Model year
2016 Volkswagen Tiguan
NHTSA lists 2 recalls and 97 complaints for the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are AIR BAGS (31), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (26), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (23). NHTSA lists 1 investigation with no close date in the file. NHTSA rated 2 variants 4 stars overall. EPA rates it 22–23 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,550–$3,750, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2009 168 complaints
- 2010 110 complaints
- 2011 162 complaints
- 2012 153 complaints
- 2013 140 complaints
- 2014 84 complaints
- 2015 62 complaints
- 2016 97 complaints
- 2017 76 complaints
- 2018 287 complaints
- 2019 194 complaints
- 2020 141 complaints
- 2021 144 complaints
- 2022 272 complaints
- 2023 70 complaints
- 2024 76 complaints
- 2025 53 complaints
- 2026 37 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
19V535000 · Jul 17, 2019
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.
16V464000 · Jun 24, 2016
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 CC vehicles manufactured January 12, 2016, to February 3, 2016, Golf R and Tiguan vehicles manufactured November 25, 2015, to January 28, 2016, and e-Golf vehicles manufactured November 25, 2015, to…
Complaints
97 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 4, fire flag on 2, injury field 3, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA18003 | Air Bag Clockspring Failure · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; AIR BAGS | Apr 18, 2018 | No close date in the file |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV AWD | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 · possibility 0.185 | NHTSA photo |
| SUV FWD | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 · possibility 0.174 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiguan · 2L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 21 | 26 | 23 | — | — | $3,550 |
| Tiguan 4motion · 2L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 20 | 26 | 22 | — | — | $3,750 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.