2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Safety Report
2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Safety and Reliability Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (5) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (109) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 1 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Engine | Compare engine issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2024 | Compare against the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan with 38 complaints and 1 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2018 | Check the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan before buying across this generation. |
Volkswagen Tiguan Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Volkswagen Tiguan years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan | 211 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan | 120 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan | 54 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan | 170 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan | 38 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan | 269 | 13 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Engine
20 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Volkswagen onlyUnknown Or Other
19 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Volkswagen onlyStructure
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure issues Volkswagen onlyElectrical System
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Volkswagen onlyFuel/Propulsion System
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Volkswagen onlyForward Collision Avoidance
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Forward Collision Avoidance issues Volkswagen onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan
Reliability Score
The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan receives a reliability score of 5 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Oil Consumption The car requires frequent oil changes and may blow smoke from the rear, indicating potential engine oil consumption issues. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Check Engine Light The check engine light has come on, leading to extensive engine repair estimates. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Sunroof Control Panel The sunroof control panel melted and came partially disconnected, causing inconvenience. |
Low | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Mechanical Trunk Lid Release The mechanical trunk lid emergency release has failed, preventing the lid from opening. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan:
Issues with engine oil consumption and check engine light.
Recalled for suspension problems.
Recalled for structural concerns.
Issues with the sunroof control panel.
Recall Details for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan
The following 5 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Here is a quick description of the issue from our Volkswagon of Huntington service report. We have had this ongoing issue for a few months now. the check engine light will come on. We get it checked, we replace a sensor, and all is good for a day or week. Then we do it again, replacing a different sensor. Now the dealer is saying the oil separator is leaking and requires repairs starting at 8...
After oil changes (always maintained at dealerships) it would require a quart of oil with in 2 days. Random starts will blow smoke out the rear. random sluggish behavior. Dealership confirmed PCV valve is causing a buildup in engine pressure which caused a premature oil pan gasket leak. Without full teardown cannot know full extent of damages caused. (which spills out of the bottom and towards t...
Check Engine Light came on and got estimate from Pete Moore VW Dealer in Pensacola, Florida and was told the car needed extensive engine repair which included a new cylinder head part. So we waited to come get the car repaired on 3/5/2026 once we had saved up the money for it. We found out the cylinder head is on a Nationwide back order with NO estimated time to get it fixed properly. The techn...
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while his wife was driving slowly in traffic, several unknown warning lights illuminated orange, and the speedometer and RPM went to zero. In addition, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that minutes later, the vehicle returned to function as intended. The contact...
My fuel system level indicator does not work properly when the tank is below 1/2 full, and the check engine light comes on. It does not correctly deplete, instead leaving me with no gas when it shows it still has gas available. This has left me stranded in various locations as my car runs out of gas, but doesn't show me that until it is completely empty. Most recently, it was on a very busy road i...
I am experiencing severe oil consumption and leakage with my 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan. The low oil level light began coming on weekly, and I have had to add oil nearly every week to keep the engine from running dry. Recently, I noticed oil leaking underneath the vehicle and immediately parked it. After parking, the vehicle began leaking oil excessively. The problem appears related to PCV system fai...
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact's dad who was following behind the vehicle noticed oil splashing onto the front windshield of his vehicle. The contact's dad then noticed while the contact was driving uphill, oil was splashing out of the oil pan. In addition, the contact's dad noticed smoke coming out of the exhau...
The 2021 Tiguan, R-Line that I own now requires a new engine after roughly 70,000. The engine is no longer under warranty, According to the VW Dealership, this is what is wrong with the engine - Based on our observations and diagnostic review, we have determined that damage to the rotating assembly was caused by the presence of one or more metal objects entering the engine. This type of fo...
In July, Chicagoland was very hot and my car stays in the garage. The piece that holds the sun roof control panel on the ceiling melted and came partially off. It’s been hanging since then since I was told it wasn’t ready to be fixed yet since there is no recall. I’ve been waiting but now my SOS feature is inoperable.
I’ve had my Volkswagen Tiguen since 2021 fresh off the lot. I have been the only owner of the car at about 30,000 miles my head gasket blew, causing the engine to go into default after weeks in the dealer. They replaced the head gasket and stitched it up, the head gasket blew again at this point I was still under warranty so they agreed to replace the engine. It drove fine after the engine was rep...
Check engine light came on with excessive oil leaking from engine. Dealer inspected and diagnosed the PCV/Oil separator had failed, multiple valve stem seals had failed, and valve stem guides were worn causing excessive crankcase pressure. Dealer recommended cylinder head replacement. Vehicle has been at the dealer a month with the cylinder head on backorder and no timeline for resolution. Dealer ...
