2021 Volkswagen Tiguan: problems, recalls and what it’s worth

Known problems on the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

No generation-wide weak spot is flagged in GarageIntel’s research for this year and model. A specific car can still have its own problems, so get it inspected.

2021 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.

• Suspension

  A broken rear suspension knuckle can cause a loss of stability, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Details 22V176000

  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.

  Fix: 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.

• Body structure

  An insufficiently attached spoiler may separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

  Details 22V226000

  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.

  Fix: 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.

• Driver-assist systems

  A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Details 22V514000

  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."

  Fix: 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.

• Seats

  The seat can move front and back without restriction if bolts are missing, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

  Details 21V038000

  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.

  Fix: 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.

• Driver-assist systems

  A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Details 20V716000

  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."

  Fix: 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.

2021 Volkswagen Tiguan safety investigations and free repairs

No open safety investigations.

Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):

• Warranty extension: Volkswagen Warranty has extended the coverage for the overhead console on 2019-2022 Tiguan Vehicles for 2 years 24,000 from the expiration of NVLW
• Warranty extension: These documents are for the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) Limited Warranty Extension as part of the Class Action Settlement
• Sunroof: This Document informs dealers on the Sunroof Class Action Limited Warranty Extension revision.

A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.

Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.

2021 Volkswagen Tiguan safety and fuel

From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.

What owners complain about

141 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, about average.

Other Volkswagen Tiguan years

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2022 2023 2024