2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan carries a complaint index of 69, ranking 6th worst out of 17 model years, and gets a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 141 complaints, 5 recalls, and 2 crashes, with Engine issues the top problem area at 43% share.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 69/100
- #6 of 17 Tiguan years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 141
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 24.5
- 22 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine60 (43%)
- Other30 (21%)
- Electrical System29 (21%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras12 (9%)
- Structure & Body12 (9%)
- Fuel System11 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain11 (8%)
- Visibility & Wipers9 (6%)
- Brakes6 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Adaptive cruise control fails to engage or set speed after using remote start, sometimes requiring a full power cycle to fix.
- Adaptive cruise control unexpectedly accelerates instead of maintaining distance from a slowing vehicle ahead.
- Steering wheel or brakes reportedly stopped functioning properly, leading to loss of vehicle control in two separate incidents.
- Rattle or vibration noise traced to an area behind the driver's left ear shortly after purchase.
- Gas door fails to unlock or open even after repeated lock/unlock cycles, some owners had to pry it open.
- A loud bang and ringing sound occurred while driving with windows and sunroof closed.
2021 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V514000Jul 20, 2022Other43,091 vehicles
Equipment:electrical:infotainment:software
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Golf GTI, Jetta GLI, Jetta NF, Arteon FL, Tiguan LWB, 2022 Taos, Jetta PA, Tiguan PA, 2021-2022 Atlas Cross Sport, and Atlas FL vehicles. The manufacturing process of the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system may cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DV.
- 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 22V176000Mar 23, 2022Suspension, Wheels & Tires10,119 vehicles
Suspension
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Tiguan, Taos, and 2021 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. A second notice will be sent once remedy parts become available. The left or right rear suspension knuckles may corrode, crack, and break.
Risk: A broken rear suspension knuckle can cause a loss of stability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace one or both rear suspension knuckles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 13, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42L8.
2021 Volkswagen Tiguan fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 28 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.
2021 compared with other Tiguan years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Tiguan carries a Caution verdict with a complaint index of 69, ranking 6th worst among 17 model years of the Tiguan. It has 141 complaints and 5 recalls on file.
- What is the top problem area for the 2021 Tiguan?
- Engine issues make up 43% of complaints (60 of 141), with a median mileage at failure of 51,500 miles for that category.
- Does the 2021 Tiguan have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2021 Tiguan, covering infotainment software, a rear hatch spoiler, rear suspension knuckles, missing seat track bolts, and a rear view camera malfunction.
- How does the 2021 Tiguan compare to other Tiguan years?
- The 2021 model's complaint index of 69 is better than 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2022, which all carry an Avoid verdict, but worse than years like 2014-2017 and 2023, which rate Good or Best.
- What issues do owners report with adaptive cruise control?
- Multiple sample complaints describe adaptive cruise control failing to engage after remote start or accelerating unexpectedly instead of slowing for traffic ahead, which falls under the Collision Avoidance & Cameras problem area with 12 complaints.