112 of the
3,473 complaints filed about the Volkswagen Tiguan
are about the body and structure —
3% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2018.
The contact owns a 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH with two toddlers inside the vehicle, the ceiling of the vehicle detached and caused a bump on the head. A dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that it was a known issue with similar vehicles. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was a recall associated with the failure but had expired. No assistance was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact about an extended warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 110,738.
NHTSA complaint #11756052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the overhead console detached, nearly striking the contact on the head. The contact stated that the console wiring was hanging loose with the mount cracked and the screw casing disintegrating. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.
NHTSA complaint #11747175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle will randomly shut off while driving. A message will appear stating "Check the Starting System" Attempts to restart the engine are unsuccessful. The engine will start, stall after about 2 seconds and the message "Check Starting System" will display. The first time it happened, I was turning a corner at a rather dangerous intersection and the vehicle stalled. It took about three attempts before the engine would remain running. When the engine would stall the dash would go dark and the engine would not remain running this happened about a month ago in hot weather. It occurred again on April 25th, 2026 way worse this time. The temperature in the area reached 91 Degrees Fahrenheit. My vehicle was sitting outside in the heat for at least 5 hours, same issue, The vehicle would then proceed to stall in the middle of the freeway, I was able to coast to the breakdown lane where the vehicle would remain unable to start and the message "Check Starter System" would display. Looking on NHTSA webpage before filing a complaint, it seems that this is a rather common issue. VW had a recall for other models (Campaign 28H7) for models such as the Jetta, Golf and other like models. This is a really dangerous issue and could end up getting someone seriously injured or worse killed in a collision if my vehicle stalls like this. The vehicle is scheduled for a service appointment in the near future (Local VW dealer is at least 2 weeks out before they can even look at my vehicle) After viewing this information, I can't help but believe it is possible the 28H7 recall is affecting more models than anticipated.
NHTSA complaint #11734486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On April 19, 2026, my 2021 VW Tiguan experienced a sudden loud gunshot-like sounding noise and my sunroof exploded. I fortunately had the screen closed, but large pieces of glass fell and were caught by the screen. It endangered me and my 3 children in the car. It was extremely stressful, as I was worried the entire sunroof would collapse on us and I was traveling at a high rate of speed. After pulling to the side of the road, further inspection showed the glass protruding upward. No sign of a rock or anything. There was absolutely no warning. I have filed a claim with insurance and plan to call VW tomorrow.
NHTSA complaint #11732294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan experienced a failure of the airbag control module caused by water intrusion through the HVAC access area and failed seam seal tape at the cowl support. The dealership confirmed that water leaked through a factory seam, accumulated at the airbag module, and caused the module to fail. The airbag warning light is illuminated, and the system is inoperable. This failure matches the same defect pattern covered under Volkswagen’s recall campaigns for the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport (water intrusion leading to airbag control module failure), but my VIN is not included. The root cause and safety implications are identical: water entering through a body seam/HVAC area and compromising the airbag system. This is a safety‑critical issue that disables the airbags and creates a risk of injury in a crash. I am requesting NHTSA review this defect for potential recall expansion. Dealership Findings: • Water present at airbag control module • Water leaking through HVAC access hole • Failed seam seal tape at cowl support • Water accumulation damaging the airbag module • Cowl trim cracked and repaired • Recommended replacement of airbag control module and seam sealing tape • Estimated repair cost: $1,377 + tax Safety Concern: Airbag system is disabled due to water intrusion from a factory seam. This creates a risk of injury or death in the event of a collision.
NHTSA complaint #11726578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1)My sunroof/window is leaking. This has caused internal damage. My car had 2-2.5 inches of water that has damaged by carpeting and pads the 60E5 was performed. ~72,500 miles 2018 Tiguan. 2) dealer service has advised of service:REPLACE SET OF (4) FUEL INJECTOR O-RINGS DUE TO FUEL LEAK AT FUEL RAIL-INCLUDE INTAKE MANIFOLD GAKET AND THROTTLE BODY GASKET.
