2019 Volkswagen Tiguan Body & structure Problems

The vehicle will randomly shut off while driving. A message will appear stating "Check the Starting System" Attempts to restart the engine are unsuccessful. The engine will start, stall after about 2 seconds and the message "Check Starting System" will display. The first time it happened, I was turning a corner at a rather dangerous intersection and the vehicle stalled. It took about three attempts before the engine would remain running. When the engine would stall the dash would go dark and the engine would not remain running this happened about a month ago in hot weather. It occurred again on April 25th, 2026 way worse this time. The temperature in the area reached 91 Degrees Fahrenheit. My vehicle was sitting outside in the heat for at least 5 hours, same issue, The vehicle would then proceed to stall in the middle of the freeway, I was able to coast to the breakdown lane where the vehicle would remain unable to start and the message "Check Starter System" would display. Looking on NHTSA webpage before filing a complaint, it seems that this is a rather common issue. VW had a recall for other models (Campaign 28H7) for models such as the Jetta, Golf and other like models. This is a really dangerous issue and could end up getting someone seriously injured or worse killed in a collision if my vehicle stalls like this. The vehicle is scheduled for a service appointment in the near future (Local VW dealer is at least 2 weeks out before they can even look at my vehicle) After viewing this information, I can't help but believe it is possible the 28H7 recall is affecting more models than anticipated.

NHTSA ID

11734486

Incident

Apr 25, 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that after a heavy rainstorm, approximately 4-inches of water was discovered in the rear driver’s side floor and on the rear driver’s side seat. Upon inspection, the contact discovered mold inside the vehicle due to the rainwater entering the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure was due to a faulty drainage from the sunroof. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 69,000.

NHTSA ID

11689743

Incident

Mar 1, 2025

Mileage

69,000 mi

Sunroof drains are not draining correctly causing vehicle to flood when there is precipitation, flooring is wet/molded, seat belts have mold on them, unpleasant smell, and condensation collects on the windows. Also causing water marks/stains on vehicles exterior body.

NHTSA ID

11505172

Incident

May 1, 2022

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that the right hydraulic arm of the hatchback was corroded and upon closing the trunk manually, the right hydraulic arm detached and hit her on the right side of the head and shoulder. A bystander approached the contact to check on her. The contact then sought medical assistance. The contact was informed that she had sustained a severe concussion. The contact continued to undergo pain and physical therapy. The contact was later diagnosed with oxepedo myalgia and tumor on the right shoulder. Additionally, the contact was informed that she needed a surgical procedure for shoulder replacements. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was repaired. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer who inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that there was no proof of the incident. The contact stated that the failure occurred 14 days after the dealer had sold her the vehicle brand new. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11465135

Incident

May 18, 2019

DOOR LATCH MALFUNCTIONS REQUIRED MULTIPLE VISITS TO MECHANIC TO DIAGNOSE. LOCKED AND UNLOCKED RANDOMLY. AS IN WOULD LOCK ME OUT OR IN THE VEHICLE REQUIRING I USE AN ALTERNATE DOOR (NOT DRIVER DOOR) TO EXIT MY VEHICLE. EMERGENCY BREAK ASSIST ENGAGES IN GUTTERS AND DRIVEWAYS. ESSENTIALLY ANYTHING THAT ISN'T FLAT TERRAIN MAY RESULT IN THE TIGUAN SLAMMING ON THE BREAKS FOR YOU COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. EVEN WHEN APPROACHING DIPS, GUTTERS, DRIVEWAYS OR DIFFERENT INCLINES YOU HAVE A VERY LIKELY CHANCE OF THE EMERGENCY SYSTEM ENGAGING BREAKS.

NHTSA ID

11415365

Incident

Apr 23, 2021

THIS IS THE BASIC S MODEL. WE INTENTIONALLY PURCHASED THIS BASE MODEL TO EXCLUDE THE HI-TECH OPTIONS KNOWN TO FAIL. WE WANTED AN IGNITION KEY TO ELIMINATE THE NECESSITY OF A FOB AND PUSH BUTTON START. WE WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FACT YOU CANNOT LOCK THIS VEHICLE WITHOUT USING THE DOOR FOB THEY PROVIDED!! WE WERE LED TO BELIEVE IT WAS A CONVENIENCE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK BUT NOT NECESSARY. WITH OUR OTHER VEHICLES ONCE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, WE WILL PRESS THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCK BUTTON TO LOCK THE LOCK, CLOSE DOOR AND DOORS LOCKS. VW DOES NOT ALLOW THE LOCKS TO BE ACTIVATED UNLESS DOOR IS CLOSED WHICH MEANS IF YOU DO NOT USE FOB, THE DOORS REMAIN UNLOCKED! AFTER ABOUT 3 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP WE REALIZED WE WERE NOT LOCKING THIS VEHICLE WHEN EXITING. THIS IS A SAFETY AND THEFT ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11372314

