2018 Volkswagen Tiguan electrical system problems

Related recalls

• Recall 18V824000Nov 26, 201873,549 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

  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: If the driver is not notified by an audible noise that the key is left in the ignition, it can increase the risk of vehicle theft or crash.

  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.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 28, 2026LAElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   While opening the sunroof, the front end of the sunroof began to billow smoke. The cabin filled with smoke. The car was immediately turned off and the fuse was removed. While attempting to drive the vehicle closer to the dealership, the car experienced a total electrical failure and stalled on the side of the road. The car will require a tow. There is a known recall on this matter, however, my VIN does not fall under this recall. The recall explains the exact issue we…

   NHTSA complaint #11767358 · source
2. Filed Aug 25, 2026WIDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemVisibility & Wipers

   I purchased this 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan in September 2019 and began noticing an intermittent rearview-camera problem around that time. I do not remember the exact date of the first occurrence because the problem initially happened only occasionally and was not persistent. When the vehicle is placed in reverse, the rearview camera intermittently fails to provide a reliable image. At other times, it operates normally. Because the problem is intermittent, it has been difficult…

   NHTSA complaint #11759418 · source
3. Filed Apr 20, 2026UTElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   2018 VW Tiguan. The fuel injector harness failed. There is a NHTSA letter stating 2018-2019 Tiguans had this issue and there’s an extended warranty up to 120,000 miles. My Tiguan is at 91,000 miles, but VW is saying the warranty isn’t assigned to my VIN. So there’s a warranty for this exact issue and year, but my vehicle isn’t covered. This warranty obviously needs to be extended by build date as it’s a pretty costly repair.

   NHTSA complaint #11732357 · source
4. Filed Mar 31, 2026NYAirbagsElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the parking brake independently activated, and the air bag warning light illuminated. In addition, while attempting to turn off the vehicle, the key failed to function as intended. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road and turned off. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The parking…

   NHTSA complaint #11728207 · source
5. Filed Mar 24, 2026NYAirbagsBody & StructureElectrical System

   My 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan experienced a failure of the airbag control module caused by water intrusion through the HVAC access area and failed seam seal tape at the cowl support. The dealership confirmed that water leaked through a factory seam, accumulated at the airbag module, and caused the module to fail. The airbag warning light is illuminated, and the system is inoperable. This failure matches the same defect pattern covered under Volkswagen’s recall campaigns for the…

   NHTSA complaint #11726578 · source
6. Filed Dec 11, 2025FLAirbagsDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System

   One time the car Just Lost power on the freeway and the e-card engine light came on and the cat Ran rugh and stalled and jerked hard almost causing me to cause a serious accident...I took it to vw and explained the severity and they bypassed that And installed a new water pump..2months later the same thing happened exactly to where I was very lucky and very upset...and took it to them once again and explained more issues where I'm urging . As to the front warning light and…

   NHTSA complaint #11704422 · source
7. Filed Sep 24, 2025TXDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System

   On September 19th 2025, while driving on the highway at normal speed, the instrument cluster fuel gauge misread the fuel level and indicated that the tank still had fuel. Without any warning light or low-fuel alert, the vehicle suddenly lost power because it was actually out of gas. I was traveling with my boyfriend and our three dogs. We became stranded on the shoulder of a busy highway as vehicles passed at 70–80 mph. The outside temperature was about 85-90 at the time.…

   NHTSA complaint #11689357 · source
8. Filed Aug 23, 2024OHElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   Vehicle sending transmission alarms and also exit vehicle in P mode only alarm. First had issue around 25,000 miles and gear shift assembly was replaced under warranty for what I was told was a faulty sensor. Same issue returned at 100,000 miles and Volkswagon is replacing the gear shift assembly again at customers expense. I was told by Volkswagon that the car is safe to drive.

   NHTSA complaint #11610452 · source
9. Filed Jul 9, 2024MDElectrical System

   Door lock system Child trapped inside due to vehicle locking itself with keys in car after putting child in car seat and bag inside. Fire department used a slim jim through window to press unlock button; however, the vehicle would not unlock via interior door button. Fire department had to pull interior door handle to unlock, taking an additional 45 minutes to free child trapped inside. The problem has been reproduced. Without the ignition on, door locks will not attempt to…

   NHTSA complaint #11600555 · source
10. Filed Aug 22, 2023CAElectrical SystemEngine

    EPC electronic power control light is on and indicates speed of 40 mph, transmission light on, car aggressively vibrating.

    NHTSA complaint #11540171 · source
11. Filed Jun 7, 2023TXCrash5 injuredDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System

    Engine keeps failing and dings while driving non-stop. Causes the vehicle to think there is another vehicle near me and activates the emergency braking in the middle of the highway almost causing me to crash. I have taken the vehicle to dealer and told it is fixed about 8 times now

    NHTSA complaint #11525928 · source
12. Filed Oct 20, 2022FLBody & StructureElectrical System

    The front passenger door locking system does not function properly. The door intermittently is unable to be unlocked or opened from the outside and must manually be opened from the inside. The door also intermittently doesn't lock. This is a safety concern for thieves. If in immediate danger, ie. accident, no one is able to open the passenger door to access the person. No indication lights appear on the vehicle.

    NHTSA complaint #11490146 · 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