One of the worst Tiguan years
Owners filed about 2.0 times as many complaints as a typical Tiguan year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 8,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2014, 2015 and 2017.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Tiguan years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 288 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan. The most reported problem area is the engine and cooling (82, 28% of complaints), followed by the transmission and drivetrain and the electrical system. That is the most complaints of any Tiguan year from 2012 to 2024. It has 14 recalls.
1 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan before you buy.
Engine and cooling
82 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 8,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
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.Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, there was an engine failure, and internal parts fell apart and started grinding into the oil pan. The message "LIMP Mode” and the vehicle failed to exceed 4,000 RPM. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer stated that the engine needed to be…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 37,000 miles
Transmission and drivetrain
49 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 8,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact's daughter owns a 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shook and decelerated abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the vehicle should not be driven because the drive belt needed to be replaced; however, the part was…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 60,000 miles
Sporadic lack of acceleration when coming from a stop. When depressing Excelerator car sometimes stalls to accelerate. I feel that when this issue occurs it makes my car unsafe to drive.Owner complaint, filed 2022
Electrical system
46 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 12,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
Door lock system Child trapped inside due to vehicle locking itself with keys in car after putting child in car seat and bag inside. Fire department used a slim jim through window to press unlock button; however, the vehicle would not unlock via interior door button. Fire department had to pull interior door handle to unlock, taking an…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Micro switch in driver door module I believe is the cause. I cannot open the door even when hitting the unlock button on the keys or inside the vehicle. All other doors will unlock and open fine but not the driver door. Safety issue comes that if I were to be in an accident, unconscious, people would be unable to get my door open even if…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Fuel system
41 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 8,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 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…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Body, doors and structure
39 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 1,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (38).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
There is an excessive amount of water leaking into the passenger compartment and also the cargo area The result is that considerable mold growing on the carpeting of the entire car The dealer has ordered repair parts but the parts are on back order leaving me to drive the vehicle while it has mold I have been advised if I remove the…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Driving down the Highway with my kids in the car and the sunroof shattered. No was around driving near me, nothing was hit, no other damage on my vehicle. the sunroof just exploded with my 4 children in the car. Now Im 1,000 miles away from home.Owner complaint, filed 2021
Brakes and stability control
24 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 8,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan SE (4Motion) has approximately 75,000 miles on it. The rear driver-side brake lines failed, snapping in half, which resulted in a complete loss of brake fluid. Consequently, the vehicle was unable to stop unless the emergency brake was engaged.Owner complaint, filed 2024
While slow8ng to a stop the emergency brake is activating. Auto start stop malfunction warning appears on dash. Takes a minute to get the emergency brake to release. Happened several times in 2 days.Owner complaint, filed 2024
Lights, wipers and visibility
24 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 2,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
Low beam on Both headlights failed without any explanation. Everything was checked. The bulbs, the fuses, the relay, and the cause of the issue is still not known.Owner complaint, filed 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65-70 MPH, a loud explosion was heard coming from the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the sunroof glass had exploded. There was no impact to the sunroof that could have…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 43,000 miles
Cruise control and acceleration
21 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 6,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
The car does not accelerate from a stop especially on hot days after being in stop and go traffic. I step on the gas and literally nothing happens. The engine doesn't rev and the car does not advance. I can push the gas pedal multiple times before it finally [VIN] and then it does it in an out of control manner. I have had to sit through…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 41,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 volkswagen tiguan. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond when attempting to accelerate. The contact stated that the failure occurred every day while driving in traffic or merging onto the highway ever since the vehicle was purchased on october 18, 2018. The vehicle was taken to gunther volkswagen…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 7,000 miles
Driver assist systems
18 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
Parts named most: Warnings (9), Automatic emergency braking (6), Blind spot detection (5).
