Problems · NHTSA complaints

2019 Volkswagen Tiguan problems

Owners filed 196 complaints about the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan with NHTSA between Dec 2018 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (57).

Complaints
196
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
6
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Air bags7
  11. Suspension6
  12. Visibility5
  13. Seat belts5
  14. Lane departure4

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20182
201930
202022
202116
202217
202329
202426
202522
202632

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

57 reports1 crash1 fire1 related recall
“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

Service brakes

24 reports2 crashes
“While driving and starting to go into the turn lane on the right, to make a right turn, the car would not slow down, while pressing the brake the car would not slow, I could not turn at the speed and was unable to get back into the flow of traffic either , so was left driving into a guard wire holding up a pole.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 24, 2026Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceCrash reportedODI 11739787

Power train

18 reports
“I am calling to open a formal escalation case against Volkswagen. I just had a major engine replacement now covered under warranty. Immediately upon delivery, the vehicle began severely leaking drivetrain fluid from the bevel box. The dealership text-admitted that their Technical Service Bulletin repair failed and that the unit needs to be replaced, but they are trying to charge me out-of-pocket for a defect directly tied to the warranty repair window. This is a severe safety risk of a drivetrain lockup on the highway. They also notified me after the fact my engine was completed that my catalytic convertor was failing or had failed along with a fan. None of these items were made aware to me while my car was getting a new engine and none of these were existing issues before I brought my car in.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 23, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11773326

Vehicle speed control

14 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond, and the vehicle vibrated abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who confirmed the failure but was unable to retrieve any fault codes. The vehicle was also taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to retrieve any fault codes. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 15, 2026Vehicle speed controlODI 11764313
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

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