2013 Volkswagen Tiguan problems and recalls

45% of owner complaints on the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan related to the Air Bags (63 of 139).

139
Complaints
3
Recalls
2
Crash reports
1
Fire reports
1
Injuries
34.7
Severity index

Severity index 34.7 Low. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 34.7p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 137 of 145 by severity index among 2013 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 6% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2013 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Air BagsAir Bags: 63 complaints (45.3%)63 45%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 35 complaints (25.2%)35 25%EngineEngine: 29 complaints (20.9%)29 21%SteeringSteering: 27 complaints (19.4%)27 19%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 16 complaints (11.5%)16 12%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 14 complaints (10.1%)14 10%Service BrakesService Brakes: 6 complaints (4.3%)6 4%Power TrainPower Train: 6 complaints (4.3%)6 4%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
AIR BAGS6345.3%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3525.2%
ENGINE2920.9%
STEERING2719.4%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1611.5%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1410.1%
SERVICE BRAKES64.3%
POWER TRAIN64.3%

Complaints filed per year

014272013: 62014: 112015: 52016: 112017: 142018: 272019: 102020: 122021: 112022: 122023: 52024: 32025: 62026: 6 (partial year)131415161718271920212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20136
201411
20155
201611
201714
201827
201910
202012
202111
202212
20235
20243
20256
2026 (year to date)6
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 0.4x those in 2020 to 2022 (14 against 35).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
18V32900016/05/2018UNKNOWN OR OTHERVolkswagen 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
15V48300004/08/2015AIR BAGS:FRONTALVolkswagen 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
14V44100021/07/2014FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEVolkswagen 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.

Other Volkswagen Tiguan model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 15 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.