NHTSA has received 141 owner complaints about the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan, or 20.8 per year on the road — fewer complaints than typical (complaint index 0.52, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 83 model-year 2020 vehicles we track, it ranks #39 of 83 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Volkswagen models its rate is 28% lower; against other Compact SUVs it is 66% 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 2020-06-13 and 2026-10-06. Median delay from incident to filing: 8 days.
141Complaints
20.8Complaints per year on the road
0.52Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
3Recalls
3.5%Share involving a crash or fire
29Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2019) drew 24.8 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2021) drew 24.5 per year, more than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2020 model collected 20 complaints, 64% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Electrical (22.7% of complaints), followed by Unspecified or other (20.6%) and Engine (19.9%). 5 reports (3.5%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 7 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 49 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was years three to five (38% of incidents). In the last 12 months 29 new complaints were filed, versus 17 in the 12 months before — up 71%.
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for this model year.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.52
vs. other Volkswagen models0.72
vs. other 2020 models0.55
vs. other Compact SUVs0.34
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (20)0.36
I was driving and a vehicle was making a left hand turn, in the middle lane and they were in their lane and I was in mine, but the vehicle decided to use the automatic breaking which then cause me to have whiplash and it took a few seconds for the car to move…
Driver-assist systems · 2026-06-15 · ODI 11744148
I am writing to report a serious safety concern regarding my Volkswagen Tiguan 2020. The dome light in my vehicle has completely broken off, melting the plastic from the screws, and was hanging by the electrical wires.
Electrical · 2024-07-08 · ODI 11600088
While driving my 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan (equipped with approximately 39,000 miles), the vehicle suffered a sudden and catastrophic total engine failure without prior warning, resulting in an immediate loss of power and propulsion while in motion.
Engine · 2026-10-06 · ODI 11769339
Vehicle threw SOS emergency call feature error two years ago. I replaced the module at the dealership. Today, the same SOS emergency call feature again showed up and I am unable to make an emergency call. This is a known and common issue with VW.
Electrical · 2026-09-15 · ODI 11764516
I was driving the car it died while driving. The dealership can’t figure out what’s going on. And it will die WHILE driving and then say check starter ignition system. I open the door it says the engine is on but it is not.
Unspecified or other · 2026-08-28 · ODI 11760463
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
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 2020 Tiguan LWB vehicles. The third row seat belt anchor bolts may not have been properly torqued.
Risk: Improperly torqued bolts may prevent the third row seat belt from performing as designed in a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and will repurchase the vehicles. Owners are advised: No one should occupy the third row seat due to the safety risk. The recall began October 7, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen number for this recall is 69BA.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen ) is recalling certain 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, Jetta, Jetta GLI and Tiguan and Audi Q5 and SQ5 and 2021 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. Parts of the front seat frame and backrest adjuster may not have been welded properly.
Risk: In the event of a rear-end crash, the backrest adjustment could break, possibly reducing the amount of occupant restraint, thus increasing risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seats, and, as necessary, replace the seatback frames, free of charge. The recall began September 11, 2020. Volkswagen owners may contact their customer service at 1-888-241-2289. Audi owners may contact their customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 72L1, 72K8, and 72K9.
