2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Problems: 13 Known Issues

On the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan, in a crash, the passenger frontal airbag may not unfold properly or may even tear during deployment, increasing the injury risk to the front passenger. The cause was incorrect placement of the airbag in the folding machine at the supplier. Applies to: Certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan built March 10 to May 19, 2018 (VW recall 69W8, NHTSA 18V375; the campaign also covers certain 2018 Atlas, 821 vehicles in total). Only a Volkswagen dealer can confirm by VIN.

On the 2018-2023 Volkswagen Tiguan, owners report the Front Assist collision-warning and emergency-braking system triggering early or braking suddenly with no collision threat, which they worry could lead to being rear-ended. A class-action settlement covering Tiguans with this system was reached in 2024; Volkswagen states there is no defect. Applies to: Second-generation Volkswagen Tiguan equipped with Front Assist, per owner reports on 2018 and 2019 models. The settlement (Dack v. Volkswagen Group of America) lists 2018-2023 Tiguan. Mileage when it happened, as stated in the linked owner reports: 3,500 miles on a 2018, 5,500 miles on a 2019 and 24,321 miles on a 2019.

On the 2018-2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, owners report the panoramic sunroof glass shattering while driving, with a loud noise and glass falling into the cabin, and say nothing struck it. Applies to: Second-generation Volkswagen Tiguan with the panoramic sunroof, per owner complaints on 2018, 2019 and 2021 models. Mileage when it happened, as stated in the linked owner reports: 5,900 miles on a 2019, 7,000 miles on a 2021, 20,000 miles on a 2019 and 43,000 miles on a 2018.

On the 2018-2022 Volkswagen Tiguan, the accessory rear hatch spoiler may not be properly adhered to the vehicle because the installation instructions supplied with it were not correct. The spoiler can come loose or fall off and become a road hazard for other traffic. Applies to: 2018-2021 Volkswagen Tiguan (long-wheelbase) and 2022 Tiguan that had the genuine Volkswagen accessory rear hatch spoiler installed at the port or by a dealer before first retail sale (VW recall 66N5, NHTSA 22V226; 6,553 vehicles in the US). Vehicles without the accessory spoiler are not included. Only a Volkswagen dealer can confirm by VIN.

On the 2018-2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, on some sunroof-equipped Tiguans the front sunroof drains can become blocked with moist debris, letting water leak into the passenger compartment. Volkswagen also found leaks at the front headliner, vanity lights and overhead console caused by poor adhesion of the sunroof body-side seal. Applies to: 2018-2019 Volkswagen Tiguan with a sunroof (service action 60E5, which expired December 31, 2021; seal bulletin 60-19-04 for VINs up to AX_KM088514). Volkswagen's sunroof leak warranty extension (VWP-23-06) lists 2018-2021 Tiguan, for 7 years or 80,000 miles from the original in-service date, prorated after the new-vehicle warranty.

On the 2018-2019 Volkswagen Tiguan, rear axle coil springs may have been made from material that did not meet specifications or with incorrect production process parameters, which can affect their long-term durability. A broken spring can damage a rear tire, become a road hazard and lead to a loss of vehicle control without warning. Applies to: Certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Tiguan built March 22, 2017 to November 6, 2018, not in VIN sequence (VW recall 42J5, NHTSA 19V188; 19,462 Tiguans). The campaign also covers certain Golf, Golf SportWagen and Jetta models. Only a Volkswagen dealer can confirm by VIN.

On the 2018-2023 Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0L TSI (EA888), owners report the 2.0L turbo engine needing oil top-ups between scheduled oil changes, with the low-oil warning coming on and no visible leak. Owners say dealers told them about a quart per 800-1,000 miles is normal. Applies to: Second-generation (2018 and later) Volkswagen Tiguan with the 2.0L TSI engine, per owner reports on 2018 and 2019 models. A 2024 US lawsuit about 2022-2023 Tiguans alleges low piston-ring tension; it is an allegation, not a finding. Mileage when it happened, as stated in the linked owner reports: 10,400 miles on a 2018, 15,900 miles on a 2018, 21,748 miles on a 2018, 33,500 miles on a 2019 and 35,000 miles on a 2018.

On the 2018-2019 Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0L TSI (DDSA/DGUA), injector circuit faults, which may come and go, can be stored in the engine control module, and the check-engine light may come on. Volkswagen's fix is to replace the fuel injector (T8) wiring harness. Applies to: 2018-2019 Volkswagen Tiguan (long-wheelbase) with the 2.0L engine (VW lists engine codes DDSA and DGUA). The VWP-23-03 warranty extension covers the fuel injector wiring harness for 10 years or 120,000 miles, whichever comes first, counted from the original in-service date. Only a Volkswagen dealer can confirm by VIN.

On the 2009-2021 Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0L TSI (EA888), volkswagen extended warranty coverage for failed engine water pumps, thermostats and thermostat housings on Tiguans under class-action settlements, including a share of the cost of engine damage directly caused by such a failure. Applies to: Tiguans in the settlement classes: 2009-2014 Tiguan (VWP-19-08: water pump, 10 years/100,000 miles) and certain 2014-2021 Volkswagen models including Tiguan (VWP-22-06: water pump, thermostat and thermostat housing, 8 years/80,000 miles). Both periods count from the original in-service date, so coverage may already have ended. Only a Volkswagen dealer can confirm eligibility by VIN.

On the 2018-2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, owners report the rear brake pads and rotors wearing out well before the front brakes. One owner reports a rear inner pad worn to the metal backing without the wear warning sounding. Applies to: Second-generation Volkswagen Tiguan, per owner reports on 2018, 2019 and 2020 models. Mileage when it happened, as stated in the linked owner reports: 79,200 miles on a 2019.

On the 2018-2020 Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0L TSI, volkswagen extended transmission coverage on 2018-2020 Tiguans for a diagnosed condition of transmission hesitation and/or jerking. Before diagnosing it, dealers must first perform emissions recall 24GB, an engine and transmission control module software update that Volkswagen says also improves drivability. Applies to: 2018-2020 Volkswagen Tiguan (US) included in emissions recall 24GB. The warranty extension (VWP-22-16) runs 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first, counted from the end of the original New Vehicle Limited Warranty, so it may already have ended for your vehicle. Only a Volkswagen dealer can confirm eligibility by VIN.

On the 2018-2020 Volkswagen Tiguan, owners of 2018 and 2019 Tiguans report the engine failing to restart after an automatic Start/Stop stop, needing jump starts or several key cycles, and one 2019 owner reports a 12-volt battery-low message that keeps returning after a dealer battery replacement. A Volkswagen technical tip says Start/Stop is disabled when the battery charge reading drops below 12.1 volts, and that a replaced battery or battery monitoring module that was not adapted to the vehicle can disable it and lead to premature battery failure. Applies to: Second-generation Volkswagen Tiguan, per owner reports on 2018 and 2019 models. VW technical tip 27-19-01TT lists 2018-2020 Tiguan (long-wheelbase) with automatic transmission. Mileage when it happened, as stated in the linked owner reports: 32,000 miles on a 2019, 39,000 miles on a 2018 and 53,000 miles on a 2019.

On the 2018-2019 Volkswagen Tiguan, the MIB2 Composition or Discover Media infotainment system may freeze or reboot, show a blank or black display, lose audio output, or have volume, navigation, hands-free call, radio preset or Apple CarPlay malfunctions. Applies to: 2018-2019 Volkswagen Tiguan (long-wheelbase) equipped with infotainment PR code I8F (VW TSB 91-19-03).