2022 Volkswagen Tiguan Transmission Problems

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

After a cold start the car stutters and jerks on start up. The engine rattles and It kangaroos on acceleration while the revs fluctuate between 1000 - 1500 rpm but the car drives as if it were in limp mode causing it not to accelerate. This is a huge safety issue when you are trying to pull out onto a main street which causes others to break to avoid an accident. I've taken it into three different Volkswagen dealerships a total of 8 times but due to the car not having a dashboard light on or an error code they immediately told me the car was fine and there's nothing they can do being they can't replicate the issue. The second issue is when I'm at a stop light or stop sign and upon releasing the brake pedal the car engine doesn't kick back on and restart. It starts rolling backward and I've almost hit people. I get an error message on the dash telling me to manually restart the car. …

The transmission has frequent but not consistent issues in shifting, mainly after a cold start and within the first few minutes of driving. However, starting the engine and letting it warm up before driving has not completely resolved the issue. The issue is when trying to accelerate onto a main roadway, the power will drop off for a few seconds then engage again, and drop off for a few seconds, before stabilizing and providing consistent power. Since it is random when it happens, you are pulling into traffic and this happens, you are at risk of being hit by oncoming traffic since you cannot accelerate as you planned. It can also cause you to overcompensate and push on the gas harder, and when it engages you are accelerating harder and faster than you planned. …

The car stalls and lags out when accelerating and appears to slip gears (daily). The dealership stated this is normal for the car to do, but it's very scary and nearly caused me to be rear ended. The car turns off at a stop light (unexpected ) and has to be restarted. I am experiencing jerking and sputtering of the vehicle when at a complete stop. First the car indicates the start/stop function is deactivated, then the car produces a message stating the engine speed max is 2500 rpm. Then the EPC light comes on and/or the check engine light. I initially took my car in to the dealership for maintenance (standard) in October. I have since returned 2 more times due to the same issue. Upon starting the car tokay, the car started jerking and this time the check engine light came on and continued to blink. …

Purchased new; problems began early in ownership and have recurred despite multiple dealer visits. At ~75,995 miles in July 2025, the vehicle developed a significant engine oil leak. Multiple inspections have found the engine oil level low due to leaks from cracks, and the dealer also verified excessive crankcase pressure from a faulty PCV system that forced oil past sealing surfaces. Parts replaced included the PCV/separator, upper timing cover, a related pipe, and the oil filler funnel; DTCs were cleared and the vehicle was returned as "operating to specifications." Despite these repairs, the vehicle has an ongoing pattern of engine problems, including warning lights and loss of power/limp mode while driving. This creates a safety risk due to sudden power reduction and the possibility of engine damage from oil starvation and continued leakage. …

The vehicle intermittently fails to accelerate normally from a stop, especially in hot weather and when the A/C is running. When pressing the accelerator, the vehicle can hesitate for an extended period before moving. In a recent incident recorded on video (reference attachment), I pressed the accelerator and the vehicle failed to respond normally for more than 10 seconds, requiring me to pull over. This creates a serious safety risk when entering intersections, making U-turns, crossing traffic, or pulling into traffic, because the vehicle does not respond when acceleration is needed. The issue is intermittent and more frequent and severe during summer temperatures, when the AC is running continuously. The concern has been reported to the Volkswagen dealer multiple times. Dealer repair attempts were made in 2025, but the issue still exists. …

My Volkswagen Tiguan suddenly and without warning blew a large amount of smoke out of the exhaust along with oil while driving at highway speeds - causing the cars behind me to lose visibility and possibly be covered with oil further reducing their visibility due to the VW manufacturers faulty crankcase breather/pcv valve. After this happened the car dash lit up with warnings and went into "limp mode" where I was not able to exceed 2500 rpm which is very dangerous when on the highway - luckily for my safety at this point I was on a side road. When I checked the engine I found no oil was left in it, it had been sprayed all underneath and up the back, which reduced visibility in the window. I was responsible for towing it to the dealer and was given no loaner despite being under warranty. Leaving myself and children without a vehicle. …

The first and most pressing issue is the throttle lag. From a dead stop (red light/stop sign) the car will not accelerate when the gas pedal is depressed. It lags for a few seconds before lurching forward. I fell like I'm a candidate to get rear-ended. Today, after driving through a heavy rain storm, the throttle lag caused the car to barely move. Like at all. Fortunately this happened as I was pulling into my driveway. The car simply just BARELY made it home. The second issue is the incessant warning lights and bells that go off because of a lane departure assist error. It will go off 30 times in row, and the not at all. It's really hit or miss. But when it happens its very distracting. The dealership says they're aware of the problem, and to fix it requires replacing the steering wheel. Which is on perpetual back order. I've discussed both issues with the dealer. …

Since new (1/12/2022) the vehicle looses power when shifting between 1st and 2nd and/or 2nd and 3rd. This has been to the dealer several times and they always claim they can not duplicate the issue as it tends to be intermediate. I had to go to the dealer, drive the vehicle with the service manager and show him exactly what it does. I did that 3 weeks after the car was left with the dealer, this latest time, which it is currently still at the dealer for over a month now. Now they are telling me that this is how the transmission works and there is nothing they can do. This is dangerous! You don't know when it is going to happen and it doesn't matter if the car is warm or cold. You don't know, when pulling into traffic, if the vehicle is going to accelerate or not. Volkswagen claiming this is a normal function is a complete lie. …

The engine has a hesitation at take off. It happens every morning and throughout the day. At a stop light it will hesitate on take off also when leaving a stop sign. Safety is out at risk as the vehicle will hesitate when trying to turn when on coming traffic is approaching. The issue was reproduced bye VW of Ft Myers Florida here is the conversation Me Did they notice a hesitation in the morning when they drive it. I don't think it's a transmission issue more if a fuel issue. VW the tech did check the car the last two mornings and its not that they dont notice the what your talking about , its that it seems normal for this vehicle. there was no faults in the system showing there is anything malfunctioning and they are not getting anything for bad fuel ..these cars are pretty sensitive about triggering a light when something is wrong. …

2022 VW Tiguan SE had PCV (positive crankshaft ventilation) also known as air-oil separator failed just outside of warranty creating a pressure cooker like effect in the engine which caused several seals and hoses, (such as the upper/front timing cover gaskets, rear main seal, and valve stem seals) to fail. The oil pan gasket was also destroyed. Although I was fortunate enough to be able to drive from my house around the corner to my local mechanic, this could have become a dangerous scenario considering most of my driving is done on busy freeways -- this could have caused severe oil slicking, sudden loss of power, and/or total engine failure. All of which could have resulted in a fatal, multi-vehicle accident. This appears to be a relatively common incident involving this particular year and model according to a New Jersey federal case ([redacted] et al v. …

Transmission complaints in other Tiguan years