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 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11035772Jul 15, 2026This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the…
- 11030829Mar 6, 2026This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct…
- 11028490Jan 6, 2026This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct a…
- 11007398Aug 28, 2024Battery testing
- 10239654Jul 13, 2023Diagnostic assistance for excessive static current draw
- 10239655Jun 28, 2023Battery Testing and Charging using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000 Vas Charger
- 10238308Jun 28, 2023Battery Testing and Charging using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000 Vas Charger
- 10238301Jun 27, 2023Software Version Management (SVM) instruction.
- 10238206Jun 1, 2023This communication is a notice for software changes with the ODIS program for specific cars
- 10233280Mar 16, 2023Generator Replacement
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 10 | 26% |
| 2025 | 18 | 32% |
| 2024 | 28 | 36% |
| 2023 | 13 | 18% |
| 2022 | 63 | 23% |
| 2021 | 25 | 17% |
| 2020 | 34 | 24% |
| 2019 | 57 | 29% |
| 2018 | 46 | 16% |
| 2017 | 12 | 16% |
| 2016 | 27 | 28% |
| 2015 | 23 | 37% |
| 2014 | 22 | 26% |
| 2013 | 36 | 26% |
| 2012 | 23 | 15% |
| 2011 | 47 | 29% |
| 2010 | 31 | 28% |
| 2009 | 40 | 24% |
Other parts of the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan
63 complaintsEngine
30 complaintsSteering
27 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsLatches, 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