2015 Volkswagen Tiguan Problems
Compared with other Volkswagen Tiguan years
Fewer complaints than typical for this model
9/100 0.4× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 0.4× that of a typical Volkswagen Tiguan year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 11 of its 62 complaints were filed by the end of 2017.
- Most reported problem: Clock spring failure: airbag light, no horn, dead wheel (25 complaints, median 66,250 mi).
- 4 recall campaigns on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 62filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 49,262miles, 34 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 4campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 4 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- 23 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of the 2015 Tiguan most often describe a failed steering-wheel clock spring, which turns on the airbag warning light and leaves the horn and steering-wheel buttons inoperative, and many say the replacement part was back-ordered for months. A second common theme is a power steering warning light with stiff, hard-to-turn steering, plus a range of electrical complaints such as batteries draining and reverse camera screens that stay too dark to use. Most of these reports arrive between roughly 35,000 and 140,000 miles; a separate cluster of panoramic sunroof glass shattering and low-speed brake complaints shows up much earlier, often under 40,000 miles.
- Air bags
Clock spring failure: airbag light, no horn, dead wheel
- 25 complaints (40%)
- median 66,250 mi at 5.0 yrs old (12 state mileage)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2017–2024
Owners describe a snapping or clicking sound from the steering wheel while turning, after which the airbag warning light or an "error: airbag" message appears and the horn and steering-wheel buttons stop working. Many complaints say a dealer diagnosed the steering-wheel clock spring and that the part was on national back order with no delivery date, sometimes for months, and in some cases the same part failed again after an earlier warranty replacement. Several owners note this symptom was covered by a warranty extension on this model rather than a recall for their vehicle. Mostly reported between roughly 35,000 and 75,000 miles, though some appear above 100,000 miles; often noticed during low-speed turning or after a battery replacement.
Recall 19V5350002 related service bulletins
What to check: Turn the key to the on position and confirm the airbag light goes out, then test the horn and every steering-wheel button. Ask for service records showing whether the clock spring was replaced and whether the extended warranty coverage was used.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Oct 19th, 2017 clock spring broke, while exiting out of parking lot, followed by airbag warning light appearing on dashboard, along with alarm sound. As I continued to drive on side street, I was not able to use my horn as another started to enter my lane. Upon return to parking lot, while car was in drive, my steering wheel locked up. …”
NHTSA complaint #11093986, filed 2018-05, 40,000 miles“My vehicle only has 42000 miles on it. 6000 miles over warranty. As I was turning I heard a rattling and the airbag light came on, horn doesn't work and steering wheel buttons do not work. Dealership said it's the steering wheel clock spring in the steering wheel. Same issue as 2010-2014 recalls. The part is defected and dealership refuses to pay for it. If I wreck the airbag will not work.”
NHTSA complaint #11051148, filed 2017-11, 42,000 miles - Electrical system
Battery drain and electrical faults (camera screen, locks
- 16 complaints (26%)
- median 33,500 mi at 3.3 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2015–2024
Owners report batteries going flat even after replacement, alternator charging concerns, all dash lights flashing with the gauge needles sweeping, and occasionally the whole vehicle shutting off while driving. Others describe smaller electrical annoyances: the reverse camera screen staying too dark to see behind the car, a driver's door that will not unlock with the remote, and a radio that stays on after the key is removed. Reported across a wide range, from very low mileage up to about 75,000 miles; several owners mention repeat battery replacements within a year.
