2019 Volkswagen Tiguan
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 167 |
| 2010 | 110 |
| 2011 | 161 |
| 2012 | 152 |
| 2013 | 139 |
| 2014 | 84 |
| 2015 | 62 |
| 2016 | 96 |
| 2017 | 75 |
| 2018 | 282 |
| 2019 | 190 |
| 2020 | 138 |
| 2021 | 139 |
| 2022 | 266 |
| 2023 | 62 |
| 2024 | 65 |
| 2025 | 47 |
| 2026 | 25 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
29% of complaints: electrical system — 56 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
VEHICLE FREQUENTLY SHAKES/SHUDDERS VIOLENTLY UNDER LIGHT/NORMAL ACCELERATION IN STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC, CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD AND EXTREMELY UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING SITUATION.
NHTSA ODI report, 20190715
Also filed under POWER TRAIN and UNKNOWN OR OTHER
21% of complaints: engine — 40 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
The car, a 2019 VW Tiguan, had a âcheck engineâ light come on, and the resulting diagnosis and repairs - using VWâs specific engine fault codes - led to the replacement of both water pumps at 72,000 miles.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260807
This vehicle is burning oil! I have stayed on top of getting the regular/required oil changes but inbetween we have had to constantly top off the oil. I also get all oil changes at the dealer.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260801
The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle drove over a pothole or an object on the roadway and the vehicle stalled. The failure had reoccurred on several occasions.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260713
Also filed under POWER TRAIN
16% of complaints: forward collision avoidance — 30 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic emergency braking and warnings.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
The emergency braking system caused a rear accident . Leaving at fault " unable to control vehicles ", listed by State Farm, resulting in a personal injury claim with no injuries for $475,000.00 all parties including Volkswagen will be sued .
NHTSA ODI report, 20240417
Also filed under SERVICE BRAKES
13% of complaints: service brakes — 24 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY9% of complaints: power train — 17 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing floor shift.
INJURYSAFETY TIMELINE
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas and Tiguan and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles that do not have keyless entry.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Campaign 18V824000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Golf Sportwagen, 2019 Jetta, 2015-2019 Golf, and 2018-2019 Tiguan vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall began April 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42J5.
Campaign 19V188000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Tiguan LWB vehicles. The tire information label contains inaccurate tire dimension and inflation pressure specifications.
Remedy: Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will install a corrected tire information label, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Campaign 19V241000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Tiguan and 2018-2021 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles.
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.
Campaign 22V226000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Remedy: Dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or AudiÂs customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Campaign 22V815000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2019 Volkswagen Tiguan — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (56 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (40 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for forward collision avoidance issues (30 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 18V824000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V188000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V241000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V226000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V815000 (tires) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.