CarBrief

Owners filed 76 complaints with NHTSA on the 2017 Tiguan, and air bags are the biggest group[1][2]. The EPA rates it at 21 to 22 combined MPG depending on drive type[3][4].

76owner complaints[1]
4recalls[5]
21–22MPG combined (EPA)[3]
4★NHTSA overall rating[6]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 76 owner complaints on file for this model year[1]. Six mention a crash, none mention a fire, 4 mention injuries and 1 death is reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several components.

Component group Complaints
Air bags[2] 30
Engine[7] 16
Steering[8] 13
Electrical system[9] 12
Unknown or other[10] 9
Fuel/propulsion system[11] 6
Power train[12] 5
Structure[13] 4

Air bags. This is the largest group. Median mileage at failure is 27,749[2]. In a sample of 12 air bag complaints we read[2], 9 describe an air bag warning light, a dead horn or dead steering wheel buttons[2], and 3 say a dealer named a clock spring as the cause[2]. Several of those owners say the repair part was not available. Other texts in the sample are recall letters[2].

Engine. The 16 engine complaints include no crashes or injuries, and median mileage at failure is 33,500[7]. In a sample of 12 engine complaints we read[7], 5 describe the engine stalling while driving, and 3 describe an oil leak, oil use or a coolant leak[7].

Steering. In a sample of 12 steering complaints we read[8], 7 describe losing power steering assist, and several name the steering rack[8]. One of the 13 steering complaints mentions a crash and an injury[8].

Electrical. In a sample of 11 electrical complaints we read[9], 3 describe a clock spring failure with a dead horn and steering wheel buttons[9]. Some complaint texts are counted under more than one group.

The other groups have few complaints, so we do not call them common problems[10][11][12][13].

Recalls

NHTSA lists four recalls for this model year[5]. Newest first:

Delete the sentence.

Fuel economy

Both versions use a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo with Automatic (S6) and premium fuel[3][4].

Version City / highway / combined EPA yearly fuel cost
Front-wheel drive[3] 20 / 24 / 22 MPG $3,750
All-wheel drive[4] 20 / 23 / 21 MPG $3,900

EPA fuel costs use current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 2017 Tiguan 4 stars overall, 3 stars for frontal crash, 5 stars for side crash and 4 stars for rollover[6][18]. The rollover risk is 17.4% for front-wheel drive[18] and 18.5% for all-wheel drive[6].

Engine and size

The 2.0L 4-cylinder is rated at 200 hp[19]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Front-wheel drive All-wheel drive
Length[20][21] 174 in 174 in
Width[20][21] 71 in 71 in
Height[20][21] 67 in 67 in
Wheelbase[20][21] 102 in 102 in
Curb weight[20][21] 3,393 lb 3,591 lb

How 2017 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 recalls2017: 76 complaints, 4 recalls7620172018: 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 2017 is highlighted[5].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20091683
20101102
20111623
20121533
20131403
2014843
2015624
2016972
2017764
201829214
20191935
20201413
20211435
20222725
2023701
2024762
2025533
2026370

The 2017 model year has 76 complaints and 4 recalls[5]. That is fewer complaints than 2016 with 97 and 2018 with 292, and more than 2015 with 62[5]. The 2018 model year also has 14 recalls[5]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2017 Tiguan?

The complaint count is in the lower half of the model's years[5], but air bag complaints stand out at 30 of 76[1][2]. In the sample we read, several owners with air bag warning lights and a dead horn waited for parts[2]. Ask a seller whether those symptoms were ever repaired. Check that the four recalls were done[14][15][16][17], and note that the safety ratings are mixed, with 3 stars in the frontal test and 5 stars in the side test[6][18]., and note that the safety ratings are mixed, with 3 stars in the frontal test and 5 stars in the side test[6][18]. Fuel economy is 21 to 22 combined MPG on premium fuel[3][4]. This is a fair car to consider with a careful inspection, not one the data lets us call either safe or risky.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan?
Air bags lead the 76 NHTSA complaints with 30, followed by engine with 16 and steering with 13[1][2][7][8].
How many recalls does the 2017 Tiguan have?
NHTSA lists four recalls for this model year[5]. They are 21V321, 18V329, 18V102 and 16V955[14][15][16][17].
What is the gas mileage of the 2017 Tiguan?
The EPA rates front-wheel drive at 22 MPG combined and all-wheel drive at 21 MPG combined[3][4].
How safe is the 2017 Tiguan in crash tests?
NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall, with 3 stars frontal and 5 stars side[6][18].
Is 2017 a good year for the Tiguan?
It has 76 complaints, fewer than 2016 with 97 and 2018 with 292, and more than 2015 with 62[5].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 76 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan (6 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 4 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 30 complaints name the air bags component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 27,749). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. EPA rating for Tiguan, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 24 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  4. EPA rating for Tiguan 4motion, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 23 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. Owner complaints and recalls for every Volkswagen Tiguan model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  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. 16 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 33,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 13 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 12 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 9 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 6 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 5 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 4 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. Recall 21V321, filed May 5, 2021: Unknown Or Other. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 18V329, filed May 16, 2018: Unknown Or Other. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 18V102, filed February 9, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 16V955, filed December 29, 2016: Seat Belts › Pretensioner. NHTSA recall database
  18. 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
  19. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 200 hp. www.epa.gov
  20. 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
  21. 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.