What to check: Ask how old the battery is and whether it has been replaced more than once; check the reverse camera image in daylight and test remote locking on every door.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“The parking brake is permanently shorted out. I bought this as a used certified pre-owned vehicle. I've had to replace the battery in less than one year. Chronic problems with general braking system. Severe electrical problems. Example: my radio will mot stay off, when car is parked, key removed and alarm is set. Radio still runs. I get the message cannot read sd card on the console. I have had to jump my brand new battety 10-15 times. That is less than six months old. …”
NHTSA complaint #11196024, filed 2019-04, 44,500 miles“When I press the unlock button on the remote fob, all the doors unlock except the drivers door. I then have to open the rear door, reach the handle on the drivers door and open it. The VW Dealer want $245.00 just to find the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11441740, filed 2021-11 - Other or unknown
Panoramic sunroof glass shattering
- 5 complaints (8%)
- median 34,000 mi at 2.5 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
- filed 2015–2018
Complaints describe a loud bang like a gunshot while driving at highway speed, followed by the panoramic sunroof glass breaking into shards that fall into the cabin, in at least one case leaving small cuts. Owners say there was no overpass, road debris, or impact involved, and dealers reportedly could not identify a cause in the cases where the car was inspected. Reported at low mileage, generally under 40,000 miles and in some cases within the first few thousand miles.
What to check: Inspect the sunroof glass closely for chips, edge cracks or prior replacement, and ask whether the panel has ever been replaced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“The sunroof glass exploded while we were driving down the freeway. We were showered with glass fragments including tiny shards. Some pin prick size injuries on hands and arms. We were cruising at 70mph on I-90 at the time of the event. It was about 65 degrees outside and we had one rear window down for air so internal temperature was about the same.”
NHTSA complaint #10914350, filed 2016-10, 34,000 miles“While traveling about 50 MPH, the panoramic sunroof imploded, showering the interior of the vehicle with shards and chunks of glass of all sizes. We were in the state of ohio, near the city of athens on state highway 124. We did not go under an overpass or bridge.”
NHTSA complaint #11145249, filed 2018-11, 37,000 miles
Buying note. Check the horn, airbag light and steering-wheel buttons first, since clock spring failure is the most frequently reported problem, and confirm whether the extended coverage was already used. Ask for service records on brakes and battery, and start the car cold to watch the power steering light.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 55 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 62 consumer complaints for the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan. 34 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 49,262 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 739 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 14 Volkswagen Tiguan model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 9 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Air bags28 45%
- Electrical system23 37%
- Other or unknown15 24%
- Engine9 15%
- Steering9 15%
- Brakes6 9.7%
- Body and structure4 6.5%
Also reported: Fuel system (1), Seat belts (1), Seats (1), Suspension (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “My air bag error light came on at about 138,000 miles while my car was in motion, in the middle of making a left turn from a city street onto a side street. The horn and other controls on the steering wheel do not work now. This is a known problem that caused the company to extend a warranty that ended at 120,000 rather than issuing a recall. My driver's side airbag no longer works and my horn no longer works, both are safety issues. The company acknowledged this is a known issue with this model.”
NHTSA complaint #11256508, filed 2019-09, 138,000 milesElectrical system: “Passenger seatbelt locks up unnecessarily. The seatbelt locks up on the passenger without being engaged by any other source or action. Entire vehicle shuts off while driving... No electrical, power steering, accelerator n etc. All the interior lights flicker and flash and the gauge needles swing back and forth from minimum to maximum positions.”
NHTSA complaint #11328048, filed 2020-06, 75,000 milesOther or unknown: “I was driving down the freeway about 72 MPH and suddenly I heard a big boom sound, like a gunshot . And then glass was everywhere , the sunroof had exploded , but it didn't appear to be any objects inside the vehicle, and I didn't notice any road debris,”
NHTSA complaint #11083441, filed 2018-04, 51,524 milesEngine: “The engine started to shake and would act like it wouldn't turn over , then it broke down on us on a road trip , got it towed and fixed but the same problem happen again couple months after of getting it fixed , and now it's leaking or smelling like gasoline leaking into the cabin of the car through the air vents and when you lift the hood. Each time we noticed the problem we were driving the vehicle but immediately stopped once we notice the smell of gas.”
