2016 Volkswagen Tiguan: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan: 2 recalls, 96 owner complaints and up to 23 mpg combined.

Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #16V464000 · 2016 · 5,658 vehicles
What's wrong: 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,…
Why it matters: If an unrestrained child unexpectedly opens a door, they May fall from the vehicle increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #19V535000 · 2019 · 27,822 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Deactivated air bags increases the risk of injury. Inadvertent deployment of the air bags increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 3 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (37): the most common themes are warning light on (11).
- Electrical (27): the most common themes are electrical failure (8), warning light on (7).
- Other / unknown (23): the most common themes are warning light on (6), electrical failure (4).
- Steering (12): the most common themes are steering problems (12), warning light on (6), noise or vibration (3).
The 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan has 96 owner complaints, ranking #11 of 18 Tiguan model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 128). Complaints peaked in 2022 (28 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 45,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2015 (62 complaints, 4 recalls), 2017 (76 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 26 | 23 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan.
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FAQ
Does the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan problems?
Owners have filed 96 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (37), electrical (27), other / unknown (23).
What gas mileage does the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan get?
EPA ratings run up to 23 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic (S6)), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.