2012 Volkswagen Tiguan Airbags Problems
NHTSA lists 33 airbag complaints for the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan, 22% of that year's 152 total complaints, tied to 7 crashes and 6 injuries. A related recall (15V483000) covers a steering wheel clock spring that can cause the airbag not to deploy.
- Airbags complaints
- 33
- 22% of 152
- Crashes reported
- 7
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 6
- Median mileage
- 56,700 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical airbag symptoms owners report
- Owners report airbags failing to deploy in frontal or side-impact crashes at speeds ranging from about 20 to 60 mph, sometimes causing injury.
- Some report airbags deploying but striking the driver's face and arms with enough force to leave a mark from the steering wheel emblem.
- Several describe the airbag warning light illuminating on the dash, later traced by dealers to a steering wheel clock spring needing replacement under recall 15V483000.
- One owner reported the horn stopped working along with the airbag warning light staying lit, pointing to the same clock spring issue.
- One owner said parts for the recall repair were unavailable for an extended period after receiving the recall notice.
When 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan airbag complaints were filed
First complaint May 29, 2013, latest Apr 10, 2025.
Airbags recalls for the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan
- NHTSA 15V483000Aug 4, 2015Airbags415,825 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
Risk: A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.
Airbags complaints by Tiguan model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many airbag complaints does the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan have?
- NHTSA lists 33 airbag-related complaints for the 2012 Tiguan, which is 22% of the 152 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there an airbag recall for the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan?
- Yes. Recall 15V483000, reported August 4, 2015, covers a steering wheel clock spring; Volkswagen dealers install a protective cover over the clock spring if needed.
- Did the airbag problems cause crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA data shows 7 crashes and 6 injuries linked to the 33 airbag complaints for the 2012 Tiguan, with no fires reported.
- At what mileage do airbag problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure among these complaints is 56,700 miles.
- Do airbags fail to deploy or deploy unexpectedly?
- Sample complaints describe both patterns: some airbags failed to deploy in crashes, while others deployed and struck occupants; several cases were also linked to a clock spring fault covered by recall 15V483000.