2014 Volkswagen Tiguan problems, complaints & recalls

Updated Oct 10, 2026 from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan, most often about airbags. There are 3 recalls for this model year.

Complaints: 42
Recalls: 3
Crashes: 0
Fires: 0
Injuries: 0
Median mileage: 115,000 mi

Key facts

Airbags is the most-reported problem area, named in 21 of 42 complaints (50%).
Electrical System (13) and steering (8) follow.
Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 115,000 mi.
The 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan has 3 recalls on file.
NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
It ranks 13th of 18 Volkswagen Tiguan model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
That is 24% fewer complaints than the 2013 model year (55).

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)	Complaints
Air bags	20
Electrical system	13
Steering	8
Engine	8
Unknown or other	6
Suspension	3
Fuel/propulsion system	2
Power train	1

When problems happen (mileage)

Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan complaints that list mileage.

2014 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls (3)

Recall 18V329000May 16, 2018252 vehicles
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI 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: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Recall 15V483000Aug 4, 2015415,825 vehicles
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
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 injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.
Recall 14V441000Jul 21, 2014151,389 vehicles
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Tiguan vehicles manufactured July 2007 to June 2014. When using winterized fuel, in certain conditions bubbles may form in the fuel system which could result in the vehicle stalling.
Risk: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle's software to increase the fuel pump pressure, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin August 19, 2014. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24AV/2W.

NHTSA defect investigations

EA18003Opened Apr 18, 2018Open
Air Bag Clockspring Failure
In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure of the clockspring in 2010-2014 Model Year (MY) CC, Passat, Eos, Golf, GTI, Tiguan, Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen models.Contamination of the clockspring can cause the ribbon cable to tear resulting in loss of the electrical connection to the front driver air bag and any steering wheel…
RQ17009Opened Nov 13, 2017Closed May 4, 2018
Air Bag Clockspring Failure
In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure of the clockspring in 2010-2014 Model Year (MY) CC, Passat, Eos, Golf, GTI, Tiguan, Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen models.Contamination of the clockspring can cause the ribbon cable to tear resulting in loss of the electrical connection to the front driver air bag and any steering wheel…
PE15010Opened Mar 24, 2015Closed Sep 28, 2015led to recall 15V483000
Air Bag Clockspring Failure
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 ribbon cable) to electrically connect the steering wheel to the vehicle's electrical system while allowing for the turning of the steering wheel.Complainants alleged that that the clock spring failed while driving and without warning.When the SCCM fails electrically, an air bag war…

Recent 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Filed Sep 1, 2026RIEngine
My vehicle stalls and completely stops at red lights, stop signs, and low speeds. Currently my vehicle is stalling and stopping at accelerated speeds at 20 mph.
NHTSA complaint #11761342 · source
Filed Aug 5, 2026MDEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / Unknown
My 2014 Tiguan, VIN [XXX], has been serviced at an authorized VW dealer since I purchased it. From 2014 to December 2025, the vehicle was serviced at a VW dealer and March 2026 to present at a service facility that only works on VWs and is owned and operated by a prior VW certified technician who only works on VWs. My vehicle has been serviced at all the VW recommended maintenance mileage. Looking back at the maintenance records, I can see that in March and August 2025, my…
NHTSA complaint #11755013 · source
Filed Jun 8, 2026205,000 miMOTowedSteering
The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while reversing, the steering wheel became locked and failed to steer in the left or right direction. No warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact managed to temporarily unlock the steering wheel; however, after driving at approximately 65 MPH, the steering wheel suddenly became difficult to steer. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it remained for further investigation. The vehicle was…
NHTSA complaint #11742689 · source
Filed Mar 24, 2026CAEngine
Check engine light came on, related to the thermostat and faulty water pump. My car’s make and model was part of a settlement for this issue but VW corporate will not cover costs to repair.
NHTSA complaint #11726729 · source
Filed Feb 12, 2026160,000 miNHFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving and while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle unexpectedly vibrated with the EPC warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was idling roughly, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the fuel system had failed and needed to be…
NHTSA complaint #11717540 · source
Filed Feb 27, 2025AKAirbagsElectrical SystemSteering
Clock spring broken when my wife turned her steering wheel leaving a parking lot. Airbags no longer work, along with anything electronic within steering wheel.
NHTSA complaint #11645361 · source
Filed Jun 11, 2024ILAirbagsElectrical System
Clock Spring in steering wheel is broken. Driver Airbag is non-functional, as are the controls on the steering wheel. No Driver air bag is a huge safety issue! We immediately "scheduled" an appointment to have this issue repaired. At the appointment, a VW dealer (VW Castle Downers Grove IL) confirmed the issue and noted that this was the subject of a recall (15V483000) with an ongoing & perpetual duty to repair. Despite the recall, the dealer does not have the parts, nor can…
NHTSA complaint #11593682 · source
Filed May 23, 2024NYOther / Unknown
I own a 2014 VW Tiguan SEL 2.0T 4MOTION. I took my VW to the Dealer (Prestige Imports, 44 Pleasantville Road, Pleasantville, NY 10570 (914-769-51500) With 84196 miles on [XXX], 2023. The complain was “Roof is leaking water from sunroof on the floor on the passenger side and then makes its way to the real passenger” They cleaned the clogged drained -$145. Only to return in mid-February with a flooded on the same left side. With no diagnosis how to fixed - my had a car not…
NHTSA complaint #11590439 · source

Compare the 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan with another vehicle →

Other 2014 Volkswagen models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology