Volkswagen Tiguan 2nd gen (AD1) Problems, Recalls & Lemon Law

tail light out; exterior light warning; reduced rear visibility

NHTSA Recall 17V662 covers 2018 Tiguan LWB vehicles whose back-up light assemblies fall below FMVSS 108 minimum brightness, reducing visibility when reversing. A dealer's failure to complete this taillight replacement within a reasonable time — particularly if the vehicle is out of service for extended periods — is independently actionable under Song-Beverly §1793.2(b)'s 30-day-out-of-service provision.

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected inner taillight assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94J9.

airbag warning light; passenger airbag may not deploy; SRS warning; occupant detection fault

Recall 18V102 covers 2017-2018 Tiguan Limited vehicles fitted with a driver airbag module not certified for U.S. sale, violating FMVSS 208. If a dealer fails to repair this safety-critical defect promptly, Song-Beverly §1793.2(b) provides that each day the vehicle is out of service for recall work counts toward the 30-day lemon threshold. Unremedied airbag defects present immediate occupant injury risk in any crash.

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel and front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69V2.

engine knocking; engine stalls; sudden loss of power; check engine light; engine failure recall

Recall 18V159 covers 2018 Tiguan LWB vehicles whose engine support bolts were not properly tightened at the factory, risking unexpected engine breakdown or loss of power at speed. Song-Beverly's safety-defect provision prioritizes such recalls; if a dealer fails to inspect and replace the bolts within a reasonable time, the owner may seek repurchase or replacement of the vehicle without the usual repair-attempt counting requirement.

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace engine support bolts, free of charge. The recall began March 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 10F7.

front suspension noise; stabilizer bar loose; vehicle pulls or clunks

Recall 18V262 covers 2018 Tiguan LWB vehicles with a rear shock absorber lower loop that may detach due to an incorrect welding process, causing potential loss of vehicle control. This is a critical safety recall; dealers must inspect and replace the shock absorber. Repeated failure to complete suspension safety recalls — or a vehicle out of service for 30+ days awaiting parts — supports a Song-Beverly claim.

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear shock absorbers, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42i7.

front suspension noise; stabilizer bar loose; vehicle pulls or clunks

Recall 18V324 covers 2018 Tiguan vehicles with a loose or improperly tightened front lower ball joint nut, which can separate and cause loss of steering control. VW advised owners not to drive the vehicle until repaired. A vehicle grounded for this safety recall for more than 30 cumulative days triggers Song-Beverly's out-of-service provision entitling the owner to a refund or replacement.

Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will replace the nut on the lower ball joint and, as necessary, clean the thread in the ball joint, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40N4

airbag warning light; passenger airbag may not deploy; SRS warning; occupant detection fault

Recall 18V375 covers 2018 Atlas and Tiguan vehicles where the front passenger airbag may tear or unfold incorrectly during deployment, increasing injury risk. As with all airbag safety recalls, failure to complete the repair within a reasonable number of days — or the dealer's inability to obtain parts — does not pause Song-Beverly's 30-day out-of-service clock.

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began July 19, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69W8, and 69W9.

warning light; recall notice; repeated dealer repair

Recall 18V467 covers 2018 Tiguan vehicles whose panoramic sunroof LED ambient light bar may short circuit, creating a fire risk. This is a genuine fire-hazard recall. VW's interim remedy was to disconnect the LED power supply — not a permanent fix. Owners with 2018 Tiguans should confirm a permanent remedy (if issued) is on record. An ongoing fire risk from an unresolved recall is independently actionable under Song-Beverly.

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the power supply for the panoramic sunroof LED module, free of charge, until a future service action can safely reactivate the feature. The recall began July 24, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswa

warning light; recall notice; repeated dealer repair

Recall 18V824 covers 2018-2019 Atlas and Tiguan vehicles (without keyless entry) that fail to sound an audible warning when the key is left in the ignition with the door open, violating FMVSS 114. Remedy is a software reprogram of the instrument cluster. While not a driving-safety risk, repeated failure to complete recall software updates contributes to a pattern of manufacturer neglect relevant to any lemon-law assessment.

