YearToAvoid

2015 Volkswagen Tiguan Airbags Problems

Airbags account for 28 of 62 complaints (45%) filed on the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan, with a median failure mileage of 65,500. Two related recalls exist: one for a defective airbag ECU capacitor (19V535000) and one for side airbag modules (16V045000). One crash and 3 injuries were reported in this area.

Airbags complaints
28
45% of 62
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
3
Median mileage
65,500 mi
Related recalls
2

Typical airbag symptoms owners report

  • Steering wheel clock spring breaks while turning, disabling the horn and steering-wheel-mounted controls and triggering the airbag warning light.
  • Airbag warning light and "error: airbag" message appear on the dashboard, sometimes while the vehicle is stationary or in motion.
  • A clicking or rattling noise occurs when turning the steering wheel, often accompanying loss of horn function.
  • Airbags fail to deploy during a low-speed collision despite the vehicle being covered by a related recall campaign.
  • Front passenger seat airbag status changes unexpectedly (on/off) without anyone seated, alongside unrelated electrical glitches.

When 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan airbag complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 29, 2017, latest Nov 26, 2024.

2015 Volkswagen Tiguan airbags complaints: complaints filed per month2Nov 2017Sep 2018Oct 2019Oct 2020Jul 2021Apr 2022Jul 2022Oct 2023
28 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2017 to Nov 2024; peak Dec 2019 (2).

Airbags recalls for the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan

  1. 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.

  2. 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).

Airbags complaints by Tiguan model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20103 (3%)
  2. 201130 (19%)
  3. 201233 (22%)
  4. 201363 (45%)
  5. 201446 (55%)
  6. 201528 (45%)
  7. 201637 (39%)
  8. 201730 (40%)
  9. 201815 (5%)
  10. 20197 (4%)
  11. 20201 (1%)
  12. 20212 (1%)
  13. 20224 (1%)
  14. 20232 (3%)
  15. 20241 (1%)
  16. 20255 (10%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are airbag complaints on the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan?
Airbags make up 28 of the 62 total complaints filed for the 2015 Tiguan, or 45% of all complaints for that model year.
Is there a recall for airbag problems on the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan?
Yes. NHTSA lists two related recalls: campaign 19V535000 for a defective airbag ECU power supply capacitor, and campaign 16V045000 for replacement of side air bag modules.
At what mileage do airbag problems typically show up on the 2015 Tiguan?
NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage of 65,500 at the time of failure.
Have airbag issues caused crashes or injuries on the 2015 Tiguan?
NHTSA complaint data for this area records 1 crash and 3 injuries.
What specific airbag-related failure do owners describe most?
Many owners describe a broken steering wheel clock spring that disables the horn and steering-wheel controls while also triggering the airbag warning light.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.