Recall 18V324 affects 2,473 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles for loose lower ball joint nuts. Do not drive. Free repair at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
A loose or improperly tightened lower ball joint nut can let the lower ball joint separate, causing steering, traction, or stability problems and increasing crash risk. Loud front-end noises are a warning sign. Do not drive the vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
Volkswagen is recalling 2,473 2018 Tiguan vehicles because the nuts holding the lower ball joints at the front wheels were loose or improperly tightened. Do not drive an included Tiguan until a Volkswagen dealer completes the free repair, because a separated ball joint can cause steering, traction, or stability issues and increase crash risk.
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What's wrong?
The lower ball joint on the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan is part of the front suspension. It connects the lower control arm to the wheel and steering knuckle, while still letting the suspension move up and down as the wheel turns. A nut holds that joint tight, so the front wheel assembly stays located where it belongs.
On affected Tiguans, that nut was either reused during supplier rework or tightened with too little torque while excess anti-corrosion fluid was on the threads. The nut is designed as a one-time-use part. Reusing it, or clamping it with contaminated threads, leaves the joint without the holding force it needs. Over driving loads, the lower ball joint connection can loosen.
The warning sign Volkswagen identified is loud noise from the front of the vehicle. If you hear clunking or banging from the front suspension, treat it as a sign that the joint area needs dealer inspection.
Who's affected?
| 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan | lower control arm |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 2,473 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 3 field incidents to date. |
Not every 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
A loose or improperly tightened lower ball joint nut can let the lower ball joint separate, causing steering, traction, or stability problems and increasing crash risk. Loud front-end noises are a warning sign. Do not drive the vehicle until the recall repair is complete. 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.
- Do not drive the vehicle until the lower ball joint nut repair is complete.
- Arrange a tow if the Tiguan has to be moved to the dealer; do not drive it there yourself.
- Contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule the free lower ball joint nut repair that secures the front suspension joint.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 18V324 and Volkswagen recall 40N4 when you call.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Volkswagen technician replaces the nut on the lower ball joint and cleans the ball joint threads when needed. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. Do not drive the vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the New Vehicle Limited Warranty, not a separate reimbursement program, because Volkswagen says all affected vehicles are under that warranty. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| May 16, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 24, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| May 24, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 25, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| May 25, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| May 30, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V324?
Recall 18V324 covers 2,473 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles with front lower ball joint nuts that were loose or improperly tightened. The joint can separate, causing steering, traction, or stability problems and increasing crash risk. Do not drive until the repair is complete.
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 18V324. If it is, do not drive the vehicle. Contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer and ask how to get the lower ball joint nut replacement completed without driving the vehicle in.
What does do not drive mean for this Volkswagen Tiguan recall?
Do not drive the vehicle until the dealer completes the recall repair. Volkswagen advised owners not to drive because a loose or improperly tightened lower ball joint nut can let the joint separate, causing steering, traction, or stability problems.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Volkswagen dealers will replace the lower ball joint nut for free. The dealer also cleans the ball joint thread when needed as part of the recall repair.
When did Volkswagen begin this recall repair?
Volkswagen began the recall repair on May 30, 2018. Owner notices were sent, and the remedy is available now through franchised Volkswagen dealers. Reference recall 18V324 or Volkswagen recall number 40N4 when you call the service desk.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V324000 |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen customer service | 1-800-893-5298 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V324 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V324000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - 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 →