Volkswagen Tiguan Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Volkswagen Tiguan model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2015 drew the fewest (62) and the 2018 the most (284).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
30 | 0 | Engine | 5★ | 25–29 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
49 | 3 | Electrical system | 5★ | 25–29 |
| 2015 Among the fewest complaints |
62 | 4 | Air bags | 4★ | 22–23 |
| 2023 | 68 | 1 | Engine | 4★ | 24–27 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
71 | 2 | Electrical system | 4★ | 24–27 |
| 2017 Among the fewest complaints |
75 | 4 | Air bags | 4★ | 21–22 |
| 2014 Among the fewest complaints |
84 | 3 | Air bags | 4★ | 21–23 |
| 2016 | 96 | 2 | Air bags | 4★ | 22–23 |
| 2010 | 110 | 2 | Engine | — | 20–21 |
| 2013 | 139 | 3 | Air bags | 4★ | 21–23 |
| 2020 | 140 | 3 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 23–25 |
| 2021 | 142 | 5 | Engine | 5★ | 24–25 |
| 2012 | 153 | 3 | Engine | — | 21–24 |
| 2011 | 162 | 3 | Engine | — | 21–22 |
| 2009 Among the most complaints |
168 | 3 | Engine | — | 20–21 |
| 2019 Among the most complaints |
192 | 5 | Electrical system | 5★ | 24–25 |
| 2022 | 269 | 5 | Engine | — | 24–26 |
| 2018 Among the most complaints |
284 | 14 | Engine | 5★ | 22–24 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Volkswagen Tiguan years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2018 Volkswagen Tiguan: 284 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 81 (29%); Power train 49 (17%); Electrical system 44 (15%).
Reports mention 5 crashes, 3 fires, 11 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 6,900 miles. 14 recall campaigns listed.
2019 Volkswagen Tiguan: 192 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 56 (29%); Engine 41 (21%); Forward collision avoidance 24 (13%).
Reports mention 6 crashes, 1 fire, 5 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 3,000 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2009 Volkswagen Tiguan: 168 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 80 (48%); Electrical system 40 (24%); Power train 20 (12%).
Reports mention 5 crashes, 6 fires, 4 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 70,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
The Volkswagen Tiguan years with the fewest complaints
2015 Volkswagen Tiguan: 62 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 28 (45%); Electrical system 23 (37%); Engine 9 (15%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 fire, 4 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 51,524 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2017 Volkswagen Tiguan: 75 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 30 (40%); Engine 15 (20%); Electrical system 12 (16%).
Reports mention 6 crashes, 4 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 26,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2014 Volkswagen Tiguan: 84 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 46 (55%); Electrical system 22 (26%); Steering 20 (24%).
Reports mention 2 crashes. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 50,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Volkswagen Tiguan owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 30 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 49 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 71 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 68 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 269 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 30,000 |
| 2021 | 142 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 26,000 |
| 2020 | 140 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 34,799 |
| 2019 | 192 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 3,000 |
| 2018 | 284 | 5 | 3 | 11 | 0 | 6,900 |
| 2017 | 75 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 26,000 |
| 2016 | 96 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 45,000 |
| 2015 | 62 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 51,524 |
| 2014 | 84 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50,000 |
| 2013 | 139 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 54,000 |
| 2012 | 153 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 50,000 |
| 2011 | 162 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 60,000 |
| 2010 | 110 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 73,000 |
| 2009 | 168 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 70,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Volkswagen Tiguan recalls
- Air Bag Clock Spring may Fail (2011–2014 model years; 415,825 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2015; 15V483000)
- Tire Pressure Loss Not Detected/FMVSS 138 (2019 model year; 296,044 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2022; 22V815000)
- Loss of Steering Control from Bolt Failure (2018 model year; 208,724 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2026; 26V590000)
- Bubbles in Fuel may Result in Engine Stall (2009–2014 model years; 151,389 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2014; 14V441000)
- No Warning When Key is Left in Ignition/FMVSS 114 (2018–2019 model years; 73,549 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2018; 18V824000)
All 39 Volkswagen Tiguan recall campaigns · Volkswagen Tiguan problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Volkswagen Tiguan years FAQ
Which Volkswagen Tiguan year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2015 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (62). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Volkswagen Tiguan years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2018, 2019 and 2009 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the engine. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Volkswagen Tiguan problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the engine (695 of 2,294 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Volkswagen Tiguan have?
NHTSA lists 39 recall campaigns covering the Volkswagen Tiguan. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Volkswagen Tiguan recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.