Problems · NHTSA complaints

2021 Volkswagen Tiguan problems

Owners filed 144 complaints about the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan with NHTSA between Mar 2021 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (54).

Complaints
144
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Engine and engine cooling5
  11. Exterior lighting5
  12. Back over prevention3
  13. Suspension2
  14. Air bags2

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
20218
202215
202312
202429
202541
202639

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

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

Forward collision avoidance

11 reports
“My name is [XXX], and I am writing today to express my complete frustration mentally and financially with a CPO 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan (VIN [XXX]) I purchased XXX. To date my vehicle has been in for service multiple times – countless times for an issue with the infotainment system and driver warning indicators that is still unresolved and again for months waiting on a new engine due to an oil consumption issue that was finally resolved November of 2025 (Case XXX). My recent service visit on XXX was due to a “12 v battery not charging” error message. The vehicle was immediately taken to VW of [XXX] where we were advised it would be 3 weeks before my vehicle would even be looked at (which is atrocious) and not to drive it because further damage would be caused with no alternative solution offered for transportation. I then had the vehicle towed to a repair shop where I was advised the alternator “fried a 400-amp fuse and killed the battery, which should not happen, especially on a vehicle that has less than 50,000 miles on the odometer.” I paid $1,605.37 for a new alternator, 400-amp fuse and battery. Completely appalling and disappointing considering I take…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 6, 2026Electrical system, Engine, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11755246

Power train

11 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving downhill at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost automotive power. The vehicle was coasted into a driveway and restarted. Upon restarting the vehicle, the electronic power control (EPC) warning light and the yellow triangle for the central warning light illuminated. The vehicle was idling roughly and jerking while driving to the dealer. The vehicle was previously serviced at 50,500 miles due to an EPC fault, and dealer replaced an electronic actuator. Additionally, the battery was replaced at 50,500 miles, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 51,960.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 14, 2026Power trainODI 11750380

Structure

11 reports1 related recall
“On April 19, 2026, my 2021 VW Tiguan experienced a sudden loud gunshot-like sounding noise and my sunroof exploded. I fortunately had the screen closed, but large pieces of glass fell and were caught by the screen. It endangered me and my 3 children in the car. It was extremely stressful, as I was worried the entire sunroof would collapse on us and I was traveling at a high rate of speed. After pulling to the side of the road, further inspection showed the glass protruding upward. No sign of a rock or anything. There was absolutely no warning. I have filed a claim with insurance and plan to call VW tomorrow.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 20, 2026StructureODI 11732294
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.