Incident

Oct 28, 2020

Mileage

9,000 mi

MY CAR HAS HAD A WATER LEAK FROM THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF. I SAW THE WATER COMING IN FROM THE BACK PASSENGER SEATBELT HOLES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO GET FIXED, I WAS NEVER TOLDWHAT THE ISSUE WAS AND HAD TO ASK FOR OFFICIAL PAPERWORK. APPARENTLY THE SUNROOF DRAIN LINES WERE "KINKED AND CLOGGED." MY CAR WAS IN SERVICE 7/28/20-7/30/20 FOR THAT ISSUE. THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT MOLD GROWTH ON THE REAR FLOORBOARDS AND SMELLED OF MILDEW. I NOTICED SEVERE CONDENSATION ON ALL INTERIOR WINDOWS 8/4/20 AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET MY CAR LOOKED AT 8/6/20. I COULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR RIGHT AWAY SINCE I COULD NOT SEE OUT OF THE WINDOWS. I HAD TO PHYSICALLY DRY THEM WITH A TOWEL. I WAS THEN TOLD THEY COULD NOT FIND A LEAK, BUT THERE WAS STILL WATER ENTERING THE CAR AND THE FLOORBOARDS WERE WET. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SINCE. ANOTHER CAR WAS IN SERVICE FOR THE SAME EXACT ISSUE WHILE I WAS THERE, I WITNESSED THE MOLD MYSELF. I RESEARCHED MY VIN AND THERE WAS NO RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS FROM VW.

NHTSA ID

11348803

Incident

Jul 28, 2020

Mileage

26,177 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY PANORAMIC SUNROOF EXPLODED CAUSING GLASS TO FALL IN ON MYSELF AND MY 5 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. *TR

NHTSA ID

11327423

Incident

Jun 3, 2020

Mileage

5,900 mi

THE FIRST DAY I DROVE MY NEW 2019 TIGUAN SEL HOME, I OPENED THE PASSENGER DRIVER-SIDE DOOR AND THE HANDLE GOT STUCK AND WOULD NOT GO BACK IN...MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR 2-DAYS LATER TO GET THIS FIXED. DURING THE 2-DAY WAITING PERIOD, I WAS STOPPED IN A TURNING LANE ON A FOUR-LANE, LIGHTED ROAD TO MAKE A U-TURN. WHEN I HIT THE GAS PEDDLE TO GO THE CAR JERKED FORWARD, AND WENT TO A STANDSTILL FOR ABOUT 5-SECONDS WHILE MY FOOT WAS FIRMLY PRESSING THE GAS PEDDLE. THIS CAUSED THE TWO ONCOMING VEHICLES TO HAVE TO SCREECH TO A STOP; AND THE VEHICLE IN THE MIDDLE LANE HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID HITTING ME AND SPIN OUT. WHEN THE TIGUAN STARTED MOVING FORWARD, I HAD TO PULL OVER BECAUSE I WAS SHAKING. THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN THE NEXT DAY, BUT NO ONCOMING CARS WERE IN SIGHT. WENT IN FOR THE DOOR APPOINTMENT, I TOLD THE SERVICE REP ABOUT ENGINE AND ASKED TO SPEAK TO A MANAGER. AN ASSISTANT MANAGER CAME OUT, I TOLD HIM ABOUT THE ENGINE, AND HE RESPOND THAT'S A VW AND GAVE ME A HUG AND TWO FREE T-SHIRTS. NEW DOOR HANDLE HAD TO BE ORDERED DUE TO CORROSION, HAD TO COME BACK 3-DAYS LATER TO HAVE IT FIXED. DURING THOSE 3-DAYS, THE PASSENGER SEAT SEAT BELT WARNING SOUND STARTED RANDOMLY GOING OFF, ALONG WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHING ABOVE THE HAZARD LIGHT WHEN MY HANDBAG WAS ON THE SEAT. REPORTED THAT AND THE ENGINE ISSUE AGAIN AT NEXT APPOINTMENT. HAD TO LEAVE THE CAR FOR TWO DAYS...AT PICK-UP WAS TOLD EVERYTHING WAS TESTED FINE, BUT VW DID NOT BOTHER TO TEST THE SEAT SENSOR. WAS INSTRUCTED TO NOT PUT ANYTHING ON THE PASSENGER SEAT, AS STATED IN THE CAR'S MANUAL. REQUESTED A NEW VEHICLE, OR LET ME OUT OF MY LEASE DUE TO FEELING TOTALLY UNSAFE...WAS DENIED BY BOTH CORPORATE AND DEALER. MONEY SHOULD NEVER COME BEFORE SAFETY, SO I PAID $3000 TO BREAK MY LEASE TODAY AS VW CORP & DEALER TOLD ME TO GET BACK IN THAT CAR. THIS IS A DEADLY SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11183563

Incident

Feb 20, 2019

Mileage

230 mi