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 90L3 and 90L4.

front suspension noise; stabilizer bar loose; vehicle pulls or clunks

Recall 19V188 covers 2018-2019 Tiguan vehicles with rear coil springs prone to premature fracture, potentially damaging a rear tire and causing loss of control. If a 2018-2019 Tiguan owner experienced this failure before the recall was completed — and suffered a flat tire or vehicle damage as a result — the incident is evidence of a safety defect. Repair delays for this recall count toward Song-Beverly's 30-day out-of-service threshold.

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall began April 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42J5.

warning light; recall notice; repeated dealer repair

Recall 19V241 covers 2019 Tiguan LWB vehicles with an incorrect tire information label showing wrong inflation pressures and tire dimensions, violating FMVSS 110. Incorrect inflation specification could lead to improper maintenance and premature tire failure. While this recall is administrative in nature, it demonstrates VW's pattern of quality-control failures across the Tiguan's production run — relevant context for any lemon-law filing.

Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will install a corrected tire information label, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D2.

warning light; recall notice; repeated dealer repair

Recall 19V679 (expansion of 18V329) covers 2018 Tiguan LWB vehicles subjected to internal evaluation modifications that left them out of regulatory compliance. VW elected to repurchase affected vehicles rather than attempt repair — an extraordinary concession acknowledging the severity of the non-compliance. Owners of any 2018 Tiguan LWB should verify their VIN was not included in this buyback program.

Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.

driver seat cushion loose; seat fastener recall; seat may not stay secured

Recall 20V505 covers 2020 Tiguan vehicles whose front seat frame and backrest adjuster may have improper welds, reducing occupant restraint in a rear-end crash. As a crashworthiness defect, failure to complete this recall promptly is a safety priority under Song-Beverly. If a dealer cannot obtain replacement seatback frames in a timely manner, the out-of-service provision applies — the vehicle should not be driven with unresolved seat structure recalls.

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seats, and, as necessary, replace the seatback frames, free of charge. The recall began September 11, 2020. Volkswagen owners may contact their customer service at 1-888-241-2289. Audi owners may contact their customer service at 1-80

driver seat cushion loose; seat fastener recall; seat may not stay secured

Recall 20V579 covers 2020 Tiguan LWB vehicles with third-row seat belt anchor bolts that may not have been properly torqued, potentially allowing the anchor to fail in a crash. Third-row occupants — often children — face heightened risk from this defect. Any delay in completing this recall repair (or inability to obtain parts) is actionable under Song-Beverly's safety-defect out-of-service provisions.

Volkswagen will notify owners and will repurchase the vehicles. Owners are advised: No one should occupy the third row seat due to the safety risk. The recall began October 7, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen number for this recall is 69BA.

backup camera blank; screen goes black in reverse; rearview camera distorted

Recall 20V716 covers 2021 Tiguan LWB vehicles whose rearview camera can malfunction at startup, leaving the driver without a backup image — a federally mandated safety requirement. Rearview camera failure is a safety defect per FMVSS 111. Owners whose 2021 Tiguans required multiple dealer visits for this defect, or whose camera failed again after the recall fix, have strong grounds for a Song-Beverly claim.

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91BB/91BC.

driver seat cushion loose; seat fastener recall; seat may not stay secured

Recall 20V724 covers 2018 Tiguan LWB vehicles whose front seat belt webbing may tear in a crash, failing to restrain the occupant. A safety-critical recall affecting occupant restraint systems is among the most serious under FMVSS 209/210. If a dealer fails to complete this recall in a reasonable time, the 30-day Song-Beverly provision applies — and the vehicle poses an unacceptable safety risk in the interim.

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat belts and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 13, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69BH.

driver seat cushion loose; seat fastener recall; seat may not stay secured

Recall 21V038 covers 2021 Tiguan LWB vehicles with potentially missing front seat track bolts, creating a risk of seat detachment in a crash. As with all seat-structure recalls, the vehicle should not be driven with the defect unresolved. Under Song-Beverly, the owner is entitled to a loaner vehicle during the repair period, and if the repair cannot be completed within 30 days, the owner may seek repurchase or replacement.

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat tracks and, as necessary, install the bolts, free of charge. The recall began February 18, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 72L6.

warning light; recall notice; repeated dealer repair

Recall 21V732 covers 2018 Tiguans where an incorrect roof reinforcement was installed during a prior body repair, creating a structural compromise. This recall underscores the importance of verifying VW parts availability and repair quality. If a vehicle covered by this recall was subsequently sold or its history obscured, discovering the defect may entitle the current owner to remedies under Song-Beverly even if they are the second owner.

