Skip to content

Free public service · Official NHTSA & EPA data

2019 Volkswagen Tiguan Complaints

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

185

Total

6

Crashes

1

Fires

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

Most Reported Components

ENGINE
47
OTHER
38
ELECTRICAL
37
BRAKES
24
AIR BAGS
7

Recent Complaints

ODI #11749983

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.

ODI #11749450

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

ODI #11748835

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.

ODI #11745696

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)

ODI #11745493

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.

ODI #11743875

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)

ODI #11743905

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.

ODI #11743681

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.

ODI #11742516

ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 06/01/2026

My car jumps and lags due to fuel injector. It will be replaced by Volkswagen but only if there believe it’s Ana issue even though there are several reports of this issue

ODI #11739787Crash

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.

About This Data

Complaints are filed by vehicle owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). They represent individual consumer experiences and do not necessarily indicate a widespread defect.

View on NHTSA.gov