2022 Volkswagen Tiguan Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
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What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine10929.5%
- Driver assistance7620.5%
- Electrical5815.7%
- Powertrain (other)4111.1%
- Fuel system297.8%
- Steering236.2%
- Visibility133.5%
- Brakes61.6%
- Airbags41.1%
- Other / unspecified30.8%
- Exterior lighting20.5%
- Seat belts20.5%
- Body & structure20.5%
- Interior & seats10.3%
- Suspension10.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? During a multipoint inspection that was earlier than advised due to multiple dashboard lights engaging, we were told that our car has an oil leak due from the timing covers and lower pan seal. They removed the oil separator and found value stem seals to be out towards the exhaust side creating an oil leak that stemmed from blown timing covers and the lower oil pan seal being the cause of the leak. The oil separator was noted as failed. This car has been brought in for every inspection and continued to have lights on post inspection that we were told regularly that they forgot just to turn off the lights but that the oil had been changed. In fact, our next oil change wasn't due until February 2027. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Our safety has been put at risk driving a car with a substantial oil leak and faulty components that only seem found after we are 8,000 over the warranty. In searching the internet, this oil valve and leak situation is common in 2022 Tiguans enough so that there are multiple threads and articles about it. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The dealer confirmed that this is an ongoing issue with these cars and that Volkwagen may be looking into doing a rebate for repairs. That doesn't fix the issue with the safety of the vehicle. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? We will be checking in with our insurance provider as well as an independent service center after dealing with Heritage Volkswagen Group due to our warranty. That warranty obviously provided us nothing for its cost or coverage. The lights were present and always brought in to be checked at the dealer we bought the car from. Again, we were always told that the lights didn't mean anything and they were left on after service accidentally
The vehicle logged code P0491 due to a clogged cylinder head internal port at 28,000 miles (26,000 at the time vehicle was inspected.) Volkswagen's official repair protocol requires a complete engine cylinder head replacement. The vehicle's onboard computer has disabled the factory-installed remote start system as a result of this engine fault.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
The infotainment MIB3 system failed. Infotainment screen is completely black and non functional. This has put my family at risk because I can’t see my backup camera and have very limited visibility through rear view mirror when backing up. I also lost safety features such as rear cross traffic warning, rear auto braking, ability to see pedestrians or vehicles when backing up, and the emergency cell call system. My car also no longer can access navigation or CarPlay which makes navigation dangerous on my small phone. Failure of MIB3 infotainment brain was confirmed by VW dealer. Car is under factory warranty but part is backordered with no ETA so I’m forced to drive an unsafe car. Was denied a loaner vehicle. This failure happened 1 day after overhead console spontaneously broke and fell down from headliner. Error lights now persist on the dashboard.
Travel Assist Not Available warning chime several times while driving. This has been back to the dealer 3 or more times, steering wheel replaced, software updates and still this along with screen blackouts, steering wheel heater coming on without prompting, audio failure, backup camera not always functioning. It is very distracting to all drivers with constant chimes and warning lights flashing across all screens.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The vehicle logged code P0491 due to a clogged cylinder head internal port at 28,000 miles (26,000 at the time vehicle was inspected.) Volkswagen's official repair protocol requires a complete engine cylinder head replacement. The vehicle's onboard computer has disabled the factory-installed remote start system as a result of this engine fault.
The infotainment MIB3 system failed. Infotainment screen is completely black and non functional. This has put my family at risk because I can’t see my backup camera and have very limited visibility through rear view mirror when backing up. I also lost safety features such as rear cross traffic warning, rear auto braking, ability to see pedestrians or vehicles when backing up, and the emergency cell call system. My car also no longer can access navigation or CarPlay which makes navigation dangerous on my small phone. Failure of MIB3 infotainment brain was confirmed by VW dealer. Car is under factory warranty but part is backordered with no ETA so I’m forced to drive an unsafe car. Was denied a loaner vehicle. This failure happened 1 day after overhead console spontaneously broke and fell down from headliner. Error lights now persist on the dashboard.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
The vehicle intermittently fails to accelerate normally from a stop, especially in hot weather and when the A/C is running. When pressing the accelerator, the vehicle can hesitate for an extended period before moving. In a recent incident recorded on video (reference attachment), I pressed the accelerator and the vehicle failed to respond normally for more than 10 seconds, requiring me to pull over. This creates a serious safety risk when entering intersections, making U-turns, crossing traffic, or pulling into traffic, because the vehicle does not respond when acceleration is needed. The issue is intermittent and more frequent and severe during summer temperatures, when the AC is running continuously. The concern has been reported to the Volkswagen dealer multiple times. Dealer repair attempts were made in 2025, but the issue still exists. An independent mechanic also inspected/tested the vehicle and confirmed there is an issue, but advised that it likely requires Volkswagen-specific diagnosis, software, adaptation, or calibration. No consistent warning light appears before the hesitation occurs. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. I have video evidence showing the delayed acceleration condition.
