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2020 Volkswagen Tiguan

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 124.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 28 of 140 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Forward Collision Avoidance. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports0 fire reports5 injury reports

Engine complaints

25 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2024
Electrical SystemEngine

While driving vehicle spontaneously shuts off with the following warnings "ignition system off. Pull over safely", "Check starter". This has occurred more than once when I was traveling over 50 mph and could have led to a severe crash if I were not fortunate enough to have minimal traffic in the area at the time. I have brought …

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While driving vehicle spontaneously shuts off with the following warnings "ignition system off. Pull over safely", "Check starter". This has occurred more than once when I was traveling over 50 mph and could have led to a severe crash if I were not fortunate enough to have minimal traffic in the area at the time. I have brought it into the dealer and they were unable to identify the cause. Instead, they replaced the battery and front right speed sensor. The problem of my vehicle spontaneously shutting off has only persisted on 4 more occasions after this visit to the dealer.

NHTSA ODI #11577641

Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 2023
EngineUnknown Or Other

Since the day I bought this car from the dealer (who stated oil change should be every 10K miles), the car's engine oil light goes on every 5-6 months. This is a new car and never goes past 6-7K miles on the engine. I believe there is an engine oil consumption problem with these type of vehicles. This is a safety hazard. Additio…

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Since the day I bought this car from the dealer (who stated oil change should be every 10K miles), the car's engine oil light goes on every 5-6 months. This is a new car and never goes past 6-7K miles on the engine. I believe there is an engine oil consumption problem with these type of vehicles. This is a safety hazard. Additionally, it is unheard of to have to replace oil in a brand new car in the 21st century every 5-6 months. Please help me with this. I am still making car payments on a car that is flawed!

NHTSA ODI #11546041

Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2023
EnginePower Train

There is a major lag in acceleration. It happens randomly so taking to a dealership won’t help because they will only try one time then say they can’t reproduce the problem. From a stop or turning into a lane I can have the pedal to the floor and the car just stalls and doesn’t go. After a few seconds the car finally gets a boos…

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There is a major lag in acceleration. It happens randomly so taking to a dealership won’t help because they will only try one time then say they can’t reproduce the problem. From a stop or turning into a lane I can have the pedal to the floor and the car just stalls and doesn’t go. After a few seconds the car finally gets a boost then goes. Well personally those seconds could lead to a car hitting me. I have asked my local dealership many times about it and they don’t seem to care or want to look into a problem. The idea of a car is hit pedal and it goes but not the Tiguan. There is a known problem and this should be fixed. This has been going on since I purchased car. Just getting tired of this situation.

NHTSA ODI #11532378

Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineForward Collision Avoidance

The auto break feature will illuminate on the dashboard and then send my car to a screeching halt. It takes me on average 5 seconds to regain control of my brakes. It has happened exiting businesses (small curbs) but also on the main streets with no one else around going upwards of 45 mph. The infotainment system that houses the…

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The auto break feature will illuminate on the dashboard and then send my car to a screeching halt. It takes me on average 5 seconds to regain control of my brakes. It has happened exiting businesses (small curbs) but also on the main streets with no one else around going upwards of 45 mph. The infotainment system that houses the parking and rear view safety features as well as navigation also does not work when the car is left outside in weather above 80 degrees. The AC is also unable to cool when the weather is above 80 degrees all of these ‘safety features’ make the car dangerous.

NHTSA ODI #11532118

Mileage unknown · May 19, 2023
Engine

The vehicle burns oil. When the dealer was confronted they said it was “normal” for the car to burn half a quart of oil every 2000 miles. No oil stains on the ground. The engine is burning the oil.

NHTSA ODI #11522838

Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2023
EnginePower Train

ERC code popped up on Dashboard while driving in 2021 and the vehicle wouldn't go over 30 mph. Took it to the Volkswagen dealership in November 2021. Between November and February of 2022, I took the vehicle back, after having it for less than 2 hours, with the same ongoing issue. Started having the same issues after the final p…

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ERC code popped up on Dashboard while driving in 2021 and the vehicle wouldn't go over 30 mph. Took it to the Volkswagen dealership in November 2021. Between November and February of 2022, I took the vehicle back, after having it for less than 2 hours, with the same ongoing issue. Started having the same issues after the final pick up. Fast forward to November of 2022, in addition to the ERC, my vehicle battery drained and I am unable to start the car unless I jump start it. Replaced the battery and still the same issue. The battery does not stay charged and it is a brand new battery.

