2020 Volkswagen Tiguan Driver assistance Problems

I was driving and a vehicle was making a left hand turn, in the middle lane and they were in their lane and I was in mine, but the vehicle decided to use the automatic breaking which then cause me to have whiplash and it took a few seconds for the car to move and I had other cars behind me. Also, because this happened so quickly with no warning I first had to think did I hit the car, because I would have had no knowledge because the automatic stoping made noise and jolted me. So this is dangerous is all sorts of levels. If the other vehicle didn’t move and appeared to be fine and I had no damage to my car I would have not known.

NHTSA ID

11744148

Incident

Jun 15, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that the engine warning light was illuminated due to an emissions issue. The message to check the oil level was displayed. The contact pulled over to check the oil and added a quart of oil. The vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that there was smoke coming from the exhaust. The contact was informed that the cylinder head valve seals had failed and caused oil to seep through the exhaust ports and was burning oil on the second head emissions system and the port was clogged. Additionally, the back over prevention camera was inoperable. The contact determined that the top half of the engine needed to be replaced. The cylinder head was on backorder. The local dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not under warranty. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

NHTSA ID

11716742

Incident

Jan 14, 2026

Mileage

55,000 mi

I am experiencing the Driver Door Control Switch / EBS error. When this occurs my emergency break activates when I am driving, throwing me into a complete stop unexpectedly, pulls several check engine lights and a series of loud distracting alert sounds. This is extremely dangerous on the road and I’ve almost been rear-ended multiple times. I have brought my vehicle in to Volkswagen and European Specialty Auto Shop and they were not able to replicate the issue thus we’re not able to help me. There are several forums online that point to this being a recall issue with Volkswagen and yet my VIN number is showing as not affected. It is my understanding that this issue is being caused by a faulty driver door wiring harness. It is random when this issue occurs. Forums online have led me to believe it is due to weather fluctuations. At this point I no longer feel safe driving my vehicle. This needs to be escalated to a Volkswagen as a public safety concern.

NHTSA ID

11700200

Incident

Nov 18, 2025

I have been experiencing a noticeable delay in throttle response when accelerating, particularly when attempting to slowly merge into traffic. For example, when I press the accelerator to make a left turn, my Tiguan hesitates for approximately 2-3 seconds before responding, creating a significant safety concern as I find myself stuck in oncoming traffic. I took the vehicle to the dealership for diagnostic testing, but no fault codes were detected, and no warning lights were illuminated. To demonstrate the issue, I had to conduct a test drive with the mechanic. Following this, the mechanic escalated the issue to the quality engineering team at Volkswagen. They acknowledged that they were aware of this problem but stated that there is no available fix. I was advised to use top-tier premium fuel and switch to manual mode to potentially mitigate the delay. When I escalated this issue to the VW Customer Care, they claim that it is operating as designed and no repairs would be made. I suspect that this issue stems from a defect in the vehicle's control software, which VW appears to be aware of but has not addressed with a permanent solution.

NHTSA ID

11613027

Incident

Aug 21, 2024

When the car is parked under the Sun on hot days. The car will lose the power and we get message on Dashboard "Check Starter System" When this happens and car is running, it will lose power, No AC, No Lights, No Brake Lights, No Hazard Lights, Speedometer will not work but Engine is running and you can drive the car. It is extremely dangerous to drive it that way. Some folks reported that replacing faulty ignition switch resolve the issue but it needs to be properly investigated and issue official recall on all VW models which are experiencing the issue. Its on VW Tiguan, Golf, Jetta for sure. Please see the video of issue [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11594549

Incident

Jun 1, 2024

The headliner control panel just falls which distracts the driver as well as all forward safety components fail to respond. I feel it is dangerous as this is extremely distracting

NHTSA ID

11589481

Incident

May 18, 2024

Please see attached documents

NHTSA ID

11575914

Incident

Jan 3, 2024

The auto break feature will illuminate on the dashboard and then send my car to a screeching halt. It takes me on average 5 seconds to regain control of my brakes. It has happened exiting businesses (small curbs) but also on the main streets with no one else around going upwards of 45 mph. The infotainment system that houses the parking and rear view safety features as well as navigation also does not work when the car is left outside in weather above 80 degrees. The AC is also unable to cool when the weather is above 80 degrees all of these ‘safety features’ make the car dangerous.

