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2013 Volkswagen Tiguan: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 140 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan[1]. The air bags group is the biggest, with 63 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Owners filed complaints across several parts of the car. These are the groups, biggest first. One complaint can name more than one part.
- Air Bags. 63 complaints[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe a clicking or popping sound from the steering wheel, then an air bag warning light. Wheel buttons and the horn stop working too.
- Electrical System. 36 complaints[6]. Owners describe warning lights, lost power while driving and doors that would not unlock.
- Engine. 30 complaints[7]. Owners describe check engine lights and the car losing power or stalling, sometimes in traffic.
- Steering. 27 complaints[8]. Owners describe noises from the wheel and controls that quit. Some of these stories also mention the air bag light.
- Unknown Or Other. 16 complaints[9]. These did not fit a clear group.
- Fuel/Propulsion System. 14 complaints[10].
- Brakes. 7 complaints[11].
- Power Train. 6 complaints[12].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2013 Tiguan is necessarily included.
- Unknown Or Other (18V329), May 2018. About 252 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Air Bags › Frontal (15V483), August 2015. About 415,825 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
- Fuel System, Gasoline (14V441), July 2014. About 151,389 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[15]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Tiguan, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive[16] | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,900 |
| Tiguan, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive[4] | 21 / 26 / 23 | $3,550 |
| Tiguan 4motion, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Premium, All-Wheel Drive[17] | 20 / 26 / 22 | $3,750 |
Safety ratings
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
| Engine | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan with 2.0L 4-cylinder[21] | 200 hp |
How 2013 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 168 | 3 |
| 2010 | 110 | 2 |
| 2011 | 162 | 3 |
| 2012 | 153 | 3 |
| 2013 | 140 | 3 |
| 2014 | 84 | 3 |
| 2015 | 62 | 4 |
| 2016 | 97 | 2 |
| 2017 | 76 | 4 |
| 2018 | 292 | 14 |
| 2019 | 193 | 5 |
| 2020 | 141 | 3 |
| 2021 | 143 | 5 |
| 2022 | 272 | 5 |
| 2023 | 70 | 1 |
| 2024 | 76 | 2 |
| 2025 | 53 | 3 |
| 2026 | 37 | 0 |
NHTSA's counts for the Tiguan show 140 complaints and 3 recalls for 2013[3]. Among the 19 model years listed, 10 have fewer complaints than 2013 and 8 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (0) and the most are for 2018 (292)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2013 Tiguan?
The 2013 Tiguan has 140 complaints on file[1]. The air bags group stands out at 63 complaints[2]. Electrical, engine and steering complaints follow[6][7][8]. These are unverified owner reports, and they are not adjusted for how many cars were sold. A used buyer can check the recalls section on this page and ask for service records.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan?
- The air bags group has the most complaints, 63[2]. Electrical[6], engine[7] and steering[8] come next.
- Does the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan have recalls?
- Yes. The year has 3 recalls[3]. The recalls section on this page lists them.
- How many complaints does the 2013 Tiguan have?
- NHTSA has 140 owner complaints on file[1].
- What is the gas mileage of the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan?
- See the fuel economy section on this page.
- Is the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?
- Complaints are unverified and not adjusted for sales[1]. See the safety and by-year sections on this page to compare years.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Volkswagen Tiguan
Compare all model years of the Volkswagen Tiguan
Other Volkswagen models from 2013
Similar cars from 2013: small suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 140 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan (2 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 1 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 63 complaints name the air bags component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Volkswagen Tiguan model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Tiguan, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 26 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 3 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 36 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,820). NHTSA vehicle records
- 30 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 32,550). NHTSA vehicle records
- 27 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 16 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 14 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 24,050). NHTSA vehicle records
- 7 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 5,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 24,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 18V329, filed May 16, 2018: Unknown Or Other. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 15V483, filed August 4, 2015: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 14V441, filed July 21, 2014: Fuel System, Gasoline. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Tiguan, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Tiguan 4motion, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 3 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 3 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 18.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 3 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 18.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 200 hp. www.epa.gov