← New search

2019 Volkswagen Tiguan

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 124.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

64 reports with mileage · 127 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Forward Collision Avoidance. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports1 fire reports5 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

10 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2025
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

On three (3) separate occasions, my 2019 VW Tiguan has produced an error stating "Check Starter System" on the console and shut down electrical systems such as instrument panel, brake lights, headlights, taillights, back up camera, and other electrical systems while driving. All three (3) situations followed the same series of e…

Read full complaint

On three (3) separate occasions, my 2019 VW Tiguan has produced an error stating "Check Starter System" on the console and shut down electrical systems such as instrument panel, brake lights, headlights, taillights, back up camera, and other electrical systems while driving. All three (3) situations followed the same series of events whereas the car was out in the sunlight on warmer days (70+ degrees) and occurred within 5 or so minutes of starting. After shutting the vehicle off and attempting to restart, the ignition will not always work and the car will not turn over. When it does, the key will need to be turned farther than a normal ignition start and most likely produce an immediate error and electrical system shut down. In the most recent occurrence, I found a parking garage and left the car for around an hour and did not experience the issue for the rest of the trip. It appears that there was a recall for a similar issues with the Jetta models made in the same year (2019). Volkswagen Recall: 28H7-Ignition Switch / NHTSA campaign number: 23V604

NHTSA ODI #11667089

103,000 miles · Jun 2, 2025
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingTires

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, the headlights unexpectedly failed to illuminate until the vehicle passed over a bump in the road, and shortly afterwards the headlights became illuminated again. Additionally, the engine oil and TPMS warning lights…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, the headlights unexpectedly failed to illuminate until the vehicle passed over a bump in the road, and shortly afterwards the headlights became illuminated again. Additionally, the engine oil and TPMS warning lights remained illuminated after the vehicle had an oil change and the tires were properly inflated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the vehicle was purchased, but the dealer provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V815000 (Tires). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

NHTSA ODI #11664278

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2024
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVehicle Speed Control

A month ago I started my vehicle and 1/2 a mile into driving, all my electronics turned off with no warning(radio, instrument cluster, A/C, gauges, turn signals, headlights). The only electrical component working was the power windows. I couldn't see my speed, any warning lights or my turn signals. I immediately pulled over as I…

Read full complaint

A month ago I started my vehicle and 1/2 a mile into driving, all my electronics turned off with no warning(radio, instrument cluster, A/C, gauges, turn signals, headlights). The only electrical component working was the power windows. I couldn't see my speed, any warning lights or my turn signals. I immediately pulled over as I couldn't even tell if my car was still drivable. I Turned off the car (just the engine at this point) and tried to start it again with no response when I turned the key. When it finally turned back on, all the electronics turned on and immediately turned off again. The display on the instrument cluster briefly said "check starter system". Since then it will happen any time it is hot out. Heat is definitely what is triggering the symptoms. This same issue has been seen in the VW 2019 Jetta. This is a huge safety issue.

NHTSA ODI #11610542

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting

I was driving on a hot day and all of the instrument panel, air conditioning, all controllers, like signaling, windshield wipers, radio and all electronic gear turned off. Without the equipment and tools available, I could not change lanes or come to a stop safely. It would be difficult for me to say if other systems were affe…

Read full complaint

I was driving on a hot day and all of the instrument panel, air conditioning, all controllers, like signaling, windshield wipers, radio and all electronic gear turned off. Without the equipment and tools available, I could not change lanes or come to a stop safely. It would be difficult for me to say if other systems were affected. I was luckily not going very fast at the time and was able to navigate to the shoulder and stop my car without incident but it was a very stressful situation that I had never experienced in a vehicle before that time. Yes, my vehicle is available for inspection. This happened for the first time today so I have not tried to reproduce the issue. However, many others have complained about it on forums. Here is one of many examples: [XXX] A car's electronic systems should not completely turn off because of changes in the weather. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11604399

Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2023
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVehicle Speed Control

While driving an alert comes on that states check engine system. As soon as this happens all power in the car turns off. Engine is still running but you no longer have any turning signals, brake lights, headlights, air conditioning, etc. It happens randomly and has almost cause me to be rear ended due to car behind me not kno…

Read full complaint

While driving an alert comes on that states check engine system. As soon as this happens all power in the car turns off. Engine is still running but you no longer have any turning signals, brake lights, headlights, air conditioning, etc. It happens randomly and has almost cause me to be rear ended due to car behind me not knowing I was slowing down or stopping. This happens when I am not close to a dealership so they have not been able to witness this.

