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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

140 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2025
Engine

The vehicle has had repeated failures of the oil filter adapter to block gasket. This gasket has been replaced three times in 41,000 miles. There appears to be a failure on the part of the gasket. The vehicle has been repaired for the third time, the gasket remains with the dealership where it was repaired. I do have photos …

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The vehicle has had repeated failures of the oil filter adapter to block gasket. This gasket has been replaced three times in 41,000 miles. There appears to be a failure on the part of the gasket. The vehicle has been repaired for the third time, the gasket remains with the dealership where it was repaired. I do have photos of the gasket. A catastrophic failure would result in radiator fluid pouring out of the vehicle, causing the vehicle to come to a complete stop, regardless of location. This problem has occurred three times within 41,000 miles. The part has been inspected b the mechanic who replaced it. There is no warning other than to watch for leaks.

NHTSA ODI #11651601

Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2025
Electrical System

SOS malfunction light came on after downloading & syncing the car with the MyVW app. I took the car to the dealer & they said the module needs to be replaced & it would be $1500 because it’s out of warranty but it seems like in 2021 VW replaced it for free because it’s a known issue. I did not purchase this car until 2024 so it’…

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SOS malfunction light came on after downloading & syncing the car with the MyVW app. I took the car to the dealer & they said the module needs to be replaced & it would be $1500 because it’s out of warranty but it seems like in 2021 VW replaced it for free because it’s a known issue. I did not purchase this car until 2024 so it’s not covered. There are multiple people noting the same issue on online forums.

NHTSA ODI #11645924

Mileage unknown · Nov 23, 2024
Fuel/propulsion System

Car exhaust is under car and does not come outside of under the car. We were in an accident and were told that because there are now cracks and gaps under the car that the exhaust is leaking into the body of our car and could cause co2 poisoning. If the exhaust were not under the car there wouldn’t be a safety concern

NHTSA ODI #11626981

Mileage unknown · Nov 23, 2024
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

Control panel on the ceiling of the car (holds the sos button, controls for sun roof) fell off and was hanging on by wires. Dealership said it was defective clips GPS in car and through car play also does not work. Navigation shows car significantly off course. Vw said it was a Verizon issue, but it has not been resolved

NHTSA ODI #11626979

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2024
Unknown Or Other

Passenger door (front) will not open with fob or door lock/unlock button. You can not open the door from the outside. Driver has to reach across to use the door latch. Won’t unlock with app either.

NHTSA ODI #11624369

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2024
Exterior Lighting

Center overhead console had a catastrophic failure of the brackets holding it in place on the ceiling of the car. This resulted in the full console dangling from the ceiling of the car by wires only. This blocks driver view, the rear view mirror, and swings into driver and passenger headspace. Contacted the dealership and was…

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Center overhead console had a catastrophic failure of the brackets holding it in place on the ceiling of the car. This resulted in the full console dangling from the ceiling of the car by wires only. This blocks driver view, the rear view mirror, and swings into driver and passenger headspace. Contacted the dealership and was told this is a common problem. There was no warning before this occurred.

NHTSA ODI #11618546

Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2024
Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

In my VW Tiguan, the sunglasses component that has the lights, the sunroof buttons, and hands-free microphone, dropped from the roof at the end of the day. It was one of the more warmer days that this happened on and I took it into the VW dealership to have them look at it the next day. The whole component blocked my ability to …

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In my VW Tiguan, the sunglasses component that has the lights, the sunroof buttons, and hands-free microphone, dropped from the roof at the end of the day. It was one of the more warmer days that this happened on and I took it into the VW dealership to have them look at it the next day. The whole component blocked my ability to see and caused blind spots. The dealership gave me the car back with the light component taken out and everything else taped up. This caused a problem to not be able to see out of my rearview mirror. The dealership told me two weeks ago on 9/20 that until the part comes in, which is backordered and I still have an unknown timeframe of it coming in, I will be riding around with it taped up. I have found it difficult to drive even with it taped up because it will come down when the tape gives up. I am unsure of what the cause of it is, but know that this has been our hottest summer in the South since I've had my car.

NHTSA ODI #11618159

Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2024
Unknown Or Other

The GPS in this vehicle constantly gives wrong information and directions. It has consistently shown wrong directions and has tried to make me turn around on the freeway and has sent me down one way streets. This is much more serious at night when a person can’t see road signs and depends on the built in GPS.

NHTSA ODI #11614889

Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2024
StructureVisibility/wiper

The overhead console hangs down with wires blocking my rearview mirror and creating a blind spot on the right mirror. Volkswagon in Colorado told me that the console replacement part is on a national back order with no ETA at the time. My safety and the safety of others are put at risk because the overhead console swings while …

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The overhead console hangs down with wires blocking my rearview mirror and creating a blind spot on the right mirror. Volkswagon in Colorado told me that the console replacement part is on a national back order with no ETA at the time. My safety and the safety of others are put at risk because the overhead console swings while I am driving, which is a major distraction. I have to use one hand to keep the overhead console where it's supposed to be so I'm driving with one hand. Additionally, it blocks my view to my right mirror, impeding me from doing lane changes. Yes, it's been confirmed in writing from my local dealer and they are well aware of this problem because it's occurring all over the US with 2020 VW Tiguan cars. Check out this website: [XXX] Yes, my Volkswagen dealer has inspected it, however, they did not repair it because they did not have the console part. No, there were no warnings--it happened suddenly and by itself. The overhead console is made of cheap plastic and likely started dangling due to the summer heat waves which weakened the console. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11613157

Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2024
EngineUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

I have been experiencing a noticeable delay in throttle response when accelerating, particularly when attempting to slowly merge into traffic. For example, when I press the accelerator to make a left turn, my Tiguan hesitates for approximately 2-3 seconds before responding, creating a significant safety concern as I find myself …

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I have been experiencing a noticeable delay in throttle response when accelerating, particularly when attempting to slowly merge into traffic. For example, when I press the accelerator to make a left turn, my Tiguan hesitates for approximately 2-3 seconds before responding, creating a significant safety concern as I find myself stuck in oncoming traffic. I took the vehicle to the dealership for diagnostic testing, but no fault codes were detected, and no warning lights were illuminated. To demonstrate the issue, I had to conduct a test drive with the mechanic. Following this, the mechanic escalated the issue to the quality engineering team at Volkswagen. They acknowledged that they were aware of this problem but stated that there is no available fix. I was advised to use top-tier premium fuel and switch to manual mode to potentially mitigate the delay. When I escalated this issue to the VW Customer Care, they claim that it is operating as designed and no repairs would be made. I suspect that this issue stems from a defect in the vehicle's control software, which VW appears to be aware of but has not addressed with a permanent solution.

NHTSA ODI #11613027

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