NHTSA has received 136 owner complaints about the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, or 24.0 per year on the road — fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.57, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 85 model-year 2021 vehicles we track, it ranks #44 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Volkswagen models its rate is 18% lower; against other Compact SUVs it is 61% 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 2026-08-28. Median delay from incident to filing: 11 days.
136Complaints
24.0Complaints per year on the road
0.57Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
5Recalls
1.5%Share involving a crash or fire
44Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2020) drew 20.8 complaints per year, fewer than this one. The following model year (2022) drew 55.8 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 (39.0% of complaints), followed by Interior & equipment (17.6%) and Electrical (12.5%). Engine complaints are 1.8 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Engine reports, owners most often mention “oil”, “pcv”, “consumption”, “timing cover” and “engine”. 2 reports (1.5%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 2 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 47 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was years three to five (52% of incidents). In the last 12 months 44 new complaints were filed, versus 38 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for this model year. 26% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.57
vs. other Volkswagen models0.82
vs. other 2021 models0.63
vs. other Compact SUVs0.39
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (23)0.38
Vehicle was just turned on and put into reverse. Dash and infotainment center lights flashed and shut off. Vehicle rolled backwards uncontrollably down a sloped driveway. Steering and brakes were not properly functioning.
Engine · 2026-05-25 · ODI 11739933 · Crash
On 4/6/24 the steering wheel locked while driving the car . Causing the car to go off the road into a 40 ft ditch and hit a tree
Transmission / powertrain · 2024-04-18 · ODI 11583852 · Crash
Known issues with Tiguan models of overconsumption of motor oil due to faulty engineering of top(head) of engine.
Engine · 2026-08-28 · ODI 11760429
Electrical screen fail. Makes backup camera turn black and turns off while using. off and on repeatedly while in use. Very dangerous.
Electrical · 2026-07-27 · ODI 11753051
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.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-07-14 · ODI 11750380
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
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.
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 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.
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.
No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?
136 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, or about 24.0 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?
The most common category is Engine, accounting for 39.0% of complaints.
Does the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 5 safety recall(s) for this model year.
Is the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 44 new complaints were filed, versus 38 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
How does the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 136 owner complaints about the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, or 24.0 per year on the road — fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.57, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 85 model-year 2021 vehicles we track, it ranks #44 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Volkswagen models its rate is 18% lower; against other Compact SUVs it is 61% lower.