FaultScore

2020 Volkswagen Tiguan driver assist problems

26 of the 210 complaints about the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan are about the driver-assist systems — 12% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 6,481 miles.

C

26

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Automatic Emergency Braking 14 53.8%
Warnings 6 23.1%
Rearview System Braking 2 7.7%
Back Over Prevention 1 3.8%
Forward Collision Avoidance 1 3.8%
Adaptive Cruise Control 1 3.8%
Warnings 1 3.8%

Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance across every Volkswagen Tiguan year

2018 26 10.0%
2019 37 14.2%
2020 26 10.0%
2021 16 6.1%
2022 99 37.9%
2023 13 5.0%
2024 18 6.9%
2025 16 6.1%
2026 10 3.8%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Wynantskill, NY 1 injured

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

I was driving and a vehicle was making a left hand turn, in the middle lane and they were in their lane and I was in mine, but the vehicle decided to use the automatic breaking which then cause me to have whiplash and it took a few seconds for the car to move and I had other cars behind me. Also, because this happened so quickly with no warning I first had to think did I hit the car, because I would have had no knowledge because the automatic stoping made noise and jolted me. So this is dangerous is all sorts of levels. If the other vehicle didn’t move and appeared to be fine and I had no damage to my car I would have not known.

NHTSA complaint #11744148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles Fountain Hill, PA

BACK OVER PREVENTION

The contact owns a 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that the engine warning light was illuminated due to an emissions issue. The message to check the oil level was displayed. The contact pulled over to check the oil and added a quart of oil. The vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that there was smoke coming from the exhaust. The contact was informed that the cylinder head valve seals had failed and caused oil to seep through the exhaust ports and was burning oil on the second head emissions system and the port was clogged. Additionally, the back over prevention camera was inoperable. The contact determined that the top half of the engine needed to be replaced. The cylinder head was on backorder. The local dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not under warranty. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

NHTSA complaint #11716742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Saint Clair Shores, MI

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

I am experiencing the Driver Door Control Switch / EBS error. When this occurs my emergency break activates when I am driving, throwing me into a complete stop unexpectedly, pulls several check engine lights and a series of loud distracting alert sounds. This is extremely dangerous on the road and I’ve almost been rear-ended multiple times. I have brought my vehicle in to Volkswagen and European Specialty Auto Shop and they were not able to replicate the issue thus we’re not able to help me. There are several forums online that point to this being a recall issue with Volkswagen and yet my VIN number is showing as not affected. It is my understanding that this issue is being caused by a faulty driver door wiring harness. It is random when this issue occurs. Forums online have led me to believe it is due to weather fluctuations. At this point I no longer feel safe driving my vehicle. This needs to be escalated to a Volkswagen as a public safety concern.

NHTSA complaint #11700200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

South Elgin, IL

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

The headliner control panel just falls which distracts the driver as well as all forward safety components fail to respond. I feel it is dangerous as this is extremely distracting

NHTSA complaint #11589481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

South Elgin, IL

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

The headliner control panel just falls which distracts the driver as well as all forward safety components fail to respond. I feel it is dangerous as this is extremely distracting

NHTSA complaint #11589481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

South Elgin, IL

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

The headliner control panel just falls which distracts the driver as well as all forward safety components fail to respond. I feel it is dangerous as this is extremely distracting

NHTSA complaint #11589481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sacramento, CA

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

Please see attached documents

NHTSA complaint #11575914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mesa, AZ

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

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 complaint #11532118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Concord, NC

BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING

Transmission shifts hard while going up and down. The traffic back assist will alert when not moving and when in a parking space and when nothing is around

NHTSA complaint #11517445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hampton, VA

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

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 complaint #11502656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hampton, VA

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

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 complaint #11502656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pasadena, MD

BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS

I've been having backup camera problems since I purchased this vehicle in June 2020. It only works 20% of the time. There have been times were I don't see people or vehicles as I back up. I've only been seen for service twice. I don't have the time to take it in once a week for them to do to a hard reset or replace the J949 Module. I've attached a service receipt. Usually just have a black screen. Below is the address to a consumer report page detailing the issues. Unfortunately, my vehicle is not in the recall list. https://www.consumerreports.org/car-recalls-defects/volkswagen-recalls-cars-and-suvs-for-backup-camera-problems-a1136236169/