Dealers will be replace the roof reinforcement, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 51H5.

brake pedal problem; reduced braking; unexpected braking; brake warning light

Recall 21V853 covers 2022 Tiguan vehicles with a loose brake pipe nut near the right-front wheel well, which can cause brake fluid leakage and loss of braking capability. Brake failure is a catastrophic safety risk. If a 2022 Tiguan owner experienced brake fade, a warning light, or an accident attributable to brake fluid loss before this recall was completed, Song-Beverly provides robust remedies — including incidental damages from the defect.

Dealers will inspect and tighten the brake pipe nut, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 23, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 19Q4.

front suspension noise; stabilizer bar loose; vehicle pulls or clunks

Recall 22V176 covers 2021-2022 Tiguan LWB vehicles with a suspension defect. VW issued a second notice pending parts availability — meaning some owners waited extended periods with a known safety defect unrepaired. Each day awaiting parts counts toward Song-Beverly's 30-day out-of-service provision. Owners who drove with an unrepaired suspension defect due to VW's parts delay may have an enhanced claim.

Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace one or both rear suspension knuckles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 13, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42L8.

warning light; recall notice; repeated dealer repair

Recall 22V226 covers 2018-2022 Tiguan vehicles with incorrect installation instructions for the accessory rear hatch bike rack, which could be installed improperly and become a road hazard. While administratively lower in severity, this recall is part of a pattern of Tiguan quality-control issues spanning the entire AD1 generation — context that supports a cumulative lemon-law narrative.

Dealers will replace the spoiler, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 66N5.

backup camera blank; screen goes black in reverse; rearview camera distorted

Recall 22V514 covers 2021-2022 Tiguan LWB vehicles with a camera control unit software error causing rearview image failure at startup. This is an expansion of the defect pattern first identified in Recall 20V716. Recurrence of the same camera failure across multiple model years and two separate recalls is compelling evidence that VW failed to permanently fix a known safety defect — precisely the pattern Song-Beverly was designed to remedy.

Dealers will update the infotainment software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DV.

warning light; recall notice; repeated dealer repair

Recall 22V815 covers 2019 Tiguan LWB vehicles with a TPMS software error causing incorrect sensor programming. While a TPMS error alone is unlikely to form the basis of a lemon-law claim, it contributes to the broader Tiguan defect record and — if a dealer takes the vehicle out of service for an extended period to reprogram the system — the out-of-service days remain countable toward the 30-day Song-Beverly threshold.

Dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi’s customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45

backup camera blank; screen goes black in reverse; rearview camera distorted

Recall 25V082 covers 2022-2024 Tiguan vehicles where a camera control unit error at startup causes the rearview display to show a frozen or blank image — the third generation of this recurring defect across the AD1 Tiguan. Owners of 2022-2024 Tiguans who returned to dealers multiple times for rearview camera failures — some covered by earlier recalls and some not — have documented a clear pattern of repeated unsuccessful repair under Song-Beverly.

Dealers will update the camera control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed to Audi owners April 3, 2024, and Volkswagen owners November 18, 2025.Volkswagen owners will receive a second notice once remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer

backup camera blank; screen goes black in reverse; rearview camera distorted

Recall 26V321 covers 2024 Tiguan vehicles previously repaired under Recall 25V082 that experienced rearview camera failure again — a re-recall for the same defect. This is among the strongest possible lemon-law fact patterns: VW performed a recall repair, the vehicle failed in the same way, and VW issued a second recall for the same vehicle cohort. Under Song-Beverly, a second repair attempt for a safety defect triggers the presumption of a lemon, and this re-recall is documented confirmation of a failed repair attempt.

Dealers will update the camera control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91NF. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall beca

Oil warning light on after 2,000-3,000 miles; having to add a quart of oil between oil changes; blue smoke from exhaust; oil burning smell; engine light on; oil level low warning before next service; check engine code for misfires; oil film on spark plugs; excessive crankcase pressure cracking plastic timing cover or oil pan

California's Song-Beverly Act requires a manufacturer to repurchase or replace a vehicle with a defect that substantially impairs use or value if it cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts. An engine that repeatedly loses oil despite repeated dealer visits — where the dealer documents the consumption but declines to repair — supports a lemon-law claim. VW's TSB specifically instructs dealers to test rather than repair, creating a documented pattern of no-fix visits. Owners should retain every repair order showing low-oil complaints and dealer refusal to authorize repairs.

