VehicleVerdict

2015 Volkswagen Tiguan problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan sits mid-pack among Tiguan years: 106 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 166, with 4 recalls and no defect investigations.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 28 reports (26% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

106

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2015 compare to other Tiguan years?

Tiguan NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted446 complaints2009: 247 complaints2010: 158 complaints2011: 238 complaints2012: 214 complaints2013: 227 complaints2014: 127 complaints2015: 106 complaints2016: 145 complaints2017: 101 complaints2018: 446 complaints2019: 282 complaints2020: 199 complaints2021: 175 complaints2022: 432 complaints2023: 84 complaints2024: 88 complaints2025: 65 complaints2026: 33 complaints
Tiguan NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Tiguan years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags2826%
Electrical System2423%
Other1514%
Steering98%
Engine98%
Brakes66%
Visibility & Wipers44%
Body & Structure44%
Transmission22%
Seat Belts11%
Fuel System11%
Suspension11%
Tires & Wheels11%
Seats11%

Does the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V535000AirbagsJuly 17, 2019 · 27,822 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

18V329000OtherMay 16, 2018 · 252 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

16V045000AirbagsJanuary 28, 2016 · 734 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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).

15V311000OtherMay 26, 2015 · 2,957 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Tiguan vehicles manufactured January 22, 2015, to March 20, 2015. These vehicles may be equipped with Certification labels that are missing the required tire pressure information and they may state incorrect weight and loading information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

Consequence

If the labels have incorrect weight and loading information, the operator may overload the vehicle which could cause vehicle instability, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will correct the information on the certification label, free of charge. The recall began on June 12, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01A5.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“MY CAR ACCIDENTALLY REAR-ENDED ANOTHER CAR, AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. MY MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR CAR IS SUBJECT TO A RECALL FOR AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING; HOWEVER, MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. DURING THE COLLISION, MY BODY HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND/OR SEAT BELT (WHICH LOCKED) AND I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 2, 2019 · crash

“PASSENGER SEATBELT LOCKS UP UNNECESSARILY. THE SEATBELT LOCKS UP ON THE PASSENGER WITHOUT BEING ENGAGED BY ANY OTHER SOURCE OR ACTION. ENTIRE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING... NO ELECTRICAL, POWER STEERING, ACCELERATOR N ETC. ALL THE INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKER AND FLASH AND THE GAUGE NEEDLES SWING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 9, 2019

“THE SUNROOF GLASS EXPLODED WHILE WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY. WE WERE SHOWERED WITH GLASS FRAGMENTS INCLUDING TINY SHARDS. SOME PIN PRICK SIZE INJURIES ON HANDS AND ARMS. WE WERE CRUISING AT 70MPH ON I-90 AT THE TIME OF THE EVENT. IT WAS ABOUT 65 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND WE HAD ONE REAR WINDOW DOWN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 6, 2016

“THE ENGINE STARTED TO SHAKE AND WOULD ACT LIKE IT WOULDN'T TURN OVER , THEN IT BROKE DOWN ON US ON A ROAD TRIP , GOT IT TOWED AND FIXED BUT THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPEN AGAIN COUPLE MONTHS AFTER OF GETTING IT FIXED , AND NOW IT'S LEAKING OR SMELLING LIKE GASOLINE LEAKING INTO THE CABIN OF THE CAR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 8, 2019

“STEERING WHEEL HAS CONTROLS THAT NO LONGER FUNCTION, THE HORN IS NON-FUNCTIONING AND CAN NOT BE USED TO ALERT A CAR WHEN DANGER IS EMINENT, SUCH AS BACKING UP WITH BYPASSING CARS, CARS IMPROPERLY CHANGING LANES OR DRIFTING INTO LANE, ALSO THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON AND THE CAR DISPLAYS ERROR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 9, 2019

2015 Volkswagen Tiguan — common questions

Is the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 106 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Tiguan year, with 4 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2015 Tiguan problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (28 complaints), electrical system (24 complaints), other (15 complaints).

Does the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Volkswagen Tiguan years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Tiguan years to avoid are 2018, 2022, 2019, 2011, 2013, 2012, 2010, 2016, 2014. The cleanest record among Tiguan years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.