NHTSA ID

11532118

Incident

Jun 30, 2020

The contact owns a 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and Schumacher Volkswagen of West Palm Beach (3001 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33409) and the contact was informed that the mechanics were unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

NHTSA ID

11525602

Incident

Apr 6, 2023

Mileage

40,000 mi

Transmission shifts hard while going up and down. The traffic back assist will alert when not moving and when in a parking space and when nothing is around

NHTSA ID

11517445

Incident

Apr 14, 2023

This car burns oil. I am adding at 1-2 quarts of oil every 2-3 months and I only have 24k miles on this car. I've had an oil consumption test completed and they said that its falling just with in normal limits. It's unacceptable. Additionally, the emergency braking system is faulty, it will register shadows or on a slightly winding road will register on coming traffic and slam on brakes. I have had cars blowing their horns and swerving from behind me in order to avoid a collision. I had that check as well and their advise was to disable it. WHAT?!? So either I disable a safety system or I get rear-ended. This is a joke and completely unacceptable.

NHTSA ID

11502656

Incident

Jun 22, 2021

I've been having backup camera problems since I purchased this vehicle in June 2020. It only works 20% of the time. There have been times were I don't see people or vehicles as I back up. I've only been seen for service twice. I don't have the time to take it in once a week for them to do to a hard reset or replace the J949 Module. I've attached a service receipt. Usually just have a black screen. Below is the address to a consumer report page detailing the issues. Unfortunately, my vehicle is not in the recall list. https://www.consumerreports.org/car-recalls-defects/volkswagen-recalls-cars-and-suvs-for-backup-camera-problems-a1136236169/

NHTSA ID

11496126

Incident

Jun 22, 2020

The front assist emergency braking system activates for no reason. On all occasions, the last incident happened July 1, 2022, there were no obstacles in the road to warrant the car to come to a near stop. I’ve brought the car to the dealership for inspection and was informed the car is “sensitive”.

NHTSA ID

11472085

Incident

Jul 1, 2022

Automatic emergency brakes engage when pulling into/out of slightly sloped ground. My vehicle has come to a halt while in the middle of a highway multiple times after pulling out of a parking lot where it is slightly sloped. The most recent time was 5/3/22, but it has happened on 5 previous occasions. The emergency sensor believes the ground in front of me is an obstacle. I am now careful to only pull onto the highway when there are absolutely no cars coming for a good distance because my brakes will engage while I'm halfway into the road. The slope I'm talking about is not extreme or severe. No one else is having this issue in the spots where it happens to me.

NHTSA ID

11463284

Incident

May 3, 2022

My tiguan is having the same issue at the vw Atlas. Emergency Braking system applying the parking break. Errors with the door sensor, start-stop, hill assist, and parking break.

NHTSA ID

11460281

Incident

Apr 1, 2022

The contact owns a 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the Forward Collision Avoidance system and Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency braking engaged. The brake warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The failure reoccurred three times. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic who was unable to retrieve a fault code. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact requested that the dealer notify the manufacturer of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 17,000. The contact stated that Legend VW inspected the vehicle a second time and did not find an issue.

NHTSA ID

11459221

Incident

Mar 27, 2022

Mileage

17,000 mi

Emergency breaking activate when passing construction zone or taking curves on the road and sensors reads barriers or cones and locks the breaks and emergency breaking warning comes on dashboard. Horn not functioning in high humid climates

NHTSA ID

11457353

Incident

Oct 1, 2021

Unknown

NHTSA ID

11445800

Incident

Dec 31, 2021

The contact owns a 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated while parking the vehicle when it accelerated independently and crashed into 2 different vehicles. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated she had visible bruises on her sternum, right thumb, and upper left chest from the seat belt. Airbags did not deploy. The contact did seek medical attention the next day. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. A dealer was contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,700. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED.

