2019 Volkswagen Tiguan Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan has a complaint index of 81, the 4th worst among 17 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. Electrical System problems dominate with 61 complaints (32%) and five recalls have been issued, including one for the instrument cluster's audible warning.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 81/100
- #4 of 17 Tiguan years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 191
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 6
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 24.5
- 21.5 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System61 (32%)
- Engine52 (27%)
- Other39 (20%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras26 (14%)
- Brakes25 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain17 (9%)
- Fuel System10 (5%)
- Structure & Body9 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers9 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some vehicles caught fire, with smoke visible from dash vents shortly after merging onto a highway.
- Owners report the forward collision system failing to detect a stopped vehicle ahead, resulting in rear-end crashes without airbag deployment.
- Several drivers describe sudden loss of throttle response followed by unexpected lurching forward, causing collisions.
- Owners report the emergency braking system engaging or failing to release properly, causing loss of vehicle control during turns.
- Headlight housings developed condensation inside the lens shortly after delivery, even with very low mileage.
- One owner reported the vehicle stalling on the freeway at 60 mph with multiple warning lights and a locked gear, along with a failed headlight.
2019 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V815000Oct 31, 2022Suspension, Wheels & Tires296,044 vehicles
Tires:pressure monitoring and regulating systems
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
Risk: An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or AudiÂs customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.
- NHTSA 22V226000Apr 6, 2022Structure & Body6,553 vehicles
Structure:body
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Tiguan and 2018-2021 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. Due to incorrect installation instructions, the accessory rear hatch spoiler may be insufficiently attached to the vehicle.
Risk: An insufficiently attached spoiler may separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the spoiler, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 66N5.
- NHTSA 19V241000Mar 27, 2019Other8 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Tiguan LWB vehicles. The tire information label contains inaccurate tire dimension and inflation pressure specifications. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk: The incorrect specifications can result in improper tire inflations or to installing a tire of the wrong size on the vehicle. Either of these situations can increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will install a corrected tire information label, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D2.
2019 Volkswagen Tiguan fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21.5 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 24.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,650
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2019 compared with other Tiguan years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2019 Tiguan ranks 4th worst out of 17 model years with a complaint index of 81, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other Tiguan years.
- What are the biggest problems with the 2019 Tiguan?
- Electrical System complaints lead at 61 (32% of all complaints), followed by Engine issues at 52 (27%), Collision Avoidance & Cameras at 26 (14%), and Brakes at 25 (13%).
- Does the 2019 Tiguan have recalls?
- NHTSA lists five recalls for the 2019 Tiguan, covering suspension/tires (TPMS software), a rear hatch spoiler, a tire information label, rear coil springs, and an instrument cluster audible warning issue.
- At what mileage do 2019 Tiguan problems typically show up?
- Median mileage at failure varies by system: Engine complaints show up around 1,776 miles, Electrical System issues around 2,259 miles, and Transmission & Powertrain complaints as early as 400 miles.
- How does the 2019 Tiguan compare to other years?
- The 2019 Tiguan's complaint index of 81 is worse than most other years; only the 2018 (94), 2020 (88), and 2022 (100) score higher, while years like 2014-2017 earned Best verdicts with much lower indexes.