2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Problems

PCV value/oil leak is a known issue with this specific model of car. The repair I was quited was over $2700 when the car is just out of warranty. There was no oil light indication showing that the oil was low! I only checked everything out because I saw oil in the drive way. The car read zero oil on the dip stick. I added 4 quarts and finallt started to get into operating range. My wife drives this car and could have been in a major accident if it hadn't been noticed. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

My name is [XXX], and I am writing today to express my complete frustration mentally and financially with a CPO 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan (VIN [XXX]) I purchased XXX. To date my vehicle has been in for service multiple times – countless times for an issue with the infotainment system and driver warning indicators that is still unresolved and again for months waiting on a new engine due to an oil consumption issue that was finally resolved November of 2025 (Case XXX). My recent service visit on XXX was due to a “12 v battery not charging” error message. The vehicle was immediately taken to VW of [XXX] where we were advised it would be 3 weeks before my vehicle would even be looked at (which is atrocious) and not to drive it because further damage would be caused with no alternative solution offered for transportation. I then had the vehicle towed to a repair shop where I was advised the alternator “fried a 400-amp fuse and killed the battery, which should not happen, especially on a vehicle that has less than 50,000 miles on the odometer.” I paid $1,605.37 for a new alternator, 400-amp fuse and battery. Completely appalling and disappointing considering I take excellent care of my vehicle and it is supposedly an inspected, certified pre-owned vehicle – that’s a lemon in my opinion! I am seeking reimbursement for this huge expense for a vehicle that should not have these issues! I look forward to a resolve to this urgent complaint. Regards, INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

My name is [XXX], and I am writing today to express my complete frustration mentally and financially with a CPO 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan (VIN [XXX]) I purchased XXX. To date my vehicle has been in for service multiple times – countless times for an issue with the infotainment system and driver warning indicators that is still unresolved and again for months waiting on a new engine due to an oil consumption issue that was finally resolved November of 2025 (Case XXX). My recent service visit on XXX was due to a “12 v battery not charging” error message. The vehicle was immediately taken to VW of [XXX] where we were advised it would be 3 weeks before my vehicle would even be looked at (which is atrocious) and not to drive it because further damage would be caused with no alternative solution offered for transportation. I then had the vehicle towed to a repair shop where I was advised the alternator “fried a 400-amp fuse and killed the battery, which should not happen, especially on a vehicle that has less than 50,000 miles on the odometer.” I paid $1,605.37 for a new alternator, 400-amp fuse and battery. Completely appalling and disappointing considering I take excellent care of my vehicle and it is supposedly an inspected, certified pre-owned vehicle – that’s a lemon in my opinion! I am seeking reimbursement for this huge expense for a vehicle that should not have these issues! I look forward to a resolve to this urgent complaint. Regards, INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Electrical screen fail. Makes backup camera turn black and turns off while using. off and on repeatedly while in use. Very dangerous.

My name is [XXX], and I am writing today to express my complete frustration mentally and financially with a CPO 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan (VIN [XXX]) I purchased XXX. To date my vehicle has been in for service multiple times – countless times for an issue with the infotainment system and driver warning indicators that is still unresolved and again for months waiting on a new engine due to an oil consumption issue that was finally resolved November of 2025 (Case XXX). My recent service visit on XXX was due to a “12 v battery not charging” error message. The vehicle was immediately taken to VW of [XXX] where we were advised it would be 3 weeks before my vehicle would even be looked at (which is atrocious) and not to drive it because further damage would be caused with no alternative solution offered for transportation. I then had the vehicle towed to a repair shop where I was advised the alternator “fried a 400-amp fuse and killed the battery, which should not happen, especially on a vehicle that has less than 50,000 miles on the odometer.” I paid $1,605.37 for a new alternator, 400-amp fuse and battery. Completely appalling and disappointing considering I take excellent care of my vehicle and it is supposedly an inspected, certified pre-owned vehicle – that’s a lemon in my opinion! I am seeking reimbursement for this huge expense for a vehicle that should not have these issues! I look forward to a resolve to this urgent complaint. Regards, INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Vehicle keeps having all warning lights and warning messages come on whenever the car starts. Warning lights maintain on constantly and has audible beeping to indicate the warnings. Vehicle would also put itself into park randomly at, as well as disengage collision and lane sensors while driving. Vehicle has been taken to the dealership, and has been reproduced by them, stating "we have never seen this before and are not sure what to do, we need to reach out to Volkswagen directly" most recent update, they needed to replace the door harness and F5 module but are still unclear with the status of the repair. Dealership has indicated it's safe to drive if I wanted to pick it up while they figure out the issue.

