A clicking sounds started coming from the steering wheel while turning, at one point the air bag light turned on, and from that point forward, the controls on the steering wheel no longer work, including the horn. The clicking sounds from the steering wheel is still present while turning. I called a place that specializes in vw and they suggested I call vw dealer instead because it was a safety…
2014 Volkswagen Tiguan electrical problems
moderate 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
When does it fail?
Of the 16 electrical complaints filed for the 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
Electrical accounts for 20% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 5 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2014 Tiguan has a well-documented clock spring defect that disables airbags, horns, and steering wheel controls with no fix in sight—VW issued a recall but many owners report their VINs wrongly excluded, and parts remain backordered for months. A separate stalling issue and door-lock glitch round out the electrical gremlins, making this model unreliable and potentially unsafe.
Owners report a steering wheel clock spring fracture as the dominant electrical failure in this cluster. The break happens suddenly—usually with a click, pop, snap, or rattle during steering wheel rotation—triggering an airbag warning light and cascading losses: horn dead, steering wheel controls (volume, cruise buttons, mode toggles) inoperable, and in some cases gas tank door lock and hands-free systems knocked out. One owner experienced this failure twice in two years, despite a warranty replacement on the first occurrence.
Multiple owners point to recall 15V483000 as covering this defect, but many report their specific VINs excluded from eligibility despite owning the exact same year and model. Parts remain severely backordered; owners cite 9+ month waits, 10,000+ vehicles queued, with no manufacturer ETA. One dealer charged $750 for repair; another wanted $160 just to diagnose. VW is offering no loaner vehicles during the wait, leaving owners driving without functioning airbags or horns—a serious safety gap, especially for owners with young children.
A separate stalling complaint describes complete engine shutdown at idle and 20–40 mph on a highway ramp, with an intermittent check engine light. One owner reported the vehicle towed after multiple stalls but the dealer found no issue on a block test.
A rear passenger door lock failure at 80,000 miles rendered the door unable to lock via key fob, with no warning light to alert the driver.
Same Volkswagen Tiguan electrical reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Steering wheel clock spring failure
The clock spring assembly in the steering column fractures or breaks, severing electrical continuity to the steering wheel hub. Owners report hearing clicking, rattling, popping, or snapping sounds during steering wheel rotation immediately before failure. The break triggers multiple cascading electrical failures in safety-critical systems.
When: Typically occurs between 80,000 miles and normal service life; one owner reports second failure after warranted replacement 2 years prior.
Symptoms owners cite: Clicking, rattling, popping, or snapping sound from steering wheel during turns; Airbag warning light illuminates; Horn becomes inoperable; Steering wheel controls (volume, cruise control, mode buttons) stop functioning; Dashboard information display toggle buttons non-functional; Hands-free communication malfunction; Gas tank door lock malfunction
Codes mentioned: Airbag system fault code (triggered by clock spring break)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner charged $750 for parts and labor at dealer. Multiple owners report parts backordered with no ETA; one cites 9-month+ wait and 10,000+ people in queue. Another reports 3.5+ months with no ETA. VW citing manufacturing conflicts as reason for backorder.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 15V483000 issued for clock spring defects; however, multiple owners report their specific VINs excluded from recall eligibility despite matching year, model, and symptoms. VW offering 'extended warranty' option for out-of-warranty vehicles but dealers charging $160 diagnostic fees. Dealers and manufacturer offering no loaner vehicles during extended repair waits.
Engine stalling under load
Engine shuts off completely during normal driving, particularly at low speeds or while idling. Intermittent in nature—may not recur during dealer test drive. Check engine light illuminates intermittently, sometimes present and sometimes absent.
When: Early April 2014 (shortly after purchase or early in ownership); occurs at idle and 20–40 mph highway ramp conditions.
Symptoms owners cite: Complete engine shutdown without warning; Check engine light illuminates (intermittent—on some drives, off on others); Battery warning light signals; Engine restarts after key-off/key-on cycle
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (specific codes not provided in narrative)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner took vehicle to Open Road Volkswagen of Manhattan; dealer confirmed no issue on block test drive and scheduled extended observation period. Vehicle was towed by roadside assistance after stalling on FDR Drive ramp.
Passenger door locking mechanism failure
Rear passenger side door lock fails to secure via key fob or central locking system. Door remains unlocked despite lock command; manual internal lock button required to secure. No warning light or message indicates the malfunction.
When: Approximately 80,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger rear door remains unlocked after key fob lock command; No warning light or on-screen message alerts driver to ajar/unlocked door; Manual internal lock button required to secure door
Repairs/costs cited: Dick Hannah Volkswagen of Portland diagnosed door locking mechanism requiring replacement; vehicle not repaired at time of complaint.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was informed of failure; no recall or warranty action mentioned.
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Takata recall. I was driving my car when I heard some clicking noise coming from the steering wheel. Suddenly, the airbag light appeared on my dashboard. The horn and the steering wheel controls, such as, volume, stopped working. I called Volkswagen and they said my car wasn't included on the clock spring recall even though my car details(year, model, problem) fit. I have had Volkswagen for ever…
Clock spring broken, VIN not covered in recall.
Had electrical trouble with your 2014 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 electrical problem on the 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 16 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 37,000 and 130,000 miles, with the median around 80,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 37,000; a quarter make it past 130,000. 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2014/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.