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2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 124.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 17 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.

  • Engine. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Forward Collision Avoidance. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

140 reports
13,000 miles · Oct 3, 2022
Air Bags

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 …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11487727

Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2022
Electrical System

While coming to a stop, the car displayed an error code “ Error: Driver Door Contact Switch” and automatically put the car in park using the emergency break. The driver would have to put the car in park, turn off the vehicle, and release the emergency break to continue. The Volkswagen Tiguan would do this at every stop. The driv…

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While coming to a stop, the car displayed an error code “ Error: Driver Door Contact Switch” and automatically put the car in park using the emergency break. The driver would have to put the car in park, turn off the vehicle, and release the emergency break to continue. The Volkswagen Tiguan would do this at every stop. The driver pulled over and opened/shut all the door to ensure that no doors were open and it was only after reading in a form that the driver discovered that it is an electrical issue/software issue that the computer registers the door as open.

NHTSA ODI #11486000

Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2022
StructureInjury

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 a…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11483325

20,000 miles · Aug 26, 2022
Electrical SystemStructure

The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the overhead console detached from the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the overhead console to be replaced. The vehicle was not re…

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The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the overhead console detached from the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the overhead console to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

NHTSA ODI #11481391

11,000 miles · Aug 15, 2022
Forward Collision Avoidance

The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle would brake independently suddenly. The contact stated that the independent braking had been an ongoing failure since he purchased the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated, however, prior to the s…

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The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle would brake independently suddenly. The contact stated that the independent braking had been an ongoing failure since he purchased the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated, however, prior to the sudden braking, a warning beeping sound would activate. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that there was no failure of the braking system. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 11,000.

NHTSA ODI #11479367

Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2022
Structure

I was driving down the road and the overhead console fell out of the roof...i researched it and found this has happened to many people. Just glad i didnt wreck

NHTSA ODI #11477639

Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 2022
Equipment

The Infotainment system is horrible. It causes driving issues when it starts randomly playing music, freezes up and does not work.

NHTSA ODI #11476103

Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2022
Back Over Prevention

The backup camera freezes and stops working. The car has to be turned off and back on again for it to work. The dealer informed me it was not a safety issue and I should use my mirrors. This is absolutely a safety issue.

NHTSA ODI #11474748

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2022
Unknown Or Other

Sunroof exploded while I was driving down the highway. I was going 65-70 mph, no other vehicles around me.

NHTSA ODI #11473394

3,200 miles · Jun 2, 2022
Tires

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 …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11467189

Official recalls

5

22V514000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera; Equipment:electrical:infotainment:software

Jul 20, 2022

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Equipment:electrical:infotainment:software

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."

Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

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."

Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

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.

22V176000 · Suspension

Mar 23, 2022

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A broken rear suspension knuckle can cause a loss of stability, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

21V038000 · Seats; Seats:critical Fasteners

Feb 1, 2021

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Long Wheelbase and Jetta vehicles. Bolts may be missing from the front seat tracks.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The seat can move front and back without restriction if bolts are missing, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat tracks and, as necessary, install the bolts, free of charge. The recall began February 18, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 72L6.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seats:critical Fasteners

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Long Wheelbase and Jetta vehicles. Bolts may be missing from the front seat tracks.

Consequence: The seat can move front and back without restriction if bolts are missing, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat tracks and, as necessary, install the bolts, free of charge. The recall began February 18, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 72L6.

Seats

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Long Wheelbase and Jetta vehicles. Bolts may be missing from the front seat tracks.

Consequence: The seat can move front and back without restriction if bolts are missing, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat tracks and, as necessary, install the bolts, free of charge. The recall began February 18, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 72L6.

20V716000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

Nov 18, 2020

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan LWB, Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas FL and Arteon vehicles. The rear view camera could malfunction during an ignition cycle, leading to a black screen or infotainment system freeze. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91BB/91BC.

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