2017 Volkswagen Tiguan: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 72 complaints, with Airbag Malfunctions as the top reported area.
2017 Volkswagen Tiguan Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 2 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 2 trims analysed.
2017 Volkswagen Tiguan Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWDOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
18.5% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
18.5% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan has 72 owner complaints, 6 crash-related complaints, and 4 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Airbag Malfunctions. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Volkswagen
- Model
- Tiguan
- Model year
- 2017
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 72
- Crash-related complaints
- 6
- Safety recall campaigns
- 4
- Top reported component
- Airbag Malfunctions
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 22
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 20 / 24
- Fuel type
- Premium Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 3/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Airbag Malfunctions
Engine Problems
Steering Defects
Complaint patterns center on Airbag Malfunctions, Engine Problems, Steering Defects. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan?
The 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan
Inspection Focus
- Inspect airbag system for any warning lights or prior repairs.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for engine and steering components.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect airbag system for any warning lights or prior repairs.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for engine and steering components.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan are concentrated in airbag malfunctions, engine problems, steering defects, and electrical faults. The data suggests potential issues with these systems, though the total complaint count is low relative to sales volume.
- Airbag malfunctions account for the largest share of complaints at 29 out of 72.
- Engine problems are the second most reported issue with 16 complaints.
- Steering defects and electrical faults each have 11 complaints.
- Airbag Malfunctions
- Engine Problems
- Steering Defects
All 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag Malfunctions | 29 | 5 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 16 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 11 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 11 | 1 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 5 | 2 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
I am filing this complaint to seek a full buyback and debt cancellation for a 2017 VW Tiguan (VIN: [XXX] ) sold to me by Carvana for $40,000. Summary of Deception: Carvana sold this vehicle as "Certified" with a "150-Point Inspection" guarantee. This was a fraudulent misrepresen…
On December 3, 2025, Volkswagen of XXX performed an intake manifold recall repair on our 2017 Tiguan (VIN: [XXX] ) while the vehicle was under factory warranty. Approximately six weeks later the low coolant warning light appeared and the vehicle began actively leaking coolant. No…
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Steering rack and pinion, yes. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? There is no power steering and unable to make a quick turn to maneuver the car around a poten…
when was driven i lost power and got the ECU light and check engine light when scan for codes got fuel system and also car went into limp mode and had low fuel reading from live feeding and since have replaced the high pressure fuel pump and live reading are good now it still won…
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…
Turning on the car I got a notification on my dash that says error airbag with the light icon.
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 w…
Steering rack and pinion failed. Lost power steering while driving. Failed part is inside no way to change part without changing whole steering rack and pinion.
timing chain repairs and replacement
Timing chain and engine issues and repairs
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 s…
Power Steering assist is completely disabled. No power steering. Intermittent problem increasing in frequency. Diagnosed as defective rack'n'pinion steering gear and related electrical components. 63,000 mi. 2017. Tiguan. After many restarts or left over night steering assist may…
the power steering system fails sometimes. that happens most of the time when you start the vehicle. A red symbol comes on for the power steering locking the steering. When you turn off the vehicle after some minutes you can start the vehicle. sometimes works and sometimes not. …
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who serviced the engine, and the check engine warning light was deactivated; however, the…
My Tiguan does not have airbags, the tire sensors don’t work, none of the buttons on my steering wheel work. My turbo supercharger started failing and I had to spend $2,500 to fix it, which the car is not worth that plus the payments I make. The dealership says the airbags are o…
I was driving and the fuel gauge quit working randomly. I am unsure how much gas is in my vehicle. I have had to get several repairs since purchasing my car from Carmax including my turbo boost, fuel pump and gas line. I financed the car in 2021 from Carmax.
I started to get an "airbag error" message on the dash and then noticed that my horn no longer works, and neither do any of the buttons on either side of the wheel that control the dash menus and sound/phone system. I was able to determine this is a clock spring failure. From wha…
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 ste…
The clock spring is broken on the 2017 Tiguan 4 motion @ 67,017 miles. The airbag light immediately came on. The part was removed for inspection and replacement by my husband. With the airbag/clock spring disabled turn signals, wipers do not work. Steering is very hard and there …
Steering column locks upon start up. The light is red on the dashboard. You can not power steer the car thus making the car unusable. The code that comes up is to replace the steering rack. This is a $2k part rebuilt and a $3k part new. This is happening on many many VWs. Ours f…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan.
2017 Volkswagen Tiguan Recalls
4 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan. 4 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2017 Volkswagen Tiguan Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 72 owner complaints, 6 crash-related complaints, and 4 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan?▾
#1: Airbag Malfunctions (29 complaints). #2: Engine Problems (16 complaints). #3: Steering Defects (11 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan, NHTSA complaints include 6 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 72 total complaints. 4 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan have any recalls?▾
Yes. 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan. A major recall area is UNKNOWN OR OTHER. 4 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan?▾
The 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Airbag Malfunctions during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Volkswagen Tiguan reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.