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
Persistent and Dangerous Malfunction of Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Traffic Assist The safety features of Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Traffic Assist, designed to enhance driving safety, have unfortunately been plagued by a persistent and alarming malfunction. Despite the dealership's diligent efforts to troubleshoot the issue, the…Owner complaint, filed 2024
The Blind Spot warning, forward collision warning and parking collision warning suddenly stopped working even though they showed that the features were enabled in the car's dashboard settings. Fortunately, I realized this and took it to the dealer for repairs.Owner complaint, filed 2022
Seats and seat belts
17 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 4,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
Seatbelt is not functioning adequately. The seatbelt itself that’s contained in the column near the door is not retracting or staying taught when in use. It’s very loose and something inside is rattling when ejected, and it has to be manually assisted to retract.Owner complaint, filed 2023
The contact's daughter owns a 2018 volkswagen tiguan. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v724000 (seat belts) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. A dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the [VIN] had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The [VIN] was not…Owner complaint, filed 2021
Steering
15 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 7,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 82,000 miles
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Air bags
15 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
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: 004Owner complaint, filed 2025
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…Owner complaint, filed 2021
Suspension
10 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Front coil spring fractured at 84,554 miles. I am the original owner with full dealer-maintained service history. VW issued Safety Recall 42J5 for premature rear coil spring fracture on 2018, 2019 Tiguans due to material specification and manufacturing process defects at the spring supplier. The front springs on this vehicle came from…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Wheels and tires
2 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
I originally started out at World Kia in Matteson, where I was approved for a newer vehicle. But then they suddenly changed their minds and tried to put me in an older car instead. That rubbed me the wrong way, so I went to their Joliet location hoping for better service. Boy, was I wrong. Even though they had already run my credit in…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The car has had a distinct noise when driving. I complained every time we were in and finally june of 2019 I was told it was the alignment after I had repeatedly told them it was the wheel bearings. After paying for a new alignment I was told that yes the wheel bearings needed to be changed and that because of all of the issues my tires…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 28,000 miles
Volkswagen Tiguan complaints by year
Compare the 2018 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2018 compact SUVs
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan | Among the worst years | 14 |
| 2018 Toyota RAV4 | About average | 3 |
| 2018 Honda CR-V | Among the worst years | 5 |
| 2018 Mazda CX-5 | Worse than most years | 3 |
2018 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls
Steering
- Risk
- A broken steering rack housing can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the right-side steering rack mounting bolt, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan, 2018-2019 Atlas, and 2019-2021 Audi Q3 vehicles. One of the bolts that attaches the steering rack to the subframe may corrode and break. If this happens, the steering rack housing can break.
Body and structure
- Risk
- An insufficiently attached spoiler may separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the spoiler, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Tiguan and 2018-2021 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. Due to incorrect installation instructions, the accessory rear hatch spoiler may be insufficiently attached to the vehicle.
Body and structure Roof and pillars
- Risk
- The incorrect roof reinforcement may decrease the roof's structural integrity or impact deployment of the side curtain air bags, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will be replace the roof reinforcement, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan vehicles. During the repair of roof damage, an incorrect roof reinforcement assembly may have been installed.
Seat belts Webbing
- Risk
- A torn seat belt may not adequately restrain the seat occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat belts and replace them as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan LWB vehicles. In the event of a crash, one or both of the front seat belt's webbing may tear.
Other
- Risk
- If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles.
Full recall summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible 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.
Suspension Coil springs
- Risk
- If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Golf Sportwagen, 2019 Jetta, 2015-2019 Golf, and 2018-2019 Tiguan vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.
Electrical system Instrument cluster / panel
- Risk
- If the driver is not notified by an audible noise that the key is left in the ignition, it can increase the risk of vehicle theft or crash.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas and Tiguan and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles that do not have keyless entry. The instrument cluster may not provide an audible warning to let the driver know that the key is still in the ignition when the door is open. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."
Windows, mirrors and wipers Sun / moon roof assembly
- Risk
- A short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the power supply for the panoramic sunroof LED module, free of charge, until a future service action can safely reactivate the feature.
Full recall summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles. The LED module for the panoramic sunroof ambient light bar may short circuit.
Air bags Inflator module
- Risk
- If the air bag were to tear or unfold incorrectly during deployment, it can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Suspension Lower ball joint
- Risk
- A loose or improperly tightened ball joint nut can result in the separation of the lower ball joint causing steering, traction or other stability issues, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will replace the nut on the lower ball joint and, as necessary, clean the thread in the ball joint, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan and Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. The nut that holds the lower ball joint of the front wheel on each side of the vehicle may be loose or improperly tightened.
Suspension Shock absorber
- Risk
- If the lower loop of the rear shock absorber detaches, there may be a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear shock absorbers, replacing them as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan long wheelbase (LWB) vehicles. A lower loop of a rear shock absorber may separate from its base due to an incorrect welding process
Engine
- Risk
- If the engine support bolts were not properly tightened, an unexpected engine breakdown or loss of engine power may occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace engine support bolts, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. The engine support bolts on these vehicles may not have been properly tightened.
Air bags
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, the incorrect air bags may not protect the driver as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel and front driver air bag module, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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."
Lights Tail lights
- Risk
- If the back-up lights are not bright enough, other drivers may not see the vehicle reversing, or the driver may back into an obstacle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected inner taillight assemblies, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. The back-up lights in the taillight assemblies may not be bright enough. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
2018 Volkswagen Tiguan questions
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan?
The most reported problem areas on the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan are the engine and cooling (82 complaints), the transmission and drivetrain (49 complaints) and the electrical system (46 complaints).
Is the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan a good year to buy?
One of the worst Tiguan years. Owners filed about 2.0 times as many complaints as a typical Tiguan year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 8,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2014, 2015 and 2017. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Tiguan years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan have?
NHTSA lists 14 recalls for the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan. The most recent, from Sep 2026, covers the steering. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 8,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the transmission and drivetrain gave a mileage of about 8,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Volkswagen Tiguan years should I avoid?
The Tiguan years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2018. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2014, 2015 and 2017. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan?
We inspect the car with a scan tool and paint gauge, read the history report and tell you whether it is worth the asking price, before you hand over any money.
- Check a specific car for open recalls at NHTSA
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