I am submitting this complaint regarding my Volkswagen vehicle because it has experienced two recurring defects during the warranty period that remain unresolved despite repeated repair attempts by the dealership. Issue 1 – Excessive Oil Consumption The vehicle has had a persistent excessive oil consumption problem since the warranty period. The dealership has attempted to repair this defect six times, including replacing an engine valve, but the issue continues. The vehicle still consumes excessive oil, requiring frequent monitoring and topping off. This creates a serious safety concern because low engine oil can result in engine damage, sudden loss of engine power, engine seizure, or an increased risk of fire while driving. Issue 2 – Electrical System Failure The vehicle has also experienced ongoing electrical problems involving the keyless entry system, repeated 12V Battery Low warnings, inoperative interior lights, and loss of connectivity with the Volkswagen mobile app. These problems have persisted despite nine repair attempts by the dealership and remain unresolved. The vehicle has spent a significant amount of time at the dealership throughout 2025 and 2026 for these recurring defects. The repeated electrical failures raise significant safety concerns. The keyless entry system can fail to unlock or recognize the key, the low 12V battery warnings indicate an unresolved electrical issue, and the loss of interior lighting reduces visibility inside the vehicle. The repeated failures also raise concerns about the reliability of other critical electrical systems and the possibility of the vehicle failing to start or operating unpredictably. Despite six repair attempts for excessive oil consumption and nine for electrical defects, Volkswagen has been unable to permanently fix these issues. I request NHTSA investigate whether these recurring failures indicate a broader safety defect requiring corrective action. Currently car is back to dealership for repair again
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? During a multipoint inspection that was earlier than advised due to multiple dashboard lights engaging, we were told that our car has an oil leak due from the timing covers and lower pan seal. They removed the oil separator and found value stem seals to be out towards the exhaust side creating an oil leak that stemmed from blown timing covers and the lower oil pan seal being the cause of the leak. The oil separator was noted as failed. This car has been brought in for every inspection and continued to have lights on post inspection that we were told regularly that they forgot just to turn off the lights but that the oil had been changed. In fact, our next oil change wasn't due until February 2027. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Our safety has been put at risk driving a car with a substantial oil leak and faulty components that only seem found after we are 8,000 over the warranty. In searching the internet, this oil valve and leak situation is common in 2022 Tiguans enough so that there are multiple threads and articles about it. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The dealer confirmed that this is an ongoing issue with these cars and that Volkwagen may be looking into doing a rebate for repairs. That doesn't fix the issue with the safety of the vehicle. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? We will be checking in with our insurance provider as well as an independent service center after dealing with Heritage Volkswagen Group due to our warranty. That warranty obviously provided us nothing for its cost or coverage. The lights were present and always brought in to be checked at the dealer we bought the car from. Again, we were always told that the lights didn't mean anything and they were left on after service accidentally
I am filing this complaint because my Volkswagen Tiguan has a serious and ongoing engine issue involving excessive oil consumption and a faulty cylinder head. The vehicle burns through an abnormal amount of oil between changes, requiring constant top‑offs, sometimes as frequently as every few hundred miles. Despite regularly adding oil and following all manufacturer‑recommended maintenance, the issue continues to worsen. The dealership has confirmed that the cylinder head is defective, which is causing the engine to consume oil at an extremely accelerated rate. However, I have been told the replacement cylinder head is on national backorder, and there is currently no estimated timeframe for when the part will be available. This means I am forced to continue driving a vehicle with a known, documented engine defect that can: Lead to engine stalling Create loss of power while driving Increase the risk of engine seizure Potentially cause a safety hazard on the road Additionally, being required to constantly add oil just to keep the vehicle operable is not only unsafe but financially unreasonable. The problem remains unresolved despite multiple service visits, documentation, and repeated oil consumption tests. This is a safety issue, not just a maintenance concern, because the engine can fail unexpectedly if the oil drops too quickly. I believe this is a significant defect affecting multiple Volkswagen vehicles and should be investigated by NHTSA. I request that NHTSA open a formal investigation into the excessive oil consumption and cylinder head defects on Volkswagen Tiguans, as owners should not be left with unsafe vehicles due to known manufacturing issues and unavailable critical engine components.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
