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Electrical systemPart report

2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Electrical system Problems

Complaints
46about this part
Share
16%of 288 total for the year
Median mileage
12,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 46 complaints about the electrical system of the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan, 16% of the 288 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 12,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 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.

“While driving, no object or anything in the front, the car emits a beep, red flashing collision signal, and slams on the brake. The day is clear, sunny, and daytime. This happened multiple times. Two times, it almost felt like we hit a wall. It caused whiplash and my neck was stiff for a couple of days. This needs to be fixed asap.”

NHTSA complaint #11160944, filed 2018-12, 4,995 miles

“Like many other complaints I have read, an error appears saying the engine had exceeded 4000rpm, when it does not. Then the car drops down to 10 MPH and will not exceed. The car shakes uncontrollably. The car is 28 months old and has been having these issues since 6 months in. The car has been at volkwagen dealerships for 3-4 weeks at a time 4 times already for the same issues. I have filed multiple complaints with Volkswagen and they have done nothing to rectify this dangerous situation.”

NHTSA complaint #11320877, filed 2020-04, 25,000 miles

“When pressing pedal from a stopped position to accelerate the vehicle there is either a lag in response or no response causing the vehicle not to move when going from a stopped position to moving action into traffic. This has been noted at random moments, more noticeably when vehicle is first turned on. However, it has happened countless times when vehicle has been driven for several miles. This lack of accelerator response puts my family and I into a very dangerous situation.”

NHTSA complaint #11192453, filed 2019-03, 17,900 miles

“This car is dangerous! I had vehicle for 4 months and have only driven 411 miles car has started to hesitate when pulling out into traffic, it almost feels like it shuts off for a solid 4 seconds before it decides to accelerate. Gas mileage reads 100mpg, we all know that's not possible... Loud wind noises at 50 MPH and a pop noise coming from drivers side door every bump in the road at 50 MPH . The start stop option turns on and off when the road is rough or slightly bumpy!”

NHTSA complaint #11151863, filed 2018-11, 517 miles

“There is a recall for sunroof lighting: from vw website: high humidity in the panoramic sunroof ambient lighting bar LED module (caused by environment or by leaving the sunroof open) could lead to a local short circuit. If this happens, there is a risk of a fire. So, I bought higher model because I wanted this feature, but now I cannot use it because vw is going to disconnect it? At the end, pay for feature, but you cannot use it because vw can't figure out which fire to put out.”

NHTSA complaint #11114782, filed 2018-07, 1,350 miles

Related recalls

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 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan

Engine
82 complaintsOther or unknown
53 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
49 complaintsFuel system
41 complaintsBody and structure
39 complaintsBrakes
21 complaintsVehicle speed control
21 complaintsExterior lighting
17 complaintsSeat belts
16 complaintsAir bags
15 complaintsSteering
15 complaintsForward collision avoidance
12 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2018 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