2.9

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
49,833 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.

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problem #18

Jun 282022

Tiguan

  • miles
Steering wheel lock every time I start the engine.

- Los Angeles , CA, USA

problem #17

Apr 012023

Tiguan

  • miles
While making a uturn my neighborhood with steering wheel turned to the left I started to hear and feel a "clicking and grinding" noise in steering wheel. Moments later, the airbag error light illuminated on dash and has not turned off. Front driver airbag error, airbag will not deploy in the event of a collision. Horn no longer works. Steering wheel controls do not work. Airbag error warning light displayed on dash and alarms during vehicle ignition. Clock spring seems to be defective and complete power steering failure has happened on multiple occasions, in very dangerous and inconvenient situations (i.e getting on the freeway). Once the engine and computer is powered down and restarted, no longer power steering failure for the time being. No active recall but all sources say this is the recall that has been covered previously. Car is unsafe to drive.

- Fountain Valley , CA, USA

problem #16

Dec 032021

Tiguan

  • miles
unexpectedly power steering stop working, second it happened

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #15

May 062021

Tiguan

  • miles
Power steering malfunction, it-??s a serious safety concern reason why being there is no indication or warning of steering problem. Before The steering stop working. Went online to see if there is a recall and there was none. Seen a lot of report on the same situation.

- Maimi, FL, USA

problem #14

Oct 152020

Tiguan

  • 91,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering failed to operate as needed. The electronic power steering symbol appeared on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic on several different occasions where the rack and pinion, steering angle sensor, clockspring, and the power steering control module were all replaced. The computer software in the vehicle was also update however, the failure persisted shortly after each repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 91,000.

- Mosier, OR, USA

problem #13

Oct 062019

Tiguan

  • 35,000 miles
Car was parked in an outside parking lot after returning from a 160 mile trip. After my luggage was unloaded into my apartment, I went back to the car to go park it in the detached garage. Upon starting the car, the steering wheel began to shake vigorously. The shaking stopped after a few seconds and the steering wheel was locked in position and could not be turned. At that point the steering power failure light came on along with a loud warning sound (I have a video of this event that I can provide via email. I am not able to upload it here, though). I had no choice but to leave the car as it was. I checked the car the next morning an it turned on without issue. Later that day I took the car to the nearest VW dealer. I showed them the video of what happened and they were immediately concerned, but where not able to offer me an appointment until the following week. The next week (today), I dropped the car off at the dealer for diagnostics. I received a call later informing me that the found that there was a failure of the steering rack and that it needed to be replaced. They stated that it is a major hazard and that the do not recommend driving the car. If I did want to drive the car I would have to sign a waiver of liability.

- Greenville, NC, USA

problem #12

Sep 212019

Tiguan

  • 89,000 miles
While riding on the expressway with my wife driving, everything on the dashboard as well as the radio started flickering on and off then we lost power steering. Just about every code lite up from the engine light, brake light and got a message saying epc & ABS failure.

- Cordova, TN, USA

problem #11

Aug 292019

Tiguan

  • 112,000 miles
Intermittently power steering would not engage when the car was started. Turned the car off after getting the steering wheel to lock and power steering came back.. later noticed the steering was loose and would the steering wheel would oscillate rapidly. Problem became more frequent over two weeks. Took to dealership and they diagnosed as steering module needed reprogramming. Problem returned the next day after brake vacuum pump was replaced for ~$500. Repair now diagnosed as replace steering rack and wiring module. Car has 112K miles mostly highway driving. No off road driving. VW says beyond warranty not their problem. $2200 to repair. Sorry but steering is a fundamental aspect of driving a car. Will my car still be safe to drive?

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #10

Jul 212019

Tiguan

  • 109,000 miles
Power steering red light came on couldn't move car (while parked) happened twice in one day. Today steering wheel is moving by itself.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #9

May 092019

Tiguan

  • 76,800 miles
The steering felt unusually loose while driving on a rainy day, then after parking the care for some 30 minutes and turning ti back on the red steering wheel indication was on and it was very hard to steer, the dealer scanned it and found no problems. After that it was turning on/off, it feels normal while driving the becomes very loose, and then back again. Three independent mechanic have diagnosed that the control unit of the electric power steering was damaged. The unit is sold as a whole part forcing the change of the rack and pinion part.

