RoadVitals

2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
146
+3 complaints in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
5
Latest Jul 20, 2022
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 146 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, most frequently naming the engine, electrical and driver assistance categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 517 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
22V514000

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:INFOTAINMENT:SOFTWARE

Jul 20, 2022
43,091 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Golf GTI, Jetta GLI, Jetta NF, Arteon FL, Tiguan LWB, 2022 Taos, Jetta PA, Tiguan PA, 2021-2022 Atlas Cross Sport, and Atlas FL vehicles. The manufacturing process of the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system may cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
The risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DV.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 91DVView on NHTSA.gov
22V226000

STRUCTURE:BODY

Apr 6, 2022
6,553 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Tiguan and 2018-2021 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. Due to incorrect installation instructions, the accessory rear hatch spoiler may be insufficiently attached to the vehicle.
The risk: An insufficiently attached spoiler may separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the spoiler, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 66N5.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 66N5View on NHTSA.gov
22V176000

SUSPENSION

Mar 23, 2022
10,119 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Tiguan, Taos, and 2021 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. A second notice will be sent once remedy parts become available. The left or right rear suspension knuckles may corrode, crack, and break.
The risk: A broken rear suspension knuckle can cause a loss of stability, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace one or both rear suspension knuckles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 13, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42L8.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 42L8View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 146
Engine
Filed Nov 8, 2026

The PCV valve has failed twice, resulting in oil leaks onto hot surfaces. Leak could lead to hazardous conditions by oil being sprayed onto exhaust surfaces. Dealer confirmed the PCV valve was the failed part.

NHTSA ID
11776555
Incident
Nov 27, 2025
Electrical
Filed Nov 6, 2026

The 5F module on our 2021 VW Tiguan has bricked our infotainment screen after a botched software update sent from VW. We are having to drive our car without the use of a GPS, rear view camera, radio and defrost system because VW has not currently got this issue on recall, and we are not under warranty. This was a problem caused soley by VW’s software update and has nothing to do with our driving or service of the car.

NHTSA ID
11776348
Incident
Oct 14, 2026
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 21, 2026

A software update from Volkswagen causes the infotainment system to crash and become unusable and no longer functions. Car owner is forced to purchase a new infotainment control system which is back ordered nationally with no estimation of arrival. The back up camera, and rear traffic warning no longer works as the screen is black. There is no radio, safety controls, vehicle notifications, no media control or connectivity to phones. This is a national problem, this is effecting thousands of Volkswagens through various models and years. Its a known problem, and Volkswagen is aware of it caused by their mandatory OTA update.

NHTSA ID
11772772
Incident
Aug 10, 2026
Suspension
Filed Oct 14, 2026

I am writing because of a premature rear axle coil spring fracture , which could have caused immediate risk of tire puncture and loss of vehicle control. An engine light had come on in our vehicle, and we brought it in to the dealer to find out why. They could not find any reason that the light had come on, and said everything was fine, but that they did find that the rear spring was broken. We are aware that in 2019, Volkswagon had a recall on some of its models, and I believe that there is a design flaw that made this happen in our vehicle. The technician sent us a video of the situation. Unfortunately, the file of this video is too large to attach.

NHTSA ID
11771198
Incident
Sep 2, 2026
EngineFuel system
Filed Oct 2, 2026

The high pressure fuel pump has failed within 40,000 miles and now again at 110,000 miles. It causes the vehicle to randomly turn in drive and while idle. It has had oil consumption issues and oil leak issues that constantly occur. The dealer has replaced the high pressure fuel pump under warranty 40,000 miles and has now detected it needs to be replaced again at 110,000 miles. I paid for oil leak repair which was over 5,000 dollars and now I have another oil leak issues with the oil separator.

NHTSA ID
11768541
Incident
Oct 19, 2023
Engine
Filed Sep 22, 2026

At 58,218 miles, the engine on this 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan failed after excessive oil consumption progressed to engine knocking. The vehicle was brought to Volkswagen of Orange Park on July 24, 2025, for excessive oil consumption. The dealer performed a second oil-consumption test. During the test, the engine was heard knocking. The dealer removed the oil pan and found excessive metal. Volkswagen replaced the engine under warranty. The repair invoice was dated August 31, 2025. This created a safety concern because an engine failure can cause loss of propulsion or stalling while driving. The dealer confirmed and repaired the condition.

NHTSA ID
11766250
Incident
Jul 24, 2025
Engine
Filed Sep 16, 2026

At approximately 53,876 miles, my 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan experienced a severe, premature failure of the Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve / oil separator assembly. The failure of this component caused an immediate, dangerous buildup of internal crankcase over-pressurization. Because the excess pressure could not vent safely, it caused a catastrophic domino effect through the engine block, structurally blowing out multiple critical engine gaskets and rubber oil seals. Furthermore, the extreme downward pressure physically cracked the factory-installed composite plastic oil pan, leading to an immediate and rapid engine oil leak. A sudden and rapid loss of engine oil and internal oil pressure while operating a vehicle at highway speeds poses an extreme safety hazard. Had the oil pressure dropped completely while driving with my children in the vehicle, it could have resulted in a sudden engine seizure, sudden loss of motive power, or complete engine failure on a live highway, placing my family and surrounding drivers in imminent danger of a high-speed collision. Volkswagen is aware of this engine design defect, as evidenced by active internal Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) and a pending federal class-action lawsuit (Reece v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.) detailing identical PCV-induced seal and plastic oil pan failures in the exact same model year. Volkswagen's failure to issue a safety recall for this unlisted "lifetime" part forces families to drive under the threat of sudden component blowout and subsequent engine failure. A mandatory safety investigation and recall are required to address this systemic powertrain defect.

NHTSA ID
11764736
Incident
Jul 28, 2026
BrakesElectrical
Filed Sep 9, 2026

2021 Tiguan parking brake comes on without being commanded. There is a fault with the drivers door. I believe the the driver door module or corresponding wiring. The front drivers window toggle switch does not work the toggles switches for the rest of the window work only if the is not an error displayed on the dash. The lock button does not work on the drivers door at all and only works on the rest of the door when an error message is not displayed on the dash. The dash displays the following errors: 1. Driver Door Contact Switch. 2. Start/Stop. 3. Electronic Parking Brake. It also displays Attention: Engine is running. So far the parking brake only comes on(un commanded) when the vehicle is stopped.

NHTSA ID
11763032
Incident
Sep 1, 2026

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

V1718032037201_21

ENGINE

Checking engine oil level.

V0017132033846_27

ENGINE

Prevent Sporatic Misfire Faults.

V0118122014603_22

ENGINE

Reprogramming Control Module process

V9422012066639_7

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Condensation

V9419012011521_22

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Condensation and or water droplets visible on inside of exterior light lenses

Dealer 91UB 20261026

This OTA update addresses a potential issue with special characters being broadcast over HD radio.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Volkswagen Tiguan by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027000—
2026420041.8
2025583053.8
2024802058.8
2023721045.4
20222835056.3
2021Viewing1465056.4
20201413055.0
20191975056.3
201828914260.9
2017774056.3
2016972153.0
2015624046.4
2014843358.9
20131403357.7
20121533355.8
20111623455.8
20101102255.5
20091683153.3
2008000—
2007000—
2006000—
2005000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.