CarBrief

Owners filed 97 complaints about the 2016 Tiguan with NHTSA, and air bags are the most named component group[1][2]. There are 2 recalls on file, including one for the air bag control unit[3][4].

97owner complaints[1]
2recalls[3]
22–23MPG combined (EPA)[5]
4★NHTSA overall rating[6]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 97 owner complaints on file for this model year[1]. Four mention a crash, 2 a fire and 3 injuries[1]. None report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Here are the component groups with the most complaints:

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Air bags[2] 37 58,000
Electrical system[7] 27 46,750
Unknown or other[8] 23 30,004
Steering[9] 13 55,000
Engine[10] 11 84,400

Smaller groups are structure with 6 complaints[11], fuel/propulsion system with 4[12] and brakes with 3[13].

Air bags. The 37 air bag complaints list no crashes, fires or injuries[2]. In a sample of 12 air bag complaints we read, 9 describe the same chain of events[2]. The steering wheel clicks or snaps, then the air bag warning light comes on, and the horn and steering wheel buttons stop working[2]. Owners say dealers traced this to a part in the steering column. Three of the 12 come from owners with the air bag control unit recall who say parts were not available when they asked[2].

Electrical system. These complaints include 1 crash and 1 injury[7]. In a sample of 12 we read, 5 describe the same steering wheel clicking, warning light and dead controls[7]. Two describe lights or wipers acting on their own or failing[7].

Steering. In a sample of 12 steering complaints, 6 describe electric power steering assist cutting out with a red warning light while driving[9]. Another 5 describe the same steering wheel clicking and dead controls seen in the air bag group[9].

Engine. The 11 engine complaints have no crashes, fires or injuries and the highest median mileage of the main groups[10]. In a sample of 12 we read, 5 mention coolant leaks or a water pump replacement and 2 mention an intake manifold failure[10].

The unknown or other group has 2 crashes, 2 fires and 2 injuries[8].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 2 recalls for this model year[3]. Newest first:

Fuel economy

EPA lists two versions, both with a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo, an Automatic (S6) and premium fuel[5][15].

Version City / highway / combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
Front-wheel drive[5] 21 / 26 / 23 $3,550
Tiguan 4motion, all-wheel drive[15] 20 / 26 / 22 $3,750

EPA's fuel cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives both versions 4 stars overall[6][16]. Frontal crash is 3 stars, side is 5 stars and rollover is 4 stars[6][16]. NHTSA puts rollover risk at 18.5% for AWD[6] and 17.4% for FWD[16].

Engine and size

The EPA test car list rates the 2.0L 4-cylinder at 200 hp[17]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

FWD 4MOTION
Length[18][19] 174 in 174 in
Width[18][19] 71 in 71 in
Height[18][19] 67 in 67 in
Wheelbase[18][19] 102 in 102 in
Curb weight[18][19] 3,393 lb 3,591 lb

How 2016 compares with other years

2009: 168 complaints, 3 recalls20092010: 110 complaints, 2 recalls2011: 162 complaints, 3 recalls20112012: 153 complaints, 3 recalls2013: 140 complaints, 3 recalls20132014: 84 complaints, 3 recalls2015: 62 complaints, 4 recalls20152016: 97 complaints, 2 recalls9720162017: 76 complaints, 4 recalls20172018: 292 complaints, 14 recalls2019: 193 complaints, 5 recalls20192020: 141 complaints, 3 recalls2021: 143 complaints, 5 recalls20212022: 272 complaints, 5 recalls2023: 70 complaints, 1 recalls20232024: 76 complaints, 2 recalls2025: 53 complaints, 3 recalls20252026: 37 complaints, 0 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Tiguan model year. The 2016 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20091683
20101102
20111623
20121533
20131403
2014843
2015624
2016972
2017764
201829214
20191935
20201413
20211435
20222725
2023701
2024762
2025533
2026370

NHTSA data for this model lists complaints and recalls by model year[3]. The 2016 model year has 97 complaints and 2 recalls[3]. Ten of the 19 listed years have more complaints than 2016, and 8 have fewer[3].

The years next to it look like this:

The 2018 model year stands out with 292 complaints and 14 recalls[3]. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat them as a rough guide within one model.

Should you buy a used 2016 Tiguan?

The complaint record is mixed. Steering wheel control and air bag light failures appear in the complaints we read, though that is a small sample[2][7]. Engine complaints have the highest median mileage of the main groups[10]. Before you buy, check the VIN for open recalls, especially 19V535, and ask whether parts are in stock[4][2]. Fuel economy is 22 to 23 combined MPG, and premium fuel is listed[5][15]. Safety ratings are 4 stars overall with 3 stars for frontal crashes[6][16].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan?
Air bags are the largest complaint group with 37 of 97 complaints, then the electrical system with 27[1][2][7]. In a sample of 12 air bag complaints, 9 describe steering wheel clicking, an air bag light and dead steering wheel controls[2].
Does the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan have recalls?
Yes, 2 recalls[3]. Recall 19V535 covers the air bag control unit and 16V464 covers rear child door locks[4][14][3].
How many miles per gallon does a 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan get?
EPA rates the front-wheel-drive version at 23 combined MPG and the all-wheel-drive 4motion at 22 combined MPG[5][15].
How does the 2016 Tiguan compare with other years?
It has 97 complaints and 2 recalls[3]. 2015 has 62 complaints and 4 recalls, and 2017 has 76 and 4[3].
What safety rating does the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan have?
NHTSA gives 4 stars overall, 3 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover[6][16].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 97 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan (4 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 37 complaints name the air bags component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Volkswagen Tiguan model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 19V535, filed July 17, 2019: Air Bags › Air Bag / Restraint Control Module. NHTSA recall database
  5. 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
  6. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 3 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 18.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 27 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 46,750). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 23 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,004). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 13 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 11 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 84,400). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 6 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 4 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 3 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. Recall 16V464, filed June 24, 2016: Latches / Locks / Linkages. NHTSA recall database
  15. 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
  16. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 3 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  17. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 200 hp. www.epa.gov
  18. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TIGUAN 2.0 FWD 4DR SUV: length 174 in, width 71 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 102 in, curb weight 3,393 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  19. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TIGUAN 2.0 4MOTION 4DR SUV: length 174 in, width 71 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 102 in, curb weight 3,591 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.