2012 Volkswagen Tiguan Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 33about this part
- Share
- 22%of 153 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 56,700miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 33 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan, 22% of the 153 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 56,700 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When backing out of a parking spot, I heard a crack from the steering wheel. An error: airbag warning light came on, and the horn and steering wheel controls stopped working. This appears to be a clock spring failure. I believe this vehicle was subject to a previous recall for this part, and it was probably replaced under previous ownership. Will be taking it to the dealer asap.”
NHTSA complaint #11063961, filed 2018-01, 93,600 miles“There was no crash or physical damage to my vehicle, airbag system is malfunctioning. For about a week now, error: airbag message is shown up on dashboard and the airbag light has turned on. In addition to that, even I buckled up, when I make a right turn seat belt alarm is beeping and seat belt light has turned on while I am driving. I am concerning about this serious safety issue. I am driving my car everyday with potential threat of accident without airbags being deployed.”
NHTSA complaint #11096810, filed 2018-05, 76,000 miles“I heard a loud clicking sound when turning my steering wheel and since then my airbag light has been on and my horn does not work on my vehicle. I saw the recall for the clock wheel spring in 2015 and they claim it has been fixed, but I have since seen further investigation as to whether or not vw actually fixed the problem. My car was stationary and I was attempting to turn out of a parking spot when this happened. I still hear clicking noises in the steering wheel sometimes when I turn.”
NHTSA complaint #11083464, filed 2018-04, 48,000 miles“My car had two recalls and I brought it in as vw of america recommended and I did have oil change at the same time on 2/19/2016. I went on vacation and when I came back I notice the vehicle drove rougher then before this service. On wednesday 03/02/2016, I was on the freeway and notice my car lost brake function, I try using emergency brake and try down shift nothing work. I feel bless that I manage to avoid two car accident and it would of been my fault. I manage to hit the curb to stop the vehicle. I shift my car to park and shut the engine right away. …”
NHTSA complaint #10840392, filed 2016-03, 60 miles“Airbag infighter clock spring fails even after installing recall 15v483000. This is a $664+tax repair at th vw dealer. In the m a time, no horn, airbag or steering wheel controls work. Error code 00588 is thrown. Airbag idiot light is on as well as an error message on the dashboard display when you start the car”
NHTSA complaint #11093405, filed 2018-05, 88,000 milesRelated recalls
- 15V483000Aug 4, 2015Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta…Covers: Volkswagen Tiguan 2011–2014, CC 2010–2014, Passat 2010, 2012–2014 +4 more
Related service bulletins
- 11034621Jun 11, 2026Inquiries
- 11030826Mar 2, 2026The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent warning regarding counterfeit replacement airbag inflators that are being installed in used…
- 10231584Feb 2, 2023VW contact when reporting a Airbag or Pyrotechnic safety belt deployment. Update to model year applicability.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 3% |
| 2025 | 5 | 9% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 2 | 3% |
| 2022 | 5 | 2% |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% |
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 7 | 4% |
| 2018 | 15 | 5% |
| 2017 | 30 | 39% |
| 2016 | 37 | 38% |
| 2015 | 28 | 45% |
| 2014 | 46 | 55% |
| 2013 | 63 | 45% |
| 2012 | 33 | 22% |
| 2011 | 30 | 19% |
| 2010 | 3 | 3% |
| 2009 | 10 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan
50 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsSteering
21 complaintsOther or unknown
20 complaintsFuel system
15 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsSeat belts
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology