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2021 Volkswagen Tiguan: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 143 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan[1]. The same model year also has 5 recalls listed[2].
Most reported problems
Here is how the complaints group up, biggest first.
- Engine. 57 complaints[5]. In the stories we read, owners describe oil running low between changes, dealers who found nothing wrong, and oil leaks that ended in a cracked pan. Some say the car shut off when slowing to a stop.
- Unknown or other. 29 complaints[6]. These reports do not point to one named part.
- Electrical system. 25 complaints[7]. Owners describe warning messages about the driver door switch, a parking brake that set itself, a loose overhead console and a fuel door that would not open.
- Fuel and propulsion system. 12 complaints[8]. Owners describe a fuel gauge that read wrong, a fuel door stuck shut and error codes that blocked remote start.
- Structure. 11 complaints[9].
- Forward collision avoidance. 11 complaints[10].
- Power train. 11 complaints[11]. Owners describe a slow, jerky throttle, a parking brake that engaged while moving and a steering wheel that locked.
- Visibility and wipers. 8 complaints[12].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2021 Tiguan is necessarily included.
- Equipment › Electrical › Infotainment › Software (22V514), July 2022. About 43,091 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- 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.[14]
- Suspension (22V176), March 2022. About 10,119 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[15]
- Seats › Critical Fasteners (21V038), February 2021. About 57 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.[16]
- Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera (20V716), November 2020. About 32,048 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced visibility. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[17]
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.
Safety ratings
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
| Engine | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan with 2.0L 4-cylinder[20] | 184 hp |
How 2021 compares with other years
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 143 complaints and 5 recalls for 2021[2]. Among the 19 model years listed, 12 have fewer complaints than 2021 and 6 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 2021 Tiguan?
The complaint file shows engine reports as the largest group[5]. Electrical and fuel reports follow[7][8]. These are unverified owner reports, and they are not adjusted for how many cars were sold[1]. The model year also has recalls on record[2]. Check the recall section on this page and ask a dealer about any open ones before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?
- Engine reports are the largest group in the complaint file[5]. Electrical[7] and fuel system[8] reports follow. See the problems section above for how owners describe them.
- Does the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan have recalls?
- Yes. The by-year data lists 5 recalls for this model year[2]. The Recalls section on this page has the details.
- How many complaints has the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan received?
- NHTSA has 143 owner complaints on file[1].
- How good is the gas mileage of the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?
- See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
- Is the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan the best year to buy?
- See the by-year comparison section on this page. It puts the complaint and recall counts side by side[2].
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Volkswagen Tiguan
Compare all model years of the Volkswagen Tiguan
Other Volkswagen models from 2021
Similar cars from 2021: small suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 143 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan (2 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 2 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: 23 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
- 57 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 51,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 29 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 25 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 12 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 11 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 11 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 11 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 8 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 22V514, filed July 20, 2022: Equipment › Electrical › Infotainment › Software. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 22V226, filed April 6, 2022: Structure › Body. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 22V176, filed March 23, 2022: Suspension. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 21V038, filed February 1, 2021: Seats › Critical Fasteners. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 20V716, filed November 18, 2020: Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Tiguan 4motion, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 27 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. 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, 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 184 hp. www.epa.gov