Does the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan, the most recent reported on May 16, 2018 (Unknown or other). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan?

Owners have filed 140 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (63 complaints), followed by electrical system (36).

How many 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan complaints mention a crash or fire?

2 of 140 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 1 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2013 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls and problems

3 recalls and 140 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan.

recalls

140

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2013 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls

Unknown or other

NHTSA campaign 18V329000 · reported May 16, 2018 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 252 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
The fix: 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.

Air bags: frontal

NHTSA campaign 15V483000 · reported August 4, 2015 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 415,825 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The 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.
The fix: 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.

Fuel system, gasoline

NHTSA campaign 14V441000 · reported July 21, 2014 · Volkswagen of America, Inc. · 151,389 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Air bags63
Electrical system36
Engine30
Steering27
Unknown or other16
Fuel/propulsion system14
Power train6
Service brakes6
Structure5
Vehicle speed control5

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Oct 20, 2026 · Electrical system
Engine light on at around 50K - dealership said it was just an "issue with the warning lights" don't worry unless it blinks. At 74K I found out the turbo boost was the reason for this and I should have been told when the car was still under warranty. Realized in December of 2020 the car was soaking wet inside. Front…

May 7, 2026 · Steering
When driving down the highway, my power steering went out with zero warning or indicators leading up to it going out. Upon researching, this is a problem that many people have experienced with this make and model of vehicle.

Feb 6, 2026 · Air bags
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 belt in place..I…

Feb 6, 2026 · Air bags
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 6, 2026 · Engine
As of Aug 2025, my car keeps having issues of stalling/ bucking, even though my mechanic has changed the points/plugs twice now. Now the overheat light comes on ,off and on.. sometimes clears up once the car is shut off and then turned back on.. some times has to sit for a while, then clears up

Tiguan model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2010	2	110	5	4
2011	3	162	4	2
2012	3	153	10	0
2013	3	140	2	1
2014	3	84	2	0
2015	4	62	1	1
2016	2	97	4	2

Across all years, the 2018 Tiguan has the most complaints (288). All Volkswagen Tiguan years →

Questions

Does the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan, the most recent reported on May 16, 2018 (Unknown or other). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan?: Owners have filed 140 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (63 complaints), followed by electrical system (36).
How many 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan complaints mention a crash or fire?: 2 of 140 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 1 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received October 20, 2026.