44 of the 3,473 complaints filed about the Volkswagen Tiguan are about the seat belts — 1% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2018.
44
Complaints
1%
Share of all complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
SEAT BELTS
Parking brake violently engaging with every stop
NHTSA complaint #11738159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
In mid-March 2026, the airbag error light came on in my vehicle. I took the car into the dealership I leased it from for service. They were ale to replicate the issue and discovered "a fault for passenger seat belt tensioner igniter". After this discovery it was recommended that no one sit in the passenger seat until the igniter was replaced. The dealership claimed they ordered a replacement part that has been on backorder since March, so my vehicle has not been fixed still. In my research, I've seen 3,000+ 2025 Tiguans were called for an airbag error issue, but somehow my VIN is not showing up as part of the recall even though it is having a similar airbag issue.
NHTSA complaint #11736961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
Jan 2025 My seat belt (driver ) lock is broken ,to attach the seat belt in place..I have to just keep it clicked in, and put it over my shoulder (over a yr now)
NHTSA complaint #11716089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
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 2025 My seat belt (driver ) lock is broken ,to attach the seat belt in place..I have to just keep it clicked in, and put it over my shoulder (over a yr now) Also , as of Aug 2025, my car keeps having issues of stalling/ bucking, even though my mechanic has changed the points/plugs twice now. And the overheat light comes on now, off and on.. sometimes clears up once the car is shut off and then turned back on.. some times has to sit for a while, then clears up I see no recall on my car VIN #, for these issues??? How can that be possible???
NHTSA complaint #11716090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
The driver-side seat belt buckle is getting stuck and does not release the seat belt when the release button is pressed.
NHTSA complaint #11713909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
My [XXX] daughter was a front seat passenger in her friend‘s car the 2017 Tiguan when the driver swerved to avoid another car and struck a pole. The damage was primarily on the front passenger side of the car. My daughter hit the windshield. It was broken in two places and she sustained several other injuries. The airbags never deployed. The car was totaled. I’m interested in knowing whether or not it can be determined if the airbags should have deployed and did not, and if the seatbelt worked properly or not, and whether or not you’ve had other complaints about this make and model. My daughter has sustained a concussion and has been out of work since he accident thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11652619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
Please see attached documents
NHTSA complaint #11575914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
The panoramic sunroof continually leaks into the rear c-pillar. Each time it rains the seat belts become saturated with rain water. I am of the opinion this will cause more rapid deterioration of the seat belts than usual. Additionally, water ponds in the rear floor boards and is a mold hazard. The last rain, the rear seat also became saturated and our baby's carseat got wet. VW claims there is no defect in the sunroof.
NHTSA complaint #11552231 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
Passenger seatbelt alarm indicates that the seat is occupied when there is only a phone sitting in the seat. This continues until the phone is removed, I have done some testing and this is due to the USB port in the cubby hole for the audio system. If there is a cable plugged into the USB port the light comes on indicating to fasten the passenger seatbelt with a bag of chips in the seat. If I unplug the USB cable the alert goes off. This is very distracting when using the cable for navigation maps creating a false alarm.
NHTSA complaint #11523278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
The seatbelt had some imperfection either in production of the seatbelt from Volkswagen's supplier or the buckle (original VW buckle) has rough spots that have caused the edge of the seatbelt to fray and appears to be getting worse and in my opinion compromises the integrity of the seatbelt and therefore safety. VW refuses to cover the parts repair under their bumper to bumper warranty.
NHTSA complaint #11519899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
Front passenger seat belt, when its in use the system activate the alarm and don't recognize that seat belt is in use.
NHTSA complaint #11515928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
Seatbelt is not functioning adequately. The seatbelt itself that’s contained in the column near the door is not retracting or staying taught when in use. It’s very loose and something inside is rattling when ejected, and it has to be manually assisted to retract.
NHTSA complaint #11508702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
Sunroof drains are not draining correctly causing vehicle to flood when there is precipitation, flooring is wet/molded, seat belts have mold on them, unpleasant smell, and condensation collects on the windows. Also causing water marks/stains on vehicles exterior body.
NHTSA complaint #11505172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the audible passenger’s side seat belt alarm would randomly activate and the seat belt warning light would illuminate even though there was no front seat passenger seated in the vehicle. The seat belt was then connected in order to deactivate the alarm. The contact indicated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 46,000.
NHTSA complaint #11478319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
Seven months after I purchased this vehicle as new the driver side rear seatbelt buckle is not working which is preventing that passenger to put the seatbelt on, it keeps coming out. I called the local Dealership, FIndley Henderson Volkwagen, and the earliest appointment is a week from today, which means I can't have anyone sitting there. Any car after seven months shouldn't have this kind of safety problem. maybe it's a design issue.
NHTSA complaint #11477160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
1. Seat belt in middle row. Seat belt will not retract. 2.electric system. Driver door contact switch, car still running, electric brake, drive window will not roll up, passenger window on left side will not roll up, driver door will not unlock.
NHTSA complaint #11453255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SEAT BELT, BEING USED WITH HIGH-BACK CHILD BOOSTER CAR SEAT (GRACO),LOCKED UP WITH CHILD IN THE CAR SEAT. THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE AND GOT TIGHTER AS THE CHILD TRIED TO RELEASE IT. ADULTS COULD NOT RELEASE THE BELT OR REMOVE CHILD FROM THE CAR SEAT. THE SEATBELT HAD TO BE CUT TO REMOVE THE CHILD. THE CAR SEAT HAS BEEN IN USE IN VARIOUS OTHER VEHICLES (HONDA, FORD, SUBARU AND AUDI) WITHOUT INCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #11422103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V724000 (SEAT BELTS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD 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 complaint #11394623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
SEATBELT LIGHT COMES ON AND DINGS EVEN WHEN SEATBELTS ARE LOCKED IN. MY CAR HAS 5500 MILES ON IT. I'M SCARED MY SEATBELTS WON'T WORK IN AN ACCIDENT. THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON AND I'M SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR. IS THIS A SOFTWARE ISSUE OR SEATBELT CONNECTION?
NHTSA complaint #11373599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
SEATBELTS ARE WET AND MOISTURE IS BUILDING UP IN THE CAR AFTER HEAVY RAIN WHILE SUNROOF AND ALL DOORS CLOSED AND CAR IS PARKED. POSSIBLY A SUNROOF DRAINING ISSUE. SEATBELTS MAINLY AFFECTED ARE IN THE REAR, PARTICULARLY REAR-PASSENGER - BUT FRONT BELTS AFFECTED ALSO. WATER ALSO OBSERVED IN REAR DOOR WELLS AND ON FRONT DRIVER'S WINDOW POST (LEFT OF WINDSHIELD). SEATBELTS SMELL DAMP AND ARE SO WET THAT THEY ARE UNCOMFORTABLE TO WEAR AND WOULD LEAVE WATER ON CLOTHES,
NHTSA complaint #11339072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.