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Fuel systemPart report

2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Fuel system Problems

Complaints
12about this part
Share
8%of 144 total for the year
Median mileage
—not reported
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the fuel system of the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, 8% of the 144 complaints for this model year.

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.

“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

“My fuel system level indicator does not work properly when the tank is below 1/2 full, and the check engine light comes on. It does not correctly deplete, instead leaving me with no gas when it shows it still has gas available. This has left me stranded in various locations as my car runs out of gas, but doesn't show me that until it is completely empty. Most recently, it was on a very busy road in the middle of traffic. The gas gauge went from 1/2 full to empty while I was driving. …”

NHTSA complaint #11706676, filed 2025-12

“Taking left turns is dangerous. My turn very slowly and Hard press on pedal to turn. Oil consumption is insane. Started at 38k miles, manufacture warranty ended after 4 years. I’m under 52k miles now and have to fill oil about every 1k miles. I’ve had 4 oil changes this year alone. I’m regular about Maintenence. Last oil change was 08/03/26 check oil light came on 8/15 had to add 3.5 quarts 8/26/26 Will keep track of each time I need to add oil and update here. This has been an issue for many Tiguan owners where is the recall???”

NHTSA complaint #11759910, filed 2026-08

“At about 60,000 miles a VW dealer told me it was normal for VWs to use oil. Now at 80,000 I have a $2,000+ bill b/c the PCV is faulty and the timing cover has failed. I did NOT get a low dngine oil warning, but mechanic says panic wait it was low ( oil change 4,000 miles ago). This could have led to a seized engine on the interstate. I am upset to learn this is a common problem with this vehicle. It is an expensive repair. From other posters I fear this is not the end of the problem. VW should recall this part .”

NHTSA complaint #11670607, filed 2025-07

“I purchased the Tiguan just shy of 2 years ago. Since 12/17/24 I have spent over $2,000.00 in that short of time because one incident the oil leaked out in a matter of a day. The second incident, while traveling from St. Louis to Tulsa, the oil light came on every 80 miles because the oil had spewed out. I had to replace the oil about 5 times that day. The third incident came 1,500 miles later. I came out of a restaurant in Claremore, OK and saw every drop of oil had spilled out into the parking lot. Each time I took the car to Autohaus. They only work on Volkswagens. …”

NHTSA complaint #11676717, filed 2025-07

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 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

Engine
54 complaints
Other or unknown
30 complaints
Electrical system
25 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 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