Volkswagen Tiguan Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 2,338 consumer complaints across the 18 model years of the Volkswagen Tiguan (2009–2026) that have at least 5 complaints. 2018 has the most, with 288. Across all years, the part named most often is engine (710 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All Tiguan model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 38 | 1,000 | 0 | 94 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2025 | 57 | 4,810 | 3 | 146 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2024 | 77 | 7,650 | 2 | 275 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 72 | 14,171 | 1 | 355 | 40 · Typical | Too new |
| 2022 | 273 | 30,000 | 5 | 470 | 100 · More | Rising |
| 2021 | 144 | 26,000 | 5 | 506 | 78 · More | Rising |
| 2020 | 141 | 30,400 | 3 | 520 | 70 · More | Rising |
| 2019 | 196 | 2,946 | 5 | 699 | 94 · More | Rising |
| 2018 | 288 | 6,900 | 14 | 749 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2017 | 76 | 26,000 | 4 | 584 | 30 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2016 | 97 | 45,000 | 2 | 663 | 12 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2015 | 62 | 49,262 | 4 | 739 | 9 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2014 | 84 | 50,000 | 3 | 1,002 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2013 | 140 | 53,500 | 3 | 1,062 | 29 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2012 | 153 | 50,000 | 3 | 1,003 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 162 | 60,000 | 3 | 858 | 56 · Typical | Falling |
| 2010 | 110 | 73,000 | 2 | 789 | 18 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2009 | 168 | 70,000 | 3 | 674 | 56 · Typical | Falling |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Engine710 26%
- Electrical system555 20%
- Other or unknown396 15%
- Air bags319 12%
- Transmission and drivetrain211 7.7%
- Fuel system202 7.4%
- Steering196 7.2%
- Brakes142 5.2%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2009: “I crashed due to brake failure on 10.31.2019. I made a right turn from a light. Traffic came to a stop. I pushed the break and it did not hold. It felt bumpy. Breaks did not hold even when I pushed it all the way to the floor. I ended up rear ending the car infront of me going 15mph. What's going on there? Something needs to be done about that asap.”
NHTSA complaint #11321360, filed 2020-04, 165,000 miles2018: “I was driving with a friend in car doing speed limit and all of of sudden the red vehicle accident image came on the car shuddered and the auto brakes came on this was the second time it has happened my friend freaked out I bot it in sept 18 and it happened a couple months after that I immediately called vw”
NHTSA complaint #11402727, filed 2021-03, 20,000 miles2011: “The fuel indicator (gauge) in the instrument panel does not tell how much fuel is in the vehicle. I bought this car used but as a certified vehicle. I would expect this to last longer as I have never had one to go out on a vehicle. It never tells how much fuel is in the vehicle whether it is still, being driven, hot, cold, or whatever. It just doesn't work.”
NHTSA complaint #11258778, filed 2019-09, 60,000 milesOther Volkswagen models
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About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology