2011 Volkswagen Tiguan Airbag Problems

Which parts fail

• Frontal › Driver clockspring/spiral cassette
  1

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  15%
• 25k–50k
  211%
• 50k–75k
  526%
• 75k–100k
  526%
• 100k–150k
  526%
• 150k+
  15%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

My 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan was included in the Volkswagen clock spring safety recall. According to Volkswagen's records, the recall repair was completed in 2016. The same defect has now reoccurred: the steering wheel controls, horn, and driver airbag are disabled again due to a failed clock spring. This is a reoccurring safety defect that directly affects the airbag system. The airbag warning light is on, and the driver airbag is currently non functional. I contacted Volkswagen corporate, and they confirmed that my VIN was included in the original recall and that the repair was performed. However, they are refusing to repair the defect again, stating that the recall is "closed" and the warranty extension has expired, even though the original recall remedy has failed and the safety defect has returned. Volkswagen also declined to provide a written denial. …

The clock spring is broken in my 2011 VW Tiguan at 114,000 miles. Therefore, the driver airbag on the steering wheel does not work. Therefore, there is a safety issue if one drives the car. The problem is not fixed because there are no parts to fix it. Apparently there is a chip in the clock spring and there are no chips available to manufacture replacement springs. I was told that the part has been on back order since October 2021. I was told that the part may be available in July 2022, but there are no guarantees. Until a replacement part is available, the vehicle is potentially unsafe to drive.

Clock spring in steering column has snapped. Because if a previous recall, this part is covered under warranty. New clock spring is on back order without any ETA when one will be available. Car horn is disabled and airbags will not deploy if an accident does occur. State safety inspection can not/will not pass as a result of this broken part. I do not have the luxury of renting a car until this part comes in to the US. Per various forums, possibly 6000-8000 clock springs on back order

Tl* the contact owned a 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, when approximating a green light, the vehicle in front made a sudden complete stop causing the contact's vehicle crash into the rear of the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. Medical attention was sought for the contact but the injuries sustained were unknown. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The dealer was not informed of failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 102,000. The VIN was not available.

Vehicle just under 45K and was told the clockspring shorted with no real reason as to why this would happen so early in the vehicle life. The impact of the failure from what I can visually tell is that I have no horn, the electronic console does not function and all buttons on the steering wheel do not work. The console also displays an airbag error, which the dealer cannot confirm if this impacts my actual airbag system. I'm told the part costs $290 plus $400 in labor costs. Given the potential safety impact of this device, I find it ridiculous that one it shorted, two the price in labor to replace and the dealership / vw corporate unwilling to address the concern, other than to say I am out of warranty. This was a real problem with other models in the vw line up, including a huge recall for Chrysler. …

Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact had not experienced a failure until the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 15V483000 (air bags). Shortly after the dealer's repair, the ribbon cable snapped internally and caused a failure. The steering wheel seized and the air bag indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ribbon cable affected the function of the horn, steering, cruise control and other components. The contact stated that the remedy failed to provide a solution. The dealer indicated that the clock spring assembly needed to be replaced. It was also stated that the steering wheel, multi-function switch, and cruise control needed to be repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 82,300.

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan. While turning the vehicle, the contact heard a clicking noise in the steering column. Also, the horn, cruise control, and hands free phone service failed, and the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to darcars Volkswagen silver spring (12511 prosperity dr, silver spring, md 20904, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the clock spring was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and stated that the warranty did not cover the repairs. No further assistance was offered. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 15V483000 (air bags) and stated that the vehicle previously had a cover assembly placed over the clock spring, but the failure recurred. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.

Vw has recognized a defected part in the steering wheel clock spring. We took our vehicle to have the repair, dealership said that the previous owner had the vehicle repaired and a dust cover was put on 7/20/16. Well the dust cover has broke and the air bag light is on and horn is not working. Service department said it wasn't covered because of previous fix, mind you they said dust cover and not a new part. We called vw and they will not honor the repair for the defected part. The part was never replaced, just a band aid put on the problem. Vw said they only had to honor their repair for 1 year. How is this possible when they never really replaced the part????? The dust cover they previously put on snapped when I was turning into a parking spot, airbag light immediately came on. The part cost $348.08 and $170.00 in labor.

Vehicle just over 45K and was told the clock spring shorted with no real reason as to why this would happen so early in the vehicle life. The impact of the failure from what I can visually tell is that I have no horn, the electronic console does not function and all buttons on the steering wheel do not work. The console also displays an airbag error, which the dealer cannot confirm if this impacts my actual airbag system. I'm told the over $750+ to service. Given the potential safety impact of this device, I find it ridiculous that one, it shorted, and two, the cost and the dealership / vw corporate unwilling to address the concern, other than to say I am out of warranty. Its very dangerous not knowing if the clock spring impacts the air bag system in my vehicle, let alone not having a functioning horn.

After driving my 2011 Tiguan fine a couple times earlier in the day, I came back to my parked car, and turned it on. When I did this my airbag light came on with an "error: airbag" message on the display. After this happened, I notice the horn and other electrical features of the wheel didn't work. I took it into the shop, and their said the clock spring needs replaced. It wasn't until after all of this that I found out there had been a recall. I was never notified of this recall before. Although the clock spring needs replaced, the vw service center said they cannot get the clock spring part to replace it. They couldn't tell me a time that the part would be available.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Airbag complaints in other Tiguan years