2020 Volkswagen Tiguan Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan ranks 3rd worst out of 17 model years, with a complaint index of 88 and 140 NHTSA complaints. Electrical system issues lead at 28% of complaints, and 3 recalls were issued, earning it an Avoid verdict relative to other Tiguan years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 88/100
- #3 of 17 Tiguan years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 140
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 7
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 0
Top 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Other53 (38%)
- Electrical System39 (28%)
- Engine30 (21%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras19 (14%)
- Structure & Body17 (12%)
- Brakes11 (8%)
- Visibility & Wipers11 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (4%)
- Fuel System4 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some owners report the automatic emergency braking engaging unexpectedly at highway speeds and bringing the vehicle to a sudden stop.
- Owners describe unintended acceleration while parking, resulting in collisions with no warning light illuminated.
- Some drivers report the steering wheel and vehicle shaking while underway, accompanied by an Electronic Throttle Control warning light.
- Owners describe water intrusion through the sunroof drainage system, leaving seatbelts and door wells wet after rain.
- Some owners report high oil consumption in new vehicles requiring added oil well before the recommended service interval.
- Owners describe brake squealing at low speeds occurring at very low mileage that dealers characterized as normal.
2020 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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 20V579000Sep 23, 2020Seat Belts6 vehicles
Seat belts:rear/other
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020 Tiguan LWB vehicles. The third row seat belt anchor bolts may not have been properly torqued.
Risk: Improperly torqued bolts may prevent the third row seat belt from performing as designed in a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and will repurchase the vehicles. Owners are advised: No one should occupy the third row seat due to the safety risk. The recall began October 7, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen number for this recall is 69BA.
- NHTSA 20V505000Aug 26, 2020Structure & Body5,376 vehicles
Seats
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen ) is recalling certain 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, Jetta, Jetta GLI and Tiguan and Audi Q5 and SQ5 and 2021 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. Parts of the front seat frame and backrest adjuster may not have been welded properly.
Risk: In the event of a rear-end crash, the backrest adjustment could break, possibly reducing the amount of occupant restraint, thus increasing risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seats, and, as necessary, replace the seatback frames, free of charge. The recall began September 11, 2020. Volkswagen owners may contact their customer service at 1-888-241-2289. Audi owners may contact their customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 72L1, 72K8, and 72K9.
2020 Volkswagen Tiguan fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,700
- 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.
2020 compared with other Tiguan years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?
- Compared to other Tiguan years, the 2020 model ranks poorly, sitting 3rd worst of 17 years with a complaint index of 88 out of 140 total NHTSA complaints. It carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Tiguan model years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Tiguan?
- Electrical system complaints make up 28% of reports, followed by engine issues at 21% and collision avoidance/camera system problems at 14%. Median mileage at failure across all complaints was 30,399.5 miles.
- Does the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2020 Tiguan, covering seat belt anchor bolts on long wheelbase models, front seat frame parts, and a rear hatch spoiler installation issue. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- What year Volkswagen Tiguan should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA data, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2009, and 2022 all carry Avoid verdicts, with 2022 having the highest complaint index at 100. Years like 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 rate Best in comparison.
- How does the 2020 Tiguan compare to the 2021 Tiguan?
- The 2020 Tiguan has a complaint index of 88 and an Avoid verdict, while the 2021 Tiguan has a lower complaint index of 69 and a Caution verdict.