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2020 Volkswagen Tiguan

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 124.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 28 of 140 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Forward Collision Avoidance. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports0 fire reports5 injury reports

What owners actually said

140 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2022
Visibility/wiper

The Overhead Console Detached and was hanging down and blocking the rearview mirror and proper vision along with hanging in mid air. The overhead console just began to fall and looked loose and then a day later was hanging all the way. This is clearly an issue, I have googled it and immediately found that this has happened to ot…

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The Overhead Console Detached and was hanging down and blocking the rearview mirror and proper vision along with hanging in mid air. The overhead console just began to fall and looked loose and then a day later was hanging all the way. This is clearly an issue, I have googled it and immediately found that this has happened to others and I find that the terminology that the dealer uses is similar amoungst customers to put the blame on the customer and say it is not a faulty part. The screws that hold this piece up seem to have been over screwed causing this overhead console to detach. I also saw others report that they get it fixed and it even happens again and again it is not covered due to the plastic breaks too and they say that is an outside force that the plastic broke. With this part broken I am also unable to open my sunroof too. Another point I would like to make is that if my husband was not able to disconnect the wires I would of had to drive with the part hanging in the way. I tried to duct tape it up and unhook it and it did not stay up nor was I able to unhook it. I also saw comments stating that this is happening to vehicles when it is hot out and it has been hot the past month or so here. I think the worst part is that a dealer is basically saying you are lying and had to damage the part which I have no idea how you would of even damaged the part due to the location of the part. I am completely dissatisfied with the dealer and how they handle the situation by saying it is the customers fault when clearly you can google it and find others with the same issue, did everyone damage the same part that is located in an awkward location? I dont think so.

NHTSA ODI #11473742

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2022
Engine

Low Engine Oil. Car is burning oil. Having to put engine oil every 3 months.

NHTSA ODI #11473112

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2022
Forward Collision Avoidance

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 ODI #11472085

Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2022
Engine

MY 2020 VOLKSWAGON TIGUAN STALLS WHILE IDLING IN TRAFFIC. THE ENGINE MAKES A GRINDING NOISE AND THERE IS NO POWER. I HAVE TO PUT IT IN PARK AND TURN IT OFF AND THEN BACK ON. IT HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN 2021 AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE STARTER-THAT WORKED FOR A WHILE BUT IN THE PAST 7 DAYS (MAY 30, 2022 TO JUNE 6, 2022) IT HAS S…

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MY 2020 VOLKSWAGON TIGUAN STALLS WHILE IDLING IN TRAFFIC. THE ENGINE MAKES A GRINDING NOISE AND THERE IS NO POWER. I HAVE TO PUT IT IN PARK AND TURN IT OFF AND THEN BACK ON. IT HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN 2021 AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE STARTER-THAT WORKED FOR A WHILE BUT IN THE PAST 7 DAYS (MAY 30, 2022 TO JUNE 6, 2022) IT HAS STALLED 5 TIMES WHILE IDLING IN TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI #11467710

Mileage unknown · May 3, 2022
Forward Collision AvoidanceService Brakes

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 believ…

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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 ODI #11463284

Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2022
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidanceService Brakes

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 ODI #11460281

17,000 miles · Apr 1, 2022
Forward Collision Avoidance

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 t…

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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 ODI #11459221

Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2022
Electrical SystemForward Collision Avoidance

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 ODI #11457353

Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2022
Electrical SystemSeatsVisibility/wiper

Water coming in through sunroof and pooling in the back seat foot pans. Only reason I was aware was first because someone with the same vehicle told me it happened to them and second I began to see moisture and ice on the inside of the windshield. Also began to have a mold odor. This lead to corrosion of the floor pans and damag…

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Water coming in through sunroof and pooling in the back seat foot pans. Only reason I was aware was first because someone with the same vehicle told me it happened to them and second I began to see moisture and ice on the inside of the windshield. Also began to have a mold odor. This lead to corrosion of the floor pans and damage to electrical wiring. Unknown what other long term damage could be caused.

NHTSA ODI #11455800

Mileage unknown · Jan 1, 2022
EngineForward Collision AvoidanceUnknown Or OtherCrash

Unknown

NHTSA ODI #11445800

Official recalls

3

22V226000 · Structure:body

Apr 6, 2022

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An insufficiently attached spoiler may separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

20V579000 · Seat Belts; Seat Belts:rear/other

Sep 23, 2020

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020 Tiguan LWB vehicles. The third row seat belt anchor bolts may not have been properly torqued.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Improperly torqued bolts may prevent the third row seat belt from performing as designed in a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and will repurchase the vehicles. Owners are advised: No one should occupy the third row seat due to the safety risk. The recall began October 7, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen number for this recall is 69BA.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seat Belts:rear/other

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020 Tiguan LWB vehicles. The third row seat belt anchor bolts may not have been properly torqued.

Consequence: Improperly torqued bolts may prevent the third row seat belt from performing as designed in a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and will repurchase the vehicles. Owners are advised: No one should occupy the third row seat due to the safety risk. The recall began October 7, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen number for this recall is 69BA.

Seat Belts

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020 Tiguan LWB vehicles. The third row seat belt anchor bolts may not have been properly torqued.

Consequence: Improperly torqued bolts may prevent the third row seat belt from performing as designed in a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and will repurchase the vehicles. Owners are advised: No one should occupy the third row seat due to the safety risk. The recall began October 7, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen number for this recall is 69BA.

20V505000 · Seats

Aug 26, 2020

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen ) is recalling certain 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, Jetta, Jetta GLI and Tiguan and Audi Q5 and SQ5 and 2021 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. Parts of the front seat frame and backrest adjuster may not have been welded properly.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a rear-end crash, the backrest adjustment could break, possibly reducing the amount of occupant restraint, thus increasing risk of injury.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seats, and, as necessary, replace the seatback frames, free of charge. The recall began September 11, 2020. Volkswagen owners may contact their customer service at 1-888-241-2289. Audi owners may contact their customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 72L1, 72K8, and 72K9.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Volkswagen Tiguan problems