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ProblemsByVin Index / 2017-VOLKSWAGEN-TIGUAN / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2017 Volkswagen Tiguan owner complaints

72 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 1 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

steering 5 complaints shown

11 total in this category · severe · avg repair $700 · see steering cluster analysis →
12/05/2023 ODI #11558514.0

I started to get an "airbag error" message on the dash and then noticed that my horn no longer works, and neither do any of the buttons on either side of the wheel that control the dash menus and sound/phone system. I was able to determine this is a clock spring failure. From what I read, this is not a part that is supposed to wear out or fail from the age of the car and is expected to last the life of the car. Unfortunately, I now have no horn and possibly no airbags and I can't change any view on my dash to look up anything else.

11/21/2022 Crash ODI #11494504.0

I suffered a front-end collision on 11/15/2022 in my 2017 VW Tiguan. I was going on I-66 in Virginia 40-45mph back to college at Howard University, and a car stopped suddenly after being cut off, but it was raining horribly and I was in half a foot of water, so even with braking, I hydroplaned into the vehicle in front of me, causing insubstantial damage to them but very significant damage to my vehicle as well as whiplash.

10/17/2025 ODI #11693994.0

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Steering rack and pinion, yes. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? There is no power steering and unable to make a quick turn to maneuver the car around a potential hazard in the road. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, two independent service centers. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Just a power steering light when it failed.

09/19/2023 ODI #11545507.0

Steering column locks upon start up. The light is red on the dashboard. You can not power steer the car thus making the car unusable. The code that comes up is to replace the steering rack. This is a $2k part rebuilt and a $3k part new. This is happening on many many VWs. Ours failed at 130k miles and 6 years old. I’ve heard of others failing at 80k miles, etc. this is absurd that this is happening! a car is supposed to move and steer that’s what makes it a car. Volkswagen needs to recall this and reimburse those who have paid to have it fixed. The car is incredibly dangerous to drive with the steering rack failing.

08/22/2023 ODI #11539994.0

Clock Spring - Crackling sound in steering wheel when turning right and left; airbag indicator

electrical 5 complaints shown

10 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $850 · see electrical cluster analysis →
12/05/2023 ODI #11558523.0

It is nearly 2 years since the "clock spring wire" in the steering wheel failed. While this results in the buttons on the steering wheel not working, that is a minor inconvenience (such as not being able to reset the tire pressure warning light). The major problem is that the steering wheel air bag is not functional. Local VW dealers and VW of American customer support have been unable to obtain this part for more than 18 months. A very reliable source (local mechanic) tells me the local VW dealer has several customers with the same need for this part. We have been checking with local dealers for more than a year to see if/when this part might become available if no success.

10/08/2019 31,000 mi ODI #11267095.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen tiguan. While driving 35 MPH, multiple warning indicators illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and had the vehicle towed to schumacher Volkswagen of west palm beach (located at 3001 okeechobee blvd, west palm beach, fl 33409, (561) 935-4490). The dealer diagnosed that the rear passenger sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 31,000. The VIN was not available.

09/26/2021 ODI #11434382.0

I think theu should buy my wolkswagon back I been having issue with it

08/24/2021 58,000 mi ODI #11430333.0

The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact pumped the brake pedal several times before the vehicle would start up. The speedometer started to fluctuate, and the vehicle would shudder or hesitate. Occasionally the vehicle would stall and shut-off. The contact stated that they were no longer able to operate the vehicle. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000.

08/23/2022 ODI #11480696.0

Clock spring failure. First symptom happened 2-3 months ago, my steering wheel radio controls and controls on my touch screen started randomly freezing or breaking. 3 months later, as I was turning my steering wheel, there was a cracking sound and my air bag light came on. The next day my car died but was able to be jumped by roadside assistance, unsure if the battery dying was related. The car was taken to a VW service station and was a confirmed clock spring failure, which I understand means the airbags will not deploy when/if needed. I was told it was not under warranty.

other 4 complaints shown

10/28/2022 ODI #11491334.0

The Infotainment system fails to start or reboots randomly causing the back up camera not to work. Teddy VW of the Bronx dealership stated it is a critical concern. The back up camera not displaying on infotainment screen is a hazardous condition when pulling out of a parking spot.

