Window & Wiper complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 8% | — |
| 2025 | 2 | 4% | — |
| 2024 | 10 | 13% | — |
| 2023 | 4 | 6% | 1,000 miles |
| 2022 | 13 | 5% | 1,000 miles |
| 2021 | 9 | 6% | 7,000 miles |
| 2020 | 11 | 8% | 60,000 miles |
| 2019 | 9 | 5% | 26,000 miles |
| 2018 | 8 | 3% | 3,000 miles |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% | 0 miles |
| 2016 | 3 | 3% | 55,000 miles |
| 2015 | 4 | 6% | 5,000 miles |
| 2014 | 2 | 2% | 50,000 miles |
| 2013 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2012 | 6 | 4% | 50,000 miles |
| 2010 | 2 | 2% | 63,000 miles |
| 2009 | 4 | 2% | 65,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
[redacted] Volkswagen America Volkswagen Customer CARE 3800 Hamlin Road Auburn Hills, MI 48326-2829 Reference: VW Tiguan 2026. Dashboard reflection on both lateral mirrors creates a Hazardous Visual Obstruction. Dear all, I'm a loyal client with my second lease with Volkswagen. Few weeks ago, me and my wife leased two Tiguan SE R Line Black 2026, the vehicles are great, however there is manufacture or design issue that I would like to share with you, since this issue could end in a fatal accident. The silver or chrome dashboard is reflected to the side mirrors (pictures attached), creating an obstruction to see the vehicles behind by the time to turn left or right. Dashboard reflections often caused by sunlight or bright streetlights can blind drivers, can create a hazardous visual illusion or hazy obstruction significantly increasing the risk of an accident. …
The 2026 vw Tiguan infotainment system blacks out due to thermal failure at ambient temps as low as 100 deg f this creates a total loss of driver controls including windshield defrost and demise systems posing an immediate visibility hazard vw refused to repair becuase defective hardware does not store a diagnostic trouble code on reboot. Prevents any driver action to clear fogged windshield. Or operate fan speeds to do so.
#1 issue is only the driver's side replacement windshield wiper is and has been unavailable for over 6 months. This presents a danger that focusing on a different part of the windshield is problematic; secondarily, the smears even using washer fluid are impossible to rectify. The dealership echoes the same problem on many vehicles and is blaming VW parts supplies. I will not use parts stores after many difficult and not acceptable performances of these OTC blades. The second issue is cruise control stops working erratically. This causes the vehicle to slow very quickly., also causing people following too closely to get angry us! While on a 1100 mile trip it quit tens of times; will not re-engage frequently and then suddenly become available. I'm told the steering wheel wiring is the issue and I was told to being in for diagnosis. …
The infotainment system no longer works after an over the air update. The backup camera is including all other cameras are no longer visible . Before it completely just stopped working When attempting to back out the infotainment system would freeze and not signal something was back there . The digitally dynamic road display is not working so car ACC is not operable . Additionally since the blackout the windshield wipers randomly turn on even if not raining causing distraction and obstructed visibility at times Problem has been confirmed by independent VW dealers in several states (there is a whole Facebook VW owners group where several people are reporting the same issue) there are also known topics related to these issues on VWs help center page regarding OTA updates and infotainment system issues It gives instructions on how to troubleshoot but then says see your local dealer if that …
The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the front windshield had defects, creating a visibility hazard while driving. The contact stated that the front windshield appeared to have bubbles. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the front windshield was replaced with an aftermarket windshield. The contact stated that the failure had reoccurred. The contact stated that while driving, the contact noticed white dots in the front windshield. The contact stated that the white dots affected visibility while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.
Driving long the interstate in South Carolina, all of a sudden there was a loud explosive sound and a crackling sound accompanied by the loud explosion. It startled me!! I gathered myself and put on hazard lights and got over on the far right lane to pull onto the shoulder of the highway. I thought that a tire or two had blown but was not the case. I got back into the car and started visually looking around to see where the crackling noise was still coming from. I looked up towards my Sunroof and discovered that a large hole in my Sunroof. Fortunately, my sunshade was closed and shield the debris/glass from spraying my face and body. I took the car to the V.W. dealership and explained the infraction to them. They diagnosed the problem and contacted me later that day to let me know that they were sending the request to V.W. corporate to get authorization to repair under warranty. …
The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the sunroof exploded without impact. The contact stated that shattered glass fell inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer but was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 624.
The windshield on my 2022 Tiguan randomly cracked one day with no points of impact along the crackIt's about three and a half feet long it takes up about 85% of the windshield. It really affects my visibility as it makes the lines on the road appear in two different places on either side of the crack. After contacting insurance and getting an appointment to get the glass replaced I was told by several windshield repair shops including Safelite and the VW dealership that the part is on National back order indefinitely and they cannot provide a replacement part at this time. I am not the only one this has happened to I will provide links to other accounts of the same thing happening on the same car. …
Related recalls (1)
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles. The LED module for the panoramic sunroof ambient light bar may short circuit.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the power supply for the panoramic sunroof LED module, free of charge, until a future service action can safely reactivate the feature.
Frequently asked questions
Which Volkswagen Tiguan years have window & wiper problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2022 (13), 2020 (11), 2024 (10), 2019 (9) and 2021 (9) model years. Window & Wiper complaints make up 5% of all complaints for the 2022.
Is there a recall for Volkswagen Tiguan window & wiper problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 18V-467 (sun/moon roof assembly, Jul 13, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Volkswagen Tiguan window & wiper problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 32,000 miles; 64% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the sun/moon roof assembly (19 mentions), followed by the windshield wiper/washer › linkages (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.