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#BS-2016-VOLTIG-23E72016 Volkswagen TiguanProblems, Recalls & Reliability
Based on reports from 147 owners and 2 recalls for this exact model.
Data updated ·NHTSA complaints through October 19, 2026
Preliminary Verdict
Think Twice
Based on 147 complaints, 6 crashes, 2 fires, and 2 recalls.
Top reported problems
engine shut down while driving
6 complaints • Severity 8/10
clock spring is no longer working
3 complaints • Severity 10/10
check engine light not driving well
2 complaints • Severity 7/10
clicking steering wheel horn nonfunctional airbag light on
2 complaints • Severity 10/10
broken wires in steering column
2 complaints • Severity 10/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
31 owners reported airbags issues — failures commonly reported around 49K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 30–60K miles (38 reports) • Median: 49K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Airbags (31 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2016 Volkswagen Tiguan: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Airbags Issues
Airbags complaints account for 21% of all reports filed for the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan, with 31 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 49,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 49K-mile mark.
Electrical Issues
Electrical complaints account for 18% of all reports filed for the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan, with 26 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Steering Issues
Steering complaints account for 9% of all reports filed for the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan, with 13 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to steering-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 8% of all reports filed for the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan, with 12 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan. Recent trend: decreasing.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (2 recalls)
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 CC vehicles manufactured January 12, 2016, to February 3, 2016, Golf R and Tiguan vehicles manufactured November 25, 2015, to January 28, 2016, and e-Golf vehicles manufactured November 25, 2015, to January 11, 2016. Vibrations, such as those created by opening and closing a vehicle door, may cause the rear child door locks to disengage, allowing a child to open a rear door while inside the vehicle.
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Tiguan and CC vehicles. The air bag Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may have a defective power supply capacitor that can result in air bag deactivation or inadvertent deployment of the air bags.
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
2016 Volkswagen Tiguan NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall
★★★★★4 of 5 stars
Frontal crash
★★★★★3 of 5 stars
Side crash
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Rollover
★★★★★4 of 5 stars
From NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings). Where NHTSA tested more than one version of this vehicle, the lowest rating is shown.
NHTSA Defect Investigations (1)
1 investigation still open: NHTSA is examining whether a defect warrants a recall.
Air Bag Clockspring Failure
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE
The worst model year for the Volkswagen Tiguan is the 2018 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is engine.
2016 Volkswagen Tiguan vs. Class Average (Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD)
This vehicle
147
Class avg
420
Below the class average — fewer complaints than typical small sport utility vehicle 2wd vehicles. A good sign.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 147 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 2 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Last updated . NHTSA complaints received through October 19, 2026; safety ratings from NHTSA's 5-Star program.
Other Volkswagen Tiguan Model Years
View all Volkswagen Tiguan years →2016 Volkswagen Tiguan: Frequently Asked Questions
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Get the Full 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 147 owner reports. Know before you buy.