Model year 2016 · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
2016 Volkswagen Tiguan: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan at 22–23 mpg combined across 2 versions. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 97 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 4 out of 5 stars.
Safety recalls
2
EPA combined mpg
22–23
NHTSA overall rating
4/5
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Volkswagen dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2016 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 2 safety recalls for the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan, newest first.
Air bags: Air bag/restraint control module
NHTSA 19V535000Reported Jul 17, 2019
Filed by
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 69Z5)
Units affected
27,822 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 58C9)
Units affected
5,658 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2016 Volkswagen Tiguan fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2016 Volkswagen Tiguan crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2016 Volkswagen Tiguan owner complaints
Owners have filed 97 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan, most recently on Oct 19, 2026. 4 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 3 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan complaints
Component named in complaints
Mentions
Air bags
31
Electrical system
26
Unknown or other
23
Steering
13
Engine
10
Air bags: Frontal: Driver clockspring/spiral cassette
6
Structure: Body
6
Fuel/propulsion system
4
Power train
3
Service brakes
3
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
