2015 Volkswagen Tiguan Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
0/100
#16 most-complained of 16 Tiguan years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan ranks 16th out of 16 model years by NHTSA complaint volume relative to size, earning a "Best" verdict with a complaint index of 0. NHTSA lists 62 complaints, 4 recalls, 1 crash, and 1 fire for this year, with Airbags as the top problem area.
- Complaints
- 62
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22.5
- 20.5 city / 26 hwy
Top 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags28 (45%)
- Electrical System23 (37%)
- Other15 (24%)
- Engine9 (15%)
- Steering9 (15%)
- Brakes6 (10%)
- Structure & Body5 (8%)
- Visibility & Wipers4 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (3%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report airbag systems failing to deploy during low-speed collisions, sometimes resulting in injury.
- Some drivers describe the backup camera screen going dark or too dim to see behind the vehicle.
- Owners report brakes losing effectiveness at low speeds accompanied by a loud grinding sound.
- A sunroof reportedly shattered without warning while driving at 30 mph.
- Owners describe a loud thud and loss of steering control at highway speed, later traced to an undercarriage failure.
- Some owners report the battery repeatedly discharging and the alternator failing to charge it properly.
2015 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V535000Jul 17, 2019Airbags27,822 vehicles
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Tiguan and CC vehicles. The air bag Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may have a defective power supply capacitor that can result in air bag deactivation or inadvertent deployment of the air bags.
Risk: Deactivated air bags increases the risk of injury. Inadvertent deployment of the air bags increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install new software and replace the air bag ECU as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 25, 2019. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Z5.
- 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 16V045000Jan 28, 2016Airbags734 vehicles
Air bags:side/window
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles manufactured January 15, 2015, to January 21, 2015, and 2015 Audi Q5 vehicles manufactured January 13, 2015, to February 3, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with driver and front seat passenger seat-mounted air bag inflators that may rupture in the event of a crash.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of a seat-mounted air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began July 7, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834 or Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69M1 (for Audi) and 69L9 (for VW).
2015 Volkswagen Tiguan fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20.5 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 22.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,550
- 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.
2015 compared with other Tiguan years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2015 Tiguan ranks as "Best" among the 16 model years covered, with a complaint index of 0 and 62 total complaints.
- What problems does the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan have?
- NHTSA data shows Airbags as the top problem area (28 complaints, 45% share), followed by Electrical System (23 complaints, 37% share), with median failure mileage around 65,500 and 63,500 miles respectively.
- Does the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2015 Tiguan, including two airbag-related recalls, one covering emissions compliance labeling, and one for missing certification label information.
- How does the 2015 Tiguan compare to other Tiguan years?
- The 2015 model has a complaint index of 0, the lowest among all 16 years listed, compared to years like 2018 (93) and 2022 (100), which carry "Avoid" verdicts.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan?
- EPA rates the 2015 Tiguan at 22.5 mpg combined (20.5 city / 26 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550.