2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Safety Report
2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (2) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (95) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 6 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Air Bags | Compare air bags issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2015 | Compare against the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan with 62 complaints and 4 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2018 | Check the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan before buying across this generation. |
Volkswagen Tiguan Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Volkswagen Tiguan years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan | 70 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan | 62 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan | 269 | 13 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan | 170 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan | 120 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan | 109 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Air Bags
18 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Volkswagen onlyUnknown Or Other
14 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Volkswagen onlyElectrical System,Air Bags
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Air Bags issues Volkswagen onlySteering
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering issues Volkswagen onlyEngine
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Volkswagen onlyElectrical System
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Volkswagen onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan
Reliability Score
The 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag Control Module Recall for 2015-2016 Tiguan and CC vehicles due to potential airbag control module issues. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Power Steering Assist Failure Reported incidents of power steering assist failing after driving for 2-10 minutes. |
Medium | Occasional | 80k-120k miles |
| Airbag Malfunction Airbag malfunction light activated after a clicking sound during a turn. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Sunroof Leaking Panoramic sunroof leaks when it rains, causing water to fill the car's interior. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan:
Recall for 2015-2016 Tiguan and CC vehicles due to potential airbag control module issues.
Reported incidents of power steering assist failing after driving for 2-10 minutes.
Airbag malfunction light activated after a clicking sound during a turn.
Panoramic sunroof leaks when it rains, causing water to fill the car's interior.
Recall Details for the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Consequence: Deactivated air bags increases the risk of injury. Inadvertent deployment of the air bags increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install new software and replace the air bag ECU as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 25, 2019. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Z5.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: If an unrestrained child unexpectedly opens a door, they may fall from the vehicle increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the child lock(s), free of charge. The recall began on August 22, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 58C9.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 involved fires. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
UNKNOWN INCIDENT. I had a 2016 VW Tiguan with just over 80k miles (approximately 80,200 mi). On 1/6/2026 about 10 min after driving home from the gym, I heard a small explosion from the garage where my car was parked. The garage was filled with smoke and large flames were visible from under the front end of the vehicle. We called 911 and tried to put it out with a fire extinguisher but it continu...
The contact's friend owns a 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist failed with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and a diagnostic test was performed. The diagnostic test showed that the vehicle and determined that the steering rack, wheel speed sensors, and engine cooling fans needed to ...
I’ll be driving for 2-10 minutes and power steering cuts out. Wheel will jerk a little and alarm will sound with the alert light remaining red through remainder of drive. Sometimes it will not work at all while driving, but I’ve found the it usually works for the first few minutes until I speed up a little more.
My car has never been in an accident. One day while turning into my driveway, I heard a large clicking sound. Since then, my airbag malfunction light is on and my car horn does not sound/work. All steering wheel controls are broken. This has been an issue for about 6 months. I've been waiting on a recall impacting my specific VIN/year/make/model, however I am being informed that I will need t...
As I was driving on the Long Island Expressway at 50mph, there was a sudden VERY loud explosion that sounded like a gun shot. I thought perhaps a tire had blown out but then I heard air rushing by. My sunroof had spontaneously exploded!
Subject: Known Carbon Buildup Issue in 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan TSI – Request for Recall and Accountability To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally express my concern and request action regarding a well-documented and dangerous issue affecting Volkswagen TSI engines—specifically, severe carbon buildup. I am the current owner of a 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan TSI, which I purchased in April 2025 ...
My hood latch has failed. It sometimes appears latched, but actually is not and other times it doesn’t even look like it’s latched at all. There is in fact, a hood latch recall for this year make and model of vehicle, however, my vehicle is not on the list recalled. I believe the current recall for this year making model is not inclusive of all affected VIN numbers!!!!
During cold winter months in below freezing temperatures, a red warning light will turn on when the electronic steering fails and the electronic steering will randomly lock up while driving. Making it extremely difficult to steer and nearly impossible to use at a stop or slow speeds. When inspected, the entire steering rack with the steering electronic module needs replacing.
Electronic Power Steering fails and there is a loss of control with turning the wheel (left/right). This is a hazard especially on the road as it not only puts myself at risk but other drivers lives at risk. There is a red steering wheel that lights up on the dash which indicates loss of power steering. There have been multiple reports already of Electronic Power Steering Failure with Volkswagen v...
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, the entertainment, cruise control, and TPMS turned on and off without application. The horn was inoperable. The seat belt, air bag, and tire warning lights were illuminated. A tree fell on the vehicle, and the sunroof was leaking. The contact stated that there was an abnormal amount of fuel outside ...
My check engine light keeps turning on and off. I took it to the dealership and they gave me a list of things to fix in the future but nothing too serious. They fixed the intake manifold, which I was not aware or informed that it had a recall on it, and they cleaned the valves. They turned off the check engine light and when I picked up the car, it came back on. I informed them about it and they t...
