Representative model. Photo: SsmIntrigue, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2011 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2011 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 3
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 162
Latest campaign: Aug 4, 2015

Recall summary by component3

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Air bags	1	Aug 4, 2015	15V483000
Fuel system, gasoline	1	Jul 21, 2014	14V441000
Electrical system	1	Nov 22, 2013	13V569000

Safety recalls3

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Aug 4, 2015Latest campaign


Aug 4, 201515V483000	Air bags: frontal A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury. DetailsHide details for campaign 15V483000 What's wrong Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag. Risk A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury. Remedy Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Campaign NHTSA 15V483000 · Aug 4, 2015
Jul 21, 201414V441000	Fuel system, gasoline A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 14V441000 What's wrong Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Tiguan vehicles manufactured July 2007 to June 2014. When using winterized fuel, in certain conditions bubbles may form in the fuel system which could result in the vehicle stalling. Risk A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash. Remedy Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle's software to increase the fuel pump pressure, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin August 19, 2014. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24AV/2W. Campaign NHTSA 14V441000 · Jul 21, 2014
Nov 22, 201313V569000	Electrical system: wiring fuses and circuit breakers If the holder melts, there may be a partial loss of exterior lighting. DetailsHide details for campaign 13V569000 What's wrong Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tiguan vehicles manufactured July 2007 through June 2011. Due to a problem with the fuse for the exterior lights, the holder for the fuse that controls the vehicle's exterior lights circuit may melt. Risk If the holder melts, there may be a partial loss of exterior lighting. Reduced vehicle illumination diminishes the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuse, free of charge. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's recall number is 97Z9/2V. Campaign NHTSA 13V569000 · Nov 22, 2013

Aug 4, 201515V483000

Air bags: frontal

A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.

DetailsHide details for campaign 15V483000

What's wrong: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
Risk: A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.
Campaign: NHTSA 15V483000 · Aug 4, 2015

Jul 21, 201414V441000

Fuel system, gasoline

A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.

DetailsHide details for campaign 14V441000

What's wrong: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Tiguan vehicles manufactured July 2007 to June 2014. When using winterized fuel, in certain conditions bubbles may form in the fuel system which could result in the vehicle stalling.
Risk: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle's software to increase the fuel pump pressure, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin August 19, 2014. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24AV/2W.
Campaign: NHTSA 14V441000 · Jul 21, 2014

Nov 22, 201313V569000

Electrical system: wiring fuses and circuit breakers

If the holder melts, there may be a partial loss of exterior lighting.

DetailsHide details for campaign 13V569000

What's wrong: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tiguan vehicles manufactured July 2007 through June 2011. Due to a problem with the fuse for the exterior lights, the holder for the fuse that controls the vehicle's exterior lights circuit may melt.
Risk: If the holder melts, there may be a partial loss of exterior lighting. Reduced vehicle illumination diminishes the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuse, free of charge. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's recall number is 97Z9/2V.
Campaign: NHTSA 13V569000 · Nov 22, 2013

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Volkswagen recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component162

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

162Complaints filed

4Involving a crash

2Involving a fire

1Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Engine	63	39	0	0	0
Electrical system	47	29	0	1	0
Exterior lighting	39	24	1	1	0
Air bags	30	19	2	0	1
Steering	14	9	1	0	0
Unknown or other	12	7	0	0	0
Fuel/propulsion system	8	5	0	0	0
Power train	8	5	0	0	0
Service brakes	5	3	1	0	0
Vehicle speed control	4	2	1	0	0
Fuel system	3	2	0	0	0
Gasoline	3	2	0	0	0
Seats	2	1	0	0	0
Electronic stability control (ESC)	2	1	0	0	0
Suspension	1	1	0	0	0

3 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Service brakes
“The brakes will completely fail. The peddle goes just about all the way to the floor when pressed. There still is a small amount of braking and the vehicle slows down but nothing like when the brakes work right.”
Filed 10/02/2026 · ODI 11768456
Electrical system
“Car only starts when it wants to. Rpms dont go over 4,000. Low idle.”
Filed 09/09/2026 · ODI 11763008
Air bags
“My 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan was included in the Volkswagen clock spring safety recall. According to Volkswagen’s records, the recall repair was completed in 2016.”
Filed 01/22/2026 · ODI 11712684

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2011 Volkswagen Tiguan recall questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan have?

NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns for the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan. The most recent, 15V483000 (reported August 4, 2015), concerns air bags. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What is the most common complaint about the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan?

Engine is the most-reported component, named in 63 complaints out of 162 filed with NHTSA (39%). Across all complaints, owners reported 4 crashs and 2 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Volkswagen recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Volkswagen dealer.

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