VW TSB 2017813/19 requires a 3-step oil consumption test before authorizing repairs. Dealers may top off oil without further repair if consumption falls within VW's stated standard (0.5 qt/600 mi). Out-of-warranty owners typically require piston ring replacement or short-block replacement ($5,000-$12,000+). PCV valve/oil separator replacement is a common interim measure.

Engine overheating warning; coolant temperature gauge spiking; low coolant level; coolant leak near front of engine; sweet antifreeze smell; engine light; car going into limp mode due to overheating; workshop warning light

An overheating event that causes engine damage or requires multiple visits may qualify under Song-Beverly if the repair is not completed on the first attempt or if the vehicle is out of service for 30+ cumulative days. Owners whose 2018-2021 Tiguans suffered repeated coolant loss should confirm warranty key U55 coverage before paying out of pocket. If a dealer refuses to honor the warranty extension, document the refusal — this is independently actionable.

Replacement of primary water pump and/or thermostat/thermostat housing. Covered at no charge within the VW extended warranty period (8 yr / 80,000 mi from original in-service date) — dealer verifies via ELSA warranty key U55. Outside coverage: $500-$1,500 depending on whether thermostat housing is also replaced.

Rattling or slapping noise from engine on cold start; check engine light (timing/camshaft codes); rough idle; misfires; engine hesitation; engine failure at higher mileage if tensioner collapses; timing chain slap noise that diminishes after warmup

Song-Beverly covers defects that substantially impair use or value. A failing timing chain that generates dealer visit after dealer visit without a permanent fix — especially if the warranty extension period is honored inconsistently — supports a lemon-law claim. Owners with 2018-2019 Tiguans should confirm their 10-year/100,000-mile timing chain coverage is on file with the dealer.

Replacement of timing chain tensioner and, if worn, the timing chain and related components. Covered under the 10-year/100,000-mile warranty extension from the class action settlement. Owners who paid out of pocket prior to the settlement could seek reimbursement up to $6,500.

Hesitation or jerk when accelerating from a stop; banging or clunking into gear; transmission shudder at highway speeds; delayed acceleration (2-6 second lag); rattling driveline noise; transmission warning light; transmission emergency mode; hard downshift; grinding or grating sensation during shifts

The Parrish v. VW settlement (C.D. Cal., preliminary approval Jan 2022) covered 420,000+ owners of 2018-2020 Tiguans with this defect — demonstrating that VW acknowledged a widespread problem. An owner whose Tiguan required multiple dealer visits for transmission hesitation without a durable fix is in a strong position under Song-Beverly. Retain all repair orders and document any dealer claims of 'no fault found' — each such visit counts toward the presumption of four repair attempts under California law.

TCM software update (Emission Recall 24GB prerequisite for settlement warranty claims) plus installation of driveshaft damper weight. 12-month/12,000-mile warranty extension on transmission hesitation/jerking under Parrish settlement. Out-of-warranty: valve body or torque converter replacement ($1,500-$5,000).

Water dripping into cabin from headliner or A-pillars when it rains; wet carpet in rear seating area; mold or mildew smell inside vehicle; sunroof glass shattering without warning or impact (sounds like a gunshot); broken glass raining onto occupants; water staining on seats or cargo area; clogged sunroof drain causing pooling at base of windshield

Water intrusion causing mold growth substantially impairs the value and use of the vehicle — a condition explicitly recognized under Song-Beverly. Spontaneous glass shattering is a safety defect. Owners who returned to the dealer repeatedly for sunroof leaks or shattering without a durable fix may qualify for lemon-law relief. Critically, if VW refuses warranty coverage by classifying the clog as 'maintenance,' document the refusal in writing — it contradicts the prior service action and may support a warranty-coverage dispute.