The 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan has a problem with the sunroof leaking and floors being filled with puddles of water in entire car. This have caused the water to cause electrical problems with the vehicle as well as meadow and mold.
The car died while driving 3 times in 2 weeks. The gas pedal loses pressure, the vehicle is still on. I had to slow down put the car in park and restart the engine. This happened at speeds around 25-40 miles an hour, including on the freeway and when my [XXX] permitted daughter was driving. This problem has been taken to a WV dealership, they are not able to find the problem and are still looking...
I bought a 2016 VW Tiguan in 2019 from the Audi Rockville dealership. Recently I had an oil leak issue that requires a substantial repair. I first took it to a certified VW mechanic, Ourisman VW of Rockville, and they diagnosed the issue to be a 4,109.19 dollar repair. Following this, I took it to get a second look at an independent mechanic shop, Wilniq Auto Body & Mechanical Repairs, and the mec...
Leaking panoramic sunroof only when it rains. I have taken it for the 5th time and you can’t drive it in the morning or when any condensation comes inside because u can’t see out of the windows at all. It smells awful and it’s a lot of water! It has ruined the touchscreen . I have been paying out of pocket trying to get this fixed. There should be a recall!
Airbag error light on dashboard, passenger seat shorted out water pooled under passenger seats front and rear soaking wet coming up through carpets with moldy smell. You tube says it may be the panoramic roof drains.
The electric connection for the air bag has malfunctioned . The same vehicle with different VIN numbers have already been recalled for the exact same reason. Not sure why my car was not included. Many people on the VW forums are having the same issues. Please recall.
Every time it rains it gets in my vehicle! I have taken it in to an auto shop and they can’t find the leak . I just noticed a smell and finally found that the floor board gets wet . Now I see mildew inside and I don’t know what to do…. I have an idea that it could be the panoramic sunroof, but I don’t know it only gets wet at the bottom of the car and depending on how bad it rains that’s how much ...
Turbocharger went out on this vehicle rendering it unsafe to drive. Check engine light came on and after several opinions, it was determined that the Turbocharger went out and needed replacement in order for the vehicle to safely run. This was confirmed via a independent service center. Upon further research on the internet and VW chat forums, there are several other people with this year and ...
The sunroof/moonroof glass shattered while my daughter was driving on the highway, causing glass to fall down on her while driving. She stated that it sounded like a gunshot, then glass was breaking while driving. She was upset and crying, which could easily have caused an accident if it weren't that it happened in the evening. The car scheduled to be repaired I contacted the VW dealership and t...
Showing 20 of 95 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Clockspring/Spiral Cassette
Opened 2018-04-18
In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure of the clockspring in 2010-2014 Model Year (MY) CC, Passat, Eos, Golf, GTI, Tiguan, Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen models.Contamination of the clockspring can cause the ribbon cable to te...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan
Has the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN been recalled?
Yes, the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN has 2 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN have?
The 2016 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN has 95 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 4 involved crashes. 3 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN?
The 2016 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Frontal crash: 3/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN involve air bags (18 complaints), unknown or other (14 complaints), electrical system,air bags (7 complaints). Other affected components include steering, engine, electrical system.
How many crash reports does the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN have?
There are 4 crash reports associated with the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN out of 95 total complaints (4.2% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN have?
There are 2 fire reports for the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN out of 95 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN.
How many injuries are reported for the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN?
3 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2016 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN is acceptable with caveats. It has 95 complaints, 2 recalls, and a good (4/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN?
The components with the most failures on the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN are: 1. AIR BAGS (18 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (14 complaints), 3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS (7 complaints), 4. STEERING (4 complaints), 5. ENGINE (4 complaints). AIR BAGS is the single most-reported problem area with 18 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2016 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN?
Be cautious of potential airbag and steering issues, and check for recalls. Consider the sunroof and power steering problems before purchasing. The 2016 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN has 95 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).
How reliable is the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN?
The 2016 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 95 owner complaints, 2 recalls, and 6 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Airbag Control Module and Power Steering Assist Failure.
What are the known issues with the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN?
Known issues with the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN include: Airbag Control Module, Power Steering Assist Failure, Airbag Malfunction, Sunroof Leaking. These are based on patterns found across 95 NHTSA complaints. 2 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan?
Yes, there are recalls for airbag control modules and steering assist failures.
What are the common issues with the power steering?
Power steering assist can fail after driving for 2-10 minutes, causing the wheel to jerk and the alarm to sound.
Is the sunroof leaking a common issue?
Yes, the sunroof can leak when it rains, causing water to fill the car's interior.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of potential airbag and steering issues, and check for recalls. Consider the sunroof and power steering problems before purchasing.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan. The data includes 95 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 4 reported crashes, 2 fire incidents, 3 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 3 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16