2014 Volkswagen Tiguan Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
7/100
#15 most-complained of 16 Tiguan years
The 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan ranks 15th out of 16 model years for reported problems, with a complaint index of 7 and a "Best" verdict among Tiguan years. It has 84 complaints, 3 recalls, and no fires, injuries, or deaths reported to NHTSA.
- Complaints
- 84
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 2 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 20 city / 26 hwy
Top 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags46 (55%)
- Electrical System22 (26%)
- Steering20 (24%)
- Engine12 (14%)
- Other9 (11%)
- Brakes5 (6%)
- Fuel System4 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (4%)
- Seat Belts2 (2%)
- Structure & Body2 (2%)
What owners report
- Owners report the electronic stabilization control light triggering along with simultaneous steering and brake failure, leaving the car uncontrollable at low speed in cold weather.
- Some drivers describe brakes feeling stuck or delayed, requiring multiple presses to stop the car and causing near-collisions.
- A check engine light appeared shortly after purchase, followed by the engine shutting off while slowing for a red light.
- Owners noticed a fuel smell inside the cabin along with an unexpected rise in RPMs, tied to the fuel system recall for winterized fuel.
- Some reported the steering wheel locking up with a malfunction indicator on the highway, temporarily returning to normal before locking again.
- Drivers of related model years described the driver's airbag and horn failing simultaneously, along with loss of steering column computer communication, linked to the Takata airbag recall.
2014 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V329000May 16, 2018Other252 vehicles
Unknown or other
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI 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.
Risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
- 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.
- NHTSA 14V441000Jul 21, 2014Fuel System151,389 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Tiguan vehicles manufactured July 2007 to June 2014. When using winterized fuel, in certain conditions bubbles may form in the fuel system which could result in the vehicle stalling.
Risk: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle's software to increase the fuel pump pressure, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin August 19, 2014. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24AV/2W.
2014 Volkswagen Tiguan fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,650
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2014 compared with other Tiguan years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?
- Among Tiguan model years, 2014 ranks 15th out of 16 for reported problems and carries a "Best" verdict, with a complaint index of just 7 and 84 total complaints logged with NHTSA.
- What are the biggest problem areas for the 2014 Tiguan?
- Airbags account for 55% of complaints (46 total), followed by Electrical System at 26% (22 complaints) and Steering at 24% (20 complaints), based on NHTSA data.
- Does the 2014 Tiguan have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2014 Tiguan: one for the fuel system (winterized fuel causing bubbles), one for airbags (steering wheel clock spring), and one broader recall covering multiple VW models.
- What is the median mileage for airbag complaints on the 2014 Tiguan?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 50,500 miles at the time airbag-related complaints were reported.
- How does the 2014 Tiguan compare to other years like 2018 or 2022?
- The 2014 Tiguan has a much lower complaint index (7) than the 2018 (93) and 2022 (100) model years, which are both rated "Avoid."