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2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Electrical Problems

20 owner-reported electrical complaints from NHTSA data

20
Complaints
Feb 2022Dec 2023
Date Range

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

Owner Complaints (20)

highELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Oct 2024

Your sunroof is leaking water into your car, causing puddles to accumulate throughout the interior. This water is causing electrical problems and creating mold and mildew growth inside the vehicle. The issue will likely require inspection and sealing of the sunroof, along with potential electrical system repairs and interior drying/restoration.

NHTSA #: 11618322
highELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Dec 2023

Your panoramic sunroof leaks water inside the cabin whenever it rains, causing significant condensation buildup on the windows that makes it unsafe to drive. The water damage has affected your touchscreen, and the interior smells bad from moisture accumulation. The fix will likely involve inspecting and resealing the sunroof drainage system or replacing the sunroof assembly.

NHTSA #: 11561070
highELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Oct 2023

Your airbag warning light is illuminated on the dashboard, and water is pooling under both the front and rear passenger seats, soaking the carpets and creating a moldy smell. This water intrusion may be coming from clogged panoramic roof drain lines. The moisture could be affecting the passenger seat electrical components, which may need inspection and potential replacement once the water source is addressed.

NHTSA #: 11548902
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Filed: Nov 2022

The clock spring part of the steering wheel has failed rendering all steering wheel controls and most importantly the air bag inoperable. This is a major safety hazard for the driver and ultimately passengers as well. This part has been a well known problem with this vehicle and has been covered under an extended warranty, yet Volkswagen refuses to make the part readily available to their customers who are under extended warranty coverage for said part. This is a major safety risk in that they are showing months long delays in getting parts forcing people to choose ability to get to work over safety. Volkswagen is wilfully exposing customers to undue safety compromises. Recall the car and make them fix this. And compensate owners.

NHTSA #: 11493702
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Filed: Sep 2022

The clockspring has failed, and all electronics in the steering column do not work, including the horn (as well as cruise control, radio volume, channel, etc). It is also believed the air bag(s) will not deploy in a crash. The clockspring failure has been verified by the local VW dealership. The part has not been available from VW for over 2 months(!), and now my vehicle's safety inspection has expired and the car is not legally drivable on public roads (in Virginia) (and VW will not provide or pay for alternative transportation). VW can not provide and ETA for when this critical safety part will be available.

NHTSA #: 11483122
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Filed: Aug 2022

Unknown. Airbag sign went on, Clock does not work, seems like electrical problem.

NHTSA #: 11478669
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Filed: Jul 2022

Clock spring in steering wheel failed and the airbag, horn and steering wheel controls no longer work on my daughter's Tiguan which is still under warranty. ( a very expensive extended warranty) Volkswagon is no longer manufacturing the part, so the only way to repair the car is to replace the whole steering wheel column which costs 5 times as much.(So they don't want to fix it that way) I was told they have multiple cars sitting on their lot since last year waiting for that part, but from what I heard from a mechanic/parts guy is VW is just simply no longer making that part and stringing their customers along saying it is "backordered". The warranty is not being honored. The car is sitting at the dealership collecting dust. They will not provide me with a loaner, or reimburse me for a rental car.

NHTSA #: 11475331
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Filed: Jul 2022

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving, the horn and radio became inoperable. The TPMS and airbag warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the clockspring needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

NHTSA #: 11474762
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Filed: May 2022

The clock spring has failed and confirmed by a local dealer, part number 5K0-953-569-AL. After talking with several dealers, I found out VW has a "hit list / back order list. This part is on it. I have also been told there are 1000 currently on back order and it may be 6 months before I receive a replacement. I have no horn and my air bag may or may not work. I have no way to warn a pedestrian or another vehicle should an issue arise, safety issue. No air bag could cause severe personal injury or death. Both are unacceptable and this part failure has been on going for more than 4 years. The sign of this failure is no horn, air bag light "ON" and no controls on the steering wheel function. I asked VW Customer Care twice what is VWs protocol for driving with a broken clock spring in writing, no response. I asked to speak with a manager, none got back to me. At the dealership I indicated I thought this was a safety issue as I have no horn. The service counter person said no one has ever brought this up in the 4 years they have been at the dealership. HUGE SAFTEY ISSUE which has been ongoing for years, no safety response on protocol, none, and no solution in sight, maybe months down the road. I do have copies of emails from VW Customer Care.

