2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 37about this part
- Share
- 38%of 97 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 58,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 37 complaints about the air bags of the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan, 38% of the 97 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,000 miles. 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.
“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“My vehicle had a faulty clock spring in the steering column. This has been a problem for vw since 2011 and they are not covering it under warranty. It happened while driving. The steering column made a cracking noise then started making a grinding noise. At that point the steering button controls stopped working and the airbag light came on.”
NHTSA complaint #11122478, filed 2018-08, 48,500 miles“Vehicle had been parked for several days. Upon pulling out of a parking space, heard a snapping noise from the steering wheel. Immediately received an airbag error warning, horn ceased to function, and all steering wheel controls stopped working.”
NHTSA complaint #11197359, filed 2019-04, 58,000 miles“Clicking noise from steering wheel while turning. Error airbag message later appeared along with airbag notification light. Functions in steering wheel cease to work including the horn. Noticed in motion on a neighborhood street.”
NHTSA complaint #11222862, filed 2019-06, 69,000 milesRelated recalls
- 19V535000Jul 17, 2019Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Tiguan and CC vehicles. The air bag Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may have a…Covers: Volkswagen Tiguan 2015–2016, CC 2015–2016
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 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan
27 complaintsOther or unknown
23 complaintsSteering
13 complaintsEngine
10 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 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