2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Problems: 11 Known Issues

On the 2018-2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, owners report the panoramic sunroof glass shattering while driving, with a loud noise and glass falling into the cabin, and say nothing struck it. Applies to: Second-generation Volkswagen Tiguan with the panoramic sunroof, per owner complaints on 2018, 2019 and 2021 models. Mileage when it happened, as stated in the linked owner reports: 5,900 miles on a 2019, 7,000 miles on a 2021, 20,000 miles on a 2019 and 43,000 miles on a 2018.

On the 2018-2022 Volkswagen Tiguan, the accessory rear hatch spoiler may not be properly adhered to the vehicle because the installation instructions supplied with it were not correct. The spoiler can come loose or fall off and become a road hazard for other traffic. Applies to: 2018-2021 Volkswagen Tiguan (long-wheelbase) and 2022 Tiguan that had the genuine Volkswagen accessory rear hatch spoiler installed at the port or by a dealer before first retail sale (VW recall 66N5, NHTSA 22V226; 6,553 vehicles in the US). Vehicles without the accessory spoiler are not included. Only a Volkswagen dealer can confirm by VIN.

On the 2018-2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, on some sunroof-equipped Tiguans the front sunroof drains can become blocked with moist debris, letting water leak into the passenger compartment. Volkswagen also found leaks at the front headliner, vanity lights and overhead console caused by poor adhesion of the sunroof body-side seal. Applies to: 2018-2019 Volkswagen Tiguan with a sunroof (service action 60E5, which expired December 31, 2021; seal bulletin 60-19-04 for VINs up to AX_KM088514). Volkswagen's sunroof leak warranty extension (VWP-23-06) lists 2018-2021 Tiguan, for 7 years or 80,000 miles from the original in-service date, prorated after the new-vehicle warranty.

On the 2018-2023 Volkswagen Tiguan, owners report the Front Assist collision-warning and emergency-braking system triggering early or braking suddenly with no collision threat, which they worry could lead to being rear-ended. A class-action settlement covering Tiguans with this system was reached in 2024; Volkswagen states there is no defect. Applies to: Second-generation Volkswagen Tiguan equipped with Front Assist, per owner reports on 2018 and 2019 models. The settlement (Dack v. Volkswagen Group of America) lists 2018-2023 Tiguan. Mileage when it happened, as stated in the linked owner reports: 3,500 miles on a 2018, 5,500 miles on a 2019 and 24,321 miles on a 2019.

On the 2021-2022 Volkswagen Tiguan, nHTSA recall 22V514000 includes 2021-2022 Tiguan models. According to Volkswagen, the manufacturing process used for the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system may cause the rearview camera image not to display. Since the Tiguan relies on that center screen to show the area behind the vehicle, a failure to render the image leaves the driver without the rear view the vehicle is required by law to provide, and the vehicle therefore fails to comply with FMVSS 111, 'Rear Visibility.' NHTSA notes the reduced rear view increases crash risk. The 43,091 units listed by NHTSA is a campaign-wide count covering every Volkswagen model in the recall.

On the 2021-2022 Volkswagen Tiguan, a batch of rear suspension knuckles (wheel carriers) fitted to 2022 Tiguan and 2021 Tiguan LWB vehicles (shared with the 2022 Taos) were improperly protected against corrosion. The knuckle can corrode, crack and ultimately break, separating the wheel from its suspension links and causing loss of stability. Volkswagen recalled 10,119 vehicles in March 2022 under campaign 42L8 (NHTSA 22V176000). This is a different failure from the 2018-2019 rear coil-spring fracture recall (42J5) already documented on this nameplate.

On the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0L TSI (EA888), owners report a failed PCV (crankcase ventilation) valve on the 2.0L turbo engine, and say it led to oil leaking from the valve cover or timing cover gasket. One owner reports the repair being needed twice. Applies to: 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan (second generation) with the 2.0L TSI engine, per owner reports. Mileage when it happened, as stated in the linked owner reports: 53,000 miles on a 2021, 62,086 miles on a 2021, 80,000 miles on a 2021 and 90,000 miles on a 2021.

On the 2018-2023 Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0L TSI (EA888), owners report the 2.0L turbo engine needing oil top-ups between scheduled oil changes, with the low-oil warning coming on and no visible leak. Owners say dealers told them about a quart per 800-1,000 miles is normal. Applies to: Second-generation (2018 and later) Volkswagen Tiguan with the 2.0L TSI engine, per owner reports on 2018 and 2019 models. A 2024 US lawsuit about 2022-2023 Tiguans alleges low piston-ring tension; it is an allegation, not a finding. Mileage when it happened, as stated in the linked owner reports: 10,400 miles on a 2018, 15,900 miles on a 2018, 21,748 miles on a 2018, 33,500 miles on a 2019 and 35,000 miles on a 2018.

On the 2009-2021 Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0L TSI (EA888), volkswagen extended warranty coverage for failed engine water pumps, thermostats and thermostat housings on Tiguans under class-action settlements, including a share of the cost of engine damage directly caused by such a failure. Applies to: Tiguans in the settlement classes: 2009-2014 Tiguan (VWP-19-08: water pump, 10 years/100,000 miles) and certain 2014-2021 Volkswagen models including Tiguan (VWP-22-06: water pump, thermostat and thermostat housing, 8 years/80,000 miles). Both periods count from the original in-service date, so coverage may already have ended. Only a Volkswagen dealer can confirm eligibility by VIN.

On the 2018-2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, owners report the rear brake pads and rotors wearing out well before the front brakes. One owner reports a rear inner pad worn to the metal backing without the wear warning sounding. Applies to: Second-generation Volkswagen Tiguan, per owner reports on 2018, 2019 and 2020 models. Mileage when it happened, as stated in the linked owner reports: 79,200 miles on a 2019.

On the 2020-2022 Volkswagen Tiguan, owners report the fuel gauge not resetting after refueling, for example still reading empty after a fill-up. On some early 2020 Tiguans with 4Motion and the digital cockpit, Volkswagen traced this to an instrument cluster software configuration error. Applies to: 2020-2022 Volkswagen Tiguan (second generation), per owner reports on 2021 and 2022 models. Bulletin 90-20-01 applies only to 2020 Tiguan with 4Motion and the digital cockpit cluster, VINs AX_LM001000 to AX_LM026215. Mileage when it happened, as stated in the linked owner reports: 56,000 miles on a 2021.