Car Defect Radar
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated September 22, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.

Recalls

0 total

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

No recalls on record for this model

No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.

Owner complaints by system

64 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
34

Most reports here involve fluid leaks.

fluid leaks 15transmission slipping 5software faults 3
A recent report: 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan, approximately 34,316 miles. While driving on I-26 in South Carolina, the EPC warning and amber warning triangle illuminated. I pulled over and stopped. After approximately 10…
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2023 Volkswagen Tiguan, approximately 34,316 miles. While driving on I-26 in South Carolina, the EPC warning and amber warning triangle illuminated. I pulled over and stopped. After approximately 10 minutes, I restarted because I was in an unsafe location. No warnings were displayed after restarting, but approximately five miles later they returned, and I exited the highway. After stopping, extensive engine oil was visible on the rear/underside of the vehicle. I immediately checked the dipstick and no oil was visible. At no time did I observe a low-oil-level or low-oil-pressure warning. An authorized Volkswagen dealer diagnosed a faulty oil separator causing internal engine pressure to build, which caused the oil pan to crack and upper timing cover to leak. The oil separator, oil pan and upper timing cover were replaced under warranty. During approximately two months before the failure, the vehicle had several times briefly displayed “Max engine speed: 3,000 rpm.” The night before the incident, the check-engine light illuminated but was no longer illuminated before the return trip began. The vehicle had received scheduled service, including an oil/filter change, at approximately 29,780 miles, only about 4,500 miles before this failure. My safety concern is the sudden pressure-related engine failure and major oil loss at highway speed, together with no observed oil warning despite no oil being visible on the dipstick immediately after the incident. The servicing dealer has stated that it does not know what causes these oil separators to fail. I am reporting this incident so NHTSA can evaluate whether it may represent a broader safety issue.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11763400 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Minor
14

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 9sudden stalling 2electrical shorts 1
A recent report: My VW Tiguan 2023 has a systematic problem on the Emergency Call function. The car has the module replaced twice within couple of months. Recently, it has failed by the 3rd time. You can find…
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My VW Tiguan 2023 has a systematic problem on the Emergency Call function. The car has the module replaced twice within couple of months. Recently, it has failed by the 3rd time. You can find attached: - VW App showing an active problem with the emergency call function - A WV service invoice from 05/16/26, stating the first replacement of the SOS communication module - A WV service invoice from 07/24/26, stating the second replacement of the SOS communication module Currently, the module is failed (as shown on the App screenshot) and it is the 3rd time this has happened.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11764764 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
5

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

software faults 2loss of braking 2premature wear 1
A recent report: While driving south bound on i95 express lane, the vehicle in front of me stopped abruptly. I attempted to break but was unable to do so. Also the emergency breaks/front vehicle collision warning did…
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While driving south bound on i95 express lane, the vehicle in front of me stopped abruptly. I attempted to break but was unable to do so. Also the emergency breaks/front vehicle collision warning did not activate. In order to avoid a head on collision, I swerved to the right and my front left side made impact to the other vehicle on their right back side. This impact cause my vehicle to spin out of the express lane and into the regular traffic 180 degrees causing me to be facing incoming traffic. The air bags did not deploy- the state trooper, fire safety, and tow truck representative all commented that it should have. After the incident FDOT had to tow my vehicle to the shoulder prior to being towed away. During this time I was not able to turn the engine off- it remained on and was towed with the engine still running. The vehicle is currently under assessment with my insurance provider.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11624981 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
2

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 2
A recent report: I purchased this vehicle on August 9th 2025 and it has been in shop 4 times . It is in the shop as I am writing this email. I have had nothing but issues with this vehicle and had to come out of…
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I purchased this vehicle on August 9th 2025 and it has been in shop 4 times . It is in the shop as I am writing this email. I have had nothing but issues with this vehicle and had to come out of pocket 308 dollars just to find out a problem that I told them that already was an issue the first week I had the car . I am a senior on a fixed income and I cant afford to pay anything more out of pocket . I filed a complaint with the BBB and a represented from the service department called me and said , his boss said they will not work on my car unless I remove my complaint to the BBB . I find this very unethical and a bad customer service representation. This car has been diagnosed unsafe to drive . And even though I have a loaner it is not my car I am paying for . Like I had stated it has been in the shop 4 times and I have not missed a payment even though I have not had my car .The front strut is completely broke , the left one is in bad shape , needs a front end alignment and the front collision warning alert does not work . It has been confirmed these issues are there. They said they were going to take care of it until they noticed I filed a complaint to the BBB.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11698164 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Minor
1

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 1
A recent report: Front passenger seat belt, when its in use the system activate the alarm and don't recognize that seat belt is in use.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11515928 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
4

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 1
A recent report: Driving long the interstate in South Carolina, all of a sudden there was a loud explosive sound and a crackling sound accompanied by the loud explosion. It startled me!! I gathered myself and put on…
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Driving long the interstate in South Carolina, all of a sudden there was a loud explosive sound and a crackling sound accompanied by the loud explosion. It startled me!! I gathered myself and put on hazard lights and got over on the far right lane to pull onto the shoulder of the highway. I thought that a tire or two had blown but was not the case. I got back into the car and started visually looking around to see where the crackling noise was still coming from. I looked up towards my Sunroof and discovered that a large hole in my Sunroof. Fortunately, my sunshade was closed and shield the debris/glass from spraying my face and body. I took the car to the V.W. dealership and explained the infraction to them. They diagnosed the problem and contacted me later that day to let me know that they were sending the request to V.W. corporate to get authorization to repair under warranty. The dealership did not detect any signs of rocks or debris causing the explosion. Corporate denied the dealerships request to repair under warranty. I filed the damaged Sunroof under my auto insurance. Im currently awaiting for the adjuster to inspect the damaged Sunroof that is at the dealership. I feel that Corporate dud not even consider the fact that this could have been an exploding Sunroof...and im sure that they have encountered this defect before. There are articles on-line of others who encountered this problem.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11703224 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
4

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 1premature wear 1
A recent report: Air conditioning system is faulty. Purchased a new Volkswagen Tiguan in 2023. The blower motor was faulty in 2024 and was replaced in 2025 the A/C began making noises again and stopped working off…
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Air conditioning system is faulty. Purchased a new Volkswagen Tiguan in 2023. The blower motor was faulty in 2024 and was replaced in 2025 the A/C began making noises again and stopped working off and on in September 2025 and now the unit does not work at all.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11727081 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 64 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2023 and 2026, roughly 18 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.