09/17/2022 ODI #11484947.0

Hello, I have had much trouble with this automobile. In fact it’s has become a nightmare. While driving on highway 75/85 with massive traffic in a major city, my level of anxiety was raised because I was about 15 minutes from home. I had to travel for 40 minutes. I took a chance hoping that the car did not stop or give out in traffic in the middle of the highway. First my navigating system would not function, it kept blanking out off and on or dancing around, so and I could not get it to give directions toward home. Then the dashboard began to light up with multiple lights. I’m a senior citizen over 70 years, with a compromised immune system and felt very anxious or worried for my safety as well as others and that the car would stop in a 6 lane interstate going one way in traffic. June 20

09/09/2017 ODI #11022483.0

I purchased this vehicle on february 3rd, 2017. For seven months I've experienced escalating health issues such as: 'moderate headaches 'moderate to severe sinus and ear pressure/pain 'lung/throat irritation 'light-headiness 'balance issues 'nausea 'moderate to severe vertigo 'confusion 'memory issues 'and most recently muscle/limb tremors/twitching these symptoms intensify when using the car's HVAC unit (heater/ac). Or when sitting in the car with the windows up for more than 15-20 minutes (with HVAC turned-off). After unsuccessfully attempting to remedy the situation myself by buying and installing a new 'activated carbon' cabin filter and putting bowls of baking soda under my seats (yes, that's how desperate I was) I officially contacted the dealer where I originally purc

08/29/2025 ODI #11683981.0

when was driven i lost power and got the ECU light and check engine light when scan for codes got fuel system and also car went into limp mode and had low fuel reading from live feeding and since have replaced the high pressure fuel pump and live reading are good now it still won’t start and won’t come out of limp mode

airbags 2 complaints shown

23 total in this category · critical · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags cluster analysis →
10/14/2023 ODI #11549985.0

The clock spring is broken on the 2017 Tiguan 4 motion @ 67,017 miles. The airbag light immediately came on. The part was removed for inspection and replacement by my husband. With the airbag/clock spring disabled turn signals, wipers do not work. Steering is very hard and there is a giant hole where the airbag should be making this vehicle unsafe. I see there is a recall on clock springs but apparently this Tiguan isn’t included but it should be. First noticed this problem Oct 12 2022 The part number is 5k0953569AP

09/10/2022 ODI #11483776.0

The clock spring failed in my steering wheel. There is no active horn or airbag for the drivers side. None of the steering wheel system works. The steering wheel was making a clicking sound for a week and then one night the airbag error light came on and has stayed on. The vehicle was taken to VW they said it is the clockspring that needs to be replaced but they are on back order for months.

engine 2 complaints shown

7 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $3,100 · see engine cluster analysis →
10/05/2022 ODI #11487998.0

Faulty water pump caused expansive replacement cost aprx $1400.00. Learned from certified mechanic that it was a common problem and a lawsuit is in process against VW USA.

09/06/2022 ODI #11482976.0

I was driving vehicle and it began to stall. I was a block away from home and made it home turned it off. When I tried to turn it on it would not start. I had it towed where I was told that the engine was BLOWN at no fault of my own. At 119000. I am still paying on this vehicle and can’t even use it. Mechanic says it’s not even worth putting a new engine in. The money I would spend on it I might as well get a new vehicle. Replacing the engine would start at 9,000.00. VW NEEDS A RECALL on this. Mechanic says he sees this alot on this vehicle

powertrain 1 complaint shown

4 total in this category · severe · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain cluster analysis →
09/02/2021 ODI #11431439.0

The gas pedal stopped responding during high velocity highway drive. Luckily, I was able to steer the car safely to an emergency stop. I was able to shift gear to N and than to P but the car rocked violently when I tried to switch back to D. The car was towed and a mechanic inspection suggested that it's a transmission fail.

tires 1 complaint shown

08/21/2022 ODI #11480454.0

Tires treads are peeling or shredded at 40.000 miles in left front driver side, rear driver side and right front passenger side I went to Costco tire and was advised to replace the tires for safety reasons

Showing 300 of 72 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/Volkswagen/Tiguan#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-06-14. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
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