Sell your 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan for cash

The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan is a SUV that came with a 2.0L 4-cyl engine. Even at 8 years old, a damaged or broken-down one still has real value for its parts. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.

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2018 Volkswagen Tiguan at a glance

Body styleSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines2.0L 4-cyl (turbocharged versions available)
TransmissionsAutomatic (S8), Automatic (S6)
DriveFront-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
FuelRegular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline
Fuel economy19–22 city / 25–27 highway / 22–24 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$2,800–$3,750 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂368–407 grams per mile
EPA fuel economy score4–5 out of 10
EPA greenhouse gas score4–5 out of 10
Curb weight (NHTSA test vehicle)3,630–3,837 lb
Gross vehicle weight rating4,696–5,401 lb
Versions tested by EPA4 configurations: Tiguan, Tiguan 4motion, Tiguan Limited, Tiguan Limited 4motion
Age8 years

Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data; weights from NHTSA crash-test records. Your car's exact equipment may differ.

What affects its junk value

  • Age: at 8 years old, a 2018 Tiguan is newer than most junk cars, so working parts like the engine, transmission and body panels are in demand from rebuilders and parts buyers.
  • Weight: NHTSA's crash-test 2018 Tiguan weighed 3,630–3,837 lb at curb weight. Scrap value is largely priced by weight, so this is a good starting point. See how scrap prices by weight work.
  • Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
  • Recalls: NHTSA lists 14 recalls for the 2018 Tiguan. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the engine, typically around 10,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

2018 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls

NHTSA lists 14 safety recalls covering the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.

SteeringSep 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V590000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan, 2018-2019 Atlas, and 2019-2021 Audi Q3 vehicles. One of the bolts that attaches the steering rack to the subframe may corrode and break. If this happens, the steering rack housing can break.

Risk: A broken steering rack housing can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

StructureApr 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V226000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Tiguan and 2018-2021 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. Due to incorrect installation instructions, the accessory rear hatch spoiler may be insufficiently attached to the vehicle.

Risk: An insufficiently attached spoiler may separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

StructureSep 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V732000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan vehicles. During the repair of roof damage, an incorrect roof reinforcement assembly may have been installed.

Risk: The incorrect roof reinforcement may decrease the roof's structural integrity or impact deployment of the side curtain air bags, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Seat BeltsNov 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V724000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan LWB vehicles. In the event of a crash, one or both of the front seat belt's webbing may tear.

Risk: A torn seat belt may not adequately restrain the seat occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

Unknown or OtherSep 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V679000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle…

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

SuspensionMar 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V188000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Golf Sportwagen, 2019 Jetta, 2015-2019 Golf, and 2018-2019 Tiguan vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.

Risk: If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Electrical SystemNov 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V824000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas and Tiguan and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles that do not have keyless entry. The instrument cluster may not provide an audible warning to let the driver know that the key is still in the ignition when the door is open. As such, these…

Risk: If the driver is not notified by an audible noise that the key is left in the ignition, it can increase the risk of vehicle theft or crash.

VisibilityJul 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V467000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles. The LED module for the panoramic sunroof ambient light bar may short circuit.

Risk: A short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Air BagsJun 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V375000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas and Tiguan vehicles. In the event of a crash, the passenger frontal air bag may tear or not properly unfold during deployment.

Risk: If the air bag were to tear or unfold incorrectly during deployment, it can increase the risk of injury.

SuspensionMay 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V324000Park outside / do not drive

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan and Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. The nut that holds the lower ball joint of the front wheel on each side of the vehicle may be loose or improperly tightened.

Risk: A loose or improperly tightened ball joint nut can result in the separation of the lower ball joint causing steering, traction or other stability issues, increasing the risk of a crash.

SuspensionApr 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V262000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan long wheelbase (LWB) vehicles. A lower loop of a rear shock absorber may separate from its base due to an incorrect welding process

Risk: If the lower loop of the rear shock absorber detaches, there may be a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

EngineMar 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V159000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. The engine support bolts on these vehicles may not have been properly tightened.

Risk: If the engine support bolts were not properly tightened, an unexpected engine breakdown or loss of engine power may occur, increasing the risk of a crash.

Air BagsFeb 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V102000

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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS)…

Risk: In the event of a crash, the incorrect air bags may not protect the driver as intended, increasing the risk of injury.

Exterior LightingOct 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V662000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. The back-up lights in the taillight assemblies may not be bright enough. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps…

Risk: If the back-up lights are not bright enough, other drivers may not see the vehicle reversing, or the driver may back into an obstacle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Common 2018 Tiguan problems

Owners have filed 292 complaints about the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan with NHTSA. 5 reports involved a crash and 3 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 12 injuries.

Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.

Most-reported components

  • Engine84
  • Unknown or Other54
  • Power Train50
  • Electrical System48
  • Fuel/Propulsion System42
  • Structure38

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Engine10,000 mi
  • Unknown or Other5,000 mi
  • Power Train10,000 mi
  • Electrical System12,000 mi
  • Fuel/Propulsion System9,000 mi
  • Structure1,000 mi

2018 Volkswagen Tiguan crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan, by version tested.

VersionOverallFrontal crashSide crashRolloverRollover risk
Suv, AWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆15.6%
Suv, AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆15.6%
Suv, FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆16.8%
Suv, FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆16.8%
Suv, AWDNot rated★★★☆☆—★★★★☆18.5%
Suv, FWDNot rated★★★☆☆—★★★★☆18.5%

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP). Ratings from different model years or rating systems aren't directly comparable.

2018 Volkswagen Tiguan service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 749 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

3 of them are warranty extensions. Warranty extensions mean the manufacturer agreed to cover a specific repair beyond the normal warranty. They rarely still apply to a car this age, but they point to known weak spots.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Equipment113
  • Electrical System69
  • Engine63
  • Equipment59
  • Engine and Engine Cooling50
  • Unknown or Other41

Recent bulletins

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsSep 2026 · V0116152014815_20

    Suggested fuel additive

  • OtherSep 2026 · SM 39-2026

    This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsAug 2026 · V4622022067177_5

    Repair or Replace Information

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsAug 2026 · VOS-26-47

    This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to corre

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsAug 2026 · V4015022033347_8

    Replacement instruction

  • OtherAug 2026 · TT 00-13-04_7

    Permission to change Daily Order upgraded to RED Order

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA opened 2 defect investigations covering the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan.

Seat BeltsEA18005 · opened Jul 2018, closed Feb 2023Led to recall 20V724000

Seat Belt Webbing Failure

In December 2017, NHTSA conducted two (2) New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) tests on the Model Year (MY) 2018 Volkswagen (VW) Tiguan. Both tests were 35mph full frontal impacts into a rigid barrier with a 50th percentile male dummy seat-belted in the driver position and a 5th percentile female seat-belted in the right

Seat BeltsPE18001 · opened Jan 2018, closed Jul 2018

Seat Belt Webbing Failure

In December 2017, NHTSA conducted two New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) tests on the 2018 MY Volkswagen (VW) Tiguan. Both tests were 35 mph, full frontal impacts into a rigid barrier with a 50th percentile male dummy seat-belted in the driver position and a 5th percentile female seat-belted in the right front-passenger

Selling a 2018 Tiguan: questions

How much is a 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan worth for junk?

It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. As a heavier vehicle, its scrap weight adds to the offer. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.

Can I junk a 2018 Tiguan that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 2018 Tiguans that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.

Can I sell a 2018 Tiguan with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 14 recalls for the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What paperwork do I need to sell my 2018 Tiguan?

Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.

Sources

Data retrieved October 2026.

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