MyCarTSB

2011 Volkswagen Tiguan Airbags Problems

13 owner-reported airbags complaints from NHTSA data

13
Complaints
1
Recalls
1
Crashes
Jan 2026Dec 2019
Date Range

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

Airbags Recalls (1)

RECALLCampaign #15V483000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

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.

Fix: 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.

Owner Complaints (13)

criticalAIR BAGS
Filed: Jan 2026

Your driver airbag, horn, and steering wheel controls have stopped working again due to a failed clock spring — the same part that was replaced during a recall in 2016. The airbag warning light is on, meaning your airbag won't deploy in a crash. Volkswagen has refused to repair it again because they say the recall is closed and the warranty has expired, even though the original repair has already failed. Fixing this will require replacing the clock spring in your steering column.

NHTSA #: 11712684
criticalAIR BAGS
Filed: Oct 2022

Your car's airbag system relies on a clock spring component that has failed twice — once before and now again — leaving your airbags inoperable. This appears to be a recurring problem with this vehicle model. Fixing this will require replacing the clock spring and testing the airbag system to ensure it functions properly.

Parts you may need:

As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.

NHTSA #: 11488240
criticalAIR BAGS
Filed: May 2022

Your steering column's clock spring has broken, which disables your car horn and prevents your airbags from deploying in a crash. Your state safety inspection won't pass until this is fixed. The replacement part is on back order with no estimated arrival date, leaving your vehicle unsafe to drive in the meantime.

Parts you may need:

As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.

NHTSA #: 11464124
criticalAIR BAGS
Filed: Dec 2019

Your airbag system was repaired under a recall in May 2015, but the replacement part appears to have failed again. You're experiencing a clicking noise when turning the wheel, the airbag warning light is on, and you've lost power steering. The airbag light came on while parked, and you noticed the power steering loss when merging into traffic. This will likely require diagnosis and replacement of the airbag control module or related electrical components.

NHTSA #: 11291136
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Jun 2019

MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER 69L2 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 15V483 THE DEALER REFUSE COMPLETE THE RECALL

NHTSA #: 11219094
mediumAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: May 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, WHEN APPROXIMATING A GREEN LIGHT, THE VEHICLE IN FRONT MADE A SUDDEN COMPLETE STOP CAUSING THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASH INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS SOUGHT FOR THE CONTACT BUT THE INJURIES SUSTAINED WERE UNKNOWN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE DEALER WAS NOT INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA #: 11206831
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Nov 2018

THERE WAS NO CRASH OR PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE, AIRBAG SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING. FOR ABOUT A WEEK NOW, "ERROR: AIRBAG" MESSAGE IS SHOWN UP ON DASHBOARD AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS TURNED ON. IN ADDITION TO THAT, EVEN I BUCKLED UP, WHEN I MAKE A RIGHT TURN SEAT BELT ALARM IS BEEPING AND SEAT BELT LIGHT HAS TURNED ON WHILE I AM DRIVING. I AM CONCERNING ABOUT THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I AM DRIVING MY CAR EVERYDAY WITH POTENTIAL THREAT OF ACCIDENT WITHOUT AIRBAGS BEING DEPLOYED.

NHTSA #: 11145354
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Aug 2018

THE CLOCK SWITCH FAILED TWICE AND VW REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FAULTY PART ALTHOUGH IT SHOWS THE HAD RECALLED 2011 THRU 2014 BUT THEY SAID IT DIDN'T INCLUDE MY VIN.

NHTSA #: 11123324
mediumAIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: May 2018

AS I WAS TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WITH THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, I HEARD A CLICKING SOUND AND THEN A SNAP. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IMMEDIATELY CAME ON AND ALL ELECTRONIC CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE HORN CEASED TO WORK. I HAD THE COVER PUT ON BASED ON THE PREVIOUS RECALL, WHICH OBVIOUSLY FAILED. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND AFTER A HARD FIGHT, HAD THEM REPLACE THE CLOCK SPRING. THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE ISSUE WITH THE HORN WAS RELATED TO THIS; HOWEVER, I HAVE READ SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS INDICATING THE SAME ISSUE. CURRENTLY, THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPAIR MY HORN.

NHTSA #: 11093843
mediumAIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: May 2018

CLOCK SPRING FAILED TWICE CAUSING PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT TO FAIL AND HORN DOES NOT WORK. FIRST REPAIR WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND 2ND REPAIR WAS UNDER THE RECALL. DEALER SAID I HAVE TO CALL VW TOO COVER IT AND VW CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID IT WILL NOT BE COVERED UNTIL A 2ND RECALL IS ORDERED. SO FAR VW HAS NO PLANS TO RECALL IT AGAIN ON THEIR OWN.

NHTSA #: 11091123
mediumAIR BAGS,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
Filed: Feb 2018

MY AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON IN THE CAR IT IS MY DASHBOARD I HAVE HAD IT RESET AND IT STILL KEEPS COMING ON AND IT SAYS AIRBAG ERROR WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS

NHTSA #: 11067263
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Dec 2017

TAKATA RECALL, I CALLED THE VW DEALER AT GREENWOOD, IN DREYER&REINBOLD, 317-527-4845,,,AND I WAS TOLD 3 TIMES THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST, YET THE AIRBAGRECALL WEB SITE CONFIRMS THAT IT IS ON RECALL AND TO CONTACT THE DEALER, HOW DO I SAFELY RESOLVE THIS ???

NHTSA #: 11055286
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Nov 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V483000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA #: 10794604

Other 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan Issues