Volkswagen Tiguan problems by model year

Updated Oct 11, 2026 from NHTSA data · How we count

NHTSA has 1,411 owner complaints and 38 recalls on file for the Volkswagen Tiguan (2009–2026). The 2022 Tiguan has the most serious complaints, most often about engine.

Complaints: 1,411
Recalls: 38
Model years: 18
Worst year: 2022

Complaints by model year

NHTSA complaints per Volkswagen Tiguan model year. Click a bar for details.

Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.

Worst Volkswagen Tiguan years to buy

Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).

2022 Volkswagen Tiguan — 270 complaints, 3 crashes, 1 fire; top problem: Engine
2019 Volkswagen Tiguan — 160 complaints, 6 crashes, 1 fire; top problem: Electrical System
2020 Volkswagen Tiguan — 141 complaints, 5 crashes; top problem: Electrical System
2018 Volkswagen Tiguan — 131 complaints, 3 crashes; top problem: Engine
2021 Volkswagen Tiguan — 141 complaints, 2 crashes; top problem: Engine

Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2010 (14 complaints).

Every Volkswagen Tiguan model year

Year	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Recalls	Top problem
2026 Tiguan	34	0	1	0	0	Engine
2025 Tiguan	49	1	0	0	3	Electrical System
2024 Tiguan	73	3	4	0	2	Electrical System
2023 Tiguan	68	1	0	1	1	Engine
2022 Tiguan	270	3	1	5	5	Engine
2021 Tiguan	141	2	0	2	5	Engine
2020 Tiguan	141	5	0	7	3	Electrical System
2019 Tiguan	160	6	1	4	5	Electrical System
2018 Tiguan	131	3	0	7	14	Engine
2017 Tiguan	61	5	0	3	4	Airbags
2016 Tiguan	66	1	2	2	2	Airbags
2015 Tiguan	34	0	0	0	4	Airbags
2014 Tiguan	42	0	0	0	3	Airbags
2013 Tiguan	55	0	0	1	3	Airbags
2012 Tiguan	37	2	0	0	3	Engine
2011 Tiguan	19	0	0	0	3	Engine
2010 Tiguan	14	0	0	0	2	Engine
2009 Tiguan	16	2	0	1	2	Engine

Most common Volkswagen Tiguan problem areas (all years)

Engine
420 complaints
Electrical System
342 complaints
Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
207 complaints
Airbags
166 complaints
Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
124 complaints
Transmission & Drivetrain
123 complaints
Steering
107 complaints
Brakes
80 complaints
Body & Structure
66 complaints
Visibility & Wipers
65 complaints

Complaint trend

Complaints about the Volkswagen Tiguan received by NHTSA each month.

Volkswagen Tiguan recalls

Recall 26V590000Sep 11, 2026208,724 vehiclesModel years 2018
Risk: A broken steering rack housing can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 26V587000Sep 10, 202649,958 vehiclesModel years 2025
Risk: An unexpected engine stall, loss of exterior lighting or warning lights, or failure of the rearview camera system can increase the risk of a crash.
Recall 26V321000May 20, 20268 vehiclesModel years 2024
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 25V854000Dec 10, 20253,138 vehiclesModel years 2025
Risk: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Recall 25V526000Aug 13, 202515 vehiclesModel years 2025
Risk: A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.
Recall 25V082000Feb 12, 202529,569 vehiclesModel years 2022–2024
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 22V815000Oct 31, 2022296,044 vehiclesModel years 2019
Risk: An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.
Recall 22V514000Jul 20, 202243,091 vehiclesModel years 2021–2022
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 22V226000Apr 6, 20226,553 vehiclesModel years 2018–2022
Risk: An insufficiently attached spoiler may separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 22V176000Mar 23, 202210,119 vehiclesModel years 2021–2022
Risk: A broken rear suspension knuckle can cause a loss of stability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 21V853000Nov 3, 20211,285 vehiclesModel years 2022
Risk: A loose brake pipe nut may allow brake fluid to leak, extending the distance required to stop and increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 21V732000Sep 23, 20212 vehiclesModel years 2018
Risk: The incorrect roof reinforcement may decrease the roof's structural integrity or impact deployment of the side curtain air bags, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Recall 21V321000May 5, 202146 vehiclesModel years 2017
Risk: Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of injury, crash, or fire.
Recall 21V038000Feb 1, 202157 vehiclesModel years 2021
Risk: The seat can move front and back without restriction if bolts are missing, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Recall 20V724000Nov 20, 202010,835 vehiclesModel years 2018
Risk: A torn seat belt may not adequately restrain the seat occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Recall 20V716000Nov 18, 202032,048 vehiclesModel years 2021
Risk: A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 20V579000Sep 23, 20206 vehiclesModel years 2020
Risk: Improperly torqued bolts may prevent the third row seat belt from performing as designed in a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.
Recall 20V505000Aug 26, 20205,376 vehiclesModel years 2020
Risk: In the event of a rear-end crash, the backrest adjustment could break, possibly reducing the amount of occupant restraint, thus increasing risk of injury.
Recall 19V679000Sep 25, 2019113 vehiclesModel years 2018
Risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Recall 19V535000Jul 17, 201927,822 vehiclesModel years 2015–2016
Risk: Deactivated air bags increases the risk of injury. Inadvertent deployment of the air bags increase the risk of a crash.
Recall 19V241000Mar 27, 20198 vehiclesModel years 2019
Risk: The incorrect specifications can result in improper tire inflations or to installing a tire of the wrong size on the vehicle. Either of these situations can increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Recall 19V188000Mar 6, 201956,173 vehiclesModel years 2018–2019
Risk: If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 18V824000Nov 26, 201873,549 vehiclesModel years 2018–2019
Risk: If the driver is not notified by an audible noise that the key is left in the ignition, it can increase the risk of vehicle theft or crash.
Recall 18V467000Jul 13, 201845,457 vehiclesModel years 2018
Risk: A short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Recall 18V375000Jun 6, 2018821 vehiclesModel years 2018
Risk: If the air bag were to tear or unfold incorrectly during deployment, it can increase the risk of injury.

Other Volkswagen models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology