# Volkswagen Tiguan power steering warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 25 - **Most complaints:** 2017 (6) - **Related recalls:** 2 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 25 owner complaints about the power steering warning light on the Volkswagen Tiguan (2015-2026 models), most for the **2017** model year (6). There are **2 recalls** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Drive to a shop this week: If steering still feels normal, you can drive carefully to a shop. ## Volkswagen Tiguan power steering warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the power steering light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 4 | 62 | 6% | | 2016 | 4 | 97 | 4% | | 2017 | 6 | 76 | 8% | | 2018 | 6 | 294 | 2% | | 2020 | 2 | 141 | 1% | | 2022 | 1 | 274 | 0% | | 2025 | 1 | 57 | 2% | | 2026 | 1 | 38 | 3% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Volkswagen Tiguan recalls related to the power steering warning light **[26V590000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=26V590000)** (2018 models, reported 2026-09-11): A broken steering rack housing can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** Dealers will replace the right-side steering rack mounting bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 10, 2026. **[25V526000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=25V526000)** (2025 models, reported 2025-08-13): A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** Dealers will replace the affected tie rod bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 5, 2025. Recall repairs are free at any Volkswagen dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Volkswagen Tiguan owners report - "* Stall During Low-Speed Turn**: While turning at 2 MPH, the engine shut off without warning, losing power steering and brakes, and displaying a message to "manually restart the engine." 2. * Stall While Reversing**: The engine stalled again while reversing into a parking spot, triggering the same emergency warning...." -- owner of a 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan, complaint filed 2026 - "The contact stated that while driving approximately 55-60 MPH, the vehicle suddenly became inoperable; the power steering became inoperable, and the brake pedal became difficult to depress. The message "No Key Fob Detected" illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. No..." -- owner of a 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan, complaint filed 2026 - "After replacing cylinder head, rack and pinion and steering assist I went to dealer just after warranty passed they told me that the oil separator and auxiliary/ secondary water pump. Car continues to have issues. Mainly with engine. Car could break down when driving with no oil getting to engine" -- owner of a 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan, complaint filed 2026 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the power steering warning light means The power steering light means the car has detected a fault in the steering assist system, and steering may feel much heavier, especially at low speed and when parking. On most newer cars with electric power steering, a low battery or charging voltage is a common cause. On older cars with hydraulic steering, low fluid or a slipping belt is more likely. You can still steer without assist, but it takes much more effort. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Low battery or charging voltage** (common) 2. **Electric power steering motor or module fault** (common) 3. **Low power steering fluid (hydraulic systems)** (common) 4. **Steering torque or angle sensor fault** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Power steering warning light](/warning-lights/power-steering). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Volkswagen Tiguan power steering light? Yes. NHTSA lists 2 related recalls (26V590000, 25V526000) covering 2018-2025 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Volkswagen Tiguan years have the most power steering light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2017 and 2018 Tiguan model years have the most complaints mentioning the power steering warning light, with 6 for 2017. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Volkswagen Tiguan with the power steering light on? Drive to a shop this week. If steering still feels normal, you can drive carefully to a shop. If steering becomes heavy, jerky or locks up, or the light is red, pull over and stop driving; have the car towed, because sudden loss of assist at speed or in a tight turn can cause a crash. ### How do I check if my Volkswagen Tiguan has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Volkswagen dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Volkswagen Tiguan warning lights - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/volkswagen-tiguan): 75 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/volkswagen-tiguan): 24 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/volkswagen-tiguan): 103 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/volkswagen-tiguan): 11 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/volkswagen-tiguan): 58 complaints - [Tire pressure (TPMS) light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/tire-pressure/volkswagen-tiguan): 15 complaints ## Power steering warning light on other models - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ram-1500): 1061 complaints - [Chevrolet Colorado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-colorado): 810 complaints - [Ford Explorer](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ford-explorer): 498 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-silverado): 389 complaints - [Honda Civic](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-civic): 387 complaints - [Honda CR-V](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-cr-v): 362 complaints - [Chrysler Pacifica](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chrysler-pacifica): 252 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/jeep-wrangler): 248 complaints - [Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/jeep-grand-cherokee): 231 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-accord): 220 complaints ## Volkswagen Tiguan - [Volkswagen Tiguan specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/volkswagen-tiguan) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/volkswagen-tiguan Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.