- Safety
- 5
- of 5 stars
- Recalls
- 5
- on record
- MPG
- 25
- combined
Open recalls on record
5 safety recalls. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer — check the VIN before you buy.
Vehicle Summary
2021 Volkswagen Tiguan
Before You Buy
Safety record at a glance
- Recall campaigns
- 5
- Owner complaints
- 128
- Complaints citing a crash
- 2
These are raw counts from NHTSA records. They are not normalized by how many of these vehicles are on the road, so a model that sold in large numbers will tend to show more of everything. We do not publish a composite safety or reliability score.
5 Recalls on Record
These recalls have been issued by the manufacturer. Contact any authorized dealer to verify they have been completed — repairs are free.
Safety recalls
5 NHTSA campaigns affecting this model year.
- 21V038000high
Safety restraint issue
SEATS
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Long Wheelbase and Jetta vehicles. Bolts may be missing from the front seat tracks.
Consequence
The seat can move front and back without restriction if bolts are missing, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Full campaign recordRemedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat tracks and, as necessary, install the bolts, free of charge. The recall began February 18, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 72L6.
- 20V716000high
Rear-visibility system issue
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan LWB, Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas FL and Arteon vehicles. The rear view camera could malfunction during an ignition cycle, leading to a black screen or infotainment system freeze. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence
A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Full campaign recordRemedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91BB/91BC.
- 22V176000high
Suspension issue
SUSPENSION
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Tiguan, Taos, and 2021 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. A second notice will be sent once remedy parts become available. The left or right rear suspension knuckles may corrode, crack, and break.
Consequence
A broken rear suspension knuckle can cause a loss of stability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Full campaign recordRemedy
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace one or both rear suspension knuckles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 13, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42L8.
- 22V226000high
Body/structure issue
STRUCTURE:BODY
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Tiguan and 2018-2021 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. Due to incorrect installation instructions, the accessory rear hatch spoiler may be insufficiently attached to the vehicle.
Consequence
An insufficiently attached spoiler may separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Full campaign recordRemedy
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.
- 22V514000high
Rear-visibility system issue
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Golf GTI, Jetta GLI, Jetta NF, Arteon FL, Tiguan LWB, 2022 Taos, Jetta PA, Tiguan PA, 2021-2022 Atlas Cross Sport, and Atlas FL vehicles. The manufacturing process of the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system may cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence
A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Full campaign recordRemedy
Dealers will update the infotainment software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DV.
NHTSA crash-test ratings
NCAP star ratings and the underlying test breakdown for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan.
Frontal crash
- Driver
- 4 / 5
- Passenger
- 4 / 5
Side crash
- Driver
- 5 / 5
- Passenger
- 5 / 5
- Side pole
- 5 / 5
Rollover
- Dynamic tip
- No Tip
Driver-assistance technologies
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- No
- Lane departure warning
- Optional
What the ratings mean
NHTSA gives the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan 5 out of 5 stars overall, level with the 5-star median for the 7 comparable 2021 vehicles NHTSA rated in this class.
NHTSA published results for every NCAP test in this program, so the overall star rating rests on a complete set of crash and rollover results.
Fuel economy & emissions
EPA figures for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, with tailpipe CO₂ and class context.
23
City
29
Hwy
25
Comb
- Annual fuel cost
- $2,450
- Tailpipe CO₂
- 353 g/mi
How this compares
At 25 MPG combined, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan ranks 4th of 8 small SUVs (2WD) EPA rated for 2021 — exactly the 25 MPG median for that group.
That places it a little below the middle of its class. If annual mileage is high, the running-cost gap against a class-average rival compounds quickly.
EPA puts annual fuel spend at about $2,450, $325 less than the $2,775 typical for the class. Over five years at 15,000 miles a year that is roughly $12,250, a $1,625 difference against a class-median vehicle.
Tailpipe CO₂ is 353 grams per mile — about 5.3 metric tons over 15,000 miles of driving.
Consumer complaints
128 owner reports filed with NHTSA.
- 128
- Total
- 2
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
Most reported components
- ENGINE49
- OTHER33
- ELECTRICAL10
- STRUCTURE8
- VISIBILITY7
Notable Issues
128 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA. 2 reports involve injuries. 2 reports involve a crash.
Most reported problems
Safety timeline
Every dated recall and NHTSA investigation for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, newest first.
- Recall
A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Recall
An insufficiently attached spoiler may separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Recall
A broken rear suspension knuckle can cause a loss of stability, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Recall
The seat can move front and back without restriction if bolts are missing, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
- Recall
A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dates are the NHTSA report-received date for recalls and the ODI open/close date for investigations. Crash-test ratings are not shown here because the source does not provide a reliable publication date for them.
Specifications & ratings
Specifications
- Body class
- SUV
- Drive type
- FWD
- Engine
- 2.5L 4-cyl
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- Transmission
- Automatic
- Seats
- 5
Fuel economy
23
City
29
Hwy
25
Comb
- Annual cost
- $2,450
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
NHTSA crash ratings
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Explore related
Systems recalled
Safety timeline
Full timeline- Recall
A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Recall
An insufficiently attached spoiler may separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Recall
A broken rear suspension knuckle can cause a loss of stability, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Recall
The seat can move front and back without restriction if bolts are missing, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
- Recall
A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.