Volkswagen Tiguan Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Avoid the 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan, which carry the highest complaint index scores (93, 80, 100, and 87) and the most recalls, including 14 for the 2018 model. The 2014-2017 years score lowest (complaint index 0-20) and are rated Best.
Avoid 2018Avoid 2019Avoid 2022Avoid 2024Best 2014Best 2015Best 2016Best 2017
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 2,085
- Recall campaigns
- 38
- Crashes reported
- 60
- Fires reported
- 19
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Good | 33 | 110 | 5 | 4 | 2 | Engine | 21 | — |
| 2011 | Good | 40 | 161 | 4 | 2 | 3 | Engine | 21 | — |
| 2012 | Caution | 53 | 152 | 10 | 0 | 3 | Engine | 23 | — |
| 2013 | Good | 27 | 139 | 2 | 1 | 3 | Airbags | 22 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Best | 7 | 84 | 2 | 0 | 3 | Airbags | 22 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Best | 0 | 62 | 1 | 1 | 4 | Airbags | 22.5 | 4★ |
| 2016 | Best | 20 | 96 | 4 | 2 | 2 | Airbags | 22.5 | 4★ |
| 2017 | Best | 13 | 75 | 6 | 0 | 4 | Airbags | 21.5 | 4★ |
| 2018 | Avoid | 93 | 283 | 5 | 3 | 14 ! | Engine | 23 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Avoid | 80 | 191 | 6 | 1 | 5 | Electrical System | 24.5 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Caution | 73 | 140 | 5 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System | 24 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Caution | 67 | 141 | 2 | 0 | 5 | Engine | 24.5 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Avoid | 100 | 269 | 3 | 1 | 5 | Engine | 25 | — |
| 2023 | Good | 47 | 66 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Engine | 25.5 | 4★ |
| 2024 | Avoid | 87 | 68 | 3 | 4 | 2 | Electrical System | 25.5 | 4★ |
| 2025 | Caution | 60 | 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 worst complaint index of any year at 100, with 269 complaints. Engine problems dominate at 47% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 30,000. Electrical system issues (24%) failed at a median of 19,137 miles. Owners report vehicles veering off the road while in cruise control, infotainment screens going blank, and fires while parked. Five recalls apply, 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 93 · 283 complaints · 14 recalls
The 2018 Tiguan has a complaint index of 93 and 283 complaints, the second-worst of any year, plus 14 recalls including one do-not-drive recall. Engine problems make up 32% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 8,000, and electrical system issues (20%) failed around 8,150 miles. Owners report smoke and flames from the dashboard, stalling at low speed, and turning problems tied to the auto stop/start system. Recalls cover a steering rack mounting bolt that can corrode, a rear hatch spoiler installation error, and an incorrectly installed roof reinforcement.
2018 engine problems →2018 electrical system problems →2018 transmission & powertrain problems →
2024 Volkswagen Tiguan Index 87 · 68 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2024 Tiguan has a complaint index of 87 with 68 complaints, ranked 3rd worst. Electrical system issues lead at 35% of complaints, and engine problems (29%) had a median failure mileage of 31,900. Owners report fires starting in the engine bay shortly after routine maintenance, headlight assemblies on national backorder after collisions, and vehicles needing repeated dealer visits for electrical faults. Two recalls address a rearview camera software error.
2019 Volkswagen Tiguan Index 80 · 191 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2019 Tiguan carries a complaint index of 80 and 191 complaints, ranked 4th worst. Electrical system issues account for 32% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 2,259, and engine problems (27%) failed even earlier, at a median of 1,776 miles. Owners describe smoke and flames from the vents and hood, forward collision systems failing to alert before rear-end crashes, and airbags that did not deploy in a crash. Five recalls were issued, including a tire pressure monitoring software update and a mislabeled tire information sticker.
2019 electrical system problems →2019 engine problems →2019 collision avoidance & cameras problems →
Most common Volkswagen Tiguan problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Engine677 (32%)
- Electrical System542 (26%)
- Other371 (18%)
- Airbags307 (15%)
- Fuel System183 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain181 (9%)
- Steering173 (8%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras151 (7%)
- Brakes139 (7%)
- Structure & Body127 (6%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year Volkswagen Tiguan should I avoid?
- NHTSA data points to 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2024 as the years to avoid, based on complaint index scores of 93, 80, 100, and 87 and higher recall counts, including 14 recalls for the 2018 model.
- What is the best year for the Volkswagen Tiguan?
- The 2014-2017 Tiguan years are rated Best, with complaint index scores between 0 and 20, the lowest across the 2010-2025 range.
- Is the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?
- The 2022 Tiguan has the highest complaint index of any year in the lineup, 100, driven mainly by engine complaints that make up 47% of its total 269 complaints.
- Does the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan have recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for the 2018 Tiguan, including one do-not-drive recall, covering issues like a corroding steering rack bolt and an incorrectly installed roof reinforcement.
- What is the most common problem area for the Volkswagen Tiguan overall?
- Across all model years, Engine complaints are the largest category at 677 complaints, or 32% of the 2,085 total complaints NHTSA has on file.