2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
94/100
#2 most-complained of 17 Tiguan years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan ranks 2nd worst of 17 model years with a complaint index of 94 and 283 complaints. It carries 14 recalls, including one do-not-drive campaign, and rates Avoid compared with other Tiguan years.
- Complaints
- 283
- Recalls
- 14
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 5 / 3
- Injuries / deaths
- 11 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20.5 city / 26.5 hwy
Top 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine90 (32%)
- Electrical System57 (20%)
- Other52 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain49 (17%)
- Fuel System40 (14%)
- Structure & Body40 (14%)
- Brakes24 (8%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras16 (6%)
- Seat Belts16 (6%)
- Airbags15 (5%)
What owners report
- Some drivers report smoke and flames coming from the dashboard while driving, forcing the vehicle to be pulled over and extinguished by fire crews.
- Owners describe a burning odor noticed after the vehicle was parked, without visible smoke at the time.
- Some report the panoramic sunroof LED light bar smoking and sparking, with a burning smell and black spotting on the sunroof.
- Owners describe the vehicle stalling at a stop and switching into an emergency mode that prevented them from driving away from danger.
- Some report airbags failing to deploy during head-on or side-impact crashes.
- Owners describe dim or nearly invisible headlights during rain or nighttime driving, making the road hard to see.
2018 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls
14 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V590000Sep 11, 2026Steering208,724 vehicles
Steering
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan, 2018-2019 Atlas, and 2019-2021 Audi Q3 vehicles. One of the bolts that attaches the steering rack to the subframe may corrode and break. If this happens, the steering rack housing can break.
Risk: A broken steering rack housing can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the right-side steering rack mounting bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 10, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 48LG and 48VT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 16, 2026.
- NHTSA 22V226000Apr 6, 2022Structure & Body6,553 vehicles
Structure:body
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Tiguan and 2018-2021 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. Due to incorrect installation instructions, the accessory rear hatch spoiler may be insufficiently attached to the vehicle.
Risk: An insufficiently attached spoiler may separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the spoiler, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 66N5.
- NHTSA 21V732000Sep 23, 2021Structure & Body2 vehicles
Structure:body:roof and pillars
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan vehicles. During the repair of roof damage, an incorrect roof reinforcement assembly may have been installed.
Risk: The incorrect roof reinforcement may decrease the roof's structural integrity or impact deployment of the side curtain air bags, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will be replace the roof reinforcement, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 51H5.
2018 Volkswagen Tiguan fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20.5 MPG
- Highway
- 26.5 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,125
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- 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.
2018 compared with other Tiguan years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?
- Compared with other Tiguan model years, the 2018 ranks poorly. NHTSA data shows a complaint index of 94, the second-highest of 17 model years, and the year is rated Avoid.
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Tiguan?
- Engine complaints make up 32% of reports, followed by electrical system issues at 20% and transmission and powertrain problems at 17%. Median mileage at failure for engine complaints is 8,000 miles.
- Does the 2018 Tiguan have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for the 2018 Tiguan, including one do-not-drive recall. Recalls cover steering rack bolts, rear coil springs, seat belt webbing, roof reinforcement, and a sunroof LED module that could short circuit.
- How does the 2018 Tiguan compare to other model years?
- The 2018 Tiguan's complaint index of 94 is far higher than the 2014-2017 model years, which all rate Best with indexes under 20. Only the 2022 Tiguan, with an index of 100, ranks worse.
- What fuel economy does the 2018 Tiguan get?
- The 2018 Tiguan is rated at 23 mpg combined (20.5 city/26.5 highway) by the EPA, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,125.