2019 Volkswagen Tiguan Complaints

ENGINE — Filed 09/24/2026

The cat has been leaking oil and has gotten worse this past month. The plastic plug has been changed but it keeps leaking.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL — Filed 06/25/2026

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond, and the vehicle vibrated abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who confirmed the failure but was unable to retrieve any fault codes. The vehicle was also taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to retrieve any fault codes. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE — Filed 09/05/2026

Vehicle: 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan Mileage: Approximately 84,000 miles Problem: Intermittent Park-position/gear-selector warning and transmission emergency mode My 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan has developed an intermittent safety-related transmission/gear-selector problem. The vehicle intermittently displays the warning: “Only exit vehicle in P position. Please service vehicle.” At other times, the vehicle also displays: “Transmission in emergency mode.” The warnings are intermittent, but they have occurred while operating the vehicle. The problem appears to involve the vehicle’s ability to correctly recognize or communicate the transmission/gear-selector position. I am concerned that this may represent a safety defect involving the gear-selector/Park-position detection system rather than a normal transmission failure. I understand that Volkswagen previously recalled certain 2011–2019 vehicles under NHTSA Recall 19V-615 / Volkswagen Recall 37M2 because of a shift-lever microswitch problem involving incorrect recognition of the Park position. NHTSA’s recall documentation states that an incorrect Park-position signal can create a risk of unintended vehicle rollaway. However, the Tiguan was not included in that recall. I am asking NHTSA to investigate if a similar defect may affect 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles and whether the Tiguan should have been included in the prior recall or whether a separate safety recall/investigation is warranted. Because the vehicle can enter transmission emergency mode and may intermittently fail to correctly recognize the Park/selector position, I believe this warrants review as a potential safety defect. I respectfully request that NHTSA review the complaint history for 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles and determine if it is a safety-related defect. I am also requesting that NHTSA consider whether Volkswagen’s prior recall should have included the Tiguan or whether additional vehicles should now be covered.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 07/15/2026

On unusually hot days, my VW Tiguan 2019, pops up a Check Start system and shuts down the dash and all electrical components (speedometer, A/C, infotainment system, blindside monitors, brake lights etc.) Car still runs but everything does not work. On searching, there are other VW users complaining about this issue as well making it a known manufacturer defect/issue. I called my local VW dealer letting them know that this is a safety issue and to find out if there is currently a recall for this issue but was told there is none. As this is a massively known safety issue. I think the NTHSA must mandate Volkswagen to do a complete recall for all VW vehicles they know are affected by this issue on their own budget without having consumers have to pay for this repair. Thank you.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 08/14/2026

I am reporting a safety-related electrical defect on my 2019 Tiguan that has been intermittently occurring since March 2026. This typically has happened during the hotter parts of the day when the tempreature in in the 90's. While driving, I get two different warnings that displays; "Check starter system" followed by "ignition-system-shut down". Within a few minutes, the engine continues running but the instrument cluster, HVAC and turn signals lose power. Other electrical systems also shut down like, the radio, navigation, head lamps, and side view mirror adjustment. This creates a serious safety hazard because I lose turn-signal and vehicle-information functions while the vehicle is moving." I have found multiple complaints involving 2019 Tiguans with this exact failure mode, including complaints specifically connecting it to Volkswagen recall 28H7 / NHTSA 23V-604 involving the ignition switch and polyfuse. Volkwagen has not aknowledge, reproduced, nor confirmed this issue. I belive that ithe issue is related to the same problem as Volkswagen's 28H7 / NHTSA 23V-604 ignition-switch recall, which currently applies to certain Jettas. That complaint describes the same combination of engine continuing to run while A/C, instrument cluster, headlights and turn signals lose power. I believe that 28H7 should be expanded to the 2019 Tiguan.