We have had the steering wheel replaced twice in this vehicle since purchasing it brand new. This is not the 3rd steering wheel in the truck. From what we can tell this is extremely common with this VW. There is an issue with the wheel ring that causes the circuitry to "freak" out and cause the lane assist system/warning to come on/off repeatedly on the dash. It happens when you turn the wheel and flashes on the screen/auditable alerts multiple times. It is unsafe to drive as the warning happens for no rhyme or reason. Causing malfunction to the lane assist feature and is extremely distracting for the driver. Yes, the dealer has been able to replicate the issue. They have successfully replaced the steering wheel twice no (under warranty) There were no warnings prior to the issue happening. At which point the waring lights and audible alerts starting happening. This is clearly a recall issue for VW. Our concern is we are now on the 3rd steering wheel in a vehicle we bought brand new and it is now out of warranty. After the first wheel replacement there were no issues for approx. 1 year, then it happened again. There is a part that is degrading within the wheel and causing this to happen.
This is a very common issue with the car and everytime I touch the steering wheel it says “travel assist not available”. But when it notify that message it makes a very loud noise. It is very distracting because everytime I move my hands or grab the wheel it will keep making the loud noise making it very hard to focus. This is a problem that Volkswagen knows about and wants the customer to pay over $1000 out of pocket to replace the whole steering wheel. There is no user error or way for the drive to cause this it is a faulty sensor in the wheel. In the end its makes it very hard to drive and focus when everytime I move my hand on my wheel the car makes a loud ringing noise
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
The wipers of this car go on and off automatically and you are not able to turn off the feature. They go on without rain or any debris on the windshield. I already took it to a Volkswagen dealer and they accepted the error and replaced the steering wheel, saying this was the cause. With the new steering wheel, the problem is still going on and they don’t offer any solutions because they don’t understand what is happening to the car. This is very distracting and I’ve been close to crashing due to the wipers going on and off consistently. I researched on the internet and there are several VW cars with this issue and no solutions found.
The vehicle's sunroof glass failed catastrophically and shattered spontaneously without any external impact or contributing factor. The glass was not safety glass and shattered into sharp shards, dispersing throughout the vehicle interior, including the rear seating area. This failure posed a serious safety risk, as glass shards caused minor injuries to my skin, and could have resulted in significant injury had a child or pet been seated in the back. The incident has not been reproduced; however, the damage was confirmed and repaired by the authorized dealership, which replaced the sunroof glass, frame, and sunshade due to extensive damage. The vehicle was inspected by the dealership, and a comprehensive insurance claim was filed. No warning lamps, messages, or symptoms were present prior to the failure, and the event occurred without warning.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
On 7/22/25, I started an oil consumption test. It was eventually diagnosed that it was an issue because the cylinder head was replaced 9/25/25. Then a total engine replacement 1/26/2026 and on 2/10/2026 the dipstick tube was replaced. The car has consistently had engine oil consumption and still under the manufacturer warranty. It’s a lemon
The car was in the cruise control with auto mode and it just veered to the left from a car in front and crashed into the median and totaled the car.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that the vehicle had been at the dealer since November 2025 unrepaired regarding the side curtain air bag. The dealer informed the contact that Part Number: 5NN880742G; was on backorder. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time to provide the part for the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue but offered no assistance. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Crack spontaneously appeared near VW logo on steering wheel. The crack is growing. Volkswagen dealership said the airbag and steering wheel plate cover need to be replaced but unwilling to cover under warranty. Steering wheel plate cover looks to be swollen and other visible areas show stress marks. Dealership is ordering replacement part to replace next week. Dealership did not say this is a safety concern, but I feel it is needs to be reported to the correct persons. No warning lights have occurred.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
I bought this brand new Tiguan in July 2022. The engine is either leaking or burning engine oil. I have the check engine oil level light on around every 2000-3000 miles. I had been to the dealer several times. They just inspect for leak and added engine oil. The problem still exist. The dealer stated that my car needs oil change every 10k miles. I am going back every 2-3 k miles for engine oil. There is something wrong with the engine. It is burning or consuming the engine oil. Another problem i have is the wheel or the brakes. When I was braking at above 60 miles per hours, there is a strong vibration on the wheel or brakes.