NHTSA ODI #11530993

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2022
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

While driving at night the cars IP displayed a warning "ignition system shutdown please check your start system", the Instrument panel and information display then went dark with no symbiology speed, revs or turn signals. The head lights and tail lights shut off and cabin fan and side windows stopped working. The engine continue…

Read full complaint

While driving at night the cars IP displayed a warning "ignition system shutdown please check your start system", the Instrument panel and information display then went dark with no symbiology speed, revs or turn signals. The head lights and tail lights shut off and cabin fan and side windows stopped working. The engine continued to run so I was able to safely exit the highway but was a stressful and dangerous moment. When the vehicle was taken for repair VW service says issue was caused by a malfunctioning battery which was replaced at my cost with an OEM part. this has not fixed the issue though and I am attempting to get a new appointment for service.

NHTSA ODI #11493350

100 miles · Apr 16, 2021
Exterior Lighting

THIS IS A SECOND COMPLAINT ABOUT THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY VEHICLE. THE LOW BEAMS DO NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROADWAY SAFELY. I COMPLAINED TO THE MANUFACTURER WHO REFERRED ME TO THE DEALER. WHO STATED THAT THERE IS NO ADJUSTMENT THAT CAN BE MADE. PER THE DEALERS DESCRIPTION THE VEHICLE ONLY UTILIZES ONE BULB FOR HIGH AND LOW BEAMS. THERE…

Read full complaint

THIS IS A SECOND COMPLAINT ABOUT THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY VEHICLE. THE LOW BEAMS DO NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROADWAY SAFELY. I COMPLAINED TO THE MANUFACTURER WHO REFERRED ME TO THE DEALER. WHO STATED THAT THERE IS NO ADJUSTMENT THAT CAN BE MADE. PER THE DEALERS DESCRIPTION THE VEHICLE ONLY UTILIZES ONE BULB FOR HIGH AND LOW BEAMS. THERE IS A SHIELD THAT COMES DOWN TO CREATE THE LOW BEAMS. WITH THAT BEING SAID, IN THE LOW BEAM POSITION THE SHIELD CREATES DISTINCT LINE THAT ONLY ILLUMINATES A SHORT DISTANCE OF ROAD IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THIS ALSO CREATES A WALL OF DARKNESS BEYOND THAT. NO DIFFUSION OF LIGHT JUST GOING INTO THE DARKNESS BLIND. THIS TO ME IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION..

NHTSA ODI #11408417

3,600 miles · Jan 29, 2021
Exterior Lighting

THE HEADLIGHTS ARE LED AND THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AFS. ADAPTIVE FRONT LIGHTING SYSTEM. I BELIEVE THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROADWAY ADEQUATELY. THERE IS AN AREA THAT IS JUST IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE THAT ONE CAN SEE THE ROADWAY. THEN THERE IS A DEFINITE LINE THAT BASICALLY CREATES A WALL OF DARKNESS, THAT PREVENT…

