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2015 Volkswagen Tiguan

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2015 Tiguan.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan is an SUV featuring an S6 automatic transmission, an EPA-rated fuel economy of 21/26/23 mpg, and a 4.9-quart oil capacity requiring 0W-40, 5W-30, or 5W-40 viscosity. In the context of the 2009-2026 model history, the 2015 year is marked by four recalls and 62 total owner complaints, with air bags serving as the top complaint area. This volume of complaints positions the 2015 model significantly below the 2018 model year, which saw a peak of 274 complaints.

Model year2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2017 2015

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.9 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type0W-40 / 5W-30 / 5W-40OEM · verified

EPA fuel economy21/26/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI Battery group and CCA will vary by model options and region. Refer to the appropriate service information. · Battery group and CCA will vary by model options and region. Refer to the appropriate service information. CCA battery, OE oil filter 06J115403Q. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI Battery group and CCA will vary by model options and region. Refer to the appropriate service information. · Battery group and CCA will vary by model options and region. Refer to the appropriate service information. CCAOEM · verified

Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified

Tire sizeP215/65R16, P235/50R18, P255/40R19OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6.5-J, 7-J, 9-J; OPTIONAL: 7-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	06J115403Q
Engine air filter	1K0129620G
Spark plug	06H905601A alt 06H905621A
Battery	000915089B alt 000915089C
Front wiper blades	5N1998002 alt 3C8955425B
Serpentine belt	06J260849D
Thermostat	06J121113C alt 06H121113B
Cabin air filter	1K1819669 alt 1K0819644B

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	174.4 in
Overall width	71.3 in
Overall height	66.9 in
Wheelbase	102.4 in
Curb weight	3591 lb
Track (front / rear)	61.8 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	21 / 26 / 23 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Premium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Tiguan of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.70 sec — 2015 R-Line

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2015	R-Line 2.0L Turbo I-4	7.70 sec	16.00 sec	200 hp	FWD
2014	2.0 TDI 4MOTION Euro Spec 2.0L Turbo Diesel I-4	7.40 sec	15.90 sec	177 hp	AWD
2012	SE 2.0L Turbo I-4	7.80 sec	16.20 sec	200 hp	FWD
2012	SEL 4MOTION 2.0L Turbo I-4	7.80 sec	16.00 sec	200 hp	AWD
2012	SE 2.0L Turbo I-4	8.00 sec	16.30 sec	200 hp	FWD
2018	TSI SEL Premium 2.0L Turbo I-4	8.20 sec	16.30 sec	184 hp	FWD
2018	TSI SEL Premium 4MOTION 2.0L Turbo I-4	8.60 sec	16.50 sec	184 hp	AWD
2018	TSI SE 2.0L Turbo I-4	8.80 sec	16.80 sec	184 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.9 qt of 0W-40 / 5W-30 / 5W-40 engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 22.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-3-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 4
Engine Coolant	Use genuine VW G13 type coolant/antifreeze
Engine Coolant Capacity	8.5
Engine Oil	0W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity	4.9 qt
Fuel Tank Capacity	16.8 gallons
Power Steering Fluid	Pentosin CHF202

Engine torques

Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug

22.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Transfer Case Fill Plug	11.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	Bevel box: 44.0, Haldex Clutch: 22.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-4-3-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	720 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	80 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Volkswagen
Spark Plug Gap	.039 - .043 in
Spark Plug Torque	18 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Volkswagen
Spark Plug Gap	.039 - .043 in

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	23.40 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	58
Residual Pressure	43.5 min pressure after 10 min psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque	Front: 22; Rear: 26 /; Front: 22; Rear: 26 Always
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque	Front: 148; Rear: 66 /; Front: 148; Rear: 66
ABS Sensor Torque	6 / NS
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement	Front: .866; Rear: .394

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

Every 10,000 mi	Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Headlamp Washer Nozzle (inspect) · Headlamp Washer System (inspect fluid level)
Every 20,000 mi	Battery (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Suspension Shock or Strut (inspect)
Every 40,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Door Stop (lubricate) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 50,000 mi	Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 60,000 mi	Air Intake Hose Debris Screen (clean) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean) · Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan sits at a notable inflection point in the first-generation timeline: consumer complaints dropped to 62—the lowest level since 2009—continuing a steady decline from 166 in 2009. This is a significant improvement compared to the 82 complaints in 2014 and the 96 that would spike in 2016. However, 2015 actually saw a slight uptick in recalls (4) versus the consistent 3 per year from 2012-2014, though notably there were zero NHTSA investigations that year, down from 3 in 2014. The TSB count also fell sharply to 733 from 996 in 2014, suggesting fewer technical service bulletins were needed. The top complaint areas centered on air bags and electrical systems, with only 1 crash complaint and 1 fire complaint recorded. The takeaway: 2015 represents the generation's reliability sweet spot—with complaints at their nadir and no active investigations—making it a strong candidate among used Tiguans from this era.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

733

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

1 involved a crash · 1 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14’15’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 62 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags11

Electrical System,Air Bags7

Unknown Or Other6

Steering,Electrical System,Air Bags4

Engine3

Steering2

Air Bags,Unknown Or Other2

Electrical System2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V329000Unknown Or OtherReported 16/05/2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI… Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began…

19V535000Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control ModuleReported 17/07/2019

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Tiguan and CC vehicles. The air bag Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may have a defective power supply capacitor that can result in air bag… Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install new software and replace the air bag ECU as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 25, 2019. Volkswagen's…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 733 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
TT 10-18-02_2	2026-06-18	Engine	Lubricating engine components before reassembly.
TT 13-20-01_3	2026-06-18	Engine	Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
V6919012010479_17	2026-06-11	Air Bags	Inquiries
V1719012012855_81	2026-06-04	Engine	Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards
VOS-26-21	2026-03-27	Engine	This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Tiguan. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group B battery Vehicles taking 4.9 qt Engine oil filter 06J115403Q Engine air filter 1K0129620G Spark plug 06H905601A Battery 000915089B

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2015 Tiguan take?

4.9 qt of 0W-40, 5W-30 OR 5W-40 Meeting VW specification 502.00, per the factory manual.

Does the 2015 Tiguan have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Tiguan get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 26 highway / 23 combined mpg.