ENGINE — Filed 07/22/2026

The car, a 2019 VW Tiguan, had a “check engine” light come on, and the resulting diagnosis and repairs - using VW’s specific engine fault codes - led to the replacement of both water pumps at 72,000 miles. An investigation of the water pump problem on such cars revealed that Volkswagon previously settled a major nationwide class-action lawsuit (apparently kept secret) covering certain 2014–2021 models with 1.8L and 2.0L engines. This resulted in an extended warranty covering the repair or replacement of failed water pumps. For some reason our car was not covered by the extended warranty, even though the engines in the 2017 Tiguans are all the same. Why weren't we, as the owners of a 2019 Tiguan, notified of the results of the class-action lawsuit, and given the extended warranty? I want to know the difference between the water pumps in the affected vehicles, and the one in our car. The water pump # in her Tiguan is identified as O6L 121 111 M. What differentiates her water pump from those covered by the settlement? Why are we forced to pay a good deal of money to correct a pretty disturbing VW design flaw (a plastic water pump), when others aren’t?

ENGINE — Filed 06/08/2026

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. Last time when I complained about it the guy told me that it would be a lot of work to try to find out why and left it at that. My warranty expires in November and I don't want to get burned by this by needing a new engine!

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE — Filed 07/13/2026

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. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 01/04/2026

While I'm driving, the engine will still be running, but the entire dash shuts down. The radio turns off. The needles for the speedometer, shift gauge, gas gauge, wont work. The ac turns off, but the engine will still run. The warning ignition turned to off please pull over carefully comes up before everything but the engine, turns off completely

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 07/05/2026

During Hot weather the vehicles electrical will shut down while driving displaying a message saying check starter system and I will loose all lighting and brake lights and turn signals and HVAC systems and engine will shut off also I was going down the highway when this happened to me and it only happens in hot weather. This has been happening since we purchased the vehicle Volkswagen refuses to fix it and the 2020 models are on recall for this same issues.

SUSPENSION — Filed 06/22/2026

I am submitting this complaint regarding a safety defect on my 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan (VIN: [XXX]) consistent with NHTSA Safety Recall No. 19V188 (VW Recall Code 42J5) - premature fracture of rear axle coil springs. The vehicle exhibits uneven rear ride height indicative of coil spring fracture. The installed rear coil spring bears a manufacturer production label dated November 2018, which falls within the recalled production period (March 2017 – November 2018) identified in the recall documentation for 2018–2019 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles. My VIN falls outside the published recall range. However, the recall documentation expressly acknowledges that affected VINs are non-sequential, as the defect originated in specific sub-supplier production batches. Springs from the same defective batch may have been installed in vehicles outside the published range. The failure mode - premature spring fracture due to substandard material or incorrect manufacturing process parameters - is identical to the defect in Recall 19V188, presenting the same safety risk: rear tire damage, loss of vehicle control, and potential crash. I request that NHTSA investigate whether Recall 19V188 adequately encompasses all affected vehicles and direct Volkswagen to review sub-supplier batch records to determine whether additional VINs warrant inclusion. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ENGINE — Filed 06/19/2026

Oil separator valve went out which caused the upper timing cover gasket, Cambridge assembly seal, oil pan and seal to fail. Could have caused the engine to fail whiling driving which could have resulted in an accident occurring. Confirmed by dealership. No other inspection has been done on it. Oil light came on whiling driving. I put in more oil. It goes in for regular oil changes and as not been noted prior to 6/19/26 that there was an issue with the vehicle.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 11/18/2025

XXX, the emergency mode kept coming on, on the dash of my daughters 2019 Tiguan. I Took the tiguan to VW and they recommended replacement of gear selector unit. This is the car my daughter drives. She recently graduated and is now going to the military, leaving for bootcamp on 6/15. The part has been on backorder for 6 months (since Dec 2025), so she has only been able to drive on short trips and can not take her car to bootcamp or to her first duty station in [XXX]. She is essentially carless due to this issue. We've been waiting on a part of over 6 months. The car is not safe to drive as it also constant message, "Only exit vehicle in P position", "Trans in emergency mode". I can't in good faith sell the car to buy another knowing it has this issue. We have been working with White Allen VW in Dayton Ohio. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 04/09/2026

