2019 Volkswagen Tiguan Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 9%of 196 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 400miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan, 9% of the 196 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 400 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Vehicle frequently shakes/shudders violently under light/normal acceleration in stop-and-go traffic, creating a safety hazard and extremely uncomfortable driving situation. I purchased it a few weeks ago and have approximately 1300 miles on it - this has been happening since I took delivery. Under load, shortly after the transmission shifts and as the vehicle reaches approximately 9-11 MPH at 2000rpm, the entire vehicle shudders as if the engine is being lugged or is misfiring. …”
NHTSA complaint #11232134, filed 2019-07, 300 miles“Upon driving my new 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan this past winter. It was a very cold winter day, when starting my car it wouldn't go in reverse. , then started to go, in reverse . I put it into d drive .. I would putt ( go and stop) like it was running out of gas . There was plenty of gas in it . It continued to display the epc yellow warning light. The light signal is engine control malfunction . I have notified my dealership I purchased it from. The state it will do that when it is very cold out. It is now spring time. It has done it twice”
NHTSA complaint #11194689, filed 2019-04, 1 miles“I bought the Tiguan brand new from the dealership with high hopes for our family SUV. Almost immediately I noticed that the vehicle hesitated to accelerate from a stopped position a few times, but couldn't believe I was having a problem so soon after buying the car. When I realized that this was a recurring car issue and not user error, we had only owned the car for 3 weeks and the car had roughly 1200 miles. It was absolutely terrifying when I was turning left during rush hour traffic with my 12 month old son in the back seat and my car would not accelerate beyond about 5 miles per hour. …”
NHTSA complaint #11228837, filed 2019-07, 1,200 miles“Vehicle started leaking fluids 2 weeks after purchasing. The car has now been in 6 times for leaking oil fluids, as well as noisy brakes, and a bucking tranny. Has had seals replaced, boot replaced and is now leaking again 1/2021 in the front, and also leaking in the rear of the car.”
NHTSA complaint #11387045, filed 2021-01, 400 miles“Sport shift. This is an underpowered and sometimes confused vehicle. Most owners say to drive in sport mode to help it not hesitate as much when accelerating from a stop (can have long hesitation for no apparent reason) and when passing at highway speeds. Per manual sport mode will not allow transmission to go into highest gear which is 8th gear. However once in sport mode, and cruising with steady speed and RPM, if you place selector to manual mode the shift indictor immediately displays 8 with no change in engine tone or RPM. …”
NHTSA complaint #11372318, filed 2020-10, 9,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11036874Aug 10, 2026Replacement instruction
- 11025440Oct 14, 2025Cautions about using aftermarket transmission flush machines and aftermarket transmission fluids.
- 11025439Oct 9, 2025Diagnosing Manual Transmission Noise
- 11014950Feb 12, 2025CV Boot replacement
- 11008861Sep 17, 2024Fluid requirements
- 11008851Sep 17, 2024Engine Misfire Diagnostic Aid
- 11008860Sep 11, 2024Manual transmission noise diagnosing
- 10250803Feb 29, 2024Bevel box leaking, update to Arteon labor operation numbers.
- 10238310Jun 21, 2023Automatic Transmission Fluid Requirements
- 10238309Jun 15, 2023Noise Diagnostic for Manual Transmission vehicles.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 16% |
| 2025 | 9 | 16% |
| 2024 | 5 | 6% |
| 2023 | 8 | 11% |
| 2022 | 42 | 15% |
| 2021 | 11 | 8% |
| 2020 | 5 | 4% |
| 2019 | 18 | 9% |
| 2018 | 49 | 17% |
| 2017 | 5 | 7% |
| 2016 | 3 | 3% |
| 2015 | 2 | 3% |
| 2014 | 1 | 1% |
| 2013 | 6 | 4% |
| 2012 | 7 | 5% |
| 2011 | 8 | 5% |
| 2010 | 6 | 5% |
| 2009 | 20 | 12% |
Other parts of the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan
57 complaintsEngine
44 complaintsOther or unknown
39 complaintsForward collision avoidance
25 complaintsBrakes
24 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsExterior lighting
11 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsSuspension
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2019 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