For water leaks: clean and modify drain tubes per Service Action 60E5 (expired Dec 2021; ask dealer to perform on goodwill). For spontaneous shattering: sunroof glass panel replacement ($500-$1,500+). VW often characterizes drain clogs as maintenance, not warranty items.

Touchscreen freezes mid-use; navigation stops working; radio cuts out and reboots; backup camera display goes black; no audio from head unit; phone not connecting after system reboot; Apple CarPlay / Android Auto dropping; screen black on startup; infotainment showing 'loading' indefinitely

Under Song-Beverly, infotainment failure qualifies as a defect that substantially impairs the vehicle's use and value when the backup camera (a federally mandated safety feature) is rendered inoperable by the freeze. A Tiguan whose rearview camera consistently fails due to infotainment crashes — even after multiple software updates — may qualify. Owners should document each dealer visit, including the specific software version installed, to establish a pattern of failed repair attempts.

J794 module software update per the applicable TSB revision for the model year. Hard reset (hold power button 15 seconds) as interim measure. If freeze/reboot persists post-update, J794 unit replacement.

Car suddenly slams on brakes for no reason; emergency braking activating on clear highway; Front Assist warning light coming on; AEB triggering in parking lots without obstacles; forward collision warning with nothing in front; abrupt deceleration causing whiplash; Travel Assist / IQ.DRIVE unavailable warning; steering wheel sensor error

Unwarranted emergency braking at highway speeds is a safety defect under Song-Beverly that can trigger the lemon-law presumption after as few as two unsuccessful repair attempts. VW's TSB 45-21-01 confirms manufacturer awareness of the defect, removing any 'no defect' defense. Owners should obtain repair orders documenting each AEB complaint and the specific software version applied at each visit.

Camera control module software update per TSB 45-21-01. Forward camera alignment inspection. If phantom braking persists: camera module replacement. Travel Assist sensor issues addressed separately by TSB 48-23-01 (steering wheel sensor software update).

Engine does not restart quickly from stop-start; noticeable lurch or delay when stop-start re-engages; 'Start/Stop Not Available' message; rough or hesitant acceleration from cold start; engine stumbling for first few minutes of cold-weather driving; check engine light with cold-start related codes; engine shaking at idle on cold mornings

While stop-start hesitation alone may not independently support a lemon-law claim, it frequently accompanies the AQ450 transmission hesitation defect (iss-28) and the EA888 oil consumption issue (iss-25) — creating a cumulative pattern of drivability complaints that strengthens a Song-Beverly case. Each dealer visit for hesitation or drivability contributes to the repair-attempt count under California's lemon-law presumption.

ECM software update per TSB 01-23-10 for cold-start drivability. For stop-start system malfunctions: diagnostic per TT 27-19-01/02; may require 12V battery inspection/replacement or software update.

One or more doors not locking or unlocking with key fob; door lock not responding to interior button; clicking sound from door when attempting to lock but door remains unlocked; having to use physical key to lock individual door; central locking partially working (some doors but not others); door lock intermittently working then failing

A door lock defect that leaves occupants unable to secure the vehicle is a functional and safety impairment. Under Song-Beverly, if the same door lock fails repeatedly across multiple dealer visits without a lasting fix, it may be included in a cumulative defect claim alongside other documented issues on the same vehicle.

Replacement of the failed door lock actuator for the affected door(s). Cost: $150-$400 per door including parts and labor. Dealer diagnostic per TSB (MC-10229661): inspect cable/harness positioning before electrical diagnosis.

steering recall notice; corroded steering rack mounting bolt; steering looseness, knock, or play; loss of steering control; repeated dealer repair

Recall 26V590000 covers a right-side steering rack-to-subframe mounting bolt that can corrode and break, allowing the steering rack housing to break and cause a loss of steering control. Volkswagen's remedy is replacement of the bolt, but owner letters are not expected until November 10, 2026, and the Part 573 notes a housing fracture may not be immediately apparent to the driver. Steering is a safety-critical system under Song-Beverly. A California owner whose vehicle showed steering looseness, knocking, or a rack concern that a dealer could not resolve, or who cannot obtain the replacement bolt within a reasonable time once letters mail, should keep every repair order; repeated visits for the same steering condition count toward the repair-attempt threshold.

Dealers will replace the right-side steering rack mounting bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 10, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 48LG and 48VT. Vehicle Identification Nu