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Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2019 Volkswagen TiguanRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 196 owner complaints for the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan. Most complaints involve electrical system (57) and engine (44). The EPA rates it 24–25 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
24–25mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Oct 2022
Owner complaints
196
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,500est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

TiresReported Oct 31, 2022NHTSA 22V815000

Structure: body

Free remedy

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.

StructureReported Apr 6, 2022NHTSA 22V226000

Equipment: labels

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Tiguan LWB vehicles. The tire information label contains inaccurate tire dimension and inflation pressure specifications. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

EquipmentReported Mar 27, 2019NHTSA 19V241000
See all 5 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

196 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2018 – Oct 2026
  1. Electrical system57
  2. Engine44
  3. Forward collision avoidance25
  4. Service brakes24
  5. Power train18
  6. Vehicle speed control14
  7. Exterior lighting11
  8. Fuel/propulsion system10
  9. Structure9

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Tiguan model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2009167
2010110
2011162
2012153
2013140
201484
201562
201697
201777
2018289
2019196
2020141
2021144
2022279
202372
202479
202558
202638
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

57 reports1 crash1 fire
“Driving totally fine and my car makes a loud noise, tells me to check starter system and pull over. ALL electronics shut off and engine continues to run. Speedometer, gas gauge, radio screen, lights, turn signals, hazards, brake lights, EVERYTHING electronic shuts off. Starter was checked, battery was checked, alternator was checked, everything is fine. This is a VW issue as MANY 2019 Tiguans have been experiencing this exact issue this year. This is NOT safe!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 11, 2026Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11770416

Engine

44 reports1 fire
“Car burns excessive oil (1 quart per 1000 miles). Smoke comes from tail pipes. Had PCV replaced. Engine blocked scoped and valve guide #3 is bad. VW has not recalled this common issue and does NOT have the parts available to fix (on 6+ month back order).”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 26, 2026EngineODI 11773791

Forward collision avoidance

25 reports3 crashes
“My car jumps and lags due to fuel injector. It will be replaced by Volkswagen but only if there believe it’s Ana issue even though there are several reports of this issue”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 6, 2026Engine, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11742516
All 2019 Tiguan problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S8)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Tiguan
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
222925$2,500355
Tiguan 4motion
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
212924$2,600367
  • Tiguan
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 29 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Tiguan 4motion
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 29 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Volkswagen Tiguan SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
0.0%
Overall
5 / 5
Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
0.0%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 13686Vehicle 13685
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2019 Tiguan questions

How many recalls does the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan problems?

Owners filed 196 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (57), engine (44), forward collision avoidance (25). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan get?

The EPA rates the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan at 24–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026