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2014 Volkswagen Tiguan: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 84 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan[1]. The air bag group is the biggest, with 46 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups in the stories we read, biggest first.
- Air Bags. 46 complaints[2]. Owners describe an air bag warning light that comes on, often along with steering wheel buttons and the horn going dead. Some say a dealer pointed to a worn part in the steering column or to the air bag control module.
- Electrical System. 22 complaints[6]. Owners describe the same dead horn and steering wheel controls, and some mention the engine shutting off with a battery light on.
- Steering. 20 complaints[7]. In the stories we read, owners describe clicking sounds from the steering column, a wheel that felt hard to turn, and a warning light on the dash.
- Engine. 11 complaints[8]. Owners describe a check engine light that leads to costly repair quotes, and a few say the engine cut out while driving.
- Unknown Or Other. 9 complaints[9]. These reports do not fit a single component group.
- Brakes. 4 complaints[10]. This is a small group, but it holds the crash reports tied to a single component group.
- Fuel/Propulsion System. 3 complaints[11]. Few owners report this.
- Suspension. 3 complaints[12]. Few owners report this.
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2014 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, Automatic (S6), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive[4] | 21 / 26 / 23 | $3,550 |
| Tiguan, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive[16] | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,900 |
| 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 |
|---|---|
| 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan with 2.0L 4-cylinder[19] | 200 hp |
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
How 2014 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 84 complaints and 3 recalls for 2014[3]. Among the 19 model years listed, 7 have fewer complaints than 2014 and 11 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 2014 Tiguan?
Owners of this Tiguan most often write about the air bag warning light and steering wheel controls that stop working[2][6][7]. Engine complaints are a smaller group, but owners describe them as expensive[8]. The 2014 model year has 3 recalls on file[3], so check the Recalls section above. These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, and one complaint can name several parts[1]. If you are shopping for one, ask for service records on the steering column and air bag system.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan?
- The air bag group has the most complaints, followed by the electrical system and steering[2][6][7].
- Does the 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan have recalls?
- Yes. The by-year fact shows 3 recalls for 2014[3]. The Recalls section on this page lists them.
- How many complaints does the 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan have?
- NHTSA lists 84 owner complaints for this model year[1].
- What is the gas mileage of the 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan?
- See the Fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Volkswagen Tiguan
Compare all model years of the Volkswagen Tiguan
Other Volkswagen models from 2014
Similar cars from 2014: small suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 84 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan (2 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 46 complaints name the air bags component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 51,000). 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
- 22 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 46,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 20 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 47,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 11 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 9 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 3 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 3 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). 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 FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 3 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 18.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 200 hp. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TIGUAN 2.0 4MOTION 4DR AWD SUV: length 174 in, width 71 in, height 66 in, wheelbase 102 in, curb weight 3,591 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TIGUAN 2.0 FWD 4DR FWD SUV: length 174 in, width 71 in, height 66 in, wheelbase 102 in, curb weight 3,393 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov