Recall 18V262 affects 7,430 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan SUVs for rear shock absorber welds that can separate. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
Volkswagen is recalling 7,430 2018 Tiguan long wheelbase vehicles under recall 18V262 because a rear shock absorber lower loop can separate after an incorrect welding process. If that loop detaches, the driver can lose vehicle control and crash risk rises; Volkswagen dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The rear shock absorber on the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB helps control wheel movement after the SUV hits a bump or dip. It connects the suspension to the body so the rear wheel stays controlled instead of bouncing. The lower loop is the attachment point at the bottom of the shock absorber.
On affected Tiguans, that lower loop was welded to its base with the welding torch out of alignment. That incorrect welding process leaves the loop weaker than intended. The loop can separate from the shock absorber base while the vehicle is being driven, which means that rear corner of the suspension loses part of its normal damping support.
The warning sign Volkswagen identified is noise from the rear suspension while driving. A new clunk, rattle, or knocking sound from the back of the vehicle is the clue to take seriously.
Who's affected?
The included Tiguan SUVs were built from January 15, 2018, through March 10, 2018.
| 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan | rear suspension |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 7,430 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
A detached lower rear shock absorber loop can affect rear suspension control, leading to loss of vehicle control and increased crash risk. Rear suspension noise while driving is the warning sign to treat seriously. If you hear it, slow down, avoid hard maneuvers, and schedule the inspection soon. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule the free rear shock absorber inspection; the dealer replaces any shock absorber with a separated lower loop.
- Call Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 with questions and reference recall number 18V262 (Volkswagen recall 42i7).
- Bring the recall notice if Volkswagen mailed one. If not, give the dealer recall number 18V262 when you call.
- Avoid rough roads and hard cornering until the dealer confirms the rear shock absorbers are secure.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Volkswagen technician inspects the rear shock absorbers and replaces any shock absorber with a separated lower loop or related weld issue. The inspection, replacement parts, and labor are free under recall 18V262. Volkswagen is not opening a separate reimbursement program because the affected 2018 Tiguan vehicles are covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. If you already paid for a related rear shock absorber repair, ask the service desk how that warranty coverage applies to your paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| April 25, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 30, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| June 22, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| June 22, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 25, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V262?
Recall 18V262 covers 7,430 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles with rear shock absorbers whose lower loop can separate because of an incorrect welding process. If that loop detaches, the vehicle can lose control, increasing crash risk. Volkswagen dealers will inspect the rear shock absorbers and replace them if needed for free.
What should I do if my 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Tiguan is included in recall 18V262. If it is, contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer and schedule the rear shock absorber inspection. Reference Volkswagen recall number 42i7 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair the defect at no cost, and Volkswagen will inspect the rear shock absorbers and replace them if needed free of charge at a franchised Volkswagen dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of vehicle control. If the lower loop of a rear shock absorber detaches from its base, the suspension no longer works as intended at that corner of the vehicle, increasing crash risk. The repair path is a free dealer inspection and replacement if needed.
What if I bought my Volkswagen Tiguan used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. If you bought the Tiguan used or never received a letter, check your VIN, then call a franchised Volkswagen dealer with recall 18V262 or Volkswagen recall number 42i7.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V262000 |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen customer service | 1-800-893-5298 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V262 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V262000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →