Is the 2017 Volkswagen TIGUAN reliable?

The 2017 Volkswagen TIGUAN has 101 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.6x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: AIR BAGS problems.

What are common problems with the 2017 Volkswagen TIGUAN?

Top problems: AIR BAGS (30 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (16 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (11 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2017 Volkswagen TIGUAN?

Yes, there are 4 recall(s): UNKNOWN OR OTHER, SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Contact any Volkswagen dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2017 Volkswagen TIGUAN?

The 2017 Volkswagen TIGUAN gets 22 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2182. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2017 Volkswagen TIGUAN?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2017 Volkswagen TIGUAN is approximately $1,575/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2017 Volkswagen TIGUAN

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2017 Volkswagen TIGUAN has 101 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.6x the segment average of 174. The most common issue is air bags problems (30% of all complaints), specifically: purchased 05/19/2017. horn and dashboard lights did not work in approximately 12/2017. was repaired and told was a coil problem. then on 04/12/18 it suddenly flashed all the dashboard and steering wheel lights in the middle of my driving and suddenly died on me when i turned into my driveway and. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year.

10 crash reports 8 injuries

101

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

0.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

30 complaints

30%

• PURCHASED 05/19/2017. HORN AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS DID NOT WORK IN APPROXIMATELY 12/2017. WAS REPAIRED AND TOLD WAS A COIL PROBLEM. THEN ON 04/12/18 IT SUDDENLY FLASHED ALL THE DASHBOARD AND STEERING WHEEL LIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE OF MY DRIVING AND SUDDENLY DIED ON ME WHEN I TURNED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND
• NOTHING HAPPENED, SIMPLY I RECEIVED THE LETTER FROM VOLKSWAGEN AND AN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT COMPLIANCE RECALL 69V2 - DRIVER AIRBAG. THIS NOTICE WAS SENT TO ME IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT. VOLKSWAGEN HAS DECIDED THAT CERTAIN 2017-2018 MODEL YEAR VOLKSWAG
• RECEIVED THE RECALL LETTER ON AIRBAG FROM VW. DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED THAT A RECALL PARTS NOT AVAILABLE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. RECEIVED THE CONFIRMATION LETTER FROM THEM AND ATTACHED IT. I HOPE THIS IS SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO SHIP MY CAR TO KOREA.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 5 crashes

“PURCHASED 05/19/2017. HORN AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS DID NOT WORK IN APPROXIMATELY 12/2017. WAS REPAIRED AND TOLD WAS A COIL PROBLEM. THEN ON 04/12/18 IT SUDDENLY FLASHED ALL THE DASHBOARD AND STEERING WHEEL LIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE OF MY DRIVING AND SUDDENLY DIED ON ME WHEN I TURNED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2017 Volkswagen TIGUAN

Based on 31 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 26K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 28K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Later than typicalmedian 34K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (4)

UNKNOWN OR OTHER16/05/2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.

Risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2017 Volkswagen TIGUAN

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,182

Per month

$182

Per mile

18.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,401/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,001/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2017 Volkswagen TIGUAN

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,575

Full coverage / month

$131

Liability only / year

$598

vs US avg

-6%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1575

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Volkswagen TIGUAN Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

10K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

40K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

40K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

40K mi

TSI turbo engines require VW-approved 502/504 spec synthetic oil. DSG transmission service (if equipped) every 40K miles.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Volkswagen New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

4 yr / 50K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

7 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Volkswagen. If you're buying a used 2017 TIGUAN, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Volkswagen dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 101 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: PURCHASED 05/19/2017. HORN AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS DID NOT WORK IN APPROXIMATELY 12/2017. WAS REPAIRED AND TOLD WAS A COIL PROBLEM. THEN ON 04/12/18 IT SUDDENLY FLASHED ALL THE DASHBOARD AND STEERING WHEEL LIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE OF MY DRIVING AND SUDDENLY DIED ON ME WHEN I TURNED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: MY 2017 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN HAS 19,000 MILES ON IT. I JUST BOUGHT IT FROM A HONDA DEALERSHIP (SINGLE OWNER, LEASED) BODY IS IN LIKE NEW SHAPE. THE CAR HAS STALLED ON WHILE DRIVING 6 TIMES TOTAL, ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING. THE ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING (STALLED OUT) WHILE THE C
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: PURCHASED 05/19/2017. HORN AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS DID NOT WORK IN APPROXIMATELY 12/2017. WAS REPAIRED AND TOLD WAS A COIL PROBLEM. THEN ON 04/12/18 IT SUDDENLY FLASHED ALL THE DASHBOARD AND STEERING WHEEL LIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE OF MY DRIVING AND SUDDENLY DIED ON ME WHEN I TURNED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: WHILE DRIVING AT A CONSTANT SPEED OR DECELERATING THE ENGINE WILL STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE RUNS SO QUIETLY THE ONLY INDICATION THAT IT HAS STALLED IS THERE IS NO POWER AND THE STEERING BECOMES MORE DIFFICULT AS THE VEHICLE GETS SLOWER. IT DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER YOUR SPEED, IT WILL JUST STAL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Volkswagen dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)