2021 Volkswagen Tiguan
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 54 of 139 complaints (39%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Brakes include more crash reports (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed held steady at 139 in both 2020 and 2021.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | vs. 2021 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,500–2,600 | 2,500–2,700 | 2,500–2,600 | 2,400–2,600 | 2,300–2,600 | |
| Combined MPG | 24–25 | 23–25 | 24–25 | 24–26 | 24–27 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 21–22 / 29 | 20–22 / 27–29 | 21–23 / 27–29 | 21–23 / 28–30 | 21–24 / 28–31 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 355–367 | 356–388 | 353–374 | 346–369 | 331–369 | |
| Complaints filed | 189 | 139 | 139 | 265 | 62 | |
| Recalls issued | 5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 6 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 5 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 1 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 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 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?
Engine: 54 of 139 NHTSA complaints (39%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan get?
EPA rates it 24–25 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?
EPA estimates $2,500–$2,600 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 | 23 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | $2,500 (low) | 353 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 21 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | $2,600 (high) | 374 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 54 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 11 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 25 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 12 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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 (5)
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:INFOTAINMENT:SOFTWARE · Campaign 22V514000 · Jul 21, 2022
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Golf GTI, Jetta GLI, Jetta NF, Arteon FL, Tiguan LWB, 2022 Taos, Jetta PA, Tiguan PA, 2021-2022 Atlas Cross Sport, and Atlas FL vehicles. The manufacturing process of the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system may cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DV.
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.
SUSPENSION · Campaign 22V176000 · Mar 24, 2022
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Tiguan, Taos, and 2021 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. A second notice will be sent once remedy parts become available. The left or right rear suspension knuckles may corrode, crack, and break.
Consequence: A broken rear suspension knuckle can cause a loss of stability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace one or both rear suspension knuckles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 13, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42L8.
SEATS; SEATS:CRITICAL FASTENERS · Campaign 21V038000 · Feb 1, 2021
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Long Wheelbase and Jetta vehicles. Bolts may be missing from the front seat tracks.
Consequence: The seat can move front and back without restriction if bolts are missing, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat tracks and, as necessary, install the bolts, free of charge. The recall began February 18, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 72L6.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · Campaign 20V716000 · Nov 19, 2020
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan LWB, Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas FL and Arteon vehicles. The rear view camera could malfunction during an ignition cycle, leading to a black screen or infotainment system freeze. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91BB/91BC.