NHTSA has received 189 owner complaints about the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan, or 24.6 per year on the road — fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.58, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 76 model-year 2019 vehicles we track, it ranks #31 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Volkswagen models its rate is 16% lower; against other Compact SUVs it is 60% lower.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2018-12-01 and 2026-08-31. Median delay from incident to filing: 7 days.
189Complaints
24.6Complaints per year on the road
0.58Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
5Recalls
3.7%Share involving a crash or fire
29Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2018) drew 33.2 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2020) drew 20.8 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2019 model collected 54 complaints, 33% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Electrical (23.8% of complaints), followed by Engine (21.7%) and Interior & equipment (12.2%). Electrical complaints are 1.5 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Electrical reports, owners most often mention “check starter”, “starter system”, “brake lights”, “ignition switch” and “hot”. 7 reports (3.7%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 5 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 47 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was after five years (37% of incidents). In the last 12 months 29 new complaints were filed, versus 23 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for this model year. 45% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.58
vs. other Volkswagen models0.84
vs. other 2019 models0.54
vs. other Compact SUVs0.4
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (54)0.67
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…
Brakes · 2026-05-24 · ODI 11739787 · Crash
The emergency braking system caused a rear accident . Leaving at fault " unable to control vehicles ", listed by State Farm, resulting in a personal injury claim with no injuries for $475,000.00 all parties including Volkswagen will be sued .
Brakes · 2024-04-17 · ODI 11583569 · Crash
On unusually hot days, my VW Tiguan 2019, pops up a Check Start system and shuts down the dash and all electrical components (speedometer, A/C, infotainment system, blindside monitors, brake lights etc.) Car still runs but everything does not work.
Electrical · 2026-08-31 · ODI 11761079
I am reporting a safety-related electrical defect on my 2019 Tiguan that has been intermittently occurring since March 2026. This typically has happened during the hotter parts of the day when the tempreature in in the 90's.
Interior & equipment · 2026-08-14 · ODI 11757043
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.
Engine · 2026-08-07 · ODI 11755432
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS Campaign 22V815000 · 2022-10-31
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
Risk: An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audis customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.
Summary: 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.
Risk: An insufficiently attached spoiler may separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the spoiler, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 66N5.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Tiguan LWB vehicles. The tire information label contains inaccurate tire dimension and inflation pressure specifications. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk: The incorrect specifications can result in improper tire inflations or to installing a tire of the wrong size on the vehicle. Either of these situations can increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will install a corrected tire information label, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D2.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Golf Sportwagen, 2019 Jetta, 2015-2019 Golf, and 2018-2019 Tiguan vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.
Risk: If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall began April 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42J5.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas and Tiguan and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles that do not have keyless entry. The instrument cluster may not provide an audible warning to let the driver know that the key is still in the ignition when the door is open. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."
Risk: If the driver is not notified by an audible noise that the key is left in the ignition, it can increase the risk of vehicle theft or crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 90L3 and 90L4.
No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan?
189 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan, or about 24.6 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan?
The most common category is Electrical, accounting for 23.8% of complaints.
Does the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 5 safety recall(s) for this model year.
Is the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 29 new complaints were filed, versus 23 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
How does the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 189 owner complaints about the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan, or 24.6 per year on the road — fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.58, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 76 model-year 2019 vehicles we track, it ranks #31 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Volkswagen models its rate is 16% lower; against other Compact SUVs it is 60% lower.