Volkswagen Tiguan Problems by Year

We compared every Volkswagen Tiguan model year from 2009–2026 using 2,329 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 39 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2022, 2018, 2025, 2024 and 2019, which drew far more complaints than other Tiguan years at the same age. The best years are 2015, 2014 and 2017.

18model years
2,329complaints
39recalls
2022, 2018worst years
2015, 2014best years

Complaints by model year

’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’261681101621531408462977629219314114327270765337
Owner complaints per model year, Volkswagen Tiguan. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
2026374.8×—EngineCaution
2025533.0×3ElectricalAvoid
2024762.3×2ElectricalAvoid
2023701.8×1EngineCaution
20222726.0×5EngineAvoid
20211432.0×5EngineAvoid
20201411.6×3ElectricalCaution
20191932.2×5ElectricalAvoid
20182923.4×14EngineAvoid
201776−29%4AirbagAverage
201697−15%2AirbagAverage
201562−43%4AirbagGood
201484−31%3AirbagAverage
20131401.3×3AirbagAverage
20121531.4×3EngineCaution
20111621.6×3EngineCaution
2010110typical2EngineAverage
20091681.5×3EngineCaution

* Complaints compared with the median Tiguan year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Volkswagen Tiguan problems

Latest Volkswagen Tiguan recalls

Steering

NHTSA recall 26V-590 · Sep 11, 2026 · 208,724 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan, 2018-2019 Atlas, and 2019-2021 Audi Q3 vehicles. One of the bolts that attaches the steering rack to the subframe may corrode and break. If this happens, the steering rack housing can break.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the right-side steering rack mounting bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 10, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

Electrical system › Body control module › Software

NHTSA recall 26V-587 · Sep 10, 2026 · 49,958 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Tiguan vehicles. A software error may cause the body control module (BCM) system to reset. This may result in the ignition switching off, resulting in an engine stall.

Remedy: Dealers will update the body control module (BCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 6, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

Back over prevention › Software

NHTSA recall 26V-321 · May 20, 2026 · 8 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024 Tiguan vehicles previously repaired under recall 25V082. An error may occur in the camera control unit at vehicle startup, resulting in the rearview camera image not displaying as intended.

Remedy: Dealers will update the camera control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger

NHTSA recall 25V-854 · Dec 10, 2025 · 3,138 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Tiguan vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to allow occupants to sit in the front passenger seat until the remedy is complete. Dealers will repair the affected wiring harness in the front passenger seat, free of charge.

Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly

NHTSA recall 25V-526 · Aug 13, 2025 · 15 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Tiguan vehicles. A tie rod bolt on the rear axle assembly may be loose, which can lead to a loss of vehicle control.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the affected tie rod bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 5, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 800-893-5298.

All 39 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Volkswagen Tiguan should you avoid?

2022, 2018, 2025, 2024, 2019 and 2021 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Tiguan years at the same age, led by engine & cooling problems in the 2022.

What is the best year for the Volkswagen Tiguan?

2015 has the fewest complaints compared with other Tiguan years at the same age, followed by 2014 and 2017. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Volkswagen Tiguan problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (737), electrical system (555) and air bags (318). Engine complaints peak in the 2022 model year.

How many recalls has the Volkswagen Tiguan had?

39 recalls across 2009–2026. The model year with the most is 2018. See all Volkswagen Tiguan recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.