Complaint volume
128 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Complaints
128 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, grouped by component category.
128 Total complaints
2 Crash reports
0 Fire reports
2 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are engine, unknown or other, electrical system. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 2 crash reports, 0 fire reports, 2 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 17 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 40,031 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to engine, unknown or other, electrical system?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2021 Volkswagen Tiguan
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan complaints?
2 Crash
0 Fire
2 Injury
0 Fatality
4 Towed
1 Medical attention
What are the most common 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan complaint categories?
ENGINE 32
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 23
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8
STRUCTURE 7
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 6
VISIBILITY/WIPER 5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 4
POWER TRAIN 4
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 3
128 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2024 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | The overhead control console breaks free and falls down in front of the rear view mirror. Inspecting the broken console, the screws are to tight causing the plastic to fatigue and eventually break. Searching this issue on reddit, it seems common enough, people have had them fall when closing a door, pots holes ect. Mine broke free when giving over a speed bump. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2024 | ENGINE | We were driving to Mci airport. We felt car jerk. Was able to continue driving. Got off at exit. Pulled over looked under hood, didn’t see anything. Pulled away felt it pulling back. Was able to make it home at just 60 miles an hour. The care would hesitate and jerk if going up slight hill or accelerating. Took to shop. They said it was pvc valve. Which caused crack in oil pan as well as timing chain cover. It also coated under car in oil. I did some research and this seems to be a fairly common issue. Same issue and results. Some of them had less miles than mine but most were around the range. I think if you investigated these engines no matter what vehicle Vw put them in you will find a common thread. I would appreciate your research and feedback in this matter. Thank you | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2024 | AIR BAGS | I scraped the curb with my passenger front tire and all my side air bags deployed. There was no other damage done to the vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | CLIMATE CONTROL STOPED WORKING JUST FLICKERS ON AND OFF | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The control panel that controls the sunroof and lights fell from my roof. It was hanging down blocking my view so I could not drive. I brought it to my dealer who said it was still under warranty and proceeded to fix the problem. I still have to go back because they have to order another part. I have read several other complaints about the same issue. I have always bought VW and this is the first time I had an issue like this! I believe this should be a recall since it has happened to so many others. It is a very dangerous situation . Thank god I wasn’t driving in the highway this would of ended quite different! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2024 | WHEELS | on the 3rd windshield in less than 1 year... the smallest impact breaks the windshield. There is a major problem with fragile windshields in the VW line. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | In July of 23 went to get in my car and when I opened the door the center console was hanging down by wires blocking the rear view mirror and part of the windshield. Car was fixed at the dealer . Yesterday 6/26/2024 went to get in my car and the same thing has happened again !!!! . Can’t see out my rear view mirror and part of my view is blocked from looking out the windshield creating massive safty issues until it can get fixed. ( tape does not hold to keep it out of the way ) Also was told that VW will not cover the costs of repair this time even though it has been less than a year since it happened last time . This is a massive safty issue that affects driving and could very easily cause an accident at any time!!!!!!!. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER | Center console above rear view mirror has broken and fallen from ceiling for the 2nd time. It as repaired in Aug 2023 after this happened the first time. This is a DEFECT and it needs to be addressed ASAP! If this falls from the ceiling while driving, its very dangerous and most likely would cause an accident. I will be calling dealer tomorrow and it better be repaired under warranty. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2024 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive. The low oil level warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who observed a crack in the oil pan. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed back to the independent mechanic, who then diagnosed a failure with the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000. The VIN was not available. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 50,000 |
| Jun 2024 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | While I was driving today, I heard a loud pop. It was caused by the car's overhead console (it houses the controls for the sun roof, garage opener, cabin lights, etc) suddenly detaching. Apparently, a lot of owners of this same VW model has reported the same issue and several has reported it as a recurring issue. You can find details here [XXX] I am concerned about the safety issues resulting from this defect. First, it causes a distraction that can result in an accident. 2nd, the console broke off on all 4 locations where it is secured in place by screws. Due to this, I was unable to put it back in place causing the console to just dangle while I was driving. Since the console is directly behind the rear view mirror, it was blocking my view of the mirror. I advise the board to examine the design of this console as the plastic ring where the screw mounts is so thin. Even if I get a replacement console, I am afraid this will happen again, as reported by several owners. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | STEERING | On 4/6/24 the steering wheel locked while driving the car . Causing the car to go off the road into a 40 ft ditch and hit a tree | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 Towed Medical attention | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Overhead Sunglass holder they brake easily such as the 2 clips that hold the cover. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2024 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | We have a cracked windshield and VW has not been able to provide us with a replacement windshield. I have contacted VW parts at the dealership, called VW care, and called harrs auto glass. No one can get me any info on when a new windshield will be available for my car. I'm told the windshield is on backorder with an unknown ETA. I have been waiting for a windshield for 1 year with no news. