2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Problems

High Complaint Volume

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan. Part of Generation 2 — 2018–2024.

20172019
Complaints
439
per 10K Sold
42.6
US Sales
103,022
Crashes
8
Fires
3
Injuries
18
Fatalities
Recalls
13

Worst 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#176 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:15,555 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
#248 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:14,350 mi
#341 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:11,626 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:2
Considering a 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan?

Check the actual VIN — every car is different.

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

Check VIN Free

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan.

Engine Problems
76
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
15,555
Transmission / Drivetrain
48
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
14,350
Electrical Faults
41
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Avg Miles
11,626
Body Structure
38
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
6,024
Fuel System
36
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
9,982
Unintended Acceleration
21
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
11,317
Brakes
19
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
13,802
Headlight/Taillight Failures
16
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
4,184
Airbags
15
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
8,964
Seat Belt Issues
15
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
11,578
Steering Defects
11
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
4,970
Suspension Failures
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
16,247
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
33,000
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
46,000
Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Warnings
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Sunroof/Moonroof
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Crash Imminent Braking
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Interior Lighting
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Assist
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Parking-Brake Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Driveline:Chain/Belt
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belts:Front:Warning Light/Devices
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan

13 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~212,687 vehicles.

22V226000Body Structure
~6,553 affected

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Tiguan and 2018-2021 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. Due to incorrect installation instructions, the accessory rear hatch spoiler may be insufficiently attached to the vehicle.

21V732000Structure:body:roof And Pillars
~2 affected

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan vehicles. During the repair of roof damage, an incorrect roof reinforcement assembly may have been installed.

20V724000Seat Belts:front:webbing
~10,835 affected

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan LWB vehicles. In the event of a crash, one or both of the front seat belt's webbing may tear.

19V679000Uncategorized
~113 affected

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.

19V188000Suspension:rear:springs:coil Springs
~56,173 affected

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Golf Sportwagen, 2019 Jetta, 2015-2019 Golf, and 2018-2019 Tiguan vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.

18V824000Instrument Cluster
~73,549 affected

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas and Tiguan and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles that do not have keyless entry. The instrument cluster may not provide an audible warning to let the driver know that the key is still in the ignition when the door is open. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."

18V467000Sunroof/Moonroof
~45,457 affected

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles. The LED module for the panoramic sunroof ambient light bar may short circuit.

18V375000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~821 affected

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas and Tiguan vehicles. In the event of a crash, the passenger frontal air bag may tear or not properly unfold during deployment.

18V324000Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
~2,473 affected

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan and Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. The nut that holds the lower ball joint of the front wheel on each side of the vehicle may be loose or improperly tightened.

18V262000Suspension:rear:shock Absorber
~7,430 affected

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan long wheelbase (LWB) vehicles. A lower loop of a rear shock absorber may separate from its base due to an incorrect welding process

+ 3 more recalls

Other Volkswagen Tiguan Years

2018 Volkswagen Tiguan — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan has 439 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash-related, and 13 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 76 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (76 complaints, avg 15,555 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (48 complaints, avg 14,350 mi); Electrical Faults (41 complaints, avg 11,626 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 12,565 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan?
NHTSA complaints for the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan include 8 crash-related reports, 3 fire reports, 18 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan have any recalls?
Yes — 13 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 212,687 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (engine problems) and verify open recalls have been addressed.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Volkswagen Tiguan reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.

Check Any VIN — $4.99