Second generation (Long Wheelbase / Allspace, AD/BW)
2018 Volkswagen Tiguan
The most reported problem on the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan is stalling, with 36 complaints, usually around 5,000 miles.
- 284owner complaints
- 14recalls
- 5involved a crash
- 8,245median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 28, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Tiguan doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2018 model year.
Is the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?
The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan has 284 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, close to the median of 331 for 2018 SUVs on this site. Of the 13 Tiguan model years since 2014, it has the most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2017 and 2019
- At 32 complaints for each year on the road, the 2018 runs 4.2 times the 2017 (8) and above the 2019 (24).
- Top problem
- No problem dominates. The largest, stalling, covers 36 of the 284 complaints (13%), and transmission shudder is next with 23 (one complaint can fall under more than one problem, so these overlap). Stalling tends to show up early. Of the 21 owners who gave a mileage for it, half were under about 5,000 miles and a quarter under about 2,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 11 of the 284 complaints (4%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, a little under the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 5 reports mention a crash, 3 mention a fire and 11 people were hurt.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- Stalling, the one problem here with enough reports to check, has a recall on the same system (18V-159). A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2018 at 92 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 17. So far in 2026, 21 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: engine stalls or loses power while driving, 36 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
284 complaints is about the median for a 2018 model on this site and about the median for a 2018 SUV. Among the 6 Tiguan model years here it ranks 1st for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan
Volkswagen filed 748 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan. 34 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 4 bulletins · 20 complaints
Brake Rotor, Vibration / Pulsation. Addition of mandatory brake form and reference to Volkswagen Warranty Policy and Procedures Manual.
Brake Rotor, Vibration / Pulsation Instruction (U.S. Only)
2 more on this problem
Bake Vibration, Pulsation, Noise when braking during PDI
Service Action - Front Brake Pad Noise
Check engine light or misfire 7 bulletins · 19 complaints
T8 fuel injector harness inspection for stored DTCs P0201, P0202, P0203, P0204.
Customer states noise from heat shield Customer states MIL-on with P0496 Customer states MIL-on with P1429 and/or P1556 Customer states MIL-on with P0197 Customer states MIL-on with P0116 MIL-on P0456 Customer states the sunshade is binding/tearing/separating ...
5 more on this problem
Customer states noise from heat shield Customer states MIL-on with P0496 MIL-on P0456 Customer states the sunshade is binding/tearing/separating The front window regulator(s) exhibiting noise, shutter, binding, or is inoperative.
Customer states noise from heat shield, MIL-on P11AD/P11AE/P11AF, MIL-on P0456, Customer states front window(s) noisy during operation, Customer states the headliner makes noise, is loose or hangs down, Customer states the sunshade is binding, Customer states ...
MIL-on P0462
Water leaks from the sunroof/overhead light console area, Park distance to sensitive to control, coolant leak at the coolant pump, Yellow oil warning light on with any of the following faults P0196 P0198 B104129 B104135, Side mirror glass cracked, cluctch ...
Water leaks from the sunroof/overhead light console area, sunshade is to blinding, MIL-on P0441 in the ECM, coolant leak at the coolant pump, Yellow oil warning light on with any of the following faults P0196 P0198 B104129 B104135, Side mirror glass cracked, ...
Seat belt or seat problems 1 bulletin · 17 complaints
Customer states 2nd row seat rattles while driving
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 4 bulletins · 12 complaints
Update programming for Infotainment System Malfunctions. Updated to include additional labor operation & time units in warranty table.
Tips to address MIB2 infotainment functionality concerns
2 more on this problem
Updated diagnostic direction to address new concerns in regards to Apply CarPlay Connection on MIBII equipped vehicles. Update models and model year applicability.
Update to existing information to address phone concerns via bluetooth resulting from saved emoji information
Suspension noise, struts or alignment 3 bulletins · 10 complaints
What is and what is not a leaking suspension strut.
How to identify and when to replace a leaking strut
1 more on this problem
Customer states noise from front suspension while driving
Engine misfire 9 bulletins · 6 complaints
Engine misfire diagnostic aid.
Fuel Additive to prevent sporatic misfire
7 more on this problem
Fuel additive to help with misfire faults
Diagnostic Aid for engine misfire.
