Problems · by component
2019 Volkswagen Tiguan engine problems
44 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan cite engine, 22% of all 196 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
44
22% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
What owners say about the engine
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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).”
“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.”
“Cylinder head failure. Vehicle is currently at VW dealership waiting on part that is in a nationwide backorder as so many are failing. I was told it will be at least a 4-6 week wait for repair, maybe longer as part is backordered. Vehicle had a full inspection done by VW dealership. Vehicle was needing oil in between oil changes, then after last oil change, the low oil light came on 3 days after a full oil change. Then started going through 2 quarts a quart a week and noticed smoke coming from the exhaust. Took it to the VW dealership where I purchased the vehicle to get an inspection and when I told the service center the symptoms, they said it was probably the cylinder head, its a common issue with my engine type. Then after inspection, the service center told us to look up the issue online to see if there are any class action lawsuits as this is such a common issue with my engine type.”
“Vehicle: 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan Mileage: Approximately 84,000 miles Problem: Intermittent Park-position/gear-selector warning and transmission emergency mode My 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan has developed an intermittent safety-related transmission/gear-selector problem. The vehicle intermittently displays the warning: “Only exit vehicle in P position. Please service vehicle.” At other times, the vehicle also displays: “Transmission in emergency mode.” The warnings are intermittent, but they have occurred while operating the vehicle. The problem appears to involve the vehicle’s ability to correctly recognize or communicate the transmission/gear-selector position. I am concerned that this may represent a safety defect involving the gear-selector/Park-position detection system rather than a normal transmission failure. I understand that Volkswagen previously recalled certain 2011–2019 vehicles under NHTSA Recall 19V-615 / Volkswagen Recall 37M2 because of a shift-lever microswitch problem involving incorrect recognition of the Park position. NHTSA’s recall documentation states that an incorrect Park-position signal can create a risk of unintended vehicle rollaway.…”
“The car, a 2019 VW Tiguan, had a “check engine” light come on, and the resulting diagnosis and repairs - using VW’s specific engine fault codes - led to the replacement of both water pumps at 72,000 miles. An investigation of the water pump problem on such cars revealed that Volkswagon previously settled a major nationwide class-action lawsuit (apparently kept secret) covering certain 2014–2021 models with 1.8L and 2.0L engines. This resulted in an extended warranty covering the repair or replacement of failed water pumps. For some reason our car was not covered by the extended warranty, even though the engines in the 2017 Tiguans are all the same. Why weren't we, as the owners of a 2019 Tiguan, notified of the results of the class-action lawsuit, and given the extended warranty? I want to know the difference between the water pumps in the affected vehicles, and the one in our car. The water pump # in her Tiguan is identified as O6L 121 111 M. What differentiates her water pump from those covered by the settlement? Why are we forced to pay a good deal of money to correct a pretty disturbing VW design flaw (a plastic water pump), when others aren’t?”
“This vehicle is burning oil! I have stayed on top of getting the regular/required oil changes but inbetween we have had to constantly top off the oil. I also get all oil changes at the dealer. Last time when I complained about it the guy told me that it would be a lot of work to try to find out why and left it at that. My warranty expires in November and I don't want to get burned by this by needing a new engine!”
Showing 6 of 44 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.