When driving car will read error code that states there is problem with the starter and shuts off all electric components while engine is still running. Has happened multiple times since initial incident.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 05/04/2026

While driving my car, I get a loud beep and all of a sudden it says system switch failure pull over safely. It seems to do this on hot days. We thought it was maybe the battery and replaced that at $280. It was fine for about a week and then started doing it again. Everything on my dashboard goes completely blank my AC stops working I cannot see my gauges. Nothing works. It’s very scary especially when you’re driving. You can’t see your speed. Even the manual speed goes out my gas meter doesn’t work. None of the meters work. I just bought this car six months ago. This is absolutely insane and after looking up what is going on with my car this seems to be a very common occurrence which would make me wonder if the ignition switches need to be replaced or the 645 relay is faulty, but it’s not adding up something absolutely needs to be done. It’s an unsafe occurrence that could potentially kill someone while they’re driving.

SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 05/22/2026

While driving and starting to go into the turn lane on the right, to make a right turn, the car would not slow down, while pressing the brake the car would not slow, I could not turn at the speed and was unable to get back into the flow of traffic either , so was left driving into a guard wire holding up a pole.

SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 10/09/2022

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 . The vehicle has caused loss of employment and a lawsuit on top of that I'm still paying a $586.00 Car note and $686.00 car insurance just for me to drive now . I'm mad asf !!!!

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 06/15/2023

Panoramic sunroof shattered. Looks like it bubbled upwards and exploded. No rock. No defect. Car was parked in my driveway with no trees or rocks or anything around. Motion security cameras don’t have anyone coming on my driveway. This looks like my sunroof popped. So weird. I cut my hand on the glass.

SUSPENSION — Filed 03/07/2023

Daughter was driving at roughly 20 miles an hour when right front suspension collapsed causing her to lose control and striking a parked vehicle. Lower part of strut that connects to drive shaft was sheared in half causing complete loss of steering. The tire was pushed back against the the fender well which in my estimation caused tire to blow. Parts are available for inspection. A tire blow out at that speed should not cause strut to break and impact on parked car was minimal. Failed component has not been inspected by anyone. There was no warning of any issue. I did complain to dealer of slight suspension noise while turning but they could not find any issues.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL — Filed 09/20/2022

From a stop at an intersection, the initial depressing of the accelerator produced no throttle response and then suddenly the car lurched forward. This resulted in rear ending the care in front at the intersection. The collision avoidance did not stop the car before contacting the car in front. Even after the accident the car continued to respond in the same way until it was placed on the two truck.

STRUCTURE — Filed 05/18/2019

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that the right hydraulic arm of the hatchback was corroded and upon closing the trunk manually, the right hydraulic arm detached and hit her on the right side of the head and shoulder. A bystander approached the contact to check on her. The contact then sought medical assistance. The contact was informed that she had sustained a severe concussion. The contact continued to undergo pain and physical therapy. The contact was later diagnosed with oxepedo myalgia and tumor on the right shoulder. Additionally, the contact was informed that she needed a surgical procedure for shoulder replacements. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was repaired. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer who inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that there was no proof of the incident. The contact stated that the failure occurred 14 days after the dealer had sold her the vehicle brand new. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

AIR BAGS — Filed 08/16/2021

I was involved in a collision where I hit another vehicle with the front passenger side. The air bags did not deploy on mine, and the seat belt did not lock into place causing me to hit the steering wheel. The police verified this upon inspection immediately after the accident happened. I have spoken with Volkswagen many times about the transmission lagging and requiring excessive acceleration. Because of the lag I have almost been hit many times, as well as almost hit others due to the increase in speed after the lag.

