Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 15 | 41% | 3,000 miles |
| 2025 | 10 | 19% | 8,000 miles |
| 2024 | 22 | 29% | 62,000 miles |
| 2023 | 26 | 37% | 66,000 miles |
| 2022 | 118 | 43% | 30,000 miles |
| 2021 | 57 | 40% | 53,000 miles |
| 2020 | 28 | 20% | 63,000 miles |
| 2019 | 43 | 22% | 2,000 miles |
| 2018 | 84 | 29% | 8,000 miles |
| 2017 | 16 | 21% | 37,000 miles |
| 2016 | 11 | 11% | 81,000 miles |
| 2015 | 9 | 15% | 72,000 miles |
| 2014 | 11 | 13% | 11,000 miles |
| 2013 | 30 | 21% | 38,000 miles |
| 2012 | 52 | 34% | 50,000 miles |
| 2011 | 63 | 39% | 77,000 miles |
| 2010 | 54 | 49% | 84,000 miles |
| 2009 | 88 | 52% | 84,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for a service appointment, the contact was informed of rodent damage under the hood of the vehicle. The contact was informed that the hood insulation, engine cover, plenum seal, and firewall insulation were chewed up by rodents. The contact was informed that the hood insulation, engine cover, plenum seal, and firewall insulation needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was garage kept, and there was no indication of rodents on the property. The vehicle was inspected by Animal Control. The contact was informed that the damage was old. The contact was informed that the damage occurred while the vehicle was on the dealer's lot prior to the contact purchasing the vehicle in May 2026. …
While driving, car dashboard lights up like a Christmas tree with error messages, shakes, and goes into limp mode. Error messages include: - travel assist is currently not available - Error: Drive system. Please service vehicle. (Engine block highlighted on screen image) - Engine speed max. 4000 rpm (Engine block highlighted on screen image) Purchased car in November, problem happened in January <1200 total miles. Vehicle has been at dealership since January with no resolution (it is now May 29th). No invoice to upload as it has never been fixed. VW of America initially claimed it was a software update which is false, actual parts defect. Now known defect with turbo R line, as evidenced by multiple reports from consumers across the country, unsafe vehicle to operate as occurs while driving.
The contact owns a 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stopped. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The message "Service Now" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with fuel pressure sensor and fuel system sensor failure. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was contacted, and a grievance was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 7,500.
While driving at road speed, the vehicle unexpectedly shifted itself into Neutral (N) without driver input. The engine continued running, but the vehicle lost drive power. Simultaneously, the dashboard displayed multiple warning indicators including: "Exhaust System Malfunction" warning Semi-Automated Driving Assistance warning SOS / emergency system warning The driver safely pulled to the roadside and turned the vehicle off. Upon first restart, the vehicle would not shift into Drive. After turning the vehicle off again and waiting approximately 30 seconds, it restarted and allowed Drive engagement. The "Exhaust System Malfunction" warning remained illuminated for the remainder of the trip. The vehicle was taken to a Volkswagen dealer. The dealer was unable to duplicate the condition after a 50-mile drive. …
During normal operation on a public road, the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan suddenly began emitting smoke from the front of the vehicle. This occurred without any warning lights, messages, unusual smells, or symptoms beforehand. Within moments, flames became visible from under the hood. The occupants, including a child and an elderly family member, immediately exited the vehicle. The fire spread rapidly and resulted in a total loss. The fire department arrived and extinguished the flames, and both fire and police reports were created documenting the incident. The vehicle was nearly new, with approximately 7,000 miles on it, no mechanical issues, and no prior maintenance warnings. Nothing unusual occurred during the drive, and the vehicle had been used under normal, paved-road conditions. On November 5, 2025, Volkswagen conducted an inspection at the IAA facility in Puyallup, WA. …
Shortly after purchase, the vehicle began experiencing ongoing mechanical and electrical issues that required multiple repair attempts. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for service on the following dates: November 29, 2024 December 2, 2024 December 16, 2024 December 23, 2024 January 6, 2025 In total, the vehicle was out of service for 21 days in December and 28 days in January. Despite repeated repair attempts, the issues were not resolved. Due to the excessive time out of service and repeated unsuccessful repairs, I submitted a request for Volkswagen to repurchase the vehicle. This request was denied. The vehicle was returned to me on February 1, 2025. On February 9, 2025, while parked in my driveway and not in operation, the vehicle caught fire. I was later informed that the fire originated in the dashboard and was electrical in nature. …
The contact's granddaughter owns a 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while her granddaughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the low oil pressure warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence, where oil was added to the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where an oil change was performed. Additionally, the dealer replaced the oil separator and gasket. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the repair could not be covered because the vehicle was out of warranty and the previous oil changes were not performed by the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low oil warning light unexpectedly illuminated. The failure persisted even after the vehicle had received several oil changes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that an oil change was completed; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the valve stem seal had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 72,061.
Related recalls (2)
Engine
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. The engine support bolts on these vehicles may not have been properly tightened.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace engine support bolts, free of charge. The recall began March 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Engine and engine cooling
Volkswagen is recalling 4,079 my 2008 passat and 2,500 my 2009 tiguan passenger vehicles equipped with 2.0t fsi ulev ii engines. These vehicles have an engine control module (ECM) containing software that May not properly control engine idle with the air conditioning turned on.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and update the ECM software free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2008. Owners May contact Volkswagen at 1-800-893-5298.
Frequently asked questions
Which Volkswagen Tiguan years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2022 (118), 2009 (88), 2018 (84), 2011 (63) and 2021 (57) model years. Engine complaints make up 43% of all complaints for the 2022.
Is there a recall for Volkswagen Tiguan engine problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 18V-159 (engine, Mar 8, 2018); 08V-235 (engine and engine cooling, May 28, 2008). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Volkswagen Tiguan engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 57,000 miles; 41% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the exhaust system › manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe (2 mentions), followed by the engine (1).
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.