What are the most common problems with the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan?

Owners filed 141 complaints with NHTSA. The electrical system and engine are the largest named groups, and the problems section above covers each group.

Does the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan have recalls?

Yes, the year has 3 recalls on record. They are listed in the Recalls section of this page.

What gas mileage does the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan get?

See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.

Is the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?

Owners filed 141 complaints across several component groups. Read the problems section and the recall list to judge for yourself.

Is 2020 a good year for the Volkswagen Tiguan?

The by-year comparison on this page shows how 2020 stands next to other model years. It uses the same complaint and recall facts.

2020 Volkswagen Tiguan Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 141 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan^[1]. The same year also has 3 recalls on record^[2].

141owner complaints^[1]

3recalls^[2]

23–25MPG combined (EPA)^[3]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups in the NHTSA file, biggest first.

Unknown or other. 52 complaints name this group^[5]. These reports do not point to a clear component, so we can say little about them.
Electrical system. 34 complaints^[6]. Owners describe a connected-services emergency contact feature that stopped working, water getting in around the sunroof, and braking warnings that appear on the dashboard at odd moments.
Engine. 28 complaints^[7]. In the stories we read, owners describe the oil running low early on, warning lights coming on, and the engine losing power or stalling while driving.
Structure. 16 complaints^[8]. Owners describe the overhead console coming loose from the roof lining and hanging down, and damp seatbelts or moisture inside the cabin after rain.
Forward collision avoidance. 16 complaints^[9]. Owners describe the automatic braking kicking in when nothing is in the way, for example near cones, on winding roads or on driveways.
Brakes. 11 complaints^[10].
Visibility and wipers. 10 complaints^[11].
Exterior lighting. 8 complaints^[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2020 Tiguan is necessarily included.

Structure › Body (22V226), April 2022. About 6,553 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, parts separating. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Seat Belts › Rear/Other (20V579), September 2020. About 6 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury.^[14]
Seats (20V505), August 2020. About 5,376 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Tiguan, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[3]	22 / 29 / 25	$2,700
Tiguan 4motion, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[16]	20 / 27 / 23	$2,900

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
SUV AWD^[4]	5	4	5	4	n/a
SUV FWD^[17]	5	4	5	4	n/a

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2020 Volkswagen Tiguan with 2.0L 4-cylinder^[18]	186 hp

How 2020 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Tiguan model year. The 2020 is highlighted^[2].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2009	168	3
2010	110	2
2011	162	3
2012	153	3
2013	140	3
2014	84	3
2015	62	4
2016	97	2
2017	76	4
2018	292	14
2019	193	5
2020	141	3
2021	143	5
2022	272	5
2023	70	1
2024	76	2
2025	53	3
2026	37	0

NHTSA's counts for the Tiguan show 141 complaints and 3 recalls for 2020^[2]. Among the 19 model years listed, 11 have fewer complaints than 2020 and 7 have more^[2]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (0) and the most are for 2018 (292)^[2]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2020 Tiguan?

The 2020 Tiguan has 141 complaints on file^[1], and they are spread across several groups rather than one single area^[5]. Electrical system reports are the largest named group^[6], followed by the engine^[7]. Some owners also describe the automatic braking acting without a clear reason^[9]. These are unverified owner reports and the counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold. Check the recall list on this page and ask a dealer about open repairs before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan?: Owners filed 141 complaints with NHTSA^[1]. The electrical system^[6] and engine^[7] are the largest named groups, and the problems section above covers each group.
Does the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan have recalls?: Yes, the year has 3 recalls on record^[2]. They are listed in the Recalls section of this page.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan get?: See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?: Owners filed 141 complaints^[1] across several component groups^[5]. Read the problems section and the recall list to judge for yourself.
Is 2020 a good year for the Volkswagen Tiguan?: The by-year comparison on this page shows how 2020 stands next to other model years. It uses the same complaint and recall facts^[2].

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Volkswagen Tiguan

2013 140 complaints, 3 recalls
2016 97 complaints, 2 recalls
2017 76 complaints, 4 recalls
2018 292 complaints, 14 recalls
2019 193 complaints, 5 recalls
2020 this page
2021 143 complaints, 5 recalls
2022 272 complaints, 5 recalls
2025 53 complaints, 3 recalls

Compare all model years of the Volkswagen Tiguan

All Volkswagen models

Similar cars from 2020: small suvs

2020 Nissan Pathfinder 48 complaints, 0 recalls
2020 Nissan Rogue 152 complaints, 1 recall
2020 Chevrolet Blazer 222 complaints, 3 recalls
2020 Ford Edge 325 complaints, 4 recalls
2020 Ford Escape 1,902 complaints, 25 recalls
2020 GMC Terrain 197 complaints, 2 recalls

All small suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 141 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan (5 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 7 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Volkswagen Tiguan model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
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
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars. NHTSA vehicle records
52 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
34 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
28 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 59,000). NHTSA vehicle records
16 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,000). NHTSA vehicle records
16 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 5,241). NHTSA vehicle records
11 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
10 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
8 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 22V226, filed April 6, 2022: Structure › Body. NHTSA recall database
Recall 20V579, filed September 23, 2020: Seat Belts › Rear / Other. NHTSA recall database
Recall 20V505, filed August 26, 2020: Seats. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Tiguan 4motion, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 186 hp. www.epa.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.

2020 Volkswagen Tiguan: problems, recalls and fuel economy