NHTSA ODI #11512951

Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2023
EngineForward Collision Avoidance

This car burns oil. I am adding at 1-2 quarts of oil every 2-3 months and I only have 24k miles on this car. I've had an oil consumption test completed and they said that its falling just with in normal limits. It's unacceptable. Additionally, the emergency braking system is faulty, it will register shadows or on a slightly wind…

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This car burns oil. I am adding at 1-2 quarts of oil every 2-3 months and I only have 24k miles on this car. I've had an oil consumption test completed and they said that its falling just with in normal limits. It's unacceptable. Additionally, the emergency braking system is faulty, it will register shadows or on a slightly winding road will register on coming traffic and slam on brakes. I have had cars blowing their horns and swerving from behind me in order to avoid a collision. I had that check as well and their advise was to disable it. WHAT?!? So either I disable a safety system or I get rear-ended. This is a joke and completely unacceptable.

NHTSA ODI #11502656

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2022
Engine

Low Engine Oil. Car is burning oil. Having to put engine oil every 3 months.

NHTSA ODI #11473112

Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2022
Engine

MY 2020 VOLKSWAGON TIGUAN STALLS WHILE IDLING IN TRAFFIC. THE ENGINE MAKES A GRINDING NOISE AND THERE IS NO POWER. I HAVE TO PUT IT IN PARK AND TURN IT OFF AND THEN BACK ON. IT HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN 2021 AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE STARTER-THAT WORKED FOR A WHILE BUT IN THE PAST 7 DAYS (MAY 30, 2022 TO JUNE 6, 2022) IT HAS S…

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MY 2020 VOLKSWAGON TIGUAN STALLS WHILE IDLING IN TRAFFIC. THE ENGINE MAKES A GRINDING NOISE AND THERE IS NO POWER. I HAVE TO PUT IT IN PARK AND TURN IT OFF AND THEN BACK ON. IT HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN 2021 AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE STARTER-THAT WORKED FOR A WHILE BUT IN THE PAST 7 DAYS (MAY 30, 2022 TO JUNE 6, 2022) IT HAS STALLED 5 TIMES WHILE IDLING IN TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI #11467710

Mileage unknown · Jan 1, 2022
EngineForward Collision AvoidanceUnknown Or OtherCrash

Unknown

NHTSA ODI #11445800

Official recalls

3

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.

20V579000 · Seat Belts; Seat Belts:rear/other

Sep 23, 2020

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020 Tiguan LWB vehicles. The third row seat belt anchor bolts may not have been properly torqued.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Improperly torqued bolts may prevent the third row seat belt from performing as designed in a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and will repurchase the vehicles. Owners are advised: No one should occupy the third row seat due to the safety risk. The recall began October 7, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen number for this recall is 69BA.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seat Belts:rear/other

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020 Tiguan LWB vehicles. The third row seat belt anchor bolts may not have been properly torqued.

Consequence: Improperly torqued bolts may prevent the third row seat belt from performing as designed in a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and will repurchase the vehicles. Owners are advised: No one should occupy the third row seat due to the safety risk. The recall began October 7, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen number for this recall is 69BA.

Seat Belts

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020 Tiguan LWB vehicles. The third row seat belt anchor bolts may not have been properly torqued.

Consequence: Improperly torqued bolts may prevent the third row seat belt from performing as designed in a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and will repurchase the vehicles. Owners are advised: No one should occupy the third row seat due to the safety risk. The recall began October 7, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen number for this recall is 69BA.

20V505000 · Seats

Aug 26, 2020

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen ) is recalling certain 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, Jetta, Jetta GLI and Tiguan and Audi Q5 and SQ5 and 2021 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. Parts of the front seat frame and backrest adjuster may not have been welded properly.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a rear-end crash, the backrest adjustment could break, possibly reducing the amount of occupant restraint, thus increasing risk of injury.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seats, and, as necessary, replace the seatback frames, free of charge. The recall began September 11, 2020. Volkswagen owners may contact their customer service at 1-888-241-2289. Audi owners may contact their customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 72L1, 72K8, and 72K9.

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