Recommended fuel additive to avoid engine misfires.
Engine Misfire Diagnostic Aid. Updated to include additional model and model year applicability.
Fuel Additive to Help Prevent Sporadic Misfire Faults
Gasoline Engine Misfire Diagnosis document
Coolant leak at the coolant pump, Yellow oil warning light on with any of the following faults P0196 P0198 B104129 B104135, Customer states the sunroof is making noise, squeak & rattle, MIL-on with P0300-P0304 in the ECM AFTER software level 0003, Damaged ...
Water leaks into the cabin 6 bulletins · 5 complaints
In some sunroof-equipped vehicles, the front sunroof drains can become blocked with moist debris. If this happens, water could leak into the passenger compartment. Expiration date announcement
Sunroof water leak update to remove discontinued primer.
4 more on this problem
Sunroof water leak update to include additional model year applicability.
Sunroof Water Leak, Updated metadata to assist viewing in other websites. The vehicles are Tiguan LWB.
Sunroof Water Leak, Reduced Adhesion Causing Loose Seal
Instruction to repair water leaking on passenger floor.
Complaints filed by year
92 complaints came in 2018, 23.0 times the year before. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
NHTSA investigations
Seat belt webbing failure. Closed feb 27, 2023, led to recall 20V-724.
NHTSA summary
Seat belt webbing failure. Closed jul 3, 2018.
NHTSA summary
Recalls that include the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan, 2018-2019 Atlas, and 2019-2021 Audi Q3 vehicles. One of the bolts that attaches the steering rack to the subframe may corrode and break. If this happens, the steering rack housing can break.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will replace the right-side steering rack mounting bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 10, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 48LG and 48VT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 16, 2026.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Tiguan and 2018-2021 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. Due to incorrect installation instructions, the accessory rear hatch spoiler may be insufficiently attached to the vehicle.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will replace the spoiler, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 66N5.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan vehicles. During the repair of roof damage, an incorrect roof reinforcement assembly may have been installed.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will be replace the roof reinforcement, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 51H5.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan LWB vehicles. In the event of a crash, one or both of the front seat belt's webbing may tear.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat belts and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 13, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69BH.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Golf Sportwagen, 2019 Jetta, 2015-2019 Golf, and 2018-2019 Tiguan vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall began April 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42J5.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas and Tiguan and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles that do not have keyless entry. The instrument cluster may not provide an audible warning to let the driver know that the key is still in the ignition when the door is open. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 90L3 and 90L4.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles. The LED module for the panoramic sunroof ambient light bar may short circuit.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the power supply for the panoramic sunroof LED module, free of charge, until a future service action can safely reactivate the feature. The recall began July 24, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall 60D1.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas and Tiguan vehicles. In the event of a crash, the passenger frontal air bag may tear or not properly unfold during deployment.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began July 19, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69W8, and 69W9.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan and Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. The nut that holds the lower ball joint of the front wheel on each side of the vehicle may be loose or improperly tightened.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will replace the nut on the lower ball joint and, as necessary, clean the thread in the ball joint, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40N4. Note: owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair has been performed.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan long wheelbase (LWB) vehicles. A lower loop of a rear shock absorber may separate from its base due to an incorrect welding process
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear shock absorbers, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42i7.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. The engine support bolts on these vehicles may not have been properly tightened.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace engine support bolts, free of charge. The recall began March 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 10F7.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Tiguan Limited vehicles. The front driver air bag installed on these vehicles may not be intended for use in vehicles sold in the United States. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel and front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69V2.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. The back-up lights in the taillight assemblies may not be bright enough. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected inner taillight assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94J9.
All 14 recalls on the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide One recall here carries a do-not-drive warning. What that means
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan?
Stalling, with 36 of the 284 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 5,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan problems start?
Of the 151 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 3,000 miles and half by about 8,000.
Is the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan better or worse than the 2017 and 2019?
Counted per year on the road, the 2018 has more complaints than both the 2017 and the 2019: 32 a year against 8 and 24.
How many 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
11 of them (4%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for stalling on the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan?
Yes, NHTSA lists a recall on the same system: 18V-159. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.