2020 Volkswagen Tiguan
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical is the largest identified problem area: 34 of 139 complaints (24%) mention it. 52 complaints mention a component NHTSA leaves uncategorised.
Complaints filed fell from 189 in 2019 to 139 in 2020.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | vs. 2020 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,600–3,500 | 2,500–2,600 | 2,500–2,700 | 2,500–2,600 | 2,400–2,600 | |
| Combined MPG | 22–24 | 24–25 | 23–25 | 24–25 | 24–26 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19–22 / 25–27 | 21–22 / 29 | 20–22 / 27–29 | 21–23 / 27–29 | 21–23 / 28–30 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 368–407 | 355–367 | 356–388 | 353–374 | 346–369 | |
| Complaints filed | 282 | 189 | 139 | 139 | 265 | |
| Recalls issued | 13 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 5 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 3 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 11 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 5 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan get?
EPA rates it 23–25 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan?
EPA estimates $2,500–$2,700 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 22 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | $2,500 (low) | 356 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 20 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | $2,700 (high) | 388 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 27 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 34 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 23 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 17 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 19 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 52 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
STRUCTURE:BODY · Campaign 22V226000 · Apr 7, 2022
Defect: 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.
Consequence: An insufficiently attached spoiler may separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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 this recall is 66N5.
SEAT BELTS; SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER · Campaign 20V579000 · Sep 24, 2020
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020 Tiguan LWB vehicles. The third row seat belt anchor bolts may not have been properly torqued.
Consequence: Improperly torqued bolts may prevent the third row seat belt from performing as designed in a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and will repurchase the vehicles. Owners are advised: No one should occupy the third row seat due to the safety risk. The recall began October 7, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen number for this recall is 69BA.
SEATS · Campaign 20V505000 · Aug 27, 2020
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen ) is recalling certain 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, Jetta, Jetta GLI and Tiguan and Audi Q5 and SQ5 and 2021 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. Parts of the front seat frame and backrest adjuster may not have been welded properly.
Consequence: In the event of a rear-end crash, the backrest adjustment could break, possibly reducing the amount of occupant restraint, thus increasing risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seats, and, as necessary, replace the seatback frames, free of charge. The recall began September 11, 2020. Volkswagen owners may contact their customer service at 1-888-241-2289. Audi owners may contact their customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 72L1, 72K8, and 72K9.