AIR BAGS,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 10/30/2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2019 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, WHEN A VEHICLE IN FRONT SUDDENLY STOPPED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO REAR END THEIR VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE'S FORWARD COLLISION PREVENTION SYSTEM HAD FAILED TO ALERT THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED. THE CONTACT DID RECEIVE ABDOMINAL, CHEST, AND BACK INJURIES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (HENDRICK VOLKSWAGEN OF CONCORD LOCATED AT 7500 HENDRICK AUTO PLAZA NW, CONCORD, NC 28027; (704) 743-4110) WHO WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, HOWEVER, THE MANAGER HAD CONTACTED THEM BACK AS PROMISED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AN OPENED A CASE REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,997.*DT*JB

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — Filed 06/04/2020

I WAS BEGINNING TO MERGE SOUTH ON I75 BUT PULLED OVER ON THE SHOULDER BEFORE MY SPEED REACHED APPROX 50 MPH AND I WAS LESS THAN .2 MILES ON THE RAMP. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER WHEN I COULD SMELL AND SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE VENTS ON THE DASH. UPON EXITING THE CAR I SAW FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD. WHILE I WAS GETTING MY CHILDREN OUT OF THE CAR, A FEW MEN HAD STOPPED TO HELP WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, BUT THEY WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE FIRE CHIEF THOUGHT THAT THE CAUSE MAY HAVE BEEN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OR SOME SOFT OF MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I AM NOT CERTAIN WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE UNDER THE HOOD, BUT DO KNOW THAT I HAD NOT HAD ANY ISSUES WITH THE CAR UNTIL JUNE 4TH. IT WAS A 2019 ;EASE THAT I HAVE BEEN LEASING LESS THAN A YEAR. THE CAR WAS BRAND NEW WHEN I ROLLED IT OFF THE LOT. IT WAS IN THE DEALERSHIP ON 1/31 FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. *TR

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 06/21/2019

VEHICLE FREQUENTLY SHAKES/SHUDDERS VIOLENTLY UNDER LIGHT/NORMAL ACCELERATION IN STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC, CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD AND EXTREMELY UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING SITUATION. I PURCHASED IT A FEW WEEKS AGO AND HAVE APPROXIMATELY 1300 MILES ON IT - THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I TOOK DELIVERY. UNDER LOAD, SHORTLY AFTER THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS AND AS THE VEHICLE REACHES APPROXIMATELY 9-11 MPH AT 2000RPM, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHUDDERS AS IF THE ENGINE IS BEING LUGGED OR IS MISFIRING. THIS REALLY ONLY OCCURS AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS HAD SUFFICIENT TIME TO WARM UP AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR SOME TIME IN RUSH-HOUR TRAFFIC. IT IS MORE PRONOUNCED WITH THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL TURNED ON. THE SHAKING/SHUDDERING HAS MADE ME EXTREMELY DIZZY AND NAUSEOUS TO THE POINT WHERE I HAVE ALREADY BECOME PHYSICALLY SICK TO MY STOMACH ONCE. I HAD TO CUT OFF 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO REACH THE SHOULDER SO I COULD AVOID GETTING SICK IN THE CAR - THIS WAS ON 7/8/2019, A WEEK AGO TODAY. SEVERAL PASSENGERS WILL NO LONGER RIDE IN THE CAR WITH ME. I HAVE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE SELLING DEALER TWICE OVER THIS ISSUE AND ALTHOUGH THEIR EFFORTS TO DIAGNOSE IT WERE MADE IN GOOD FAITH, THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO REPRODUCE IT. I HAVE SEVERAL VIDEOS OF THIS ISSUE THAT I ATTEMPTED TO SHARE WITH THE DEALERSHIP UPON DROPPING IT OFF THE SECOND TIME, WHICH THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME HE DID NOT VIEW AFTER I PICKED THE CAR UP. I ALSO RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT MY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION/AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT NOTIFICATION SYSTEM (CAR-NET), IS COMPLETELY NON-FUNCTIONAL DUE TO A SOFTWARE BUG AND WILL NOT WORK AT ALL UNTIL VOLKSWAGEN COMES UP WITH AN UPDATE FOR IT (PER THE DEALER). I AM EXTREMELY UNCOMFORTABLE CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR THESE REASONS AND CONTINUE TO FEEL SICK TO MY STOMACH EVERY TIME I USE IT TO COMMUTE TO OR FROM MY JOB, WHICH IS JUST OVER 30 MILES FROM MY HOME.