2020 Volkswagen Tiguan Problems, Recalls & Reliability
209 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan, alongside 3 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 50/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Other leads the reports.
Below average
Where 2020 sits among all Tiguan years
What owners report
“The overhead console by the rear view mirror suddenly detached - only hanging by cords. It will not go back on. Duct tape will not even hold it. It is a safety hazard to drive it, and it impairs visibility. The dealership I took it to says this is a problem with 2020 tiguans, but I will have to pay…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2020 Tiguan
“Center roof console fell out while driving VW states it out of extended warranty charging $200 for repair I find this very dangerous”— owner report to NHTSA, 2020 Tiguan
“The vehicle burns oil. When the dealer was confronted they said it was “normal” for the car to burn half a quart of oil every 2000 miles. No oil stains on the ground. The engine is burning the oil.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2020 Tiguan
“The headliner control panel just falls which distracts the driver as well as all forward safety components fail to respond. I feel it is dangerous as this is extremely distracting”— owner report to NHTSA, 2020 Tiguan
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 38 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 21,500 miles. Half of those reports fall between 4,000 and 63,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (3)
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.
Fix: 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…
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.
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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…
Technical service bulletins
514 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on engine and electrical — are on file for the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2020 Tiguan TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?
The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan drew 209 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 50/100, scored against the model's worst year (2018).
What are the most common 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan problems?
The top reported problems for the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan are other (52 complaints), electrical (42), and engine (28).
At what mileage do 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan problems show up?
Owners most often report 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan problems around 21,500 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 4,000 and 63,000 miles.
Does the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan have recalls?
3 recall campaigns apply to the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.