NHTSA #: 11463402
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Filed: Apr 2022

My airbag light is on and all the controls on the steering wheel are not working. Per the dealer, the car needs a new "clock spring" but they are back-ordered and they have no idea when they will receive replacement parts. How can Volkswagen let people drive around with no airbags. The part needs to be replaced and Volkswagen should be able to supply the part so I can fix my car. I am not asking for a free part, I just want to purchase the part and repair my car.

NHTSA #: 11460921
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Feb 2022

The clock spring has broken. When the wheel turns, this results in a loud clicking from the steering wheel post. The airbag light is on, the horn does not work, and the electrical controls on the wheel do not either. This is a known issue on VW Tiguans. Earlier years have a recall while the 2016 is only covered by an extended warranty. Dealer confirmed the clock spring is the issue. This is the real problem: VWs response is unacceptable. There are no replacement clock springs available in the country. There is no time estimate for the delivery of the replacement part. According to the service center, they are not even in production. I have been waiting weeks for VW to fix a known issue - affecting the horn, airbag and electrical controls - and there is no estimate for when it will be fixed.

NHTSA #: 11451468
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2021

Unknown Water leaking from sunroof affecting the electrical components and now sunroof won’t open or close at all.

NHTSA #: 11424295
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jun 2021

2016 Tiguan - 75k Miles. Steering wheel starting making clicking noises when taking sharper turns, a few days later, the airbag light came on along with an airbag "error" message. That same day, all buttons on the steering wheel stopped working, along with the horn. I took the car into the dealership and they IMMEDIATELY knew what was wrong. The clockspring. Quite frankly, this is absurd... If this is a known issue why isn't this a recall? I was told by the service representative that they see 2-3 CASES OF THIS A DAY... What the heck? Comeon.... This is a serious safety issue... Do something about it.

NHTSA #: 11421925
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Mar 2021

DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT ROLL DOWN WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE IS WARM OR HOT. ALSO WILL NOT WORK WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE IS COLD BUT THE HEAT INSIDE THE CAR IS BEING USED. IF IT STOPS WORKING WHEN THE WINDOW IS OPEN I CAN CLOSE IT BUT IT WILL NOT ROLL BACK DOWN.

