2016 Volkswagen Tiguan airbags problems

Related recalls

• Recall 19V535000Jul 17, 201927,822 vehicles
  AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE

  Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Tiguan and CC vehicles. The air bag Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may have a defective power supply capacitor that can result in air bag deactivation or inadvertent deployment of the air bags.

  Risk: Deactivated air bags increases the risk of injury. Inadvertent deployment of the air bags increase the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install new software and replace the air bag ECU as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 25, 2019. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Z5.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 20, 2025GAAirbagsSteering

   My car has never been in an accident. One day while turning into my driveway, I heard a large clicking sound. Since then, my airbag malfunction light is on and my car horn does not sound/work. All steering wheel controls are broken. This has been an issue for about 6 months. I've been waiting on a recall impacting my specific VIN/year/make/model, however I am being informed that I will need to pay out of pocket to have this major safety concern taken care of. I will be…

   NHTSA complaint #11694522 · source
2. Filed Oct 8, 2023NJAirbagsElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   Airbag error light on dashboard, passenger seat shorted out water pooled under passenger seats front and rear soaking wet coming up through carpets with moldy smell. You tube says it may be the panoramic roof drains.

   NHTSA complaint #11548902 · source
3. Filed Sep 17, 2023NHAirbags

   The electric connection for the air bag has malfunctioned . The same vehicle with different VIN numbers have already been recalled for the exact same reason. Not sure why my car was not included. Many people on the VW forums are having the same issues. Please recall.

   NHTSA complaint #11545033 · source
4. Filed Mar 6, 2023TXAirbags

   Steering Wheel Clock Spring has gone out on my VW Tiguan, driver air bag is on which means the airbag wont come if we get in a accident. Pressure light is on as well. This will be the 3rd Steering Wheel Clock Spring installed.

   NHTSA complaint #11510370 · source
5. Filed Nov 15, 2022NCAirbagsElectrical System

   The clock spring part of the steering wheel has failed rendering all steering wheel controls and most importantly the air bag inoperable. This is a major safety hazard for the driver and ultimately passengers as well. This part has been a well known problem with this vehicle and has been covered under an extended warranty, yet Volkswagen refuses to make the part readily available to their customers who are under extended warranty coverage for said part. This is a major…

   NHTSA complaint #11493702 · source
6. Filed Oct 13, 202294,000 miMAAirbags

   The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while his wife was reversing, the vehicle emitted abnormal clicking sounds with the air bag warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the horn was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the replacement…

   NHTSA complaint #11489138 · source
7. Filed Sep 6, 2022VAAirbagsElectrical System

   The clockspring has failed, and all electronics in the steering column do not work, including the horn (as well as cruise control, radio volume, channel, etc). It is also believed the air bag(s) will not deploy in a crash. The clockspring failure has been verified by the local VW dealership. The part has not been available from VW for over 2 months(!), and now my vehicle's safety inspection has expired and the car is not legally drivable on public roads (in Virginia) (and VW…

   NHTSA complaint #11483122 · source
8. Filed Aug 22, 2022INAirbagsOther / Unknown

   The clockspring failed at under 62,000 miles. Air bag light came on, steering controls stopped working, and horn stopped working. Lots of other VWs have had clockspring issues--wondering why this is not included yet?

   NHTSA complaint #11480667 · source
9. Filed Jul 22, 2022CAAirbagsElectrical System

   Clock spring in steering wheel failed and the airbag, horn and steering wheel controls no longer work on my daughter's Tiguan which is still under warranty. ( a very expensive extended warranty) Volkswagon is no longer manufacturing the part, so the only way to repair the car is to replace the whole steering wheel column which costs 5 times as much.(So they don't want to fix it that way) I was told they have multiple cars sitting on their lot since last year waiting for that…

   NHTSA complaint #11475331 · source
10. Filed Jul 19, 2022150,000 miTXAirbagsElectrical System

    The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving, the horn and radio became inoperable. The TPMS and airbag warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the clockspring needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was provided. The approximate failure…

    NHTSA complaint #11474762 · source
11. Filed Jun 22, 2022UTAirbags

    Issues related to the vehicles airbag light being on and no sound when horn is pushed, the dealer has stated is due to a bad clock spring. they said it could be replaced under warranty but they don’t know if they will ever receive a clock spring from VW. This vehicle is unsafe to drive without a horn.

    NHTSA complaint #11470487 · source
12. Filed May 20, 2022LAAirbagsSteering

    The clock spring in my vehicle broke back in December of 2021. This was diagnosed by a Volkswagen dealership service department. It is now 5 1/2 months after the part was ordered and still no part. This makes the car undriveable. The air bag and horn do not work and the entire dash is unusable. It is a safety issue that has rendered my car undriveable for the past 5 months. We can’t get dealership to answer calls. We have found many others complaining of same thing being…

    NHTSA complaint #11465378 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. 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