2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Problems, Recalls & Reliability
183 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, alongside 5 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 41/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Engine leads the reports, typically around 51,500 miles.
Below average
Where 2021 sits among all Tiguan years
What owners report
“Engine has excessive oil consumption. Low oil indicator light will come on and Engine oil needs to be topped and added about every 2500 miles sometimes more often depending on driving conditions.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2021 Tiguan
“The inside console above the rear view mirror fell out. It could have caused an accident and prevents full clearance of the rear view mirror.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2021 Tiguan
“The overhead console that controls the interior lights, sunroof, SOS button, etc. Just popped off while driving and almost hit me in the head.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2021 Tiguan
Recalls (5)
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…
Fix: 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…
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 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,…
Fix: 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…
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.
Fix: 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 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…
Fix: 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…
Technical service bulletins
499 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on engine and electrical — are on file for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2021 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 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?
The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan drew 183 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 41/100, scored against the model's worst year (2018).
What are the most common 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan problems?
The top reported problems for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan are engine (51 complaints), other (29), and electrical (28).
Does the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan have recalls?
5 recall campaigns apply to the 2021 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.