2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Limited Safety Report

The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Limited presents a relatively clean safety record based on the limited NHTSA data available. With only 6 total complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 1 reported injury, the vehicle does not show widespread systemic safety failures. There are no recalls issued for this specific model year, which is a positive indicator. However, it's crucial to note that NHTSA has not conducted crash tests for the 2018 Tiguan Limited, meaning there are no official frontal, side, or rollover safety ratings to assess its crashworthiness directly. This lack of crash test data makes a comprehensive safety assessment challenging. Despite the low complaint volume, some patterns emerge. Two complaints relate to the powertrain/engine, specifically concerning unintended RPM increases and lack of acceleration while driving at highway speeds (70 MPH). Another notable issue involves the steering and electrical system, with one complaint detailing a clock spring failure at 20,000 miles, leading to an airbag warning light. Additionally, there's a unique report of a passenger side view mirror 'exploding' twice, which, while isolated, is a severe concern. Other complaints include sharp edges on front doors causing cuts and intermittent issues with the backup camera and infotainment screen going black. The single reported injury is associated with the sharp door edges. Overall, while the low complaint count and absence of recalls are reassuring, the lack of crash test data and the presence of a few distinct, albeit infrequent, mechanical and design-related issues suggest potential areas for concern, particularly regarding the powertrain and certain electrical components. The overall safety picture is cautiously optimistic, but not fully verifiable due to missing crash test information.

Our recommendation: Given the low complaint count and absence of recalls, the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Limited appears to be a reasonably reliable choice, but be aware of the lack of crash test data and consider a pre-purchase inspection to check for any of the reported, albeit rare, mechanical or design issues.