Recall 21V732 affects 2 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles with an incorrect roof reinforcement. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
Volkswagen is recalling 2 2018 Tiguan vehicles because an incorrect roof reinforcement assembly was identified after roof-damage repair. That defect can reduce roof structural integrity or affect side curtain air bag deployment, increasing injury risk in a crash; Volkswagen dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The roof reinforcement on the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan is part of the body structure around the roof and pillars. It helps the roof area keep its designed shape and strength, especially after a repair that replaces damaged roof structure. The correct part has to match the U.S. version of the vehicle and the standards Volkswagen used for that body shell.
On affected Tiguans, roof damage was repaired with a roof reinforcement spare part that was not released for the U.S. market. Volkswagen traced the problem to an error in the electronic parts catalogue, which pointed repair shops to the wrong spare part. That means the vehicle left the factory with the correct structure, then the wrong reinforcement was installed later during body repair.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner is unlikely to hear, feel, or see the difference from the driver seat because the issue is inside the repaired roof structure.
Who's affected?
| 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan | body structure |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 2 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no 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?
The incorrect roof reinforcement can reduce roof strength or interfere with side curtain air bag deployment. In a crash, that leaves occupants with less protection and increases the risk of injury. Confirm your VIN and schedule the roof reinforcement replacement with a dealer. 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 a franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule the free roof-reinforcement replacement that addresses the incorrect roof reinforcement tied to roof strength and side curtain air bag deployment.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 21V732 when you call.
- Call Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 with questions about scheduling or dealer handling.
- Use extra caution until the repair is complete, especially if the vehicle has had roof-damage work.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Volkswagen technician replaces the roof reinforcement assembly covered by recall 21V732. The work addresses Tiguan vehicles where an incorrect reinforcement assembly was installed during a roof damage repair. Parts and labor are covered by the recall, so the dealer repair is free. Volkswagen will not offer reimbursement for this campaign if you already paid for a related roof reinforcement repair.
| Reimbursement | No separate reimbursement |
|---|
Timeline
| September 23, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 18, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| November 18, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 18, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| November 19, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V732?
Recall 21V732 covers 2 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles with a roof-repair concern involving an incorrect roof reinforcement assembly. The wrong reinforcement can reduce roof structural integrity or affect side curtain air bag deployment in a crash. Volkswagen dealers will replace the roof reinforcement 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 21V732. If it is, contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule the roof reinforcement replacement. Reference recall number 21V732 and Volkswagen recall number 51H5 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Volkswagen will replace the affected roof reinforcement free of charge at a franchised Volkswagen dealer. Parts and labor are covered for this recall.
What is the safety risk for a 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan in recall 21V732?
The safety risk is reduced crash protection. The incorrect roof reinforcement can decrease the roof's structural integrity or affect side curtain air bag deployment, increasing injury risk in a crash. The repair path is clear: have a Volkswagen dealer replace the roof reinforcement for free.
When were owners notified about recall 21V732?
Volkswagen mailed owner notification letters on November 19, 2021. If you bought the Tiguan used or never received a letter, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included, then call a Volkswagen dealer with recall number 21V732.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V732000 |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen customer service | 1-800-893-5298 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V732 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V732000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →