SUV, gasoline, built in Germany. Owner complaints on file from May 16, 2016 to Jul 12, 2026.
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19V-535 | Jul 17, 2019 | Air bag Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may have a defective power supply capacitor that can result in air bag deactivation or inadvertent… | Airbags | 27,822 | Software update |
| 16V-464 | Jun 24, 2016 | Vibrations, such as those created by opening and closing a vehicle door, may cause the rear child door locks to disengage, allowing a child to… | Latches and locks | 5,658 | Part replacement |
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
96 complaints on file, page 1 of 5.
* Purchase Date: January 23, 2016 * Current Mileage: Approximately 71,500 miles For the past several months, my vehicle has experienced continuous engine oil loss. The oil level drops approximately one gallon every two months, and the engine oil warning light has illuminated on multiple occasions. Because of this recurring problem, I brought my vehicle to Volkswagen Glendale on April 23, 2026. After inspecting the vehicle at the Glendale dealership, I was informed that loose oil pan bolts were the cause of the oil loss. Based on this diagnosis, I took the vehicle to three different local auto repair shops for additional inspections. All three repair shops independently diagnosed the issue as being related to the engine and stated that if the engine is not replaced, the engine oil loss problem will not be resolved. I returned to Volkswagen Glendale on June 27, 2026. During this second visit, I was informed that the oil leak was coming from the oil pan area and that components including the oil pan, bolts, sealant, oil level sensor, and gaskets required repair. The technicians raised the vehicle and carefully inspected the entire underside. They reported that there was no visible engine oil leak and no evidence of oil escaping from the oil pan. I took the picture that there is no visible engine oil leak at the repair shop. I am deeply concerned that: * I am concerned about having to continuously add engine oil (1 gallon every two months) because the vehicle keeps losing oil. *I am concerned that the engine may seize due to low oil levels, which could cause the vehicle to break down while I am driving. Specifically, I request: Due to this engine problem and the ongoing engine oil loss issue, I respectfully request that the engine be replaced to resolve the problem and prevent potential safety risks. After reviewing the information above, could you please provide me with the claim number? I would appreciate your assistance. Thank you.
NHTSA complaint 11749882UNKNOWN INCIDENT. I had a 2016 VW Tiguan with just over 80k miles (approximately 80,200 mi). On 1/6/2026 about 10 min after driving home from the gym, I heard a small explosion from the garage where my car was parked. The garage was filled with smoke and large flames were visible from under the front end of the vehicle. We called 911 and tried to put it out with a fire extinguisher but it continued to re-ignite. The fire burned down our entire garage with all its contents and made it's way into the home completely destroying our laundry room and adjoining bathroom. I had no previous issues with the vehicle, no warnings or check engine lights.
NHTSA complaint 11718115The contact's friend owns a 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist failed with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and a diagnostic test was performed. The diagnostic test showed that the vehicle and determined that the steering rack, wheel speed sensors, and engine cooling fans needed to be replaced. The contact's friend declined the repair, and the warning lights remained illuminated. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic who discovered that coolant was leaking into the engine and discovered various engine leaks. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000. The VIN was invalid.
NHTSA complaint 11697115I’ll be driving for 2-10 minutes and power steering cuts out. Wheel will jerk a little and alarm will sound with the alert light remaining red through remainder of drive. Sometimes it will not work at all while driving, but I’ve found the it usually works for the first few minutes until I speed up a little more.
NHTSA complaint 11695657My car has never been in an accident. One day while turning into my driveway, I heard a large clicking sound. Since then, my airbag malfunction light is on and my car horn does not sound/work. All steering wheel controls are broken. This has been an issue for about 6 months. I've been waiting on a recall impacting my specific VIN/year/make/model, however I am being informed that I will need to pay out of pocket to have this major safety concern taken care of. I will be taking this car to the dealership this week in hopes to have a repair quote that I will have to save a significant amount of money over an extended period of time to complete.
NHTSA complaint 11694522As I was driving on the Long Island Expressway at 50mph, there was a sudden VERY loud explosion that sounded like a gun shot. I thought perhaps a tire had blown out but then I heard air rushing by. My sunroof had spontaneously exploded!
