The clock spring in the steering column deteriorated and became nonfunctional in a car that is only 3 years old and with only 17000 miles on it. This is not an old car, to spend about $800 to repair a part that is still this new is ridiculous. There are past and current investigations into this exact part with many models, including variations of our own.
2014 Volkswagen Tiguan steering problems
moderate 20 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
When does it fail?
Of the 20 steering complaints filed for the 2014 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
Among the 12 model years of Volkswagen Tiguan in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Steering accounts for 24% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 5 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2014 Tiguan's clock spring fails regularly between 43,000 and 66,000 miles, knocking out the horn, airbag, and steering wheel controls—a serious safety issue that Volkswagen has not recalled for this model despite covering it on other years. Repair costs run around $800 and are not covered by warranty.
Owners report two main steering-related problems. The first and most common is clock spring failure in the steering column, happening between 43,000 and 66,000 miles—though one owner reported it at just 17,000 miles. Owners hear clicking or ticking during steering wheel turns, followed by a loud click and an airbag warning light. Once the clock spring breaks, the horn stops working entirely, all steering wheel controls (cruise, Bluetooth, phone, radio) go dead, and the airbag system disables. One owner could not use her horn during a dangerous highway merge. Dealers confirm the diagnosis but deny warranty coverage; repair costs run $800. Volkswagen has issued recall NHTSA 15V483000 for clock spring failures on other 2010–2014 models but explicitly excludes this 2014 Tiguan, leaving affected owners to pay out of pocket.
The second issue is loss of electronic power steering. Multiple owners report the steering wheel suddenly becomes rock-hard to turn while driving—on highways and during turns. One owner's wheel locked up unexpectedly, forcing him barely off an interstate; restarting the car temporarily restored power steering but the failure happened again within a mile. Another owner lost power steering twice during normal operation. One mechanic blamed a dead battery, but even after replacement, the steering wheel seized while parked. The dealer did not investigate. Owners describe the failures as frightening and unsafe, with no manufacturer response documented.
Same Volkswagen Tiguan steering reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Clock Spring Failure
The clock spring in the steering column fractures, breaks, or deteriorates, typically triggered by steering wheel rotation. This is an electrical component that maintains continuity for airbag deployment and steering wheel controls as the wheel rotates.
When: 43,000–66,000 miles typical; one reported at 17,000 miles; some owners report the failure happening during low-speed turns, parking maneuvers, or highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Clicking or ticking sound from steering wheel or column during turns; Loud click followed by airbag warning light; All steering wheel controls stop working (horn, cruise control, Bluetooth, radio, phone, volume); Airbag warning light or error message illuminates; Horn completely inoperable
Codes mentioned: Airbag system error light, Steering wheel malfunction indicator
Repairs/costs cited: Clock spring replacement required; owners cite $800 repair cost; one owner paid $50 deductible under used-car warranty
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 15V483000 (airbags) covers some 2010–2014 VW models but does not include this 2014 Tiguan; warranty coverage denied on out-of-warranty vehicles; dealers have refused to repair or assist
Power Steering Loss / Electronic Power Steering Malfunction
The vehicle loses electronic power steering assist, making the steering wheel extremely difficult to control. This differs from mechanical failure—power steering becomes unavailable while the vehicle is in motion.
When: Occurs randomly during highway driving or during turns; one owner reported the issue resolved after shutting down the car and waiting 5 minutes, then recurring within one block
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes very hard to turn; Loss of power steering assist while driving; Steering wheel locks or becomes immobilized while parked; Steering malfunction warning light displays; Issue sometimes resolves temporarily after engine restart
Codes mentioned: Steering wheel malfunction indicator, Power steering system error
Repairs/costs cited: One independent mechanic attributed the issue to battery failure requiring replacement; however, the underlying power steering system problem persisted after battery replacement, with steering wheel seizing while parked
Electrical System / Airbag Circuit Disruption
The clock spring failure creates an open circuit in the airbag and steering column control circuit, disabling multiple electrical systems that rely on that connection.
When: Coincides with clock spring failure; occurs during steering input or can develop gradually over weeks
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag system deactivates or becomes non-functional; Airbag warning light illuminates on dashboard; All electronic steering wheel controls fail simultaneously
Codes mentioned: Airbag system fault code, Clock spring circuit open
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 15V483000 applies to some model years but not this 2014 Tiguan VIN; warranty does not cover repairs; no manufacturer assistance provided
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Airbag light came on. At the same time we lost all of our steering wheel controls as well as our horn. Some vehicles are covered by a recall but supposedly this yr and model isn't covered for some reason
My vehicle keeps losing power steering, often during operation.
Air bag recall - air bag light came on and steering wheel controls do not work including horn. Took car in and dealer showed there is a recall for this specific issue/model but not for my specific VIN
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 20 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 39,000 and 66,000 miles, with the median around 47,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 39,000; a quarter make it past 66,000. 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.