Second generation (Long Wheelbase / Allspace, AD/BW)
2021 Volkswagen Tiguan
The most reported problem on the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan is oil consumption, with 24 complaints, usually around 46,000 miles.
- 141owner complaints
- 5recalls
- 2involved a crash
- 46,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 22, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
Problem sheets
No single problem on the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan has enough owner reports for a sheet of its own yet. The counts below still cover every complaint on file.
Is the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?
The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan has 141 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, below the median of 216 for 2021 SUVs on this site. Of the 13 Tiguan model years since 2014, it has the 4th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2020 and 2022
- Each model year from the 2020 to the 2022 draws more complaints for its age than the one before it: 20 a year, then 24 for the 2021, then 54.
- Top problem
- No problem dominates. The largest, oil consumption, covers 24 of the 141 complaints (17%), and misfire is next with 15 (one complaint can fall under more than one problem, so these overlap). A quarter of the 14 owners who gave a mileage for oil consumption saw it by about 5,000 miles, and half by about 46,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- Only 3 of the 141 complaints (2%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, well under the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 2 reports mention a crash and 2 people were hurt.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- 5 recalls are on file, but no problem here has enough reports to set against them.
- When owners filed
- Complaints are still climbing. 2025 brought 41, the most of any year so far. So far in 2026, 36 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: burns oil or oil level rises, 24 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
141 complaints is 1.3 times fewer than the median 2021 model on this site and 1.5 times fewer than the median 2021 SUV. Among the 6 Tiguan model years here it ranks 4th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan
Volkswagen filed 504 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan. 36 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Check engine light or misfire 30 bulletins · 15 complaints
Engine misfire diagnostic aid.
Fuel Additive to prevent sporatic misfire
28 more on this problem
Fuel additive to help with misfire faults
Customer states rattle from below the vehicle Customer states MIL-on, P0442 stored in ECM memory Customer states Mill-on, P0462 and/or P0463 stored in ECM memory Customer states MIL-on, P0442 stored in ECM memory Customer states noise while driving Customer ...
Customer states rattle from below the vehicle Customer states MIL-on, P0442 stored in ECM memory Customer states MIL-on, P0442 stored in ECM memory Customer states noise while driving Customer states seat memory is inoperative Customer states driver's seat ...
Customer states rattle from below the vehicle Customer states MIL-on, P0442 stored in ECM memory* Customer states MIL-on, fault P04F0 stored in ECM memory Customer states noise while driving Customer states seat memory is inoperative Customer states driver's ...
Customer states MIL-on, P2402 stored in ECM memory Customer states rattle from below the vehicle Customer states MIL-on, fault P04F0 stored in ECM memory Customer states MIL-on, fault P0461 stored in ECM memory Customer states noise while driving Customer ...
Customer states MIL-on, P2421 stored in ECM memory Customer states MIL-on, P2402 stored in ECM memory Customer states rattle from below the vehicle Customer states MIL-on, fault P04F0 stored in ECM memory Customer states MIL-on, fault P0461 stored in ECM ...
Diagnostic Aid for engine misfire.
Customer states MIL-on, fault P0456 and/or P0442 stored in ECM memory Customer states MIL-on, fault P0456 and/or P0442 stored in ECM memory Noise from front end while driving Customer states MIL-on/Airbag light, fault U019900 and/or B101715 stored in ...
Customer states MIL-on, fault P0456 and/or P0442 stored in ECM memory Customer states fuel tank difficult to fill, pump keeps clicking off Customer states MIL-on, fault P0456 and/or P0442 stored in ECM memory Noise from front end while driving Customer states ...
Update programming in engine/motor control module -J623- for DTC P060C.
Plus 18 older ones not listed here.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 2 bulletins · 13 complaints
Infotainment system freezes and/or reboots, will not turn on/boot up, loses sound and/or volume controls malfunctions, Navigation malfunctions, App-Connect malfunctions, SiriusXM radio malfunctions
False manufacturing DTC stored in MIB3 Infotainment system. No repair required.
Engine leaks oil 1 bulletin · 12 complaints
Bevel box oil leak, update to bulletin technical background.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 3 bulletins · 5 complaints
Brake Rotor, Vibration / Pulsation. Addition of mandatory brake form and reference to Volkswagen Warranty Policy and Procedures Manual.
Brake Rotor, Vibration / Pulsation Instruction (U.S. Only)
1 more on this problem
Bake Vibration, Pulsation, Noise when braking during PDI
Complaints filed by year
41 complaints came in 2025. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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."
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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."
Risk and remedy
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.
All 5 recalls on the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?
Oil consumption, with 24 of the 141 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 46,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan problems start?
Of the 41 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 11,000 miles and half by about 46,000.
Is the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan better or worse than the 2020 and 2022?
Counted per year on the road, the 2021 has more complaints than the 2020 and fewer complaints than the 2022: 24 a year against 20 and 54.
How many 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
3 of them (2%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for oil consumption on the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?
No recall on file for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan is on the same system as oil consumption. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.