Volkswagen Tiguan problems
139 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The locking mechanism for the gas door stopped working properly and the door remains unlocked with the door popped open the majority of the time. If the door isn't popped open then it's locked shut and can't be opened normally and must be pried open. *tr
My 2013 vw tiguan suddenly had a snapping and crinkly sound when I turned the wheel. I noticed it when I was turning in my driveway very slowly. Hours later and "error:airbag" message appeared on the dash and all of the functions of the steering wheel stopped working, including…
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the check air bag warning light illuminated. Additionally, all the buttons on the steering wheel became inoperable. The contact stated that he was unable cycle through the service…
Vehicle sporadically unresponsive in traffic while in any forward drive selection of automatic transmission. Particularly hazardous while changing lanes in freeway traffic. I push on the accelerator to change lanes and nothing happens...the car just coasts...meanwhile traffic…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA18003 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
Common questions
Is the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 139 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan?
On the NHTSA data, the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 30 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 69,254 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 69,254 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Volkswagen Tiguan has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 139 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.