Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact's daughter owns a 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated while his daughter was driving at various speeds and turning the steering wheel, the steering wheel emitted abnormal sounds. The tire pressure monitor system warning light and the airbag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the clock spring needed to be replaced however, the part was not yet available. Additionally, the contact stated that the horn would fail to honk when engaged. The contact stated while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the horn was engaged but failed to honk, causing another vehicle to crash into the front passenger side of his daughter's vehicle. The contact stated that it was a minor crash. The airbags did not deploy. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was filed. There was no further information provided. …
My [redacted] 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.
During a collision in which my vehicle was struck by another driver, the airbag warning light activated, my seatbelt locked in place, and white smoke with a strong electrical smell filled the cabin. No airbags deployed (frontal or side). There is now an "ERROR: Airbag" warning on my dashboard, and the seatbelt is completely locked. The vehicle currently has multiple open safety recalls for airbag systems, including frontal and side/window airbags. I am concerned that these recalls may be related to the malfunction experienced. This failure could have resulted in serious injury if the impact had been greater. I am requesting investigation and confirmation as to whether the non-deployment is related to known defects.
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle after a rainstorm, the contact became aware that the interior of the vehicle was flooded, and that water had entered the vehicle through the sunroof. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the sunroof drainage system. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 66,000.
I have had my clock spring replaced in my 2017 VW Tiguan 3 times and it continues to break. I have had a clock spring on "order" since December 2021 and the VW dealership cannot fix my car. My horn doesn't work nor does any functions on my steering wheel and I am pretty sure my drivers air bag would not go off as the light is on and happens each time my clock spring has broken. This is a known issue that VW has and the NHTSA has previously investigated the issue on a prior year recall. The only warning sign prior to my clock spring breaking each time sounded like crumpling or breaking plastic when turning the steering wheel a certain way. When it finally broke each time it was like plastic snapping and the air bag light comes on and nothing on steering wheel works. No horn no nothing. …
No crash or incident occurred. While starting the vehicle normally, the airbag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed fault code P0588 - driver side airbag igniter at resistance limit. The mechanic confirmed that all airbags are non-functional as a result of this fault. No accident, collision, or unusual event preceded this failure. The part failed during normal use and operation. This is the same component covered under Safety Recall 69P4, issued February 2017 for driver and passenger airbag igniters on 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles. My VIN was not included in that recall but is experiencing the identical failure. I purchased this vehicle certified pre-owned from a Volkswagen dealership in 2020. The Carfax report provided at purchase shows no record of any airbag recall service ever being performed on this vehicle. …
Approximately three months ago I was in my 2017 Tiguan, headed to have brunch with some close friends. Upon backing out of my garage, I turned the wheel and heard an odd clicking sound in my steering wheel/column. I made my way to meet my friends, only to find that my airbag light and tire pressure sensor had come on in my dash. Later on, I discovered I couldn't use any of the controls on my steering wheel, and my horn wasn't functioning. Thankfully I don't use the car to travel much because I work from home, but there are times when I need to run errands. I researched the problem and the only conclusion I could reach was the clockspring was damaged. I have yet to take it to my garage because apparently, there is a shortage of the part needed. I have also read there was an initial recall on this part several years ago, but I'm concerned this is still an issue in these vehicles. …
Volkswagen has a national shortage on clock springs and they are going out left and right on everyone's vehicle. I have a number of friends that once again have taken issue against VW who are more than willing to allow their customers to drive their defective vehicles. The clock spring causes the horn to malfunction and not sound. Also the passenger side airbag is also no longer operable. Driving a vehicle in this condition is a hazard and VW Corporation has once again passed the buck. Imagine how many young persons are driving around without the maturity enough to realize the precarious situation they are in? My dealership showed me a thick stack of customers all waiting for the same part. Additionally, how can my vehicle pass inspection which is now due without the basic safety features working as described? Action needs to be taken now.
Approximately three weeks ago I began to hear a clicking sound in the steering wheel when turning in either direction. Within two days I began to receive an error message that stated "error air bag". The airbag error icon displays on the console at all times. Two days ago, I went to use the horn and it does not work. Both these issues represent a significant safety issue. I do not feel safe driving the vehicle. The car is available for inspection upon request. A diagnostics was done at an independent dealer. Results, driver side airbag igniter issue, no communication between control unit and steering wheel. The car has not been inspected by manuf. police or insurance. Sudden onset of issues.
It is nearly 2 years since the "clock spring wire" in the steering wheel failed. While this results in the buttons on the steering wheel not working, that is a minor inconvenience (such as not being able to reset the tire pressure warning light). The major problem is that the steering wheel air bag is not functional. Local VW dealers and VW of American customer support have been unable to obtain this part for more than 18 months. A very reliable source (local mechanic) tells me the local VW dealer has several customers with the same need for this part. We have been checking with local dealers for more than a year to see if/when this part might become available if no success.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Tiguan Limited vehicles. The front driver air bag installed on these vehicles may not be intended for use in vehicles sold in the United States.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel and front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2018.
Airbag complaints in other Tiguan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the air bags of the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan, 39% of the model year's 76 complaints. The component named most often is frontal › driver clockspring/spiral cassette (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-102 (frontal, Feb 9, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 28,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries and 1 death to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.