Fewer Within ±30% year on yearNHTSA has received 142 owner complaints about the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, or 24.5 per year on the road — fewer complaints than typical (complaint index 0.61, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 85 model-year 2021 vehicles we track, it ranks #44 of 85 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Volkswagen models its rate is 15% lower; against other Compact SUVs it is 59% 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 2021-03-14 and 2026-10-02. Median delay from incident to filing: 14 days.
142Complaints
24.5Complaints per year on the road
0.61Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
5Recalls
1.4%Share involving a crash or fire
45Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2020) drew 20.8 complaints per year, fewer than this one. The following model year (2022) drew 56.4 per year, more than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2021 model collected 23 complaints, 62% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Engine (40.1% of complaints), followed by Unspecified or other (16.9%) and Electrical (13.4%). Engine complaints are 1.8 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 2 reports (1.4%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 2 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 48 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was years three to five (51% of incidents). In the last 12 months 45 new complaints were filed, versus 39 in the 12 months before — up 15%.
NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for this model year.
Safety recalls (5)
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA Campaign 22V514000 · 2022-07-20
Summary: 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."
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DV.
STRUCTURE:BODY Campaign 22V226000 · 2022-04-06
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.
SUSPENSION Campaign 22V176000 · 2022-03-23
Summary: 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.
Risk: A broken rear suspension knuckle can cause a loss of stability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace one or both rear suspension knuckles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 13, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42L8.
SEATS Campaign 21V038000 · 2021-02-01
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Long Wheelbase and Jetta vehicles. Bolts may be missing from the front seat tracks.
Risk: The seat can move front and back without restriction if bolts are missing, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat tracks and, as necessary, install the bolts, free of charge. The recall began February 18, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 72L6.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA Campaign 20V716000 · 2020-11-18
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan LWB, Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas FL and Arteon vehicles. The rear view camera could malfunction during an ignition cycle, leading to a black screen or infotainment system freeze. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91BB/91BC.
How to check whether your car has an open recall ›