Mechanical trunk lid emergency release will not release from the rear of the vehicle. The locking mechanism failed and lid will not open.
2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, Approximately 40,000 miles Date of failure: Oct 12th, 2025 Component(s): Engine, Powertrain, Vehicle Speed Control, Throttle body Description of the problem: My 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan experienced a complete engine failure despite having multiple prior service visits for engine-related issues while it was still under warranty. During the warranty period, I brought the vehic...
The overhead console has come disconnected inside of the vehicle. I am seeing countless comments and posts online, both on Volkswagen site as well as other automotive sites, that also report this same issue for Tiguan autos from the 2020 through 2022 years. My car is a 2021 VW Tiguan. I am calling the Perrysburg Auto Mall VW Dealership located in Perrysburg, OH to request full service and that ...
Subject: Complaint Regarding 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan – Premature Engine Failure at 46,000 Miles To Whom It May Concern, I am filing a complaint regarding my 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan (VIN: [XXX] ) which suffered a catastrophic engine failure at only 46,000 miles. •I purchased the vehicle used in August 2023 through CarMax Auto Finance. •At the time of failure, the car had fewer than 50,000 miles and...
I purchased about 4 months ago with about 139,000 miles on it. The vehicle now has 142,000 miles and is experiencing excessive oil consumption—approximately 0.9 quarts per 600 miles. VW seems to be pushing this off and as I try to use my extended warranty I purchased when I got the car, AUL has asked for an engine tear down. VW knows about this issue, as it is internally a known issue for this mod...
The check oil light indicated that the oil level had become too low. The Volswagen dealership service technician identiifed the cause to be from the exhaust valve seals wearing out. The cylinder head needs to be replaced per their recommendation. No warning apart from the low oil indicator.
Upon starting my 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, the vehicle immediately went into "limp" mode and the check engine light and EPC light came on. The vehicle would not drive over 18 mph. The car was towed to a close by Volkswagen dealership and checked for codes using a multipoint inspection. The report came back with a throttle body issue (Multipoint inspection report attached). The throttle body was repl...
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that on three separate occasions, while the vehicle was parked, the contact observed oil on the ground underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, and oil was discovered u...
VW dealership diagnose by 2021 VW Tiguan with a cracked oil pan and timing cover. The cause was from excessive oil pressure from a failed PCV valve which cracked the plastic oil pan causing excessive oil leak. This occurred driving on the highway and the ECP light on the dash came on with a message "max epinine rpm 3000". Vehicle quickly slowed down and was extremely sluggish to maintain a safe s...
Showing 20 of 109 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan
Has the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN been recalled?
Yes, the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN has 5 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN have?
The 2021 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN has 109 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 1 involved crashes. 2 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN?
The 2021 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN involve engine (20 complaints), unknown or other (19 complaints), structure (6 complaints). Other affected components include electrical system, fuel/propulsion system, forward collision avoidance.
How many crash reports does the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN have?
There are 1 crash reports associated with the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN out of 109 total complaints (0.9% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN have?
There are no fire reports for the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN.
How many injuries are reported for the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN?
2 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2021 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN is acceptable with caveats. It has 109 complaints, 5 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN?
The components with the most failures on the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN are: 1. ENGINE (20 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (19 complaints), 3. STRUCTURE (6 complaints), 4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (5 complaints), 5. FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (5 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 20 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2021 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN?
Be cautious of structural and body issues, as well as engine and suspension problems. Regular maintenance is crucial. The 2021 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN has 109 NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN?
The 2021 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN receives a reliability score of 5/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 109 owner complaints, 5 recalls, and 1 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine oil consumption and Check engine light.
What are the known issues with the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN?
Known issues with the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN include: Engine oil consumption, Check engine light, Sunroof control panel, Mechanical trunk lid release. These are based on patterns found across 109 NHTSA complaints. 5 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the common issues with the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?
Common issues include engine oil consumption, check engine light, sunroof control panel problems, and mechanical trunk lid release failures.
Are there any recalls for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?
Yes, recalls have been issued for structural concerns, body issues, and suspension problems.
How can I prevent engine oil consumption issues?
Regular oil changes and monitoring the oil level can help prevent excessive oil consumption.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of structural and body issues, as well as engine and suspension problems. Regular maintenance is crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan. The data includes 109 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 5 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 1 reported crashes, 2 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16