I purchased this vehicle in June 2022 VW of Orlando North Florida. I had issues with salesperson [XXX] as he caught himself in lies. Anyway, my vehicle has 5,000 miles I keep in excellent condition I was going to detail and add some wheel options when I observed all 4 tires on this vehicle do not match. 3 are scorpions and 1 is Pirelli. Which means unbeknownst to me I’ve been driving this new Tiguan and suv with different tires. I was always aware especially vehicles awd should be fitted with the same tires. This is a violation, a safety hazard. I contacted VW of America, Vw Orlando and others I will take this incident complaint all the way to the President if I have to When I purchased this vehicle I was charged for ventilated front seats which was included in the car cost. A disclaimer read they are not installed even though there are buttons. The took off $200 I’m not a mathematician but a 2,000 option not connected with a $200 credit appears they made 1800 extra off me. I want this investigated, as a former law officer I know this is illegal and a very bad safety issue especially regarding the mismatched tires [XXX]. It appears this dealership is selling cars with dangerous tires what else did they cheat on. Thank you INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
2022 Tiguan overhead consule just fell down hanging by wires. No glasses compartment so not sure what would cause the stress on it due to usage. Dealer said 2020 models had issue and have an extended warranty. The 2022 does not have any recall. Seems like design flaw VW should correct as issue comes up. If I was driving at the time. it would have hit me or passenger in the head. This is a safety concern. I have seen multiple posts where this has happened. VW said I am out of warranty and will not do anything. It is 2022 and I have seen 2020 and 2021 models with owners posting same issue.
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND INFOTAINMENT DISPLAY WERE BLACKED OUT IN DAY TIME FROM START UP AND FOR DURATION OF DRIVE APROXIMATE 2 HOURS. RESTARTING HAD NO EFFECT, TURNING LIGHTS ON AND OFF HAD NO EFFECT ON DASH DISPLAY. BRIGHTNESS OF DISPLAY IS CONTROLLED THROUGH INFOTAINMENT DISPLAY WHICH WAS NOT VISIBLE. AFTER 20 MINUTE SHUTDOWN AND RESTART DISPLAY WAS NORMAL AGAIN. CHECKING DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS SETTING, IT WAS NORMAL. i RESET IT TO VERY HIGH. 1 HR LATER WHILE DRIVING DISPLAY DIMMED AND BRIGHTENED REPEATEDLY OVER 5 MINUTE DURATION, THEN WENT DARK AGAIN FOR DURATION OF DRIVE, BUT DUE TO RESET OF BRIGHTNESS I COULD DIMMLY SEE SPEEDOMETER READING. PERHAPS IF I HAD A BLANKET TO COVER DISPLAY WHEN IT FIRST STARTED IT MAY HAVE BEEN VISIBLE BUT JUST EXTREMELY DIM. DURING THIS CONDITION BACKUP CAMERA DISPLAY ALSO BLACK.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
The driver-side seat belt buckle is getting stuck and does not release the seat belt when the release button is pressed.
Seven months after I purchased this vehicle as new the driver side rear seatbelt buckle is not working which is preventing that passenger to put the seatbelt on, it keeps coming out. I called the local Dealership, FIndley Henderson Volkwagen, and the earliest appointment is a week from today, which means I can't have anyone sitting there. Any car after seven months shouldn't have this kind of safety problem. maybe it's a design issue.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
Rear sunroof glass spontaneously shattered while driving, no rock struck the glass.
Windshield provided cracks super easily
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
2022 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY CONCERNS WITH THE AUTO UNLOCK FEATURE ON VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED ALL 4 DOORS ON THE VEHICLE UNLOCK WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED TO PARK. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FEATURE COULD BE POTENTIALLY HARMFUL IN SOME SITUATIONS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
My backup camera stopped functioning not too long after the warranty was expired. It began by not coming on sometimes and then it went completely out. The entire unit is no longer functioning which prevents me from being able to use my backup camera and that is a safety issue.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .