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EnginePart report

2020 Volkswagen Tiguan Engine Problems

Complaints
26about this part
Share
18%of 141 total for the year
Median mileage
31,070miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the engine of the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan, 18% of the 141 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 31,070 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

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

“The vehicle began to fail while parked, the check engine and epc lights came on. It began to fail as if it had no strength. On december 23, the dealer was taken for the third time due to the same problem, the first time they told us that it was gasoline (puma) that that brand could not be used, they changed the brand to shell and continued with the problem. Before this happened, the deler made us a recall of something and after this it was that the failures began. The bus only has 3,500 miles. …”

NHTSA complaint #11385558, filed 2020-12, 1,953 miles

“Car has been consuming excessive oil in a short amount of time, Volkswagen claims it’s in “normal” specs but car consumes all the oil after oil change within 1200 miles. Between 0-5,000 miles 2 extra quarts will be added to engine. First time I noticed it was a month after purchasing the car when my oil/engine light came on. Recently oil cap blew off”

NHTSA complaint #11721985, filed 2026-03

“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 complaint #11467710, filed 2022-06

“Complete engine stoppage approximately 18:00 21 July 2021. Headed east on Germany Road, a serpentine two lane road with no shoulder. Engine stopped and vehivle coasted to a stop. I turned on the emergency lights and put the vehicle in park. Fortunately, I was able to restart the car and proceed. It was pure luck that I wasn't rear-ended.”

NHTSA complaint #11426054, filed 2021-07

“Bought car on 4/6/ 2020 brand new at 2600 miles oil lite came on I checked and it needed 1 quart.I went to dealer they checked it and added 1 quart and told me to come back when it happens again . I check it every week and now 9/21/20 it is add the add point on thestick odometer now at 3800 miles. This high consumption is to much.the light has not come on yet but I dont like running it down to the bottom of the stick. …”

NHTSA complaint #11360270, filed 2020-09

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20261539%
20251323%
20242026%
20232535%
202211341%
20215438%
20202618%
20194422%
20188228%
20171520%
20161010%
2015915%
20141113%
20133021%
20125033%
20116339%
20105045%
20098048%

Other parts of the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan

Other or unknown
53 complaints
Electrical system
34 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
16 complaints
Body and structure
16 complaints
Brakes
11 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaints
Exterior lighting
8 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
5 complaints
Engine cooling
4 complaints
Fuel system
4 complaints
Vehicle speed control
4 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan

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.

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