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2024 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | The front windshield is very fragile. I am now replacing it again after having replaced it just a year ago from the same issue. Crack develops and travels across the entire window. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2024 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | The seal on the passenger headlight on my 2021 Tiguan failed and condensation accumulated in the light. After a short while, the light shorted out and needed to be replaced. The dealer I went to was not very responsive and stated the light was on backorder and they could not obtain. Once the light shorted, the dealership took the car overnight, provided a loaner and replaced the headlight. For the record, I do not know if the light is VW or after-market and do not care as long as it continues to work. This is important b/c now the driver headlight seal failed and the light shorted out. Same story with the headlight on backorder and the dealership will not replace nor provide a loner. It is apparent the headlights used in VW Tiguans are faulty and run the risk of shorting out. So I am left a leased vehicle that is literally not legally fit to drive - no head light, turn-signal is also not operable. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2024 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | My Tiguan was towed on [XXX] to Beyer Volkswagen [4017 Valley Pike, Winchester, VA 22602] for service to repair a sudden and unexpected vehicle failure. On [XXX], I started the Tiguan and noticed a hard start. I drove the vehicle about 4 miles down the road and noticed a smell of gasoline when I stopped and opened the door. I immediately drove the car home at which point I noticed gasoline on the road and driveway, as well as a heavy persistent smell of gas. I moved the vehicle to the road and had it towed [$95 at my expense] to Beyer VW for service. This failure rendered the vehicle undrivable and luckily was able to get it towed before it became engulfed in flames. [XXX], after getting the vehicle back for 1 week (dealership claiming repair fixed) the problem was not fixed and in fact gas spewed from the engine at a higher rate. Pictures attach showing about of gas which instantly dispelled at start and move from driveway to road. This is a critical vw problem that will result in fire. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? GPS, it intermittently does not work and so difficult to inspect upon request How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Directions not available on GPS system leading to incorrect turns, potential accidents and other dangers of relying on a map system Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Manufacturer (VW) was contacted, Case# 06128548 closed without resolution with a possible software update planned but no expectation of delivery Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No, GPS intermittently stopped working about a year ago | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | SERVICE BRAKES | The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 - 20 MPH the "Stop and Start Failure" message was displayed. The contact restarted the vehicle and the "Fault Electronic Brake" and "Driver Door Switch Failure" messages became displayed. The contact pulled to the side of the road and opened then closed the front driver’s side door and restarted the vehicle. The contact repeated the process three times however, the messages remained displayed. The contact continued to drive the vehicle at approximately 15 - 20 MPH and the parking brake suddenly activated. Once the parking brake had independently released the contact was able to get to the side of the road and turned off and restarted the vehicle several times. The failure had started occurring more frequently. The contact stated that several other unknown messages were displayed. The dealer had been informed of the failure however, the vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 20,000 |
| Nov 2023 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING | Vehicle keeps having all warning lights and warning messages come on whenever the car starts. Warning lights maintain on constantly and has audible beeping to indicate the warnings. Vehicle would also put itself into park randomly at, as well as disengage collision and lane sensors while driving. Vehicle has been taken to the dealership, and has been reproduced by them, stating "we have never seen this before and are not sure what to do, we need to reach out to Volkswagen directly" most recent update, they needed to replace the door harness and F5 module but are still unclear with the status of the repair. Dealership has indicated it's safe to drive if I wanted to pick it up while they figure out the issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2023 | ENGINE | My car is a 2021 Tiguan. Car is burning oil and should not be. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | While driving, using cruise control set to 75mph, I braked to slow down. That worked cruise control disengaged fine. I changed to the adjacent lane that was wide open and pushed the resume button on the steering wheel. I noticed I was passing several vehicles on both sides of me. Looked at the speedometer reading = 98 mph and felt further acceleration. Put my foot on the brake to disengage cruise control and slow down. I checked the cruise control setting on the dashscreen. It still read 75 mph. When the speed of the vehicle returned to 75mph, I again "SET" the speed of cruise control at 75mph, and all was normal again. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | ENGINE | Oil change/ low oil light didn’t come one. When car was initially checked due to check engine light being on it didn’t produce any codes. The dealer confirms it needs a new engine and turbo rebuild due to there being no oil in the car. Last oil change was May 29, 2023 at Pep boys. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Some light assembly/sun roof control panel falls down and obscures part of windshield | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Last night I got out of work and got in my 2021 VW Tiguan and found my overhead console had completely dropped from the ceiling. I called Security where I work because I thought maybe someone had tried to break into my car. they took a report and taped it up for me so I could drive home. This prompted me to look up issues that have been reported here (NHTSA) and of course I found that numerous others have had this same issue!!!I I called the dealer in Macon, GA (about an hour away from where am) and scheduled an appt for August 1st. They said they knew it was an issue and as long as my car was under 50,000 miles it would be covered under warranty. . I guess my next question would be what happens if after they replace it, it happens again? I found a lot more complaints out on this site about the same issue. 3 pages of complaints - think there needs to be a recall so that this piece is covered for the life of the vehicle after replacement and so that VW will have to replace even after 50,000 miles. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The middle console have completely fallen out of the roof, held on only by the wires. It looks like the plastic attachments to the screws all broken. Incident occurred while parked during working hours on Tuesday, July 25. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |