Volkswagen Tiguan Best and Worst Years (2009–2025)
Avoid the 2009, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan, which carry complaint indexes of 75, 94, 81, 88, and 100 out of the 17 model years covered. The 2014–2017 Tiguans score lowest (indexes 0–13) and are rated Best, with 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2023 also rated Good.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2009Avoid 2018Avoid 2019Avoid 2020Avoid 2022Best 2014Best 2015Best 2016Best 2017
- Model years
- 17
- 2009–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 2,253
- Recall campaigns
- 39
- Crashes reported
- 65
- Fires reported
- 25
- Top problem area
- Engine
Tiguan Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Volkswagen Tiguan problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Avoid | 75 | 168 | 5 | 6 | 3 | Engine | 21 | — |
| 2010 | Good | 38 | 110 | 5 | 4 | 2 | Engine | 21 | — |
| 2011 | Good | 44 | 161 | 4 | 2 | 3 | Engine | 21 | — |
| 2012 | Caution | 50 | 152 | 10 | 0 | 3 | Engine | 23 | — |
| 2013 | Good | 25 | 139 | 2 | 1 | 3 | Airbags | 22 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Best | 0 | 84 | 2 | 0 | 3 | Airbags | 22 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Best | 6 | 62 | 1 | 1 | 4 | Airbags | 22.5 | 4★ |
| 2016 | Best | 19 | 96 | 4 | 2 | 2 | Airbags | 22.5 | 4★ |
| 2017 | Best | 13 | 75 | 6 | 0 | 4 | Airbags | 21.5 | 4★ |
| 2018 | Avoid | 94 | 283 | 5 | 3 | 14 ! | Engine | 23 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Avoid | 81 | 191 | 6 | 1 | 5 | Electrical System | 24.5 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Avoid | 88 | 140 | 5 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System | 24 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Caution | 69 | 141 | 2 | 0 | 5 | Engine | 24.5 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Avoid | 100 | 269 | 3 | 1 | 5 | Engine | 25 | — |
| 2023 | Good | 31 | 66 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Engine | 25.5 | 4★ |
| 2024 | Caution | 63 | 68 | 3 | 4 | 2 | Electrical System | 25.5 | 4★ |
| 2025 | Caution | 56 | 48 | 1 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System | 28 | 5★ |
Tiguan years to avoid: what went wrong
2022 Volkswagen Tiguan Index 100 · 269 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2022 Tiguan has the highest complaint index of any year at 100, ranking worst overall with 269 complaints. Engine problems dominate at 47% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 30,000 miles, and Electrical System issues follow at 24% (median 19,137 miles). Owners reported infotainment screens going blank, loss of audio, and vehicles that veered off course while in cruise control. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns, including a rearview camera software error and an infotainment software update.
2022 engine problems →2022 electrical system problems →2022 lane departure problems →
2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Index 94 · 283 complaints · 14 recalls
The 2018 Tiguan has a complaint index of 94, the 2nd worst of all years, with 283 total complaints and 14 recall campaigns, including one do-not-drive recall. Engine problems account for 32% of complaints at a median 8,000 miles, and electrical issues follow at 20% around 8,150 miles. Owners describe stalling at low speed, loss of power while turning, and dashboard fires. Recalls cover a steering rack mounting bolt that can corrode and break, a mis-installed roof reinforcement, and rear hatch spoiler installation errors.
2018 engine problems →2018 electrical system problems →2018 transmission & powertrain problems →
2020 Volkswagen Tiguan Index 88 · 140 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2020 Tiguan has a complaint index of 88, ranking 3rd worst. Electrical System problems are the top area at 28% (median 69,500 miles), with Engine issues at 21% (median 47,500 miles). Owners described sudden unintended acceleration while parking, steering wheel shaking with an Electronic Throttle Control warning light, and a tire blowout that caused a crash. Recalls address a third-row seat belt anchor that may not be properly torqued and front seat frame parts, among 3 total campaigns.
2020 electrical system problems →2020 engine problems →2020 collision avoidance & cameras problems →
2019 Volkswagen Tiguan Index 81 · 191 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2019 Tiguan has a complaint index of 81, ranking 4th worst. Electrical System complaints lead at 32% with a very low median failure mileage of 2,259 miles, and Engine issues follow at 27% around 1,776 miles, pointing to early-life failures. Owners reported dashboard smoke and fire, forward collision warning systems that failed to alert before crashes, and airbags that did not deploy in collisions. NHTSA recorded 5 recall campaigns, including a TPMS software update and a tire information label correction.
2019 electrical system problems →2019 engine problems →2019 collision avoidance & cameras problems →
2009 Volkswagen Tiguan Index 75 · 168 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2009 Tiguan has a complaint index of 75 and ranks 5th worst of 17 years. Engine problems make up 55% of its complaints, with a median failure mileage of 82,541 miles, followed by electrical issues at 25%. Owners describe stalling, sudden surging, and check-engine lights preceding failures, and some reported engine compartment fires. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this year covering fuel system and engine control module software, plus an electrical fuse issue affecting exterior lights.
2009 engine problems →2009 electrical system problems →2009 transmission & powertrain problems →
Most common Volkswagen Tiguan problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Engine770 (34%)
- Electrical System584 (26%)
- Other381 (17%)
- Airbags317 (14%)
- Transmission & Powertrain201 (9%)
- Fuel System197 (9%)
- Steering188 (8%)
- Brakes152 (7%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras151 (7%)
- Structure & Body135 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the Volkswagen Tiguan should I avoid?
- NHTSA data points to the 2009, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2022 Tiguan as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 75, 94, 81, 88, and 100 respectively, the highest among the 17 model years covered.
- What is the best year for the Volkswagen Tiguan?
- The 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 Tiguans are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 0, 6, 19, and 13, the lowest across all model years.
- Is the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?
- The 2022 Tiguan has the highest complaint index of any year, 100, with 269 complaints and Engine problems making up 47% of them at a median 30,000 miles, so it ranks worst compared to other Tiguan years.
- Does the 2018 Tiguan have a recall problem?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for the 2018 Tiguan, including one do-not-drive recall, more than any other model year, alongside a complaint index of 94.
- What are the most common Tiguan problems overall?
- Across all 2,253 complaints and 17 model years, Engine issues account for 34%, Electrical System issues for 26%, and Airbags for 14%, the three largest problem areas.