2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report a failing clockspring in the steering column, which shows up as a clicking or cracking noise when turning, an airbag warning light, a dead horn, and steering-wheel buttons that stop working. Sunroof and moonroof glass shattering while driving is the next most common theme, followed by engine oil consumption, coolant leaks, and intake manifold trouble. A smaller set of complaints describes a sudden loss of power steering assist and fuel pump failures that leave the vehicle unable to start.

1. 1
   Air bags

   Clockspring failure (airbag light, horn, wheel buttons)

   • 28 complaints (29%)
   • median 58,000 mi at 3.8 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2018–2025

   Owners describe a clicking, cracking, or grinding noise from the steering column when turning the wheel, followed by the airbag warning light coming on and the horn and steering-wheel buttons going dead. In most cases a dealer diagnoses the clockspring, and several owners say the part was backordered for months with no repair date given. Some report the same part failing more than once after replacement. Reported from roughly 30,000 miles upward, often during low-speed turns or while pulling out of a parking space.

   What to check: Turn the wheel lock to lock and listen for clicking, and confirm the airbag light self-tests and goes out, then check that the horn and all wheel buttons work. Ask whether the clockspring has been replaced and whether the part is currently available.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Steering wheel began making a clicking noise every time I would turn the wheel either right or left. Then the volume and skip buttons stopped working on the steering wheel, left side only, the right side control buttons are working just fine. A couple of days later, the airbag light came on the dashboard and my steering wheel is still clicking when I turn the wheel. Doesn't matter if I'm on the freeway or in a residential area, it clicks no matter what and the airbag light has not gone off since.”

   NHTSA complaint #11268359, filed 2019-10, 55,000 miles

   “When pulling out of my driveway, I heard a tearing sound coming from my steering wheel. Following the noise, my airbag warning light came on. The airbag is deactivated per the owners manual and will not function properly in an accident. I realized later on in my drive that the controls on the steering wheel and the horn also do not work. It is quite dangerous to drive as another driver that day swerved into my lane without checking and I had no method of alerting the driver because my horn doesnt work nor do I have the protection of an airbag. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11065262, filed 2018-01, 52,000 miles
2. 2
   Body and structure

   Sunroof / moonroof glass shattering while driving

   • 8 complaints (8%)
   • median 45,000 mi at 4.1 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2017–2025

   Complaints describe the panoramic roof glass breaking suddenly at highway speed with a sound like a gunshot, showering the cabin with glass fragments. Owners say nothing struck the vehicle beforehand and the roof was closed and not in use. A few report the glass appearing to blow outward rather than inward, and several mention the dealer saying no recall applied. Reported across a wide mileage range, from about 10,000 to over 100,000 miles, usually at highway speed.

   What to check: Inspect the roof panel closely for chips, edge damage, or previous replacement, and ask whether the glass has ever been replaced. Some owners also report water leaking past the roof drains, so check the headliner and floor for dampness after rain.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving on the interstate to work, without any other vehicles immediately in front of me, when my glass sunroof shattered suddenly. The noise of it shattering was like a gunshot going off in the cabin. I had my cloth ceiling liner extended so I didn't get hit by the falling glass shards but it still spooked me. I didn't end up finding anything that would suggest it was the result of an object hitting me.”

   NHTSA complaint #11319025, filed 2020-03, 20,000 miles

   “While driving on the highway during rush hour the sunroof spontanesously shattered. The sunroof was closed and the cloth shield was tucked away. It sounded like a gunshot and deafened my ears for about 5 minutes. I thought someone fired a gun or a nearby car got into an accident since I felt no impact other than sound. Because I was driving I was extremely startled when I looked up and saw an open window and glass had fallen all over me. It had happened so quickly. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10957453, filed 2017-02, 10,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Oil consumption, coolant leaks, and intake manifold faults

