2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 4%of 144 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 13,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the brakes of the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, 4% of the 144 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 13,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“Vehicle was just turned on and put into reverse. Dash and infotainment center lights flashed and shut off. Vehicle rolled backwards uncontrollably down a sloped driveway. Steering and brakes were not properly functioning. Vehicle came to a stop when it struck a parked vehicle in its path.”
NHTSA complaint #11739933, filed 2026-05“The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 - 20 MPH the Stop and Start Failure message was displayed. The contact restarted the vehicle and the Fault Electronic Brake and Driver Door Switch Failure messages became displayed. The contact pulled to the side of the road and opened then closed the front driver’s side door and restarted the vehicle. The contact repeated the process three times however, the messages remained displayed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11568536, filed 2024-01, 20,000 miles“The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated while driving out of the driveway at approximately 5 MPH, the parking brakes engaged independently. An alert stating that the vehicle is in motion was heard. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and was able to continue to drive; however, the failure reoccurred while driving on the highway. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The dealer informed the contact that they were unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provide no assistance. …”
NHTSA complaint #11456023, filed 2022-03, 7,000 miles“2021 Tiguan parking brake comes on without being commanded. There is a fault with the drivers door. I believe the the driver door module or corresponding wiring. The front drivers window toggle switch does not work the toggles switches for the rest of the window work only if the is not an error displayed on the dash. The lock button does not work on the drivers door at all and only works on the rest of the door when an error message is not displayed on the dash. The dash displays the following errors: 1. Driver Door Contact Switch. 2. Start/Stop. 3. Electronic Parking Brake. …”
NHTSA complaint #11763032, filed 2026-09“From a cold start and backing down the driveway, the SUV displayed an error code “Error: Driver Door Contact Switch” and automatically put the park break on. The driver had to put the Tiguan in park, turn off the vehicle, and release the emergency break restart the Tiguan and pulled back up the driveway. The driver proceeded to open/shut all the doors to ensure that all doors were closed. The drive started the Tiguan and proceeded to back out the driveway and the same thing happened with the error code and the park brake. …”
NHTSA complaint #11494555, filed 2022-11Related service bulletins
- 11036878Aug 27, 2026Repair or Replace Information
- 11026177Nov 6, 2025Warranty Instruction and guidance
- 11026174Nov 3, 2025Alignment sheet submission.
- 11018936May 1, 2025Steps to perform when a customer states and unwarranted Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB).
- 11016584Mar 12, 2025Brake Repair or Replacement Information
- 11012462Dec 13, 2024This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
- 10239659Jul 13, 2023Brake Disc (rotor) instruction for resurfacing following Volkswagen Warranty Policy & Procedure Manual.
- 10239637Jul 13, 2023Brake repair or replacement instruction.
- 10232743Mar 9, 2023Front brake pad installation tip.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 16% |
| 2025 | 6 | 11% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 4 | 6% |
| 2022 | 9 | 3% |
| 2021 | 6 | 4% |
| 2020 | 11 | 8% |
| 2019 | 24 | 12% |
| 2018 | 21 | 7% |
| 2017 | 3 | 4% |
| 2016 | 3 | 3% |
| 2015 | 6 | 10% |
| 2014 | 4 | 5% |
| 2013 | 7 | 5% |
| 2012 | 11 | 7% |
| 2011 | 6 | 4% |
| 2010 | 6 | 5% |
| 2009 | 8 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan
54 complaintsOther or unknown
30 complaintsElectrical system
25 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsForward collision avoidance
11 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 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