- San Juan, PR, USA

problem #8

May 022018

Tiguan

  • 56,700 miles
Clock spring in steering column broke when turning steering wheel. As a result, airbag light has illuminated, indicating an airbag fault. Airbag error also indicated on the dashboard information screen. In addition, all steering wheel buttons have stopped working. Upon researching, this has been a known issue, and also a recall item. In calling the local dealer, I was referred to VW of America for assistance. They looked into my VIN, snd informed me that my vehicle had already been in under recall to have the clock spring replaced (2016), and that they would not cover any further work related to this issue on my vehicle. It is my opinion that Volkswagen, under the original recall, replaced the clock spring with the same, or even a more inferior quality part. Thus leading to an unsafe condition, in an airbag system fault. This recall should be expanded to rectify any 'supposed" prior fixes the VW had done, as so many are having issues after having the recall work done.

- Southampton, PA, USA

problem #7

Nov 012013

Tiguan

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan. While driving various speeds, the clockspring malfunctioned in the vehicle. The contact stated that the horn beeped incessantly and there were noises in the steering column. In addition, the air bag indicator illuminated. Ourisman Volkswagen in laurel, Maryland was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

- Laurel, MD, USA

problem #6

Jan 212018

Tiguan

  • 93,600 miles
When backing out of a parking spot, I heard a crack from the steering wheel. An error: Airbag warning light came on, and the horn and steering wheel controls stopped working. This appears to be a clock spring failure. I believe this vehicle was subject to a previous recall for this part, and it was probably replaced under previous ownership. Will be taking it to the dealer asap.

- Golden Valley, MN, USA

problem #5

Apr 232017

Tiguan

  • 82,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan. While driving approximately 10 mph and making a turn, the air bag indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and the steering clock spring was replaced. The contact stated that the dealer confirmed that the clock spring was repaired per a previous recall via the previous owner of the vehicle. The contact stated that the repair failed and it was the manufacturer's responsibility. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the recall repair was completed and would not be done a second time. The failure was not remedied. The recall details were not provided. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

- Madison, WI, USA

problem #4

Oct 262015

Tiguan

  • miles
Mechanic report: After replacement of spiral spring yellow steering gear mechanical malfunction. Checked work previously performed. No problem found. Performed capasitor discharge. Dts still will not erase. Contacted tech line(vta# 1505839). Updated software of steering assist module. Still will not erase. Performed voltage drop test on wires. All ok. Per technical assistance from VW electromechanical steering needs to be replaced. Power steering problem did not occur until repairs done associated with NHTSA recall: 15V483

- Finksburg, MD, USA

problem #3

Jun 112014

Tiguan 4-cyl

  • 38,000 miles
The car pulled twice to the left then seconds later I lost complete control to steer the car. Approximately 200+ feet of skid marks were left on the hwy. While waiting on a tow truck multiple emergency lights came on. The interior lights flickered multiple times. When the air bag light went off I decided it was time to get out of the car with my two children. The VW dealer said it was only the battery. I contacted VW corporate and was given a case number, was told to leave the vehicle at the dealer. The case dealer also insisted the car was fixed it was only the battery. I wanted to speak to her supervisor. I was told I would be reached by end of the next business day. When contacted I was once again told it was only the battery and the car was fixed and safe to drive. When my husband drove the vehicle a few blocks from the dealership he experienced the same hazards, two tugs to the left and then no ability to steer. The dealership came to get the vehicle. Found their is electrical damage to the steering. A part has been ordered and they are test driving the vehicle. Today has been two weeks I have not been contacted by VW in two days. The dealership and VW corporate ignored multiple concerns I have about the cars safety and put our lives in danger.

- Bentonville, AR, USA

problem #2

Feb 032014

Tiguan

  • 19,000 miles
The car engine and power has shut down 5 times while driving. Four times on side streets as well as once on the highway. When this occurs the car must be placed into park to restart vehicle. The car looses all power except radio stays on. Highway incident the brakes had to be pumped. We have taken the car into the dealership to be fixed each time it has happened. First time we were told a computer update was needed. Second time the wiring harness and this third time the fuel pump. There are times it happened before we were able to get the car into the dealership. Second time it happened right after I pulled out of the dealership.

- Orem, UT, USA

problem #1

Jun 042013

Tiguan 4-cyl

  • 24,900 miles
Came to a stop, turned car off, decided to move it up a bit. No power steering, solid red warning light. Turned car off, tried again, same result, no power steering, solid light. Turned car off, waiting 30 seconds, restarted power steering back, no light. Very concerned that I am in effect, rebooting the system to get my electro power steering back..what if I were driving at the time" what if it were my wife"

- Williamsburg, VA, USA