NHTSA complaint #11496126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pasadena, MD

BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING

I've been having backup camera problems since I purchased this vehicle in June 2020. It only works 20% of the time. There have been times were I don't see people or vehicles as I back up. I've only been seen for service twice. I don't have the time to take it in once a week for them to do to a hard reset or replace the J949 Module. I've attached a service receipt. Usually just have a black screen. Below is the address to a consumer report page detailing the issues. Unfortunately, my vehicle is not in the recall list. https://www.consumerreports.org/car-recalls-defects/volkswagen-recalls-cars-and-suvs-for-backup-camera-problems-a1136236169/

NHTSA complaint #11496126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

East Rockaway, NY

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

The front assist emergency braking system activates for no reason. On all occasions, the last incident happened July 1, 2022, there were no obstacles in the road to warrant the car to come to a near stop. I’ve brought the car to the dealership for inspection and was informed the car is “sensitive”.

NHTSA complaint #11472085 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

East Rockaway, NY

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

The front assist emergency braking system activates for no reason. On all occasions, the last incident happened July 1, 2022, there were no obstacles in the road to warrant the car to come to a near stop. I’ve brought the car to the dealership for inspection and was informed the car is “sensitive”.

NHTSA complaint #11472085 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

San Antonio, TX

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

Automatic emergency brakes engage when pulling into/out of slightly sloped ground. My vehicle has come to a halt while in the middle of a highway multiple times after pulling out of a parking lot where it is slightly sloped. The most recent time was 5/3/22, but it has happened on 5 previous occasions. The emergency sensor believes the ground in front of me is an obstacle. I am now careful to only pull onto the highway when there are absolutely no cars coming for a good distance because my brakes will engage while I'm halfway into the road. The slope I'm talking about is not extreme or severe. No one else is having this issue in the spots where it happens to me.

NHTSA complaint #11463284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Belfair, WA

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

My tiguan is having the same issue at the vw Atlas. Emergency Braking system applying the parking break. Errors with the door sensor, start-stop, hill assist, and parking break.

NHTSA complaint #11460281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 17,000 miles Bay Shore, NY

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

The contact owns a 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the Forward Collision Avoidance system and Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency braking engaged. The brake warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The failure reoccurred three times. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic who was unable to retrieve a fault code. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact requested that the dealer notify the manufacturer of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 17,000. The contact stated that Legend VW inspected the vehicle a second time and did not find an issue.

NHTSA complaint #11459221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 17,000 miles Bay Shore, NY

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

The contact owns a 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the Forward Collision Avoidance system and Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency braking engaged. The brake warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The failure reoccurred three times. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic who was unable to retrieve a fault code. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact requested that the dealer notify the manufacturer of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 17,000. The contact stated that Legend VW inspected the vehicle a second time and did not find an issue.

NHTSA complaint #11459221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Daytona Beach, FL

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

Emergency breaking activate when passing construction zone or taking curves on the road and sensors reads barriers or cones and locks the breaks and emergency breaking warning comes on dashboard. Horn not functioning in high humid climates

NHTSA complaint #11457353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Naples, FL Crash

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

Unknown

NHTSA complaint #11445800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,000 miles Seattle, WA

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

THE VEHICLE WILL STOP ITSELF WHILE IN MOTION THROUGH THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM AT RANDOM TIMES, BOTH IN TRAFFIC AND WHEN NO OTHER VEHICLES ARE AROUND. THE WARNING WILL SHOW UP IN THE GAUGE CLUSTER AND THE CAR WILL QUICKLY COME TO A STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON AT LEAST 4 OCCASIONS. THE DEALER HAS STATED THERE ARE NO FAULTS.

