Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Air Bags (42.4% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Air Bags complaints here are 5.4× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 59 · 42.4% | Recalled | Recall 15V483000 |
| Electrical System | 34 · 24.5% | not available | — |
| Engine | 29 · 20.9% | not available | — |
| Steering | 27 · 19.4% | not available | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 14 · 10.1% | Recalled | Recall 14V441000 |
| Power Train | 6 · 4.3% | not available | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 139 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 18V329000 · 2018 · reported 05/16/2018
If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 15V483000 · 2015 · reported 08/04/2015
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 14V441000 · 2014 · reported 07/21/2014
A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“I WAS DRIVING MY VOLKSWAGEN 2013 TIGUAN DOWN I-95 WITH MY TODDLER DAUGHTER N THE CAR WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED…”NHTSA complaint 11330964 — filed 06/26/2020 · AIR BAGS
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL FEATURES BECAME INOPERABLE. THE…”NHTSA complaint 11266717 — filed 10/07/2019 · AIR BAGS
“THE AIRBAG, HORN, STEERING WHEEL AND STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS ON MY 2013 VW TIGUAN STOPPED WORKING TWICE IN THE LAST 1 1/2 YEARS AND JUST…”NHTSA complaint 11231810 — filed 07/14/2019 · AIR BAGS
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Air bags issues are the most-reported category, cited in 59 of 139 NHTSA complaints (42.4%), followed by electrical system (34), engine (29), steering (27). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
139 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 2 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 1 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 18V329000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
