CarBrief

Owners filed 193 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Tiguan, and the car has 5 recalls on file[1][2]. In the engine and brake complaints we read, owners describe hesitation or stalling and sudden automatic braking[3][4].

193owner complaints[1]
5recalls[2]
24–25MPG combined (EPA)[5]
5★NHTSA overall rating[6]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 193 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 6 mention a crash, 1 a fire and 5 injuries, and none report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

The largest component groups are:

Component group Complaints
Electrical system[7] 57
Engine[3] 43
Unknown or other[8] 39
Forward collision avoidance[9] 25
Brakes[4] 24
Power train[10] 17
Speed control[11] 14
Exterior lighting[12] 11

Engine. In a sample of 12 engine complaints we read, 11 describe the car hesitating, losing power or stalling. Several say it happened from a stop or in the first weeks of ownership[3].

Brakes and front assist. In a sample of 12 brake complaints, 10 describe the car braking on its own with nothing ahead[4]. In a separate sample of 11 forward collision avoidance complaints, 9 describe the same kind of event[9]. Some owners in these samples say a dealer could not find a fault.

Electrical. This is the biggest group, but the sample is mixed. In a sample of 12 texts, 4 describe a sudden loss of power or warning lights on the dash[7]. Others mention a sunroof leak, infotainment, a horn or air conditioning[7]. One electrical complaint reports a fire, and NHTSA counts 1 fire in this group[7].

Median mileage at failure is 1,500 miles for the engine group[3] and 400 for the power train group[10]. These come from owner reports, not from tests.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 5 recalls for this model year[2]. Newest first:

Fuel economy

The EPA lists two ratings, both for a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo engine and regular fuel[5][18].

Version City / highway / combined Annual fuel cost
Front-wheel drive[5] 22 / 29 / 25 mpg $2,700
All-wheel drive[18] 21 / 29 / 24 mpg $2,800

The annual cost uses the EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new[5].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives both the all-wheel-drive and front-wheel-drive versions the same scores: 5 stars overall, 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover[6][19].

Engine and size

The EPA lists the 2.0L 4-cylinder engine at 184 to 186 hp, depending on version[20]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models[21][22].

FWD 4Motion (AWD)
Length[22][21] 186 in 186 in
Width[22][21] 72 in 72 in
Height[22][21] 67 in 67 in
Wheelbase[22][21] 110 in 110 in
Curb weight[22][21] 3,777 lb 3,856 lb

How 2019 compares with other years

2009: 168 complaints, 3 recalls20092010: 110 complaints, 2 recalls2011: 162 complaints, 3 recalls20112012: 153 complaints, 3 recalls2013: 140 complaints, 3 recalls20132014: 84 complaints, 3 recalls2015: 62 complaints, 4 recalls20152016: 97 complaints, 2 recalls2017: 76 complaints, 4 recalls20172018: 292 complaints, 14 recalls2019: 193 complaints, 5 recalls19320192020: 141 complaints, 3 recalls2021: 143 complaints, 5 recalls20212022: 272 complaints, 5 recalls2023: 70 complaints, 1 recalls20232024: 76 complaints, 2 recalls2025: 53 complaints, 3 recalls20252026: 37 complaints, 0 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Tiguan model year. The 2019 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20091683
20101102
20111623
20121533
20131403
2014843
2015624
2016972
2017764
201829214
20191935
20201413
20211435
20222725
2023701
2024762
2025533
2026370

NHTSA data for the Tiguan shows 193 complaints and 5 recalls for 2019[2]. Only two model years have more complaints: 2018 with 292 and 2022 with 272[2]. For recalls, 2018 stands far ahead with 14, while 2019, 2021 and 2022 each have 5[2].

These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and some recalls cover several models[13][16][17], so treat them as a rough guide[2].

Should you buy a used 2019 Tiguan?

The record is mixed. The complaint count is the third highest of any Tiguan model year[2], and owners in the samples we read describe hesitation or stalling and braking with nothing ahead[3][4]. Safety ratings are good, with 5 stars overall[6][19]. Before buying, ask whether the recalls above were done and whether the car has had engine or front assist complaints addressed. Treat our complaint reading as a prompt for questions, since it comes from a small sample of unverified reports.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan?
Electrical system has the most complaints at 57, then engine at 43[7][3]. In the engine complaints we read, owners describe hesitation or stalling[3].
Does the 2019 Tiguan have recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 5[2]. They cover tire pressure monitoring, a rear spoiler, a tire label, rear coil springs and a key-in-ignition warning[13][14][15][16][17].
What is the gas mileage of the 2019 Tiguan?
The EPA rates the front-wheel-drive version at 25 mpg combined and the all-wheel-drive version at 24 mpg combined[5][18].
How safe is the 2019 Tiguan?
NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for frontal and rollover tests[6][19].
Is 2019 a good year for the Tiguan?
It has the third most complaints of any model year, at 193, behind 2018 and 2022[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 193 owner complaints on file for the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan (6 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 5 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Volkswagen Tiguan model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. 43 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 1,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 24 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 2,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. EPA rating for Tiguan, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 29 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars. NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 57 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 2,742). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 39 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 1,776). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 25 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 17 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 400). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 14 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 1,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 11 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 100). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 22V815, filed October 31, 2022: Tires › Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 22V226, filed April 6, 2022: Structure › Body. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 19V241, filed March 27, 2019: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 19V188, filed March 6, 2019: Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 18V824, filed November 26, 2018: Electrical System › Instrument Cluster / Panel. NHTSA recall database
  18. EPA rating for Tiguan 4motion, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 29 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars. NHTSA vehicle records
  20. EPA Test Car List, 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 184 to 186 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TIGUAN 4DR SUV 4MOTION: length 186 in, width 72 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 3,856 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TIGUAN 4DR SUV FWD: length 186 in, width 72 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 3,777 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.