not cost. A wiring harness that melts and produces enough smoke to fill a vehicle’s cabin could potentially cause a fire, damage other electrical systems, or endanger occupants. I am concerned other owners may face the same hazard. I request that NHTSA investigate whether the sunroof wiring harness or associated electrical system in 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles presents a safety defect, review similar reports, and determine whether further investigation or corrective action is warranted.

Incident: September 27, 2026 · Filed: September 28, 2026

While opening the sunroof, the front end of the sunroof began to billow smoke. The cabin filled with smoke. The car was immediately turned off and the fuse was removed. While attempting to drive the vehicle closer to the dealership, the car experienced a total electrical failure and stalled on the side of the road. The car will require a tow. There is a known recall on this matter, however, my VIN does not fall under this recall. The recall explains the exact issue we experienced with the smoking sunroof motor from the faulty lighting causing a serious fire risk.

Incident: February 2, 2026 · Filed: September 23, 2026

We have to add 1-2 quarts of oil every 600 miles. Our check engine light came on 02/2026 for carbon buildup. We had it cleaned, had timing chain replaced, piston rings, oil valves, manifold. Cost us $5300. The car ran fine before the light came on and all of a sudden it started making grinding noises and idling rough. We change the oil every 3,000 miles and the car burns through oil constantly. Our car stalled 4 times on the highway since then almost causing wrecks, it runs rough and now our check engine light is back on for the same issue. It’s causing emotional and financial distress. There are multiple lawsuits pending for this but something needs done. This is exhausting.

Incident: May 31, 2026 · Filed: September 2, 2026

The car went into limp mode on an Interstate Highway. It was taken to a VW dealer in Mooresville, NC after two other private garages could not diagnose the problem. Their is a current Factory Warranty Extension for 2017, 2018, 2019 VW Tiguan's. The dealer in Mooresville kept the car for two weeks. Drove it for over 100 miles. They claim They can see the code in the computer but it is not active so VW will not pay for the known problem. I feel this is a safety issue as the car will not only possibly go into limp mode at any time but when stepping on the accelerator when not in limp mode the exhibits another known fault. The engine initially sputters as if it is going to stall then accelerates very quickly.

Incident: July 1, 2023 · Filed: August 30, 2026

This vehicle goes through oil at a rapid rate. I am adding oil to my car every week. I have had to add at least 2 quarts between oil changes for the duration of owning the vehicle.

Incident: July 9, 2026 · Filed: August 27, 2026

I began intermittently noticing a gasoline/fuel odor shortly after taking possession of the vehicle in June 2026. The odor became significantly worse, and I formally reported it to the selling dealership on July 9, 2026. The vehicle was subsequently taken to an authorized Volkswagen dealership for evaluation. A repair order dated July 23, 2026 documents: “Customer states that the vehicle smells of fuel. Could not duplicate customer concern.” Before the evaluation, I explained that the odor becomes most noticeable after the vehicle has been driven for an extended period, particularly in extreme Arizona heat. My normal commute is approximately one hour each way and 60 miles per day. I do not know how far or under what conditions the vehicle was road-tested during the evaluation. The vehicle remained with the dealership during the repair process and was returned to me on August 13, 2026. The condition has continued and has become substantially worse. After extended driving in extreme heat, the gasoline odor can become unbearable and is now noticeable inside the passenger compartment while I am driving. When parked in my home garage, the gasoline odor becomes strong enough to enter the house, and neighbors have also noticed it. The odor has also resulted in complaints from others in the parking garage at my workplace. I’m currently using approximately one tank of gasoline every two and a half days. I do not know whether the fuel consumption and gasoline odor are related. The specific failed component is UNKNOWN. The vehicle remains available for inspection. The concern has previously been presented to both the selling dealership and an authorized Volkswagen dealership, but the cause has not been identified and the condition continues.

Filed: August 26, 2026

While I was driving down a flat road this past week, the front left coil spring on my 2018 VW Tiguan S spontaneously broke, causing a large chunk of the coil spring to bounce around in the wheel well of the car and ultimately flying out into oncoming traffic as well as the left front end of my car to dip forward due to the shortening of the leftover coil spring. After going to the repair shop, I learned that this is a very common issue among VW products of these years. I also came to find out that my front control arms bearings are in need of replacement due to loose bushings, which is an already recalled issue on certain 2018 VW Tiguan vehicles, but of course, my vehicle is not listed under the recall. I am extremely upset and disappointed that my vehicle is being affected by all of these known recalled issues, yet when I run my VIN number, my car is never "affected". Suspension issues can be extremely dangerous, and I feel as if the issues that I have been having are known issues; I should have the right to get them repaired under recall rather than having to pay out of pocket once the part ultimately fails, putting me and others at risk for injury.