When I first purchased my vehicle the epc came on multiple times and I had to take it back to the dealership. Fast forward last week when I was going home on the eway same issues car wouldn’t accelerate the car was idled at the speed of 40mph it wouldn’t go any faster for a few minutes then it took off out of no where. Also when I was taking my kids to school I was making a left turn and lost…
2018 Volkswagen Tiguan steering problems
severe 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1crash
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2018 Tiguan has documented steering system failures ranging from total power steering loss to uncontrolled lane-assist corrections that have nearly caused collisions. Battery and electrical issues can cascade to steering and other safety systems, with some owners stranded by steering column lock failures at under 10,000 miles.
Owners report six distinct steering and steering-related electrical failures in the 2018 Tiguan.
Power steering systems are failing under normal operation, with one pump (PN#5QN-423-055-A) confirmed defective and another rack-and-pinion assembly fracturing internally at 65,000 miles. One dealer service advisor told an owner they see steering issues affecting 30–40% of their VW inventory, citing parts shortages and backorders.
Steering column lock failures have immobilized vehicles with no prior warning, sometimes within 10,000 miles. One owner's replacement steering column failed again four days after installation, leaving the car unable to start mid-city.
Lane Keep Assist system malfunctions are documented across multiple owners. The system steers vehicles into adjacent lanes when already centered, locks the steering wheel, and creates near-collision hazards. Dealer diagnostics report inability to reproduce the issues; one owner disabled the feature entirely.
Electrical failures have cascaded to steering loss—one customer had their battery installed backwards by a third party, which fried the main fuse, alternator, AC, and disabled power steering. A second owner's battery loss triggered steering malfunction and other electrical failures; their dealership blamed the battery but another shop confirmed it was fine.
Wheel alignment issues have compounded costs: VW requires mandatory Adaptive Cruise Control recalibration ($400) alongside standard alignment work, not disclosed upfront. One owner noted that four wheels going out of alignment simultaneously without collision is unusual. Another reported emergency system lockout while the vehicle was stalled at a red light, preventing safe movement.
Same Volkswagen Tiguan steering reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering pump and rack-and-pinion failure
Power steering systems failing suddenly, with pump and rack-and-pinion assembly defects reported. One owner lost all power steering completely; another experienced rack-and-pinion fracture with internal bolt failure.
When: Within first year; one failure at 65,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Yellow then red power steering warning light; Steering becomes difficult or completely unresponsive; Loss of power steering in winter conditions; Rack-and-pinion fracture without warning light
Codes mentioned: Power steering warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Rack-and-pinion replacement required; parts backordered; one owner's pump PN#5QN-423-055-A confirmed defective by dealer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer service reports 30-40% failure rate across VW lineup with steering issues; parts shortage reported
Steering column lock and no-start condition
Steering column failures causing complete loss of vehicle operation and inability to start, often without prior warning. Two separate owners experienced this issue.
When: Less than 10,000 miles; within first year of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Steering lock fault warning on dash: 'Steering Lock Fault. Stop!'; Vehicle will not start or turn over; No warning indicators prior to failure; Recurrence after dealer replacement
Codes mentioned: Steering Lock Fault, Steering column failure
Repairs/costs cited: Steering column replacement required; replacement unit failed again within days
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer service acknowledged part failure as 'very odd' but indicates this happens frequently on VW vehicles
Lane Keep Assist system malfunction causing unintended steering
Active Lane Keep Assist system erratically steering the vehicle into adjacent lanes or locking the steering wheel, creating near-collision hazards. Multiple owners report the system misidentifying lane position and over-correcting.
When: Throughout ownership; one reported over a year prior to complaint
Symptoms owners cite: System steers vehicle into adjacent lanes without driver input; Nearly causes collisions with other vehicles; Steering wheel locks in place; Inaccurate lane line detection; System applies correction when vehicle is already centered in lane; Registers simultaneous departure on both sides of vehicle
Codes mentioned: Lane departure warning system active, Lane Keep Assist malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to reproduce issue; lane assistance disabled by owners due to distrust
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer diagnostic response: 'NPF Unable to Reproduce Customers Concern'; owner reports manufacturer disregarded concerns
Electrical system failure cascading to steering and other functions
Battery-related electrical failures causing widespread system shutdowns including steering, cruise control, and climate control. One owner's battery installed backwards by third party; another experienced battery loss triggering steering and accessory failures.
When: At battery replacement; within first year
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering inoperative after battery change; Cruise control failure; AC failure; Multiple warning lights illuminated; Electrical system malfunction; Alternator failure
Codes mentioned: EPC light (Engine Power Control), Electrical system faults, Alternator failure
Repairs/costs cited: Blown fuse for entire system; broken AC unit; broken alternator; service rep indicated this happens frequently when owners change battery themselves
Adaptive Cruise Control calibration requirement cascading from alignment
VW dealership procedure requires Adaptive Cruise Control recalibration ($400) whenever wheel alignment is performed, creating unexpected costs and potential safety issue if customers obtain alignment elsewhere without recalibration.
When: When wheel alignment service needed
Symptoms owners cite: All four wheels out of alignment without reported impact or collision; Adaptive Cruise Control requires mandatory recalibration after any alignment
Repairs/costs cited: Wheel alignment cost ($100) plus mandatory ACC calibration ($400) = $500+ total; not disclosed in owner manual or dealership paperwork
Vehicle stall and emergency lock-out during traffic emergency
Vehicle stalled while stopped at red light and then entered emergency mode preventing driver from moving it to safety, resulting in vehicle being dragged by truck.
When: Stopped at red light
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalled while stationary; Emergency mode activated preventing operation; Unable to move vehicle to safety; Vehicle dragged by truck
Codes mentioned: Emergency mode activated
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had steering trouble with your 2018 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 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 12 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 17,900 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2018/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.