NHTSA #: 11403565
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2020

I BOUGHT THIS CPO VEHICLE JULY 2018 WITH APPROX. 32,000 MILES. DROVE PERFECTLY WITHOUT ANY MAINTENANCE OUTSIDE OF TYPICAL OIL CHANGE, TIRE SWAPS, ROTATIONS, ALIGNMENTS, ETC. MID-NOVEMBER 2019 I LEAVE HOME AROUND LUNCH TIME, BACK OUT OF GARAGE AND PULL UP TO TURN ON TO THE ROAD, THE BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON AND I CAN'T ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE. TRY JUMPING IT, STILL WON'T START. TOW IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO WORKS ON VW/AUDIS TURNS OUT IT IS A FUEL PUMP MODULE FAILURE. GETS REPLACED AND EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE IN ORDER. END OF JANUARY 2020, TRY TO LEAVE FOR WORK, BATTERY AND EPC LIGHT COME ON. TRY TO JUMP THE BATTERY,NOTHING. GET THE BATTERY TESTED AND IT TESTED GOOD. TOWED IT TO VW DEALERSHIP, AGAIN, FUEL PUMP MODULE. THIS TIGUAN IS A CPO BUT THE FUEL PUMP MODULE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO MAINTENANCE OUTSIDE OF VW DEALERSHIP. GET THE TIGUAN BACK, EVERYTHING SEEMS TO AGAIN BE IN ORDER BUT TOOK EXTRA PRECAUTIONS DRIVING AND THE LOCATIONS I DRIVE TO DUE TO LIVING IN ALASKA (AKA A VERY REMOTE PLACE) BECAUSE I DID NOT WANT TO BE STRANDED SOMEWHERE WITHOUT CELL SERVICE, WHICH OCCURS FREQUENTLY. NOT EVEN TWO WEEKS LATER, LEAVING WORK TO GO HOME AND AS I BACK OUT, THE VEHICLE BATTERY LIGHT AGAIN COMES ON AND I CAN'T MOVE THE VEHICLE. TRY JUMPING THE BATTERY, NOTHING. TOWED IT TO VW DEALERSHIP YET AGAIN (CLOSEST VW DEALERSHIP IS APPROX. 50 MILES, SO TOWING BECOMES PRICEY THIRD TIME AROUND) AND IS CURRENTLY BEING FIXED FOR THE FUEL PUMP WITHIN THE FUEL TANK WHICH IS APPARENTLY SEPARATE FROM THE FUEL PUMP MODULE. I AM NEARING A POTENTIAL $2,000 IN MAINTENANCE (TWO FUEL PUMPS AND LABOR + POTENTIAL MAINTENANCE AND LABOR FOR FUEL PUMP IN FUEL TANK IF NOT COVERED UNDER CPO WARRANTY). THIS VEHICLE QUICKLY BECAME UNRELIABLE AND HAVE HAD TO ALTER MY LIFESTYLE FOR MY OWN PEACE OF MIND/SAFETY DRIVING THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA #: 11310178
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2020

TL* THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A DEALER FOR AN ACCIDENT REPAIR, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT RODENTS HAD EATEN AWAY THE BODY CONTROL WIRES DUE TO THE SOY BASE OF THE WIRING. VOLKSWAGEN SANTA MONICA LOCATED AT (2440 SANTA MONICA BLVD, SANTA MONICA, CA 90404) DETERMINED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATE 28,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER HAS STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. *AS

NHTSA #: 11309926
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Apr 2019

VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR SEVERAL DAYS. UPON PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, HEARD A SNAPPING NOISE FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. IMMEDIATELY RECEIVED AN AIRBAG ERROR WARNING, HORN CEASED TO FUNCTION, AND ALL STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS STOPPED WORKING.

NHTSA #: 11197359
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Aug 2018

MY VEHICLE HAD A FAULTY CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR VW SINCE 2011 AND THEY ARE NOT COVERING IT UNDER WARRANTY. IT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING. THE STEERING COLUMN MADE A CRACKING NOISE THEN STARTED MAKING A GRINDING NOISE. AT THAT POINT THE STEERING BUTTON CONTROLS STOPPED WORKING AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON.

NHTSA #: 11122478
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Oct 2017

THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS OR HAZARD LIGHTS ARE INOPERATIVE. ALSO WIPERS TURN ON BY ITSELF OCASSIONALY.

NHTSA #: 11039988
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Oct 2016

SAFETY ISSUE! LEASED THE VEHICLE IN JANUARY. TWO INCIDENTS WHEN ALL VEHICLE LIGHTS TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK. HAPPENS WHEN IN MOTION AND WHEN IT IS DARK OR FOGGY OUT. HAVE BROUGHT IN TO VOLKSWAGEN DEALER 2 TIMES FOR REPAIR AND HAPPENED AGAIN FOR THE THIRD TIME WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK. WHEN THIS OCCURS THE WIPERS ALSO GO OFF AUTOMATICALLY YET IT IS NOT RAINING. THEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED, THE HEADLIGHTS STAY ON AND WILL NOT TURN OFF AND KILLS THE BATTERY.

NHTSA #: 10914402

Other 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Issues