Volkswagen Tiguan 2021 recalls, problems, complaints and safety
NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls issued for the Volkswagen Tiguan 2021 and 144 complaints filed by owners. It has 2% more complaints than the average Volkswagen Tiguan from 2016–2025 (141 per year).
These are recalls issued for this model and year, not for your specific car. A car may already be repaired or may not be included. Confirm with your VIN on NHTSA.
Own or buying a Volkswagen Tiguan 2021? Enter its VIN to see its exact trim and engine, and confirm on NHTSA whether its recalls were repaired.
Recalls issued for the Volkswagen Tiguan 2021
Backup camera and sensors
NHTSA campaign 22V514000 · 2022-07-20
What happens
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.
Remedy
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Structure and body
NHTSA campaign 22V226000 · 2022-04-06
What happens
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.
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Suspension
NHTSA campaign 22V176000 · 2022-03-23
What happens
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.
Remedy
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Seats
NHTSA campaign 21V038000 · 2021-02-01
What happens
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.
Remedy
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Backup camera and sensors
NHTSA campaign 20V716000 · 2020-11-18
What happens
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.
Remedy
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Complaints from other owners
144 complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of this model.
2 with a crash · 2 injuries
Most reported problems on the Volkswagen Tiguan 2021
- Engine: 54 (38% of complaints)
- Electrical system: 25 (17% of complaints)
- Fuel and propulsion: 12 (8% of complaints)
- Forward collision avoidance: 11 (8% of complaints)
- Powertrain and transmission: 11 (8% of complaints)
Complaints are written by owners and NHTSA doesn't verify each one. They're useful to spot trends.
What to check before buying a Volkswagen Tiguan 2021
- Confirm by VIN on NHTSA that the recalls on this list were repaired.
- Start it cold, listen for noises, look for oil or coolant leaks and exhaust smoke.
- Test lights, windows, locks, the screen and dashboard warning lights; have trouble codes scanned.
- Check for loss of power, stalling or uneven acceleration on the test drive.
- Get an inspection from an independent mechanic before paying.
Safety rating (NCAP)
| Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Volkswagen Tiguan recalls by year
- 2016 : 2 recalls · 97 complaints
- 2017 : 4 recalls · 76 complaints
- 2018 : 14 recalls · 287 complaints
- 2019 : 5 recalls · 194 complaints
- 2020 : 3 recalls · 141 complaints
- 2021 : 5 recalls · 144 complaints
- 2022 : 5 recalls · 272 complaints
- 2023 : 1 recall · 70 complaints
- 2024 : 2 recalls · 76 complaints
- 2025 : 3 recalls · 53 complaints
Guides for this check
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Volkswagen Tiguan 2021 have?
NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls issued for the Volkswagen Tiguan 2021. That doesn't mean every car has them open: confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The repair is free at the dealer.
What is the most common problem with the Volkswagen Tiguan 2021?
In complaints filed with NHTSA, the most mentioned component is: engine (54 of 144 complaints). Complaints aren't verified one by one, but they show trends.
Model-level information from official NHTSA sources. Confirm by VIN on NHTSA. Not a substitute for a mechanical inspection.
Last updated: October 23, 2026. Sources: NHTSA vPIC (decoding), NHTSA Recalls, NHTSA Complaints and NHTSA NCAP (5-Star Safety Ratings).