Does the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan have any recalls?

Transport Canada lists 3 campaigns and the U.S. NHTSA lists 2 for the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan. Matched by make, model, and model year. Many recalls affect only specific VIN ranges — confirm with your dealer using your full VIN.

How do I know if a recall applies to my 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan?

Recalls are matched by make, model and model year, but many cover only certain VIN ranges. Confirm with your manufacturer or dealer using your full VIN, or use the official Transport Canada or NHTSA lookup.

Are recall repairs free?

Yes. In both Canada and the United States the manufacturer must fix a recalled defect at no charge, through a franchised dealer.

RECALLS — MAKE · MODEL · YEAR

2016 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls

5 safety recall campaigns have been filed for the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan with Transport Canada and the U.S. NHTSA. Here is what both agencies say.

Canadian recalls: 03
U.S. recalls: 02
Total campaigns: 05

Transport Canada recalls

Lights And Instruments#2020468October 6, 2020
55,491 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, the ESC warning light may not remain on if a fault was detected on the previous key cycle. Instead, the warning light does not turn on until the vehicle starts to move. Canadian regulations require that the ESC warning light must turn on when the vehicle is started (under these conditions). Note: This problem can only happen if there is a fault related to the power steering system. The power steering warning light would stay on to advise that there is a fault with the steering system. Safety Risk: This small error does not affect vehicle safety. Corrective Actions: This is not a recall. The company has made changes to the vehicle software to correct this issue on all new vehicles.
Airbag#2019352July 17, 2019
6,762 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, the airbag control unit may contain a defective capacitor. If the capacitor fails, it could result in a deployment of the airbags and/or seat belt pretensioners without a crash. This could also cause the airbag system to not deploy in the event of a crash. Safety Risk: Airbags or seat belt pretensioners that deploy without a crash could create a risk of injury and also increase the risk of a crash. Airbags that do not deploy in a crash could create an increased risk of injury. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their vehicle to a dealer to have updated airbag control unit software installed and, if necessary, the airbag control unit will be replaced.
Structure#2016319June 22, 2016
1,567 units affected
On certain vehicles, rear door child safety locks could disengage due to external vehicle vibration (such as when closing a door). This would render it possible for a child to unintentionally open a door, increasing the risk of injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the child locks. Note: This recall affects Golf R models only.

Canadian data updated August 24, 2026

U.S. NHTSA recalls

AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE#19V535000July 17, 2019
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.
Risk: 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.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES#16V464000June 24, 2016
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.
Risk: 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.

Does this recall apply to my vehicle?

Matched by make, model, and model year. Many recalls affect only specific VIN ranges — confirm with your dealer using your full VIN.

What to do

Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer in both countries. To confirm a recall applies to your specific vehicle, or to book the work, contact your manufacturer or dealer with your full VIN, or use the official channel:

NHTSA recall lookup (search by VIN) — U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Defects and recalls database — Transport Canada

Check a 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan VIN

A VIN decode confirms your vehicle's exact model year, trim and assembly plant, then runs this same recall check against it.

Data sources and coverage limits →