2013 Volkswagen Tiguan Airbags Problems
NHTSA lists 63 airbag complaints for the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan, 45% of its 139 total complaints that year — the highest airbag share among model years shown. The median failure mileage is 57,000, and one related recall (15V483000) covers the steering wheel clock spring.
- Airbags complaints
- 63
- 45% of 139
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Median mileage
- 57,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical airbag symptoms owners report
- Steering wheel makes a clicking, popping, or crinkling sound when turned, followed by the airbag warning light coming on.
- Loss of horn and steering wheel control functions (radio, cruise, etc.) at the same time the airbag indicator illuminates.
- Dealers diagnose a failed clock spring behind the steering wheel as the cause, sometimes with no replacement parts in stock.
- Some owners report the clock spring failure recurring even after it was already replaced once under a recall.
- One case involved a loss of power steering along with the airbag and steering wheel indicators lighting up while driving.
When 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan airbag complaints were filed
First complaint Sep 23, 2014, latest Feb 6, 2026.
Airbags recalls for the 2013 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 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan have?
- NHTSA lists 63 airbag-related complaints for the 2013 Tiguan, which is 45% of the 139 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan airbags?
- Yes. Recall 15V483000, reported August 4, 2015, covers the steering wheel clock spring; Volkswagen dealers install a protective cover over it.
- At what mileage do airbag problems typically show up on the 2013 Tiguan?
- The median mileage at failure for airbag complaints is 57,000 miles, based on NHTSA complaint data.
- Did the airbag issue cause any crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA data shows 0 crashes and 1 injury linked to airbag complaints for the 2013 Tiguan, with 0 fires reported.
- Is the 2013 Tiguan worse than other years for airbag complaints?
- Yes, relative to other Tiguan model years. Its 45% airbag complaint share is higher than 2010 (3%), 2011 (19%), and 2012 (22%), though slightly below 2014's 55%.