   • 11 complaints (11%)
   • median 79,260 mi at 5.4 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners report the oil level dropping rapidly between changes with the oil warning light coming on, sometimes with no visible leak; one complaint notes loose oil pan bolts found at a dealer. Others describe coolant loss and water pump replacement at relatively low mileage, and check-engine codes traced to the intake manifold. Some owners say a warranty extension applied to earlier model years was not honored on this one. Mostly reported between about 45,000 and 80,000 miles, with water pump and manifold faults appearing in the 45,000-50,000 mile range.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the oil level and look for a fuel or burnt-oil smell, ask for oil change records to see whether top-offs were frequent, and check for coolant residue or a low coolant level. Ask whether the water pump or intake manifold has already been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My vehicle experienced an intake manifold failure and required replacement. This is a widely known and documented issue with older version vw intake manifolds. There is also an extended warranty applied to vw intake manifolds which I have added as a document below. Vw claims that my intake manifold is not covered by the extended warranty even though my car has the same ccta engine and same intake manifold as the ones described in the notice. The warranty extension should apply to any of the vw vehicles that have affected intake manifolds. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11397026, filed 2021-02, 80,800 miles

   “Oil consumption issue. “Normal” oil consumption is 1 quart per 1200 miles according to VW. My Tiguan with 70k miles is burning 3 quarts every 2,000 miles. No obvious oil leak or burning of oil. I’m told I need a new engine and this is a known issue for VW. Car no longer under warranty after 60k miles.”

   NHTSA complaint #11504781, filed 2023-01
4. 4
   Steering

   Sudden loss of power steering assist

   • 6 complaints (6%)
   • median 30,000 mi at 3.5 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners describe the steering becoming very heavy without warning while driving or turning at low speed, with the steering warning light coming on. In some cases the vehicle was difficult to direct until it could be stopped. One dealer diagnosis pointed to the steering rack along with wheel speed sensors and cooling fans. Reported from roughly 30,000 to 88,000 miles, typically at low speed or while turning into traffic.

   What to check: During a test drive, turn the wheel at low speed and note whether assist feels consistent, and confirm no steering warning light appears on the dash. Ask whether the steering rack or assist system has been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My vehicle was in motion pulling out of my driveway and turning onto the street when the steering failed completely and I was unable to direct my car. To avoid blocking traffic I had to pull into my neighbors front yard. The car was in motion and around other cars when I lost control. This is the second incident with this vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #11205905, filed 2019-05, 30,000 miles

   “While in the middle a a 5 way boston intersection my power steering failed without warning and I was unable to direct my car in busy traffic. I was able to remain calm and turn on hazard lights to get myself out of harms way, but was extremely lucky. The steering light came on immediate, but there were no noises, no previous issues, and no way other than luck for me to prevent a serious accident.”

   NHTSA complaint #11171173, filed 2019-01, 30,000 miles
5. 5
   Fuel system

   Fuel pump failure and fuel leaks / odor

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the vehicle refusing to start or losing power shortly after a battery light appears, traced to a failed fuel pump module, with repeat no-starts after replacement. Others report a strong fuel odor while driving that a dealer traced to a fuel line leak or the fuel pump. Reported from about 36,000 to 55,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel pump or fuel lines have been replaced, and check for a fuel smell around the rear of the car or under the hood after a drive. Confirm the car starts readily from cold.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I bought this cpo vehicle july 2018 with approx. 32,000 miles. Drove perfectly without any maintenance outside of typical oil change, tire swaps, rotations, alignments, etc. Mid-november 2019 I leave home around lunch time, back out of garage and pull up to turn on to the road, the battery light comes on and I can't accelerate the vehicle. Try jumping it, still won't start. Tow it to a local mechanic who works on vw/audis turns out it is a fuel pump module failure. Gets replaced and everything seems to be in order. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11310178, filed 2020-02, 45,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, an abnormal fuel odor was detected. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a fuel line leak. The dealer informed the contact that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11474901, filed 2022-07, 36,000 miles

Buying note. Check the clockspring functions and the panoramic roof carefully on any example, since these two themes account for a large share of what owners report, and ask for service records covering oil consumption, the water pump, and any fuel pump work.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 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.