2018 Volkswagen Tiguan: Recalls and Reported Problems
Every NHTSA safety recall recorded for this model year, what owners report most often, and how to check whether one specific vehicle still has open work.
Two identical Tiguans can differ entirely: one may have had every recall repaired, the other none.
NHTSA lists 13 safety recalls for the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan, alongside 278 owner complaints filed with the agency, most often about engine. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by a franchised dealer, with no expiry on safety recalls. A recall applies to a production range, so check the specific VIN — a previous owner may already have had the work done.
2018 Volkswagen Tiguan at a glance
What owners report most
These are the vehicle systems named most often in complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan. A complaint is an unverified owner report: it does not establish a defect, and a high count can simply reflect a popular model. Use it to decide where an inspection should look hardest.
| Vehicle system | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | 79 |
| Power Train | 49 |
| Electrical System | 43 |
| Structure | 39 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 38 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 21 |
Recall campaigns for the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan
Each campaign below is an official NHTSA record. The remedy is performed free of charge by a franchised dealer, and safety recalls never expire — but a campaign covers a production range, so only a VIN lookup confirms whether a particular vehicle is included and whether the work is still outstanding.
| Campaign | Component | Issue |
|---|---|---|
| 20V724000 | SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING | 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. |
| 21V732000 | STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS | 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. |
| 18V324000 | SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT | 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. |
| 19V679000 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 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… |
| 18V262000 | SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER | 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 |
| 18V375000 | AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE | 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. |
| 18V467000 | VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY | 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. |
| 18V824000 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL | 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. |
NHTSA records 13 campaigns in total for this model year; the 8 most recent are listed above. Run the VIN through NHTSA’s free lookup for the complete, vehicle-specific list.
How to check one specific Tiguan
- Copy the 17-character VIN from the windshield or driver-door label — not from the listing.
- Run it through NHTSA’s free recall lookup to see open campaigns for that exact vehicle.
- Ask the seller for repair documentation on any campaign that shows as completed.
- Check title, odometer, and total-loss history separately; recalls say nothing about a vehicle’s past.
- Book an independent pre-purchase inspection focused on the systems owners report most.
What this data cannot tell you
- Whether a specific vehicle is included in a campaign, or whether its recall work was completed — only a VIN lookup answers that.
- Whether a complaint is accurate. NHTSA publishes owner reports without verifying them.
- How reliable the model is overall: complaint volume tracks how many vehicles were sold as much as how they hold up.
- Anything about title brands, accident history, odometer records, or liens on an individual vehicle.
Primary sources behind this page
Open the underlying public source and verify that its scope matches the question you are asking.
2018 Volkswagen Tiguan questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan have?
NHTSA lists 13 safety recalls covering the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan as of 2026-08-27. Whether a specific vehicle is affected — and whether the repair was already done — depends on its VIN.
What are the most common 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan problems?
Owners most often report engine, power train, electrical system issues to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports and do not establish a defect, but they show where to focus an inspection.
Are Volkswagen recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are performed at no charge by a franchised dealer, and federal safety recalls do not expire. Bring the VIN and ask the dealer to confirm open campaigns before the appointment.
Can I check recalls on a specific 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan VIN?
Yes. NHTSA's free VIN lookup reports open recalls for an individual vehicle, including whether the repair is still outstanding. Model-level lists like this page cannot tell you that.