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EnginePart report

2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Engine Problems

Complaints
54about this part
Share
38%of 144 total for the year
Median mileage
50,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 54 complaints about the engine of the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, 38% of the 144 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles. 1 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.

“Pcv valve on my car went and caused seals to leak in my engine. This has caused oil to leak onto my exhaust system which poses a fire hazard according to the dealership. Car should not be driven. Many many complaints about this issue of the PCV valve failing have been discovered online. Worried about my car catching fire if I drive it”

NHTSA complaint #11624365, filed 2024-11

“My Tiguan leaks and burns oil like crazy. Now it has 111k miles on it, but this has been an ongoing issue for the last five years since I've had it. I now have to put a quart of oil in every 100 miles. This is not the fault of me getting an oil change, this is a persistent problem caused by the manufacturing of the car. I have had the engine nearly seize up while driving on the freeway due to low oil from this issue. Please investigate and fix.”

NHTSA complaint #11754156, filed 2026-08

“There was an issue with excessive oil consumption. In as little time as I have owned this vehicle I have had to top my oil off between oil changes because my low oil light had came on. I then, over the winter got a check engine light, it threw code P24D6 which pertained to the oil leak and/or seperating. I then noticed that on my driveway, I have some oil from my car. I paid a mechanic $200 to fix this plastic drain that according to the mechanic doesnt reseal.”

NHTSA complaint #11648647, filed 2025-03

“Here is a quick description of the issue from our Volkswagon of Huntington service report. We have had this ongoing issue for a few months now. the check engine light will come on. We get it checked, we replace a sensor, and all is good for a day or week. Then we do it again, replacing a different sensor. Now the dealer is saying the oil separator is leaking and requires repairs starting at $8,400 and going up from there as they uncover more. We have always maintained the car properly. …”

NHTSA complaint #11724602, filed 2026-03

“The high pressure fuel pump has failed within 40,000 miles and now again at 110,000 miles. It causes the vehicle to randomly turn in drive and while idle. It has had oil consumption issues and oil leak issues that constantly occur. The dealer has replaced the high pressure fuel pump under warranty 40,000 miles and has now detected it needs to be replaced again at 110,000 miles. I paid for oil leak repair which was over 5,000 dollars and now I have another oil leak issues with the oil separator.”

NHTSA complaint #11768541, filed 2026-10

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20261541%
20251323%
20242026%
20232535%
202211341%
20215438%
20202618%
20194422%
20188228%
20171520%
20161010%
2015915%
20141113%
20133021%
20125033%
20116339%
20105045%
20098048%

Other parts of the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

Other or unknown
30 complaints
Electrical system
25 complaints
Fuel system
12 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
11 complaints
Body and structure
11 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
11 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaints
Brakes
6 complaints
Engine cooling
5 complaints
Exterior lighting
5 complaints
Vehicle speed control
5 complaints
Back-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 28, 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