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Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2021 Volkswagen TiguanRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 144 owner complaints for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan. Most complaints involve engine (54) and electrical system (25). 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 Jul 2022
Owner complaints
144
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,500est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Back over prevention: camera

Free remedy

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."

Back over preventionReported Jul 20, 2022NHTSA 22V514000

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

Suspension

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Mar 23, 2022NHTSA 22V176000
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

144 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2021 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine54
  2. Electrical system25
  3. Fuel/propulsion system12
  4. Forward collision avoidance11
  5. Power train11
  6. Structure11
  7. Visibility/wiper8
  8. Service brakes5
  9. Vehicle speed control5

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
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
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

Engine

54 reports1 crash
“The high pressure fuel pump has failed within 40,000 miles and now again at 110,000 miles. It causes the vehicle to randomly turn in drive and while idle. It has had oil consumption issues and oil leak issues that constantly occur. The dealer has replaced the high pressure fuel pump under warranty 40,000 miles and has now detected it needs to be replaced again at 110,000 miles. I paid for oil leak repair which was over 5,000 dollars and now I have another oil leak issues with the oil separator.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 2, 2026Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11768541

Electrical system

25 reports1 crash
“2021 Tiguan parking brake comes on without being commanded. There is a fault with the drivers door. I believe the the driver door module or corresponding wiring. The front drivers window toggle switch does not work the toggles switches for the rest of the window work only if the is not an error displayed on the dash. The lock button does not work on the drivers door at all and only works on the rest of the door when an error message is not displayed on the dash. The dash displays the following errors: 1. Driver Door Contact Switch. 2. Start/Stop. 3. Electronic Parking Brake. It also displays Attention: Engine is running. So far the parking brake only comes on(un commanded) when the vehicle is stopped.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 9, 2026Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11763032

Fuel/propulsion system

12 reports
“Taking left turns is dangerous. My turn very slowly and Hard press on pedal to turn. Oil consumption is insane. Started at 38k miles, manufacture warranty ended after 4 years. I’m under 52k miles now and have to fill oil about every 1k miles. I’ve had 4 oil changes this year alone. I’m regular about Maintenence. Last oil change was 08/03/26 check oil light came on 8/15 had to add 3.5 quarts 8/26/26 Will keep track of each time I need to add oil and update here. This has been an issue for many Tiguan owners where is the recall???”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 27, 2026Unknown or other, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11759910
All 2021 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
232925$2,500353
Tiguan 4motion
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
212724$2,600374
  • Tiguan
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    23 city · 29 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Tiguan 4motion
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 27 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 AWD
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 FWD
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 15584Vehicle 15578
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

2021 Tiguan questions

How many recalls does the 2021 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 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan problems?

Owners filed 144 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (54), electrical system (25), fuel/propulsion system (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan at 24–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026