The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving downhill at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost automotive power. The vehicle was coasted into a driveway and restarted. Upon restarting the vehicle, the electronic power control (EPC) warning light and the yellow triangle for the central warning light illuminated. The vehicle was idling roughly and jerking while driving to the dealer. The vehicle was previously serviced at 50,500 miles due to an EPC fault, and dealer replaced an electronic actuator. Additionally, the battery was replaced at 50,500 miles, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 51,960.

Here is a quick description of the issue from our Volkswagon of Huntington service report. We have had this ongoing issue for a few months now. the check engine light will come on. We get it checked, we replace a sensor, and all is good for a day or week. Then we do it again, replacing a different sensor. Now the dealer is saying the oil separator is leaking and requires repairs starting at $8,400 and going up from there as they uncover more. We have always maintained the car properly. From research this appears to be a very known issue with this model car and should be reported and covered by VW. SCANNED VEHICLE AND FOUND FAULTS PRESENT FOR SECONDARY AIR. OBSERVED OIL SEPARATOR LEAKING CUASING UPPER TIMING COVER GASKETS TO BLOW OUT ALLOWING OIL TO ESCAPE. FOUND SECONDARY AIR PORTS IN CYLINDER HEAD CLOGGED TRIGGERING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. ADVISED TO REPLACE OIL SEPARATOR,CAM SHAFT MAGNETS AND CYLINDER HEAD TO START. APPROX $ 8480.00 PLUS TAX

My fuel system level indicator does not work properly when the tank is below 1/2 full, and the check engine light comes on. It does not correctly deplete, instead leaving me with no gas when it shows it still has gas available. This has left me stranded in various locations as my car runs out of gas, but doesn't show me that until it is completely empty. Most recently, it was on a very busy road in the middle of traffic. The gas gauge went from 1/2 full to empty while I was driving. Upon taking it to the dealer, they said to replace the 1 sensor, which is a very small, simple piece, they have to replace the entire fuel system, which is over $5000 in repairs. My car is only 4 years old and only out of warranty by 6 months. Further research shows this is a common issue with the make and model of my car. Many seem to happen under warranty, but with the age my car is now, many of these warranties will expire, leaving owners to have to pay to fix this outrageous, costly repair.

I purchased the Tiguan just shy of 2 years ago. Since 12/17/24 I have spent over $2,000.00 in that short of time because one incident the oil leaked out in a matter of a day. The second incident, while traveling from St. Louis to Tulsa, the oil light came on every 80 miles because the oil had spewed out. I had to replace the oil about 5 times that day. The third incident came 1,500 miles later. I came out of a restaurant in Claremore, OK and saw every drop of oil had spilled out into the parking lot. Each time I took the car to Autohaus. They only work on Volkswagens. He has been doing so since he was 14. If he can't fix it, no one can. I can't afford to keep dishing out $700 every 2,000 miles.

Tha back up camera system is glitching out. We reset the system but is keeps freezing/blacking out after about 30 seconds. This is known issue with this model of Volkswagen.

Wipers randomly start when switch is turned off. Wipers will randomly not start when wipers are turned on. Safety of others is affected due to visibility being obscured due to wipers not turning on. Injuries can occur when wipers randomly start. There was no warning prior to the problem starting.

On April 19, 2026, my 2021 VW Tiguan experienced a sudden loud gunshot-like sounding noise and my sunroof exploded. I fortunately had the screen closed, but large pieces of glass fell and were caught by the screen. It endangered me and my 3 children in the car. It was extremely stressful, as I was worried the entire sunroof would collapse on us and I was traveling at a high rate of speed. After pulling to the side of the road, further inspection showed the glass protruding upward. No sign of a rock or anything. There was absolutely no warning. I have filed a claim with insurance and plan to call VW tomorrow.