NHTSA complaint 11689263Subject: Known Carbon Buildup Issue in 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan TSI – Request for Recall and Accountability To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally express my concern and request action regarding a well-documented and dangerous issue affecting Volkswagen TSI engines—specifically, severe carbon buildup. I am the current owner of a 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan TSI, which I purchased in April 2025 with approximately 84,000 miles on it. In June 2025, I had to have the intake manifold replaced due to carbon buildup—a repair that was still covered under warranty. However, shortly after, I was informed that the vehicle now requires a full engine decarb and replacement of all four fuel injectors, at a total cost of $3,296. This raises several serious concerns: •Carbon buildup this severe at such low mileage is not typical wear and tear. It indicates a design flaw in the TSI direct-injection engine. •My extended warranty provider refuses to cover the repair, citing that it is a maintenance issue—conveniently shifting the responsibility away from the manufacturer. •This type of engine failure can result in dangerous performance issues, including: •Sudden engine misfires •Loss of power while accelerating •Poor fuel economy •Stalling or hesitation while merging or turning •Catalytic converter damage •Potential long-term engine failure I am stunned that this is not considered a safety issue worthy of recall, especially given the number of reports online and in service centers regarding this exact problem. The symptoms of carbon buildup can easily result in on-road danger to the driver and others. What’s most disheartening is that Volkswagen has long been aware of this flaw, yet no recall or extended warranty has been offered for affected consumers. I previously owned a 2015 Passat and was a loyal VW owner—but now, as a single mother, I am expected to pay nearly $3,300 for a repair tied to poor engineering and design, not misuse or neglect.
NHTSA complaint 11674768My hood latch has failed. It sometimes appears latched, but actually is not and other times it doesn’t even look like it’s latched at all. There is in fact, a hood latch recall for this year make and model of vehicle, however, my vehicle is not on the list recalled. I believe the current recall for this year making model is not inclusive of all affected VIN numbers!!!!
NHTSA complaint 11672402During cold winter months in below freezing temperatures, a red warning light will turn on when the electronic steering fails and the electronic steering will randomly lock up while driving. Making it extremely difficult to steer and nearly impossible to use at a stop or slow speeds. When inspected, the entire steering rack with the steering electronic module needs replacing.
NHTSA complaint 11664084Electronic Power Steering fails and there is a loss of control with turning the wheel (left/right). This is a hazard especially on the road as it not only puts myself at risk but other drivers lives at risk. There is a red steering wheel that lights up on the dash which indicates loss of power steering. There have been multiple reports already of Electronic Power Steering Failure with Volkswagen vehicles. They have yet to issue a massive recall on anything which can turn potentially hazardous to peoples lives. The electronic power steering failure always seems to persist no matter if it’s too cold or too hot.
NHTSA complaint 11647085The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, the entertainment, cruise control, and TPMS turned on and off without application. The horn was inoperable. The seat belt, air bag, and tire warning lights were illuminated. A tree fell on the vehicle, and the sunroof was leaking. The contact stated that there was an abnormal amount of fuel outside of the vehicle. The contact and her dog were exposed to fuel, and medical attention was provided. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the spring clock needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to another dealer, Royal Volkswagen, 3010 Columbiana Rd B, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216, where it was diagnosed that the water pump and fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
NHTSA complaint 11641870My check engine light keeps turning on and off. I took it to the dealership and they gave me a list of things to fix in the future but nothing too serious. They fixed the intake manifold, which I was not aware or informed that it had a recall on it, and they cleaned the valves. They turned off the check engine light and when I picked up the car, it came back on. I informed them about it and they turned it off again. Then again it turned back on as soon as I left the dealership. They told me I had to change the oil and so I did but it turned on again. I tested it at auto zone and the reader said to change the camshaft position sensor and I did. The check engine light turned off and on again quickly. Then recently the steering wheel light turned on and locked the steering wheel.
NHTSA complaint 11619768The 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan has a problem with the sunroof leaking and floors being filled with puddles of water in entire car. This have caused the water to cause electrical problems with the vehicle as well as meadow and mold.
