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,…
2013 Volkswagen Tiguan airbags problems
moderate 30 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
30
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 30 airbags complaints filed for the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 12 model years of Volkswagen Tiguan we track for airbags problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 30.
Owners have filed 30 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
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.
Had airbags trouble with your 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
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?
Across the 20 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 38,000 and 104,222 miles, with the median around 79,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 38,000; a quarter make it past 104,222. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Volkswagen/Tiguan.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.