The best Tiguan years to buy are 2017 and 2023. Avoid the 2012 and 2013: timing chain failures and steering wheel clock spring faults that disable the air bag give them the most complaints.
Best years: 20172023 Years to avoid: 20122013
Every Tiguan year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known Tiguan problems
Year by year
| Year | Complaints | Per 100k sold | Recalls | Top issue | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 79 | - | 2 | Electrical | Too new to judge |
| 2023 | 72 | - | 1 | Engine | Good buy |
| 2022 | 278 | 391 | 5 | Engine | Average |
| 2021 | 144 | 131 | 5 | Engine | Good year |
| 2020 | 141 | 128 | 3 | Other | Good year |
| 2019 | 196 | 178 | 5 | Electrical | Good year |
| 2018 | 296 | 287 | 14 | Engine | Average |
| 2017 | 76 | 162 | 4 | Air bags | Good buy |
| 2016 | 97 | 222 | 2 | Air bags | Average |
| 2015 | 62 | 173 | 4 | Air bags | Good year |
| 2014 | 84 | 334 | 3 | Air bags | Average |
| 2013 | 140 | 467 | 3 | Air bags | Skip this year |
| 2012 | 153 | 482 | 3 | Engine | Skip this year |
About the Tiguan
The Tiguan is Volkswagen's compact SUV. The 2009-2017 first generation used a 2.0-liter turbo with timing chain tensioner failures, and many had clock spring faults that turned off the driver air bag. The bigger 2018 redesign sold far more and has a lower complaint rate, though oil consumption and starter faults show up on 2020-2021 cars.
- 2009-2017: First generation. Timing chain tensioner and clock spring faults.
- 2018 on: Second generation, longer. Oil consumption, starter and rearview mirror faults on some years.
Tiguan warranty extensions and special coverage
Carmakers sometimes extend the warranty on a part that fails too often, or pay for a fix outside a recall. These notices come from the dealer bulletins Volkswagen files with NHTSA. 2,344 Tiguan bulletins are on file in total.
These documents are for the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) Limited Warranty Extension as part of the Class Action Settlement
Volkswagen Warranty has extended the coverage for the overhead console on 2019-2022 Tiguan Vehicles for 2 years 24,000 from the expiration of NVLW
Volkswagen has extended the Warranty coverage for the Evap Leak Detection Pump (LDP) to 15 years or 150,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicles original in-service date, for certain 2022 Model Year Volkswagen vehic...
This Document informs dealers on the Sunroof Class Action Limited Warranty Extension FAQ for commonly asked questions
This Document informs dealers on VWP-18-11 for the Steering Wheel Clock Spring Limited Warranty Extension
This Document was revised.
This supporting FAQ is for the Turbocharger Limited Warranty Extension Class Action Settlement.
This Document informs dealers on the new Intake Manifold Warranty Extension for 2013, 2014, 2016 & 2017 Model Year with Engine Codes CBFA and CCTA
This technical bulletin was updated per powertain team and warranty team.
This Document informs dealers of the new Airbag Control Module Warranty Extension
Ask a dealer to check a specific car by VIN. Extensions usually have a time or mileage limit.
Government investigations into the Tiguan
NHTSA opens an investigation when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Some end in a recall and some close without one.
Engineering analysis EA18005 · 2018 · opened Jul 2018, closed Feb 2023 · led to recall 20V724000
In December 2017, NHTSA conducted two (2) New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) tests on the Model Year (MY) 2018 Volkswagen (VW) Tiguan.
Engineering analysis EA18003 · 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 · opened Apr 2018
In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Preliminary evaluation PE18001 · 2018 · opened Jan 2018, closed Jul 2018
In December 2017, NHTSA conducted two New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) tests on the 2018 MY Volkswagen (VW) Tiguan.
Recall query RQ17009 · 2012–2014 · opened Nov 2017, closed May 2018
In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Preliminary evaluation PE15010 · 2012–2014 · opened Mar 2015, closed Sep 2015 · led to recall 15V483000
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of steering wheel clock spring/steering column control module (SCCM) failures in model year (MY) 2012 Volkswagen Passat and CC models.The SCCM is a module within the steering column that incorporates a spiral conductor (a...
Tiguan vs rivals
Questions
What is the best year for the Volkswagen Tiguan?
2017 and 2023. The best Tiguan years to buy are 2017 and 2023. Avoid the 2012 and 2013: timing chain failures and steering wheel clock spring faults that disable the air bag give them the most complaints.
Which Volkswagen Tiguan years should I avoid?
2012, 2013. These drew far more owner complaints per car sold than the Volkswagen Tiguan average.
What is the clock spring problem on the VW Tiguan?
The clock spring in the steering wheel can fail on 2012-2013 Tiguans, turning on the air bag light and disabling the driver air bag and horn. VW recalled some vehicles; otherwise it costs about $300 to $600.
Based on 1,818 complaints filed by owners with U.S. safety regulators for model years 2012 to 2024, and U.S. sales by calendar year. How we score.