Are there open safety recalls?
3 open
Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.
FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
The 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan has 3 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 139 owner complaints, and gets about 23 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA
2013 Volkswagen Tiguan
- Engine 4-cyl 2L
- Drive Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel Premium
- Body Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Should you worry?
Look closer
Something in the public record needs a closer look before you buy.
What do owners report?
1 injury reported
1 of 139 reports (~1%). On a high-volume model that alone isn’t unusual — look for patterns below.
How did it score in crash tests?
4 out of 5 stars
5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.
Open recalls · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2013.
- 20113recalls
- 20123recalls
- 2013 · this car3recalls
- 20143recalls
Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 27, 2026.
SAFETY
Will it protect people in a crash?
These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.
- Overall
- 4 / 5 stars
- Frontal
- 3 / 5 stars
- Side
- 5 / 5 stars
- Side pole
- 4 / 5 stars
- Rollover
- 4 / 5 stars
Factory safety & driver-assist equipment
- Stability control
- Standard
Tested as: 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD Later Release · 4 versions tested
Open safety recalls
3 openA recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.
-
Unknown Or Other
16/05/2018
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
How they fix it: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
-
Air Bags
04/08/2015
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.
How they fix it: 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.
-
Fuel System, Gasoline
21/07/2014
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.
How they fix it: 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.
The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.
From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 27, 2026.
OWNERS
What problems do owners report?
People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.
Owner reports · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2013.
- 2011160reports
- 2012152reports
- 2013 · this car139reports
- 201483reports
139 owner reports on file
2 crash mentions 1 fire mentions 1 injury mentions
Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 139 total reports.
- AIR BAGS 30 of 139
Feb 2026 My airbag light came on few days ago, now my horn doesn't work, and the functions on the steering wheel don't work, like being able to reset tire pressure and check functions for the car, the phone, the radio/cd information. Jan
- STEERING 27 of 139
When driving down the highway, my power steering went out with zero warning or indicators leading up to it going out. Upon researching, this is a problem that many people have experienced with this make and model of vehicle.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 27 of 139
Feb 2026 My airbag light came on few days ago, now my horn doesn't work, and the functions on the steering wheel don't work, like being able to reset tire pressure and check functions for the car, the phone, the radio/cd information. Jan
- ENGINE 19 of 139
As of Aug 2025, my car keeps having issues of stalling/ bucking, even though my mechanic has changed the points/plugs twice now. Now the overheat light comes on ,off and on.. sometimes clears up once the car is shut off and then turned back
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 8 of 139
THE FLOOR ON PASSENGER SIDE OCCASIONALLY FILLS WITH WATER AND I'M NOT SURE WHERE IT IS COMING FROM. AFTER NOT DRIVING MY CAR FOR A MONTH (DUE TO THE QUARANTINE) I WAS SHOCKED TO FIND ABOUT A GALLON OF WATER POOLED IN THE VEHICLE AND SIGNS O
- POWER TRAIN 5 of 139
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BECAUSE OF THE MOMENTUM THEY WERE GOING THEY WERE ABLE TO PULL OVER TO T
Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.
From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 27, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.
FUEL COST
What does it cost to drive?
EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.
Sold in 2 versions
They range from 22 to 23 mpg combined. Figures below are the base version. Pick yours to see its own numbers.
Combined MPG · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2013.
- 201122mpg
- 201224mpg
- 2013 · this car23mpg
- 201423mpg
$3,300
estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles
Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.
City driving 21 mpg
Highway driving 26 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 23 mpg
Over 5 years, compared to an average new car
This model is estimated to cost about $5,500 more on fuel.
Spends more Saves more
From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 27, 2026.
HOW IT WAS BUILT
Factory details
What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.
Engine
4-cyl 2L
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic (S6)
Fuel
Premium
See all factory details (7)
- Engine
- 4-cyl 2L
- Cylinders
- 4
- Displacement
- 2 L
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic (S6)
- Body
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Fuel
- Premium
From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 27, 2026.
What this free check does not include
We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Confirm the recalls were fixed
This model has 3 open NHTSA recalls (including the unknown or other). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
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Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
-
Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
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Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
FOR SALE NEAR YOU
2013 Volkswagen Tiguan listings
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan? +
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan, including the unknown or other. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan get? +
The EPA rates the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan at 23 mpg combined (21 city / 26 highway), about $3,300 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan 4 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan? +
Owners have filed 139 complaints with NHTSA for the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan, including 2 involving a crash. The most-reported area is air bags.
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