Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Engine (38.8% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Engine complaints here are 3.1× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 62 · 38.8% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 45 · 28.1% | Recalled | Recall 13V569000 |
| Exterior Lighting | 39 · 24.4% | Investigation closed | PE13036 → recall 13V569000 |
| Air Bags | 29 · 18.1% | Recalled | Recall 15V483000 |
| Steering | 14 · 8.8% | No official action | — |
| Power Train | 8 · 5% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 160 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 15V483000 · 2015 · reported 08/04/2015
A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 14V441000 · 2014 · reported 07/21/2014
A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 13V569000 · 2013 · reported 11/22/2013
If the holder melts, there may be a partial loss of exterior lighting. Reduced vehicle illumination diminishes the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“TURBO FAILURE, WATER PUMP FAILURE, AND REAR MAIN SEAL FAILURE. ALL RIGHT AFTER HITTING 100K MILES. NEARLY 5K IN TOTAL REPAIR COSTS. I'VE EXPERIENCED REDUCED…”NHTSA complaint 11010654 — filed 07/25/2017 · ENGINE
“I PURCHASED MY TIGUAN THREE YEARS AGO AS A CERTIFIED PREOWNED CAR. IT WAS WORKING GREAT UNTIL A FEW DAYS AGO I WENT TO GO…”NHTSA complaint 11002429 — filed 06/29/2017 · ENGINE
“CARBON BUILDUP IN ENGINE AT 65K MILES, VEHICLE WAS MAINTAINED AS RECOMMENDED BY VW. PCV VALVE COMPLETE FAILURE AT 88K MILES WHICH RESULTED IN FAILURE…”NHTSA complaint 11000433 — filed 06/21/2017 · ENGINE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 62 of 160 NHTSA complaints (38.8%), followed by electrical system (45), exterior lighting (39), air bags (29). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
160 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 4 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 1 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 15V483000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
