Years affected, the mileage it usually shows up at, and what fixes it
About this problem
The clock spring is a coiled ribbon cable inside the steering column that keeps the steering wheel buttons, horn and driver air bag connected while the wheel turns. With wear the ribbon can crack, which turns on the air bag light and can disable the horn, wheel buttons and, most seriously, the driver air bag.
Across all owner complaints filed about the Volkswagen Tiguan since 2012, 181 (10%) describe air bag light and clock spring, making it the most reported problem we track on the Tiguan. The reports cluster on the 2013, 2014 and 2016 model years, and the 2013 drew the most, with 49. It tends to show up in the middle years of ownership: half of the owners who gave a mileage were between 43,000 and 80,000 miles. One report describes a crash or fire linked to it. One recall is related to it, and recall repairs are free at any dealer.
What owners report
Tiguan owners report the air bag warning light coming on, with the horn and steering wheel buttons failing. The cause is a worn clock spring in the steering wheel, which can disable the driver air bag. The 2013, 2014 and 2016 models drew the most reports.
How it gets fixed
The fix is a new clock spring. Volkswagen recalled some vehicles.
Typical cost: Free under recall; otherwise $300 to $600.
Complaints by model year
In owners' words
"In 2015 there was a recall for clock springs in the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan which I own and other of their vehicles. My previous owner got it replaced then and I bought the car in 2016."
2013 Volkswagen Tiguan, 46,000 miles
"A clicking sounds started coming from the steering wheel while turning, at one point the air bag light turned on, and from that point forward, the controls on the steering wheel no longer work, including the horn."
2014 Volkswagen Tiguan, 145,000 miles
"Turning wheel to park heard clicking noise coming from steering wheel and then airbag light came on. Also discovered that controls on steering wheel stopped functioning including horn."
2016 Volkswagen Tiguan, 40,000 miles
Excerpts from public owner complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, lightly trimmed.
Related recalls
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific car by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Volkswagen has sent dealers 83 bulletins that mention this problem on the Tiguan. A bulletin tells technicians how to fix a known fault. It is not a recall, so the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty or covered by an extension.
This Document informs dealers on VWP-18-11 for the Steering Wheel Clock Spring Limited Warranty Extension
This Document was revised.
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Government investigations
Engineering analysis EA18003 · 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 · opened Apr 2018
Preliminary evaluation PE15010 · 2012–2014 · opened Mar 2015, closed Sep 2015
Recall query RQ17009 · 2012–2014 · opened Nov 2017, closed May 2018
Before you buy a Tiguan
- Check the air bag light goes out after start.
- Test the horn and steering wheel buttons.
- Check by VIN for open recalls.
Questions
Which Volkswagen Tiguan years have air bag light and clock spring?
Complaints are highest for the 2013, 2014, 2016 model years. The 2013 drew the most, with 49 reports.
At what mileage does it usually start?
Among owners who gave a mileage, the middle figure was about 54,000 miles, and half reported it between 43,000 and 80,000 miles.
How much does it cost to fix?
Free under recall; otherwise $300 to $600.