NHTSA complaint #11415672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 5,241 miles Glendale, CA

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

MY VEHICLE'S FRONT ASSIST COLLISION SENSOR WILL ENGAGE ITSELF WHILE GOING DOWN SOME DRIVEWAYS REGARDLESS OF HOW SLOW OR ANGLED I TRY TO EXIT (I ALWAYS MAKE SURE THAT MY EXIT AND TURNS ARE SAFE FROM ANY ONGOING TRAFFIC SO THE SENSOR IS ONLY BEING TRIPPED FROM GROUND IN FRONT OF THE SENSOR). I HAVE BEEN ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED THREE TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS AND ALMOST HIT FROM THE SIDE WHEN THE THE SENSOR ENGAGED WHEN I WAS MORE THAN HALFWAY OUT INTO THE FIRST LANE TO MAKE MY TURN. VW DEALER THAT I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM SAID, IT IS THE DRIVER'S RESPONISBILITY TO MANUALLY TURN OFF THE FRONT ASSIST COLLISION SENSOR EACH AND EVERY TIME YOU INTEND TO DRIVE THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #11398000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 5,241 miles Glendale, CA

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

MY VEHICLE'S FRONT ASSIST COLLISION SENSOR WILL ENGAGE ITSELF WHILE GOING DOWN SOME DRIVEWAYS REGARDLESS OF HOW SLOW OR ANGLED I TRY TO EXIT (I ALWAYS MAKE SURE THAT MY EXIT AND TURNS ARE SAFE FROM ANY ONGOING TRAFFIC SO THE SENSOR IS ONLY BEING TRIPPED FROM GROUND IN FRONT OF THE SENSOR). I HAVE BEEN ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED THREE TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS AND ALMOST HIT FROM THE SIDE WHEN THE THE SENSOR ENGAGED WHEN I WAS MORE THAN HALFWAY OUT INTO THE FIRST LANE TO MAKE MY TURN. VW DEALER THAT I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM SAID, IT IS THE DRIVER'S RESPONISBILITY TO MANUALLY TURN OFF THE FRONT ASSIST COLLISION SENSOR EACH AND EVERY TIME YOU INTEND TO DRIVE THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #11398000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200 miles Oxford, MI

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

MY CAR ALERTS ME AT RANDOM TIMES WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN OPEN WINDING ROADS THAT I AM GOING TO GET IN A COLLISION WHEN THERE ARE NO CARS OR OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. IT ALSO GOES OFF WHEN I'M DRIVING THROUGH CONSTRUCTION AND THERE'S CONES ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT I'M NOT EVEN CLOSE TO HITTING. IN MICHIGAN, WE HAVE A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION SO IT SHOULDN'T BE GOING OFF AND SCARING ME ALL THE TIME. IT WILL ALSO HAPPEN IN SPURSE, SO IT'LL GO OFF THREE OR FOUR TIMES ON THE SAME ROAD IN THE SAME DAY AND THEN NOT GO OFF AGAIN FOR WEEKS. I'VE TAKEN IT IN TO THE DEALER TWICE TO BE LOOKED AT AND BOTH TIMES THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. IT CONTINUES TO RANDOMLY ALERT BE WHEN I AM NOT IN DANGER OF AN ACCIDENT BUT IT ENDS UP SCARING ME ANYWAYS AND MAKING ME THINK I'M ABOUT TO BE HIT. IT HAS GONE OFF ON THE HIGHWAY, OPEN ROADS, CITY STREETS, AND CONSTRUCTION ZONES. THANKFULLY THE AUTO-BREAKING HASN'T TURNED ON BUT I'M ALSO CONCERNED IT WILL AND THEN THAT ITSELF WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I BELIVE WHATEVER SENSOR IT USES IS FAULTY, BUT AGAIN THE DEALERSHIP HAS REAFFIRMED BE TWICE THAT THEY SAW NO ISSUES WITH IT.

NHTSA complaint #11372963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 7,722 miles Suffern, NY

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WAITED FOR A MINUTE THEN DROVE TO HIS DESTINATION WITH NO FURTHER ISSUES. THE CONTACT CALLED JOE HEIDT MOTORS VOLKSWAGEN (515 RT 17 N, RAMSEY, NJ 07446, (201) 327-2900) AND WAS INFORMED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED IMMEDIATELY. THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS STILL PENDING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,722.

NHTSA complaint #11359751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan problems

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