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 screen options due to the steering wheel buttons not functioning. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, whe…
2013 volkswagen Tiguan airbags problems
moderate 30 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
AIRBAG CLOCK SWITCH FAILED ON MY 2013 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, TURNING A 45 DEGREE CORNER, AND A 'GRINDING' AND 'POPPING' SOUND OCCURRED.
VW RECALLED THIS VEHICLE FOR A DEFECT IN THE CLOCKSPRING WHICH CONTROLS THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG. THIS REPAIR WAS MADE IN JULY 2016. JUST 15 MONTHS LATER AND LESS THAN 3000 MILES LATER THE CLOCKSPRING FAILED AGAIN IN THE EXACT SAME FASHION. THE SAME CLASSIC CLOCKSPRING FAILURE MODE AS REPORTED BY VW. I HAD IT REPLACED AGAIN THIS MORNING.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2013 volkswagen Tiguan?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 30 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.