Is the B-pillar rattle in the 2018 Tiguan covered by a recall?

No. NHTSA lists two Structure & Body recalls for the 2018 Tiguan — one for an incorrect roof reinforcement assembly and one for rear spoiler installation — but the B-pillar rattle described by owners is not part of either recall.

How common are Structure & Body complaints for the 2018 Tiguan?

NHTSA shows 40 Structure & Body complaints out of 283 total complaints for the 2018 Tiguan, or 14% of all complaints for that year — the highest share among Tiguan model years listed.

At what mileage do these structure issues show up?

The median mileage at failure for Structure & Body complaints on the 2018 Tiguan is 1,233 miles, indicating the issue often appears very early in ownership.

Were there any crashes or injuries linked to these complaints?

NHTSA data lists 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries among the 40 Structure & Body complaints for the 2018 Tiguan.

Is the 2018 Tiguan worse than other years for this problem?

Yes, relative to other Tiguan model years. The 2018 model's 14% share of Structure & Body complaints is higher than every other year listed, including 2020 at 12% and 2021 at 9%.

2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Structure & Body Problems

Structure & Body complaints make up 14% of all 2018 Tiguan complaints (40 of 283), the highest share of any model year. Most reports describe a persistent B-pillar rattle, with a median failure mileage of 1,233 miles. Two related recalls cover roof reinforcement and rear spoiler installation, not the rattle itself.

Structure & Body complaints: 40; 14% of 283
Crashes reported: 0
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 0
Median mileage: 1,233 mi
Related recalls: 2

Typical body and structure symptoms owners report

Drivers most often report a rattling or ticking noise from the B-pillar, on either the driver or passenger side, that many describe as tied to a bad weld.
Several owners say the B-pillar rattle gets louder in cold temperatures and is less noticeable in warm or rainy conditions.
Some owners describe wind noise from the driver's door along with the B-pillar rattle and a flickering back-up camera screen.
One owner reports a hissing sound from outside the vehicle during acceleration, loudest near the passenger side.
A few owners note dealers denied hearing the rattle or said they had no prior record of the issue before eventually referencing a service bulletin.
One owner points to a manual warning that the third-row seat is not intended for passengers taller than 5'3".

When 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan body and structure complaints were filed

First complaint Oct 4, 2017, latest Mar 24, 2026.

40 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2017 to Mar 2026; peak Aug 2018 (5).

Structure & Body recalls for the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan

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.

Structure & Body complaints by Tiguan model year

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

20098 (5%)
20107 (6%)
20113 (2%)
20124 (3%)
20137 (5%)
20142 (2%)
20155 (8%)
20167 (7%)
20174 (5%)
201840 (14%)
20199 (5%)
202017 (12%)
202112 (9%)
20223 (1%)
20230 (0%)
20243 (4%)
20254 (8%)

Frequently asked questions

Is the B-pillar rattle in the 2018 Tiguan covered by a recall?: No. NHTSA lists two Structure & Body recalls for the 2018 Tiguan — one for an incorrect roof reinforcement assembly and one for rear spoiler installation — but the B-pillar rattle described by owners is not part of either recall.
How common are Structure & Body complaints for the 2018 Tiguan?: NHTSA shows 40 Structure & Body complaints out of 283 total complaints for the 2018 Tiguan, or 14% of all complaints for that year — the highest share among Tiguan model years listed.
At what mileage do these structure issues show up?: The median mileage at failure for Structure & Body complaints on the 2018 Tiguan is 1,233 miles, indicating the issue often appears very early in ownership.
Were there any crashes or injuries linked to these complaints?: NHTSA data lists 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries among the 40 Structure & Body complaints for the 2018 Tiguan.
Is the 2018 Tiguan worse than other years for this problem?: Yes, relative to other Tiguan model years. The 2018 model's 14% share of Structure & Body complaints is higher than every other year listed, including 2020 at 12% and 2021 at 9%.