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Fuel systemPart report

2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Fuel system Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
6%of 97 total for the year
Median mileage
44,850miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the fuel system of the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan, 6% of the 97 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 44,850 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I bought this cpo vehicle july 2018 with approx. 32,000 miles. Drove perfectly without any maintenance outside of typical oil change, tire swaps, rotations, alignments, etc. Mid-november 2019 I leave home around lunch time, back out of garage and pull up to turn on to the road, the battery light comes on and I can't accelerate the vehicle. Try jumping it, still won't start. Tow it to a local mechanic who works on vw/audis turns out it is a fuel pump module failure. Gets replaced and everything seems to be in order. End of january 2020, try to leave for work, battery and epc light come on. …”

NHTSA complaint #11310178, filed 2020-02, 45,000 miles

“Subject: Known Carbon Buildup Issue in 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan TSI – Request for Recall and Accountability To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally express my concern and request action regarding a well-documented and dangerous issue affecting Volkswagen TSI engines—specifically, severe carbon buildup. I am the current owner of a 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan TSI, which I purchased in April 2025 with approximately 84,000 miles on it. In June 2025, I had to have the intake manifold replaced due to carbon buildup—a repair that was still covered under warranty. …”

NHTSA complaint #11674768, filed 2025-07

“'takata recall' gas fuel gage was on e when I had just fuel my car that same day. No red light poped up. Every time I turn on the car gas fuel gage would be on a different position. Couple days after it was back to normal”

NHTSA complaint #11220371, filed 2019-06

“The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, an abnormal fuel odor was detected. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a fuel line leak. The dealer informed the contact that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11474901, filed 2022-07, 36,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Fuel system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202638%
2025611%
202434%
2023710%
20223111%
2021128%
202043%
2019105%
20184114%
2017811%
201666%
201512%
201445%
20131813%
20121510%
2011117%
201087%
2009148%

Other parts of the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan

Air bags
37 complaints
Electrical system
27 complaints
Other or unknown
23 complaints
Steering
13 complaints
Engine
10 complaints
Body and structure
6 complaints
Brakes
3 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
3 complaints
Vehicle speed control
3 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaints
Engine cooling
2 complaints
Exterior lighting
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology