Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The vehicle has had multiple issues with uneven and premature wearing of the brakes. Brake shop determined it was possibly the result of defective calipers. The inside and outside pads wore completely differently on every axle. Brakes wore out prematurely at 35k. I am suspicious that this also may have been caused by the forward collision warning system's proclivity to errantly activate, thus forcefully slamming on the brakes.
ABS Control Module failed resulted in Emergency Brakes to be applied and locking indiscriminately resulting in loss of control as well as safe use of the vehicle. Parts to replace ABS Control system are reportedly unavailable/backordered with no estimate of availability. VW of America refuses to provide any information how to proceed.
The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan SE (4Motion) has approximately 75,000 miles on it. The rear driver-side brake lines failed, snapping in half, which resulted in a complete loss of brake fluid. Consequently, the vehicle was unable to stop unless the emergency brake was engaged.
While slow8ng to a stop the emergency brake is activating. Auto start stop malfunction warning appears on dash. Takes a minute to get the emergency brake to release. Happened several times in 2 days.
Vehicle purchased new First brake service Mileage: 46,700 Over a 1-week period, I noticed an increasing grinding noise at driver side front wheel. I suspected brakes. Took vehicle to VW dealership who performed an inspection then reported (first explanation) that unknown material/debris had worked its way between rotor and pad resulting in significant wear & scoring of driver front rotor. Dealership advised replacement of all 4 rotors and pads ($ 1,700+)! When I questioned the replacement of ALL brakes, I was told (2nd explanation) the debris in the driver front brake had reduced braking efficiency such that the passenger front brake had to compensate, which subsequently resulted in excessive pad and rotor wear/scoring at that site. Okay, but then why the rear? …
Today, the car stalled while I was station/stopped at the red light and got dragged by the truck which almost ran over my car. My car's sensor switched to emergency mode and would not let me drive. I wanted to drive my car away when I saw the danger. However, l could not and almost got killed and ran over by the 18 wheels truck.
Vehicle engages automatic braking system without any prompting...no other vehicle anywhere in sight. It has happened on a rural two lane road, with a farm on one side and woods on the other and has also happened on a 4 lane road within city limits, but no vehicle in front of me, but one to the rear passenger side in the lane heading in the same direction. Every time this happens it brings the vehicle to a complete stop, regardless of speed. I have experienced whiplash on several occasions, as well as my husband and my 7 year old daughter. The amount of force is so violent that I would imagine it is equivalent to being hit by another vehicle. …
I purchased the car brand new iat the end of 2018. At the end of 2019 the car now needs new brakes and has less than 19,000 miles. The car shakes when you break. The dealership stated usually brakes and rotors last 30,000 and cited "common causes" for needing new breaks. The dealership stated they would cover labor at good will to replace brakes and rotors and then came back that would cover 60% and provided me 3 different amounts for a total. Additionally, in December 2019, the check engine light came on after driving through a dangerous intersection turning left the car started to stutter and was shaking, after they reviewed it, they stated that the car had "misfired" and not all 4 engines started at the same time, only 3 of the engines did. I am requesting that the car be reviewed for compliance and safety regarding the brakes and engine. …
My front assist function malfunctioned. I was driving at a speed of 50mph and the car came to an immediate stop. The seat belt restraints almost choked me, and the sudden stop jarred me. There was nothing in the front of me when this happened. I've been terrified every since it happened. It happened twice before, but this third time was the worst. The next morning I contacted vw, and took my car in. They test drove my car. I was told they didn't find anything wrong, and to come pick up my vehicle. I expressed to them that something definitely was wrong. I suggested them do more diagnostics, but they did not. I called corporate and nothing has been done. They did document my claim and gave me a claim number. In the meantime I started doing some investigations. There is a class action lawsuit investigation going on. …
On 7/13/2018 we are on a family trip when we stop the vehicle to take some pictures the car on parking, start to make high and low aceleration with vibrations and then a light with epc show on dashboard. I turn off the car for a minute and then turn on, the epc light disappear, but the vibrations continued. The next day (7/14/2018) we are on the road and the vehicule starts the vibrations , then show the checkengine picture on the dashboard, rapidly 2 errors appeared on the screen 'error: start-stop' and 'engine on due to system error'. We call vw center and we have a inspeccion of the vehicle this week. Also with less of 4,000mi we saw that the front brake discs have problems. They show a big mark with ditch. There's a problem with the pads or with the stop system
Brake complaints in other Tiguan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the brakes of the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan, 7% of the model year's 292 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan, though it has 14 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 8,000 miles, and 77% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 injuries to brakes 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.