VehicleVerdict

2021 Volkswagen Tiguan problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan sits mid-pack among Tiguan years: 175 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 167, with 5 recalls and no defect investigations.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 47 reports (27% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

175

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2021 compare to other Tiguan years?

See all Tiguan years to avoid →

What are the most common 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine4727%
Other2816%
Electrical System2213%
Driver Assistance159%
Body & Structure116%
Transmission106%
Fuel System106%
Visibility & Wipers95%
Brakes53%
Lighting53%
Speed Control42%
Airbags32%
Tires & Wheels21%
Latches & Locks11%
Suspension11%
Steering11%
Seat Belts11%

Does the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

22V514000Electrical SystemJuly 20, 2022 · 43,091 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Golf GTI, Jetta GLI, Jetta NF, Arteon FL, Tiguan LWB, 2022 Taos, Jetta PA, Tiguan PA, 2021-2022 Atlas Cross Sport, and Atlas FL vehicles. The manufacturing process of the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system may cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence

A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the infotainment software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DV.

22V226000Body & StructureApril 6, 2022 · 6,553 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Tiguan and 2018-2021 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. Due to incorrect installation instructions, the accessory rear hatch spoiler may be insufficiently attached to the vehicle.

Consequence

An insufficiently attached spoiler may separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the spoiler, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 66N5.

22V176000SuspensionMarch 23, 2022 · 10,119 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Tiguan, Taos, and 2021 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. A second notice will be sent once remedy parts become available. The left or right rear suspension knuckles may corrode, crack, and break.

Consequence

A broken rear suspension knuckle can cause a loss of stability, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace one or both rear suspension knuckles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 13, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42L8.

21V038000SeatsFebruary 1, 2021 · 57 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Long Wheelbase and Jetta vehicles. Bolts may be missing from the front seat tracks.

Consequence

The seat can move front and back without restriction if bolts are missing, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat tracks and, as necessary, install the bolts, free of charge. The recall began February 18, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 72L6.

20V716000Driver AssistanceNovember 18, 2020 · 32,048 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan LWB, Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas FL and Arteon vehicles. The rear view camera could malfunction during an ignition cycle, leading to a black screen or infotainment system freeze. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence

A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91BB/91BC.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

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.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 17, 2026 · crash

Center console above rear view mirror has broken and fallen from ceiling for the 2nd time. It as repaired in Aug 2023 after this happened the first time. This is a DEFECT and it needs to be addressed ASAP! If this falls from the ceiling while driving, its very dangerous and most likely would cause…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 25, 2024

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.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 17, 2026 · crash

When using the remote start the ACC and automatic braking system will fail and give an error. This is a known issue for VW and they have not provided a solutions in over 2 years. To make it work again you need to either turn the car off and back on without remote start or disable the ACC before…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · October 21, 2021

The gas door on the vehicle would not open. It is locked when the vehicle is locked, and is unlocked when the vehicle is unlocked. The gas door opens by pushing the door, and the door will pop open. After repeatedly locking and unlocking the vehicle, the gas door still would not open. I ended up…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · November 24, 2021

2021 Volkswagen Tiguan — common questions

Is the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?

It is close to typical for the Tiguan: 175 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2021 Tiguan problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (47 complaints), other (28 complaints), electrical system (22 complaints).

Does the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Volkswagen Tiguan years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Tiguan years to avoid are 2018, 2022, 2019, 2011, 2013, 2012, 2010, 2016, 2014. The cleanest record among Tiguan years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.