4.3
definitely annoying- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 26,571 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
In our 2012 VW Tiguan sel, the driver side shoulder seat belt would remain and/or engage in a locked position incorrectly. This would create a very dangerous and stressful situation for us. It would prevent us from being able to strap in (which is also a law in our state). We would pull on the driver side seat belt and it would lock'maybe getting a few inches of slack and clearly not enough to strap yourself in. The vehicle could either be on or off when this occurs. In addition, if you were able to finagle the seat belt out, slowly and patiently while it continually locks and gaining enough slack to strap yourself in after multiple attempts, it could incorrectly lock while you are driving preventing you from moving your torso around to properly check blind spots, mirrors, etc. Our situation quickly got worse to the point where we couldn't even get enough slack to strap ourselves in and were forced to drive without a seat belt. We had no choice but to get this fixed and payed the dealership over $600. We waited several days for the 'faulty pin mechanism/assembly' and part to arrive at the dealership because they said it's not a common part they keep in stock as it's not something they typically have to fix. This is correct, a seat belt assembly/design should never fail! I've visited forums online and read about other 2012 VW Tiguan owners with the same issue. Please recall this to avoid anyone from getting seriously hurt.
- Brookfield, IL, USA
When the vehicle is stationary, and the ambient air is approximately 65F, or higher the drivers side seat belt will not release/extend not allowing the driver to fasten the seat belt. I have tried with the vehicle in park, reverse, neutral, with and without the E break on, and moving forward but the belt will not extend, after extensive tries it will extend a short distance at a time until I can finally fasten it. This condition happens with much less severity and frequency when the air is cooler.
- Medford, OR, USA
When the vehicle is stationary, and the ambient air is approximately 65F, or higher the drivers side seat belt will not release/extend not allowing the driver to fasten the seat belt. I have tried with the vehicle in park, reverse, neutral, with and without the E break on, and moving forward but the belt will not extend, after extensive tries it will extend a short distance at a time until I can finally fasten it. This condition happens with much less severity and frequency when the air is cooler.
- Medford, OR, USA
Drivers side seat belt occasionally will not retract down to buckle driver in. If it does work it does not allow for any movement to look behind or in mirrors. Did not get problem fixed to costly
- Kittanning, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that the seat belt would not extend far enough to latch until after several attempts. The contact also stated that once latched the seat belt would not allow him to lean forward limiting his view of the side mirrors and windows. The failure recurred on several occasions while the vehicle was started as well as when the key was not in the ignition. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
- Ellington, CT, USA
Dangerous seatbelt design! the origin of the "lap" part of the seat belt is behind the seat, so the belt rides up onto my belly when I move seat forward to reach the pedals. Also the vertical portion of belt sits on my neck right over the carotid artery. For a 5'3' 110 pound person, the seatbelt will likely cause organ ruptures and possibly slice my neck during an accident! suggest the anchor of the "lap" part is built on the side of the seat so the belt will always cross over the thighs regardless of seat position, and suggest the vertical part is allowed more adjustability. The current design of the seatbelt is too dangerous for smaller people!
- Saint Paul, MN, USA
- Madison, WI, USA