Read full complaint

THE HEADLIGHTS ARE LED AND THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AFS. ADAPTIVE FRONT LIGHTING SYSTEM. I BELIEVE THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROADWAY ADEQUATELY. THERE IS AN AREA THAT IS JUST IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE THAT ONE CAN SEE THE ROADWAY. THEN THERE IS A DEFINITE LINE THAT BASICALLY CREATES A WALL OF DARKNESS, THAT PREVENTS ONE FROM SEEING ANYTHING BEYOND THAT, THIS CREATES A BLIND AREA. ANY OTHER VEHICLES THAT I HAVE DRIVEN OVER THE YEARS PROVIDE LIGHTING THAT ILLUMINATES THE AREA IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THEN DEFUSES THE LIGHT FURTHER TO SEE DOWN THE ROADWAY, AND DOES NOT CREATE A WALL OF DARKNESS. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS UP TO VW AND THE DEALER WHO STATES THAT THE SYSTEM IS OPERATING CORRECTLY. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE SYSTEM ONLY UTILIZES ONE BULB FOR BOTH LOW BEAMS AND HIGH BEAMS, WITH A SHIELD THAT COVERS A PORTION OF THE LIGHTING TO CREATE THE LOW BEAMS. I GUESS THAT IS WHY THE LIGHTING HAS A VERY DEFINITIVE LINE CUTTING IT OFF BLUNTLY, THEREFORE CREATING A WALL OF DARKNESS, THIS LITERALLY CREATES A BLIND AREA FOR WHICH ONE CANNOT SEE A SUFFICIENT AREA IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. TO OPERATE IT SAFELY. TO ME THIS CREATES A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION WHEN DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS WITH LOW BEAMS ON. AS EXPLAINED TO ME THE SHIELD GOES UP FOR WHEN THE HIGH BEAMS ARE ACTIVATED, I HAVE SEEN SOME ONLINE POSTS THAT OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING, PLEASE ADVISE AS TO WHAT TO DO REGARDING THIS ISSUE THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC *TR

NHTSA ODI #11390648

15 miles · Dec 18, 2018
Exterior Lighting

BOTH HEADLIGHT HAVE EXTENSIVE CONDENSATION WITHIN THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING. INCIDENT OCCURRED OVERNIGHT WHEN THE CAR WAS STATIONARY, IN A CLOSED PARKING LOT. CAR WAS DRIVEN FROM THE DEALER LOT TO THE CUSTOMER'S PARKING LOT A NIGHT BEFORE DURING RAINY WEATHER. THE CONDENSATION COVERS THE LED MODULES OF THE TURN SIGNAL AT THE BOT…

Read full complaint

BOTH HEADLIGHT HAVE EXTENSIVE CONDENSATION WITHIN THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING. INCIDENT OCCURRED OVERNIGHT WHEN THE CAR WAS STATIONARY, IN A CLOSED PARKING LOT. CAR WAS DRIVEN FROM THE DEALER LOT TO THE CUSTOMER'S PARKING LOT A NIGHT BEFORE DURING RAINY WEATHER. THE CONDENSATION COVERS THE LED MODULES OF THE TURN SIGNAL AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SAME HOUSING, AND DEPENDING ON THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE AND HOW LONG THE CAR WAS OPERATING, THE CONDENSATION MOVES UPWARDS TO THE FRONT OF THE LOW BEAMS. VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATES THIS INCIDENT IS NORMAL. NO ACTION WAS TAKEN ON TWO DOCUMENTED SERVICE VISITS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN CAR WAS ONE DAY OLD. CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES ON THE ODOMETER.

NHTSA ODI #11162269

9 miles · Dec 1, 2018
Exterior Lighting

NEW CAR WITH 9 MILES SAT IN THE GARAGE OVERNIGHT. IN THE MORNING,THERE WAS SPOTTING CONDENSATION INSIDE ONE OF THE LIGHTS(DRIVER SIDE). DROVE IT TO THE DEALER AND BY THAT TIME CONDENSATION HAS OCCURRED INSIDE BOTH OF THE LIGHTS.

NHTSA ODI #11155365

Official recalls

5

22V815000 · Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems

Oct 31, 2022

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi’s customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.

22V226000 · Structure:body

Apr 6, 2022

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 & remedy

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.

19V241000 · Equipment:other:labels

Mar 27, 2019

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Tiguan LWB vehicles. The tire information label contains inaccurate tire dimension and inflation pressure specifications. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The incorrect specifications can result in improper tire inflations or to installing a tire of the wrong size on the vehicle. Either of these situations can increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will install a corrected tire information label, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D2.

19V188000 · Suspension:rear:springs:coil Springs

Mar 6, 2019

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Golf Sportwagen, 2019 Jetta, 2015-2019 Golf, and 2018-2019 Tiguan vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall began April 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42J5.

18V824000 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel

Nov 26, 2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas and Tiguan and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles that do not have keyless entry. The instrument cluster may not provide an audible warning to let the driver know that the key is still in the ignition when the door is open. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the driver is not notified by an audible noise that the key is left in the ignition, it can increase the risk of vehicle theft or crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 90L3 and 90L4.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Volkswagen Tiguan problems