Car Defect Radar
Get the report
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Confirm 5 recalls before you buy.

Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.

Recalls

5 total · 5 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 25V082000 · Feb 2025

A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy
Dealers will update the camera control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed to Audi owners April 3, 2024, and Volkswagen owners November 18, 2025.Volkswagen owners will receive a second notice once remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Volkswagen) 91NY and (Audi) 90AV.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 22V514000 · Jul 2022

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Structure recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 22V226000 · Apr 2022

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Suspension recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 22V176000 · Mar 2022

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Brakes recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 21V853000 · Nov 2021

A loose brake pipe nut may allow brake fluid to leak, extending the distance required to stop and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy
Dealers will inspect and tighten the brake pipe nut, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 23, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 19Q4.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

266 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Minor
142

Most reports here involve fluid leaks.

fluid leaks 48sudden stalling 22
A recent report: EPC light kicks on which is puts your car in limp mode, which is caused by a cylinder head issue. The EPC limits your car acceleration and speed ability, this is extremely dangerous especially on the…
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EPC light kicks on which is puts your car in limp mode, which is caused by a cylinder head issue. The EPC limits your car acceleration and speed ability, this is extremely dangerous especially on the highway. It’s been a year & Volkswagen is refusing to take responsibility and offer a recall when it’s an ongoing issue with 2021-2022 Volkswagen Tiguans. The cylinder heads have been on back order for a year. This is an issue I believe that needs a nation wide investigation & recall for customers.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11762085 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Worth reading
47

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 40sudden stalling 3
A recent report: 2022 VW Tiguan, VIN [XXX], 54,953 mi. Infotainment screen went black; because the rearview camera image displays only on that screen, the backup camera is completely inoperative in reverse. Failure…
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2022 VW Tiguan, VIN [XXX], 54,953 mi. Infotainment screen went black; because the rearview camera image displays only on that screen, the backup camera is completely inoperative in reverse. Failure is constant. I replaced a blown #20 fuse and attempted a hard restart with no result. XXX, Volkswagen of [XXX] [XXX]: tech found DTC in ECM stating no communication with 5F module (infotainment control unit); VW guided test plan directs replacement of the 5F module. Quoted 501.54. Dealer stated this is a known issue and multiple customers there are waiting on the same backordered part. VW has already recalled 2022 Tiguans for this component and this consequence. Campaign 22V-514 ([XXX]): infotainment memory module defect causing rearview camera image not to display, certified by VW as an FMVSS 111 noncompliance. Campaign 25V-082: 2022-24 Tiguan camera control unit error, same loss of camera display. NHTSA VIN lookup on XXX shows no open recalls; my vehicle was included in neither campaign and no remedy has ever been applied. My vehicle has the identical failure (same model year, platform, component, and loss of rear visibility) as the recalled population. The dealer's statement that multiple customers await the same part indicates the defect population extends beyond the recalled VINs. I request NHTSA evaluate whether the scope of 22V-514 and 25V-082 was underinclusive and whether a recall query or scope expansion is warranted for uncovered 2022 Tiguans. RO and VIN lookup available on request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11763774 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
4

Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 1 mention an injury.

software faults 2loss of braking 1
A recent report: Phantom braking, 2nd time in last 3 months

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11758730 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Worth reading
37

Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

software faults 31loss of steering 2
A recent report: Travel Assist Not Available warning chime several times while driving. This has been back to the dealer 3 or more times, steering wheel replaced, software updates and still this along with screen…
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Travel Assist Not Available warning chime several times while driving. This has been back to the dealer 3 or more times, steering wheel replaced, software updates and still this along with screen blackouts, steering wheel heater coming on without prompting, audio failure, backup camera not always functioning. It is very distracting to all drivers with constant chimes and warning lights flashing across all screens.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11753904 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
5

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

airbags not deploying 1software faults 1
A recent report: The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that the vehicle had been at the dealer since November 2025 unrepaired regarding the side curtain air bag. The dealer informed the…
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The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that the vehicle had been at the dealer since November 2025 unrepaired regarding the side curtain air bag. The dealer informed the contact that Part Number: 5NN880742G; was on backorder. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time to provide the part for the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue but offered no assistance. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11720385 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Worth reading
20

Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 3 mention an injury.

software faults 2
A recent report: In February 2026, my windshield was replaced by a third-party glass company after a crack. Shortly after, my vehicle’s driver assistance system began activating falsely — beeping, displaying…
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In February 2026, my windshield was replaced by a third-party glass company after a crack. Shortly after, my vehicle’s driver assistance system began activating falsely — beeping, displaying warnings, and on a few occasions attempting to auto-correct the steering wheel while my hands were already on it. The ‘hands on wheel’ warning has displayed while I was actively holding the wheel. The glass company has serviced the vehicle four times since, including replacing the camera bracket, resetting the windshield seal, and installing a full OEM windshield and bracket as recently as June 15, 2026. Camera recalibration has passed successfully each time. Despite this, the false activations have continued and worsened. On June 17, 2026, the system activated approximately 25 times during a single commute of about 30 minutes, including while braking and during slow-speed maneuvers such as parking. The vehicle’s steering wheel was replaced in January 2025 under a manufacturer Technical Service Bulletin for an unrelated known defect and functioned without issue for over a year before this began. I am scheduling a dealership appointment to diagnose the cause. This is a safety concern because the system unpredictably intervenes with steering input and produces frequent distracting false alerts while driving

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11745035 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
11

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 5
A recent report: For multiple weeks, my vehicle's Travel Assist/driver-assistance system has repeatedly malfunctioned. The problem began after the vehicle was returned to me by the dealership following service…
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For multiple weeks, my vehicle's Travel Assist/driver-assistance system has repeatedly malfunctioned. The problem began after the vehicle was returned to me by the dealership following service related to an ongoing oil-consumption issue. Since receiving the vehicle back, the "Travel Assist currently not available" warning and associated warning indicators activate repeatedly during virtually every drive. The warning is accompanied by an audible alert/beeping and may occur multiple times during a single trip. The repeated alerts are distracting while driving and create a safety concern. The warnings occur even when I am not actively using Travel Assist or the driver-assistance system. They have occurred while the vehicle is completely stopped as well as while I am driving normally within my lane without crossing the lane markings. The system appears to activate warnings unpredictably and without any corresponding action by the driver. Because this involves a driver-assistance/safety system, I am concerned that the system may not function properly or be available when it is actually needed. The unpredictable and repeated audible warnings also divert the driver's attention from the roadway. This malfunction has continued consistently for several weeks across multiple trips. I have photographs documenting the Travel Assist warning and warning indicators displayed on the instrument cluster under different driving conditions and at different vehicle mileages. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11758882 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 266 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2021 and 2026, roughly 56 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2022 has 266 complaints on file, more than the 2021 (140) and more than the 2023 (64). Of the 17 model years of the Volkswagen Tiguan we cover, the 2018 has the most (282). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.