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2015 Volkswagen Tiguan Electrical Problems

18 owner-reported electrical complaints from NHTSA data

18
Complaints
1
Fires
Jan 2021Dec 2019
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (18)

criticalELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Filed: Oct 2023

Your airbag warning light stays on, indicating the airbags may not be working properly. The problem started after a service visit in July 2021 and has become constant—the warning appears every time you start the vehicle, and sometimes clears temporarily when you restart, but returns again. This is a known issue affecting other 2015 VW Tiguans from a November 2019 recall, though it may not be listed under your specific VIN. Getting the airbag system scanned and repaired by a VW dealer is important for your safety.

NHTSA #: 11549993
criticalELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
Filed: Sep 2023

Your car's electric power steering (EPS) system keeps failing, leaving you stranded on the highway. This has happened multiple times and requires the vehicle to be towed. The repair will likely involve diagnosing and replacing faulty EPS components or the steering control module.

NHTSA #: 11546152
highELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Aug 2025

Your car's Electronic Power Control (EPC) warning light is illuminated on your dashboard. This light indicates a problem with your engine's electronic control system that needs to be diagnosed. A technician will need to scan your vehicle with a diagnostic tool to identify the specific issue, which could range from a faulty sensor to an engine management problem.

NHTSA #: 11684071
highELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Filed: Jun 2022

Your horn stopped working and your airbag warning light came on. The dealer diagnosed that your clockspring (the component that connects your steering wheel to the electrical system) needs to be replaced, but the part was backordered and your vehicle wasn't repaired. This is a safety concern because the clockspring controls both your horn and airbag systems.

NHTSA #: 11467212
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Filed: Jan 2022

This morning I realized that my spring clock isn’t working. My air bag light is on saying error air bag. I have no controls on my steering wheel.

NHTSA #: 11447753
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2021

When I press the unlock button on the remote fob, all the doors unlock except the drivers door. I then have to open the rear door, reach the handle on the drivers door and open it. The VW Dealer want $245.00 just to find the problem.

NHTSA #: 11441740
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Sep 2021

VW panoramic roof was leaking behind plastic and roof covering without visible signs to the floor . We only figure it out after 3 years . Electric failure noticed after a year of ownership . Keyless entry , stop / start engine and what most dangerous car stoped in the middle of the street /fortunately not busy street . And it took a while to start engine again. Also fire hazard because electric damaged by the water . There was recall because of fire hazard in VW Tiguan 2015 and panoramic roof issue but notes was sent only a few customers . At least 10 lawsuits was filed already . VW refuse to fix the problem . And we don't have money to fix it because its not just about roof leak but electric , carpet fool of mold and other water damage and cost of fixing it will exceed the cost of this car . Technically it's flooded car because of manufacturer defect . Car has only 58000 miles.

NHTSA #: 11433591
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jan 2021

I WAS TURNING AND A CRACK SOUND CAME FROM THE STEERING WHEEL, TURNING THE CAR CAUSED THE CLOCK SPRING TO BREAK. AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, HORN DOESN'T WORK, NO CONTROLS ON STEERING WHEEL WORK. KNOWN ISSUE BUT THEY STOPPED RECALLS AT 2014 MODELS BUT SHOULD STILL HAVR RECALLS FOR LATER YEARS, SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA #: 11386133
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Filed: Oct 2020

AIR BAG ERROR. TOOK IT TO JIFFU LUBE AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG.

NHTSA #: 11366717
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEAT BELTS
Filed: Jun 2020

PASSENGER SEATBELT LOCKS UP UNNECESSARILY. THE SEATBELT LOCKS UP ON THE PASSENGER WITHOUT BEING ENGAGED BY ANY OTHER SOURCE OR ACTION. ENTIRE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING... NO ELECTRICAL, POWER STEERING, ACCELERATOR N ETC. ALL THE INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKER AND FLASH AND THE GAUGE NEEDLES SWING BACK AND FORTH FROM MINIMUM TO MAXIMUM POSITIONS. *TR

NHTSA #: 11328048
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Filed: Dec 2019

