repaired · 2020 Q1
Unknown or other
Risk. If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
2013 Volkswagen TiguanProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 140 owner complaints about the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-483 the manufacturer reports only 76% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 20, 2026. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan has problems
140 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
63Air bags1 crash/fire/injury
36Electrical system
30Engine
27Steering1 crash/fire/injury
14Fuel/propulsion system2 crash/fire/injury
6Service brakes
6Power train
5Structure
5Vehicle speed control
2010 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 63 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 36 | 0 |
| Engine | 30 | 0 |
| Steering | 27 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 14 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 6 | 0 |
| Power train | 6 | 1 |
| Structure | 5 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 0 |
| 10 other systems | 20 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2013 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2017 Q2
Air bags: frontal
Risk. A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of…
repaired · 2015 Q4
Fuel system, gasoline
Risk. A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Volkswagen.
Mileage at failure
When do air bags problems start?
59kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 43 air bags complaints. 79% were reported before 100,000 miles.
4under 30k miles34under 100k miles9100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2013 vs. every other Tiguan year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Tiguan median. How we score
'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2013 Volkswagen Tiguan safety ratings
2013 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD Later Release in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★Overall rating
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (17.4% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan, and the recalls they led to.
- Clockspring failureNo recall
- Air Bag Clockspring FailureLed to recall 15V-483
- Air Bag Clockspring FailureNo recall
In owners' words
What Tiguan owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
Feb 2026 My airbag light came on few days ago, now my horn doesn't work, and the functions on the steering wheel don't work, like being able to reset tire pressure and check functions for the car, the phone, the radio/cd information. Jan 2025 My seat belt (driver ) lock is broken,to attach the seat…
Feb 2026 My airbag light came on few days ago, now my horn doesn't work, and the functions on the steering wheel don't work, like being able to reset tire pressure and check functions for the car, the phone, the radio/cd information.
Feb 2026 My airbag light came on few days ago, now my horn doesn't work, and the functions on the steering wheel don't work, like being able to reset tire pressure and check functions for the car, the phone, the radio/cd information. Jan 2025 My seat belt (driver ) lock is broken,to attach the seat…
Own a 2013 Tiguan?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.