398 of the 1,267 complaints about the Volkswagen Tiguan (31.4%) concern Engine, making it the model's largest problem area. That share is 1.4× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.
398Complaints · Engine
31.4%Share of complaints
1.41×vs. all vehicles
147Last 12 months
2.5%Share involving a crash or fire
1Related recalls
Analysis
147 Engine complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 69 in the 12 months before — up 113%.
10 of these reports (2.5%) describe a crash or fire, with 3 injuries and 0 deaths mentioned.
1 recall campaign relates to this area, most recently campaign 18V159000 (2018-03-08, model year 2018).
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
Shortly after purchase, the vehicle began experiencing ongoing mechanical and electrical issues that required multiple repair attempts.
Engine · 2026-02-04 · ODI 11715560 · Fire
Within 6 months of purchasing car CPO from dealer, car went into limp mode. Was less than 35k miles, still having same issues at 85k miles. Took to dealer, they said nothing was wrong with car.
Engine · 2026-10-10 · ODI 11770271
Driving on Massachusetts interstate 93 at 65mph with my three children, the vehicles engine and computer system shut off after the dash showed the word “goodbye”.
Engine · 2026-10-08 · ODI 11769985
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
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.
Engine · 2026-10-02 · ODI 11768541
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
ENGINE Campaign 18V159000 · 2018-03-08 · Model years: 2018
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. The engine support bolts on these vehicles may not have been properly tightened.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace engine support bolts, free of charge. The recall began March 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 10F7.
Why modern engines burn oil, and what owner complaints revealDesign choices linked to oil consumption in recent engines, the warning signs owners describe, what counts as normal, and which tracked models currently have the highest engine share in their complaints.
