2021 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls and problems

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan has 5 safety recalls and 146 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Volkswagen dealer.

Recalls
5
Complaints
146
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2021 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls

Recall 22V-514: Equipment, Back Over Prevention

Reported Jul 20, 2022 · 43,091 vehicles affected · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 22V-226: Structure

Reported Apr 6, 2022 · 6,553 vehicles affected · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 22V-176: Suspension

Reported Mar 23, 2022 · 10,119 vehicles affected · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 21V-038: Seats

Reported Feb 1, 2021 · 57 vehicles affected · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Long Wheelbase and Jetta vehicles. Bolts may be missing from the front seat tracks.

Risk: The seat can move front and back without restriction if bolts are missing, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat tracks and, as necessary, install the bolts, free of charge. The recall began February 18, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 72L6.

Recall 20V-716: Back Over Prevention

Reported Nov 18, 2020 · 32,048 vehicles affected · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan LWB, Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas FL and Arteon vehicles. The rear view camera could malfunction during an ignition cycle, leading to a black screen or infotainment system freeze. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Risk: A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91BB/91BC.

2021 Volkswagen Tiguan problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Engine55
Unknown or Other31
Electrical System26
Forward Collision Avoidance14
Fuel/Propulsion System12
Structure11
Power Train11
Visibility/Wiper8
Vehicle Speed Control5
Service Brakes5
Exterior Lighting5
Engine and Engine Cooling5

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 7
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control — 6
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 5
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings — 3
  • Back Over Prevention › Rearview System Braking — 2
  • Structure › Interior Panels › Ceiling — 2
  • Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera — 1
  • Equipment › Electrical › Infotainment — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 26,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Engine · reported Nov 8, 2026
The PCV valve has failed twice, resulting in oil leaks onto hot surfaces. Leak could lead to hazardous conditions by oil being sprayed onto exhaust surfaces. Dealer confirmed the PCV valve was the failed part.
Electrical System · reported Nov 6, 2026
The 5F module on our 2021 VW Tiguan has bricked our infotainment screen after a botched software update sent from VW. We are having to drive our car without the use of a GPS, rear view camera, radio and defrost system because VW has not currently got this issue on recall, and we are not under warranty. This was a problem caused soley by VW’s software update and has nothing to do with our driving or service of the car.
Unknown or Other · reported Oct 21, 2026
A software update from Volkswagen causes the infotainment system to crash and become unusable and no longer functions. Car owner is forced to purchase a new infotainment control system which is back ordered nationally with no estimation of arrival. The back up camera, and rear traffic warning no longer works as the screen is black. There is no radio, safety controls, vehicle notifications, no media control or connectivity to phones. This is a national problem, this is effecting thousands of Volkswagens through various models and years. Its a known problem, and Volkswagen is aware of it caused…
Suspension · reported Oct 14, 2026
I am writing because of a premature rear axle coil spring fracture , which could have caused immediate risk of tire puncture and loss of vehicle control. An engine light had come on in our vehicle, and we brought it in to the dealer to find out why. They could not find any reason that the light had come on, and said everything was fine, but that they did find that the rear spring was broken. We are aware that in 2019, Volkswagon had a recall on some of its models, and I believe that there is a design flaw that made this happen in our vehicle. The technician sent us a video of the situation.…
Engine · reported Oct 2, 2026
The high pressure fuel pump has failed within 40,000 miles and now again at 110,000 miles. It causes the vehicle to randomly turn in drive and while idle. It has had oil consumption issues and oil leak issues that constantly occur. The dealer has replaced the high pressure fuel pump under warranty 40,000 miles and has now detected it needs to be replaced again at 110,000 miles. I paid for oil leak repair which was over 5,000 dollars and now I have another oil leak issues with the oil separator.

Other Volkswagen Tiguan years

Compare all Volkswagen Tiguan years · All Volkswagen models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan: 22V-514 (equipment, back over prevention), 22V-226 (structure), 22V-176 (suspension), 21V-038 (seats), 20V-716 (back over prevention). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?

Owners report engine problems most often (55 reports), followed by unknown or other (31). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 26,000 miles.

Are Volkswagen recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Volkswagen dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.