WHILE SLOWLY TURNING LEFT TO PARK AT A GAS STATION I HEARD A "SNAP" AND FOUND THAT MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND NONE OF THE CONTROLS ON MY STEERING WHEEL WERE WORKING. AFTERWARDS I NOTICED A CONSISTENT CLICKING NOISE WHENEVER I WOULD TURN THE WHEEL. AFTER RESEARCHING I AM CONFIDENT THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE RIBBON WIRE LEADING DOWN THE STEERING COLUMN FROM THE CLOCK SPRING. MANY OTHER VOLKSWAGEN MODELS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM. MINE HAS NOT YET BEEN RECALLED AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS A 2015 MODEL THAT I PURCHASED IN MARCH OF 2018 AND THE ISSUE OCCURRED 6 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA #: 11290352
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
FireFiled: Oct 2019

MY CAR WAS PARKED IN A PUBLIC AREA AND CAUGHT FIRE AFTER I GOT OUT OF IT ON A CITY STREET

NHTSA #: 11271290
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Apr 2019

THE PARKING BRAKE IS PERMANENTLY SHORTED OUT. I BOUGHT THIS AS A USED CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR. CHRONIC PROBLEMS WITH GENERAL BRAKING SYSTEM. SEVERE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. EXAMPLE: MY RADIO WILL MOT STAY OFF, WHEN CAR IS PARKED, KEY REMOVED AND ALARM IS SET. RADIO STILL RUNS. I GET THE MESSAGE "CANNOT READ SD CARD" ON THE CONSOLE. I HAVE HAD TO JUMP MY BRAND NEW BATTETY 10-15 TIMES. THAT IS LESS THAN SIX MONTHS OLD. VW AMERICA HAS IGNORED MY REQUESTS FOR HELP, AND IT ALLEGEDLY IS STILL UNDER THE COP WARRANTY AND UNDER MANUFACTURER WARRANTY AS WELL. THE CAR IS UNSTABLE ON THE FREEWAY, DOESN'T STEER WELL AND I'M AFRAID I'LL HAVE A SEVERE ACCIDENT.

NHTSA #: 11196024
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Filed: Jun 2018

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL DO NOT WORK, AND THE HORN WILL NOT WORK.

NHTSA #: 11099378
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Filed: Nov 2017

MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 42000 MILES ON IT. 6000 MILES OVER WARRANTY. AS I WAS TURNING I HEARD A RATTLING AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, HORN DOESN'T WORK AND STEERING WHEEL BUTTONS DO NOT WORK. DEALERSHIP SAID IT'S THE STEERING WHEEL CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. SAME ISSUE AS 2010-2014 RECALLS. THE PART IS DEFECTED AND DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO PAY FOR IT. IF I WRECK THE AIRBAG WILL NOT WORK.

NHTSA #: 11051148
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Oct 2017

1 MONTH OLD AND BATTERY DISCHARGED, TOOK TO DEALER NO ISSUE FOUND , 2 YEARS LATER SAME ISSUE BATTERY DISCHARGED PURCHASED NEW BATTERY WORKED FOR 2 DAYS THEN WOULD NOT START AGAIN. ALTERNATOR NOT CHARGING THE BATTERY, TOOK TO DEALERSHIP THEY SAID NO ISSUE WITH ALTERNATOR OR BATTERY. WHEN I WENT TO START THIS IT SHOWED ALL THE LIGHTS ALL THE SYMBOLS AND THEN COMPLETELY BLANK.

NHTSA #: 11034395
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Oct 2017

WHEN PLACING THE CAR IN REVERSE, THE VIEWING SCREEN SUDDENLY TURNS DARK AND UNVIEWABLE, THEREFORE CREATING A DRIVING HAZARD FOR TODAYS DRIVING REQUIREMENTS. THE COMPANY SAYS THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE CONDITION?? THIS HAS OCCURRED IN ALL THE 2 YEARS I HAVE HAD THE CAR. OTHER VW OWNERS HAVE THE SAME CONDITION.

NHTSA #: 11032777
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: May 2015

BACKUP CAMERA SCREEN TOO DARK. CANNOT SEE WHAT IS BEHIND YOU. ALL SOFTWARE ADJUSTMENTS TRIED TO IMPROVE VIDEO I.E. INCREASE BRIGHTNESS DOES NOT HELP. CHECKED ANOTHER 2015 TIGUAN AT DEALER AND IT HAD SAME PROBLEM. WORRIED THAT POOR PERFORMANCE OF BACKUP CAMERA SYSTEM WILL NOT DETECT OBJECTS BEHIND VEHICLE WHEN BACKING UP. REPORTED PROBLEM TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD NOTHING COULD BE DONE.

NHTSA #: 10720959

Other 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan Issues