YearToAvoid

2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

69/100

#6 most-complained of 17 Tiguan years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan has 141 owner complaints and 5 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 69 out of 100 — #6 highest of 17 Tiguan model years (verdict: Caution). The most reported problem area is engine (60 complaints, 43% of the total). Complaints report 2 crashes and 2 injuries.

Complaints
141
Recalls
5
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
24.5
22 city / 28 hwy

Top 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine60 (43%)
  2. Other30 (21%)
  3. Electrical System29 (21%)
  4. Collision Avoidance & Cameras12 (9%)
  5. Structure & Body12 (9%)
  6. Fuel System11 (8%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain11 (8%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers9 (6%)
  9. Brakes6 (4%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (2%)
2021 Volkswagen Tiguan complaints: complaints filed per quarter222021 Q12021 Q42022 Q32023 Q22024 Q12024 Q42025 Q32026 Q2
187 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2021 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2026 Q2 (22).

2021 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls

5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

See all 5 recalls for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan →

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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019Avoid81191524.5
2020Avoid88140324
2021Caution69141524.5
2022Avoid100269525
2023Good3166125.5

All Volkswagen Tiguan years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan ranks #6 of 17 among Tiguan model years (Complaint Index 69/100, verdict: Caution). It has 141 complaints and 5 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?
The most reported problem areas are engine (60 complaints), electrical system (29 complaints), and collision avoidance & cameras (12 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 26,000 miles.
Does the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, most recently reported 2022, covering other, structure & body, suspension, wheels & tires, and collision avoidance & cameras.
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?
EPA rates the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan at 24.5 MPG combined (22 city / 28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,650. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.