NHTSA complaint 11618322The car died while driving 3 times in 2 weeks. The gas pedal loses pressure, the vehicle is still on. I had to slow down put the car in park and restart the engine. This happened at speeds around 25-40 miles an hour, including on the freeway and when my [XXX] permitted daughter was driving. This problem has been taken to a WV dealership, they are not able to find the problem and are still looking. The way they are trying to discover the issue is by driving the car until it happens to them. Obviously a car stopping while driving is an insane danger to everyone on the road. This seems to be a known issue on the VW forums. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint 11603551I bought a 2016 VW Tiguan in 2019 from the Audi Rockville dealership. Recently I had an oil leak issue that requires a substantial repair. I first took it to a certified VW mechanic, Ourisman VW of Rockville, and they diagnosed the issue to be a 4,109.19 dollar repair. Following this, I took it to get a second look at an independent mechanic shop, Wilniq Auto Body & Mechanical Repairs, and the mechanic came to the conclusion that the engine head gasket needs to be replaced and that it should be covered under the manufacturers power train warranty. Unfortunately my car is out of warranty by just 241 miles (Warranty is up until 60,000 miles and my car is at 60,241). Based on what the mechanic saw while diagnosing the issue (The color and consistency of the leaked oil and where it was located), he alluded to this oil leak issue definitely starting prior to my car hitting 60,000 miles and that the other mechanics who worked on my car prior should have noticed this issue. They also mentioned that from what they can tell this issue has nothing to do with how I maintained the car but an issue with the car itself. I regularly maintained the car with all scheduled oil changes on time. The last three oil changes I had were at 51, 256 mi, 54,404 mi, and lastly at 58,075 mi (The recommendation is every 10,000 mi). When I brought all this up to a Volkswagen of America representative via chat they mentioned that because I brought the car to an independent shop the warranty would not be applicable anyway. My independent mechanic told me that this is not the case and in fact illegal. I bought this car in good faith with my hard earned money expecting it to be a durable and reliable product for years to come. Now I am getting hit with serious repairs at just over 60,000 miles and I do not trust that there won't be more in the future. Attached are documents, receipts, transcripts, other customer complaints similar to mine and the answers to the general guideline questions above.
NHTSA complaint 11566020Leaking panoramic sunroof only when it rains. I have taken it for the 5th time and you can’t drive it in the morning or when any condensation comes inside because u can’t see out of the windows at all. It smells awful and it’s a lot of water! It has ruined the touchscreen . I have been paying out of pocket trying to get this fixed. There should be a recall!
NHTSA complaint 11561070Airbag error light on dashboard, passenger seat shorted out water pooled under passenger seats front and rear soaking wet coming up through carpets with moldy smell. You tube says it may be the panoramic roof drains.
NHTSA complaint 11548902The electric connection for the air bag has malfunctioned . The same vehicle with different VIN numbers have already been recalled for the exact same reason. Not sure why my car was not included. Many people on the VW forums are having the same issues. Please recall.
NHTSA complaint 11545033Every time it rains it gets in my vehicle! I have taken it in to an auto shop and they can’t find the leak . I just noticed a smell and finally found that the floor board gets wet . Now I see mildew inside and I don’t know what to do…. I have an idea that it could be the panoramic sunroof, but I don’t know it only gets wet at the bottom of the car and depending on how bad it rains that’s how much water is inside and I think there should be a recall on this matter, it’s beyond ridiculous, and I have read so much about it and I think it’s the sunroof and the tubes shrunk. I don’t know how to fix that and I haven’t gotten any help from any other shop. They cannot tell me what it is and the only thing that is left is for me to have it ripped apart but if they have shrunk I can’t do anything about that. Also, I’ve heard this by so many different people that own the same kind of vehicle. Please.help!
NHTSA complaint 11532597Turbocharger went out on this vehicle rendering it unsafe to drive. Check engine light came on and after several opinions, it was determined that the Turbocharger went out and needed replacement in order for the vehicle to safely run. This was confirmed via a independent service center. Upon further research on the internet and VW chat forums, there are several other people with this year and model Volkswagen that have had similar issues with low mileage. The turbo charger should not have went out on a vehicle with 39,000 miles on it.
NHTSA complaint 11526973Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall; the 60 most recent are listed.