NHTSA complaint #11321559, filed 2020-04, 47,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
50% of the 34 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 31,000 and 67,142 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiguan · SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ | 4 / 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 · 17.4% risk |
| Tiguan · SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | 4 / 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 · 18.5% risk |
Neighbouring years: 2014: same overall rating; 2016: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiguan FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 21 | 26 | 23 | $3,550 |
| Tiguan 4motion AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 20 | 26 | 22 | $3,750 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 19V535000Jul 17, 2019Air bags › Air bag/restraint control moduleCovers: Volkswagen Tiguan 2015–2016, CC 2015–2016
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…
- 18V329000May 16, 2018Unknown or otherCovers: Volkswagen Tiguan 2012–2015, 2017, Golf 2011–2016, CC 2012–2016 +5 more
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles…
- 16V045000Jan 28, 2016Air bags › Side/windowCovers: Volkswagen Tiguan 2015, Audi Q5 2015
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles manufactured January 15, 2015, to January 21, 2015, and 2015 Audi Q5 vehicles manufactured January 13, 2015, to February 3, 2015. The affected…
- 15V311000May 26, 2015Equipment › Other › LabelsCovers: Volkswagen Tiguan 2015
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Tiguan vehicles manufactured January 22, 2015, to March 20, 2015. These vehicles may be equipped with Certification labels that are missing the required tire pressure…
Recall details for the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 739 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11038146Sep 17, 2026Engine. Suggested fuel additive
- 11038143Sep 9, 2026Other or unknown. This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
- 11036868Aug 6, 2026Other or unknown. Permission to change Daily Order upgraded to RED Order
- 11036870Aug 4, 2026Other or unknown. Differences between a leak and seepage
- 11035772Jul 15, 2026Electrical system. This 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 issue: DA 0019…
- 11035762Jul 9, 2026Engine. Oil Consumption Measurement and Electronic Oil Consumption Measurement
- 11034614Jun 18, 2026Engine. Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
- 11034613Jun 18, 2026Engine. Lubricating engine components before reassembly.
- 11034621Jun 11, 2026Air bags. Inquiries
- 11034617Jun 4, 2026Engine. Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards
Other model years of the Volkswagen Tiguan
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 38 | 1,000 | 0 | 5 | 29 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2025 | 57 | 4,810 | 3 | 5 | 29 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2024 | 77 | 7,650 | 2 | 4 | 27 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 72 | 14,171 | 1 | 4 | 27 | 40 · Typical | Too new |
| 2022 | 274 | 30,000 | 5 | — | 26 | 100 · More | Rising |
| 2021 | 144 | 26,000 | 5 | 5 | 25 | 78 · More | Rising |
| 2020 | 141 | 30,400 | 3 | 5 | 25 | 70 · More | Rising |
| 2019 | 196 | 2,946 | 5 | 5 | 25 | 94 · More | Rising |
| 2018 | 288 | 6,900 | 14 | 4–5 | 24 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2017 | 76 | 26,000 | 4 | 4 | 22 | 30 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2016 | 97 | 45,000 | 2 | 4 | 23 | 12 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2015 | 62 | 49,262 | 4 | 4 | 23 | 9 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2014 | 84 | 50,000 | 3 | 4 | 23 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2013 | 140 | 53,500 | 3 | 4 | 23 | 29 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2012 | 153 | 50,000 | 3 | — | 24 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 162 | 60,000 | 3 | — | 22 | 56 · Typical | Falling |
| 2010 | 110 | 73,000 | 2 | — | 21 | 18 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2009 | 168 | 70,000 | 3 | — | 21 | 56 · Typical | Falling |
All Volkswagen Tiguan model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan?
Owners of the 2015 Tiguan most often describe a failed steering-wheel clock spring, which turns on the airbag warning light and leaves the horn and steering-wheel buttons inoperative, and many say the replacement part was back-ordered for months. The issues reported most often: Clock spring failure: airbag light, no horn, dead wheel; Battery drain and electrical faults (camera screen, locks; Panoramic sunroof glass shattering.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan have?
NHTSA recorded 62 consumer complaints for the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 28 complaints (45% of the total), followed by electrical system with 23.
Has the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan been recalled?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan 4 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan get?
The EPA rates the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan (Tiguan, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 21 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan reported?
Among the 34 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 49,262 miles and the middle half falls between 31,000 and 67,142 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.