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Electrical systemPart report

2013 Volkswagen Tiguan Electrical system Problems

Complaints
36about this part
Share
26%of 140 total for the year
Median mileage
57,820miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 36 complaints about the electrical system of the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan, 26% of the 140 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,820 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“No electrical connection to steering wheel, air bag light is on... All similar problems to takata recall but my VIN was not included in the recall and the dealership is trying to charge me $800 to fix it. When vehicle was stationary and switched on, there was a tearing sound from the steering wheel - then nothing worked in the steering wheel, not the horn or the cruise control or anything. And the air bag light is on.”

NHTSA complaint #11043653, filed 2017-11, 36,000 miles

“Clock spring issue. My 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan clock spring has failed and my airbag/steering components no longer function. Volkswagen is claiming my car is not affected although my model make and year falls within those failing. My clock spring part number also matches those that are failing. I was driving when the airbag no longer worked. There was no threat or danger. However I am unable to drive the vehicle without a functioning airbag.”

NHTSA complaint #11079124, filed 2018-03, 52,000 miles

“Problem with accidental deployment of electronic parking brake: this is a major design problem with an inexpensive fix. The way the Tiguan has been designed, it parking level is flush to the cup holder. Last week, I spilt my coffee on my charging cluster (in first cup holder) and accidentally deployed the park brake at 70mph and it locked up the wheels...on the freeway 🛣!!! This defect covers model years 2009-2017 1st gen tiguans. The fix is cheap & easy. …”

NHTSA complaint #11222772, filed 2019-06, 50,000 miles

“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 stopped working again. The clock spring was replaced which solved the issue but this is the 3rd time this issue has happened in 1 1/2 years. This is a serious safety issue since and I don't feel safe letting my wife drive this vehicle anymore. Something needs to be done about this issue. Stories like mine are all over the internet and the vehicle should be recalled.”

NHTSA complaint #11231810, filed 2019-07, 55,000 miles

“An airbag error message went on while my wife was driving in june 2018. She noticed that the after the airbag error cane on that the controls on the steering wheel and the horn stopped working as well. We took the vehicle to dirito brothers vw for servicing and they said the clock spring failed and needed to replaced. They replaced the part which resolved the issues until today when the airbag error light came on again and the steering controls and horn stopped working again. That is a second failure in 3 months. …”

NHTSA complaint #11132284, filed 2018-09, 50,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20261026%
20251832%
20242836%
20231318%
20226323%
20212517%
20203424%
20195729%
20184616%
20171216%
20162728%
20152337%
20142226%
20133626%
20122315%
20114729%
20103128%
20094024%

Other parts of the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan

Air bags
63 complaints
Engine
30 complaints
Steering
27 complaints
Fuel system
18 complaints
Other or unknown
16 complaints
Brakes
7 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
6 complaints
Body and structure
5 complaints
Vehicle speed control
5 complaints
Electronic stability control
3 complaints
Exterior lighting
2 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2013 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