Mechanical trunk lid emergency release will not release from the rear of the vehicle. The locking mechanism failed and lid will not open.

This over head dome light falls out of nowhere it hit me in the face while driving. There are alot of complaints about this but no recall

The overhead console that controls the interior lights, sunroof, SOS button, etc. just popped off while driving and almost hit me in the head.

Vehicle was just turned on and put into reverse. Dash and infotainment center lights flashed and shut off. Vehicle rolled backwards uncontrollably down a sloped driveway. Steering and brakes were not properly functioning. Vehicle came to a stop when it struck a parked vehicle in its path.

On 4/6/24 the steering wheel locked while driving the car . Causing the car to go off the road into a 40 ft ditch and hit a tree

The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 - 20 MPH the "Stop and Start Failure" message was displayed. The contact restarted the vehicle and the "Fault Electronic Brake" and "Driver Door Switch Failure" messages became displayed. The contact pulled to the side of the road and opened then closed the front driver’s side door and restarted the vehicle. The contact repeated the process three times however, the messages remained displayed. The contact continued to drive the vehicle at approximately 15 - 20 MPH and the parking brake suddenly activated. Once the parking brake had independently released the contact was able to get to the side of the road and turned off and restarted the vehicle several times. The failure had started occurring more frequently. The contact stated that several other unknown messages were displayed. The dealer had been informed of the failure however, the vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000.

On ~August 1, 2022, the "overheard console" (containing lights, BT microphone, and sunglass compartment) unexpectedly "dropped" out of the vehicle's ceiling. The plastic and adhesive keeping this part in place appeared to have cracked into pieces, and the weight of the part caused it to fall. I was driving during this incident and it startled me into nearly having an accident. When I called the dealership I purchased this brand new car from less than two years ago, (Hewlett Volkswagen of Georgetown, Texas) they informed me that I was one of MANY customers experiencing the same issue on Tiguans manufactured in the last 2 years. In fact, when I described what happened, the service advisor guessed my make/model before I provided further detail. The dealership refused to accommodate my safety (let along the inconvenience) by offering a tow/loaner vehicle, so I had to drive over 25 miles (~40 minutes) to bring the car in to get the broken console removed. In that trip, I almost got into another accident because the part dangling from my ceiling was obstructing my view while driving. I have been waiting 6 weeks to get this part replaced, which the dealership confirmed was back order issues because they've had so many instances with other VW Tiguans this summer. I have contacted VW Customer Service hotline AND the dealership about a recall on this, but both validated that they've never filed anything despite being fully aware that "dropping overhead consoles" have been a RECURRING safety risk for cars with my make/model/year for months. While I've waited for VW to take responsibility, I've injured myself getting into my vehicle at night because I have no lights inside the car, let alone at extreme risk for assault. And because I cannot use the BT microphone, a feature which encouraged me to buy this car brand new, I have had to make sacrifices in my career. My life and the lives of others have been put at risk because VW has refused to consider this a safety recall.

I scraped the curb with my passenger front tire and all my side air bags deployed. There was no other damage done to the vehicle.

The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the air bag control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to contact the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 13,000.

on the 3rd windshield in less than 1 year... the smallest impact breaks the windshield. There is a major problem with fragile windshields in the VW line.

The suspension components inclusive of struts and knuckles corroded and cracked causing the suspension to collapse in the front and rear of the vehicle. Luckily the suspension didn't collapse while driving and has not resulted in any injuries. The dealership (Gunther VW in Fort Lauderdale, Florida) inspected and replaced the front suspension but left the rear suspension untouched after certifying the integrity. 2 weeks later, the rear suspension collapsed.

The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan equipped with Continental Tires, Tire Line: ProContact TX, Tire Size: 235/50/R19, DOT Number: A384WD2D. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the TPMS warning illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer where the fault code was reset; however, the mechanic there was no failure found. The contact stated that on another occasion while driving 70 MPH, the rear passenger’s side tire experienced a blowout. The contact stated that the TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to a tire shop and had the rear passenger side replaced with a used tire. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer however, the mechanic found no failure with the vehicle. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,200. The VIN was not available.

On 4/6/24 the steering wheel locked while driving the car . Causing the car to go off the road into a 40 ft ditch and hit a tree

Parking brake violently engaging with every stop