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
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system57
- Engine44
- Forward collision avoidance25
- Service brakes24
- Power train18
- Vehicle speed control14
- Exterior lighting11
- Fuel/propulsion system10
- Structure9
- Air bags7
- Suspension6
- Visibility5
- Seat belts5
- 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
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
2
30
22
16
17
29
26
22
32
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 30 |
| 2020 | 22 |
| 2021 | 16 |
| 2022 | 17 |
| 2023 | 29 |
| 2024 | 26 |
| 2025 | 22 |
| 2026 | 32 |
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.
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!”
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).”
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”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.