NHTSA ID

11418306

Incident

May 21, 2021

Mileage

1,700 mi

THE VEHICLE WILL STOP ITSELF WHILE IN MOTION THROUGH THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM AT RANDOM TIMES, BOTH IN TRAFFIC AND WHEN NO OTHER VEHICLES ARE AROUND. THE WARNING WILL SHOW UP IN THE GAUGE CLUSTER AND THE CAR WILL QUICKLY COME TO A STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON AT LEAST 4 OCCASIONS. THE DEALER HAS STATED THERE ARE NO FAULTS.

NHTSA ID

11415672

Incident

Jul 15, 2020

Mileage

1,000 mi

MY VEHICLE'S FRONT ASSIST COLLISION SENSOR WILL ENGAGE ITSELF WHILE GOING DOWN SOME DRIVEWAYS REGARDLESS OF HOW SLOW OR ANGLED I TRY TO EXIT (I ALWAYS MAKE SURE THAT MY EXIT AND TURNS ARE SAFE FROM ANY ONGOING TRAFFIC SO THE SENSOR IS ONLY BEING TRIPPED FROM GROUND IN FRONT OF THE SENSOR). I HAVE BEEN ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED THREE TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS AND ALMOST HIT FROM THE SIDE WHEN THE THE SENSOR ENGAGED WHEN I WAS MORE THAN HALFWAY OUT INTO THE FIRST LANE TO MAKE MY TURN. VW DEALER THAT I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM SAID, IT IS THE DRIVER'S RESPONISBILITY TO MANUALLY TURN OFF THE FRONT ASSIST COLLISION SENSOR EACH AND EVERY TIME YOU INTEND TO DRIVE THE CAR.

NHTSA ID

11398000

Incident

Feb 25, 2021

Mileage

5,241 mi

MY CAR ALERTS ME AT RANDOM TIMES WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN OPEN WINDING ROADS THAT I AM GOING TO GET IN A COLLISION WHEN THERE ARE NO CARS OR OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. IT ALSO GOES OFF WHEN I'M DRIVING THROUGH CONSTRUCTION AND THERE'S CONES ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT I'M NOT EVEN CLOSE TO HITTING. IN MICHIGAN, WE HAVE A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION SO IT SHOULDN'T BE GOING OFF AND SCARING ME ALL THE TIME. IT WILL ALSO HAPPEN IN SPURSE, SO IT'LL GO OFF THREE OR FOUR TIMES ON THE SAME ROAD IN THE SAME DAY AND THEN NOT GO OFF AGAIN FOR WEEKS. I'VE TAKEN IT IN TO THE DEALER TWICE TO BE LOOKED AT AND BOTH TIMES THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. IT CONTINUES TO RANDOMLY ALERT BE WHEN I AM NOT IN DANGER OF AN ACCIDENT BUT IT ENDS UP SCARING ME ANYWAYS AND MAKING ME THINK I'M ABOUT TO BE HIT. IT HAS GONE OFF ON THE HIGHWAY, OPEN ROADS, CITY STREETS, AND CONSTRUCTION ZONES. THANKFULLY THE AUTO-BREAKING HASN'T TURNED ON BUT I'M ALSO CONCERNED IT WILL AND THEN THAT ITSELF WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I BELIVE WHATEVER SENSOR IT USES IS FAULTY, BUT AGAIN THE DEALERSHIP HAS REAFFIRMED BE TWICE THAT THEY SAW NO ISSUES WITH IT.

NHTSA ID

11372963

Incident

Jun 12, 2020

Mileage

200 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WAITED FOR A MINUTE THEN DROVE TO HIS DESTINATION WITH NO FURTHER ISSUES. THE CONTACT CALLED JOE HEIDT MOTORS VOLKSWAGEN (515 RT 17 N, RAMSEY, NJ 07446, (201) 327-2900) AND WAS INFORMED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED IMMEDIATELY. THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS STILL PENDING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,722.

NHTSA ID

11359751

Incident

Sep 17, 2020

Mileage

7,722 mi