NHTSA complaint #11705198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I bought this car, a 2025 Tiguan 4MOTION, on 10/25/2025. On 11/26, when I used the car, I noticed that the covers of the front doors are made of leather and padded, while the rear doors are made of hard, non-flexible plastic. In the event of a side impact, the rear passengers could suffer bodily injuries from being hit by a surface. VW agreed to replace the car, but I had to cover the difference in value between one car and the other. The new car is an Atlas Cross Sport.
NHTSA complaint #11697042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that after a heavy rainstorm, approximately 4-inches of water was discovered in the rear driver’s side floor and on the rear driver’s side seat. Upon inspection, the contact discovered mold inside the vehicle due to the rainwater entering the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure was due to a faulty drainage from the sunroof. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 69,000.
NHTSA complaint #11689743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The issue involves ongoing water intrusion through the panoramic sunroof, front power windows, and windshield seals. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. This recurring leak has caused extensive interior water damage, including visible mold growth in the carpet on multiple occasions. This mold presents serious health risks to both me and my passengers, especially my sister, who is undergoing cancer treatment and has a severely compromised immune system. Water pooling beneath the carpet also threatens critical electrical systems located in the floor area, including the Vehicle Electrical System Control Module (J519), CAN/LIN bus wiring, door control harnesses, and footwell circuits. Corrosion or shorting in these systems could lead to unpredictable failures in safety-critical functions, even if not immediately apparent. Although Volkswagen dealerships have cleaned the sunroof drains as part of routine service packages, no formal diagnosis or confirmation of the leak’s source has been made. Independent mechanics have confirmed clogged drains and flushed debris to restore water flow. In 2019, I replaced the windshield at my mechanic’s recommendation because the interior glass was frequently soaked with morning condensation. Despite these measures, the sunroof continues to leak whenever it rains. No warning lamps or dashboard messages have ever appeared related to this issue. The first visible symptom occurred several years ago—possibly as early as 2019—when water began leaking from the passenger-side sun visor and headliner immediately after a car wash. Given the persistent nature of the leak, the associated mold hazard, and the risk to vehicle electronics and occupant safety, I believe this defect warrants manufacturer accountability and recall consideration rather than a temporary repair.
NHTSA complaint #11679738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that the interior overhead console had become detached from the interior roof of the vehicle. The contact used tape to temporarily secure the console. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 40,000.
NHTSA complaint #11675112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The upper control panel housing failed. My safety was put at risk because while driving the panel randomly dropped from my ceiling, blocking my rear view mirror and surprising me. The vehicle has not been looked at by the anyone else other than myself. There are many documented cases online from people experiencing the same kind of situation. There were no warning lights or symptoms that this was going to happen.
NHTSA complaint #11670996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
To whom it may concern: I wish to report what a believe is a defect in the new Tiguan which is causing the engine to overheat. The check engine light came on the day after we purchased the vehicle. This was due to a part of the lower shutter in the front of the car breaking off, which prohibited the shutter from opening and shutting. It could not cool the engine and thus the engine started to overheat. We are not entirely sure what caused the piece to break, the mechanic said it was likely a rock. We did not get into an accident and in fact had only driven the car once. So I wanted to make this report in case someone else had a similar issue as if this piece is prone to breaking, it could potentially cause other more serious issues.
NHTSA complaint #11670973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle after a rainstorm, the contact became aware that the interior of the vehicle was flooded, and that water had entered the vehicle through the sunroof. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the sunroof drainage system. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 66,000.
NHTSA complaint #11670895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle has a class action suit for leaking sunroof that soaks the entire floor board of the vehicle. This happened to us and was repaired in 2023. It happened again currently and it is proving to be a defect of the build of the vehicle. This is happened to thousands of people all over the USA. This needs to be an official recall. They are trying to charge us $1000 because the warranty doesn’t cover the flooding the defect causes. Kuhn WV in Tampa is who has the car and they get this problem all the time. This is systemic and NHTSA must do something about it and force VW to recall the vehicles with sunroof issues.
NHTSA complaint #11667103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The rear passenger door won’t latch when it is cold out. The dealership replaced the lock, but it is still happening. I have been stranded multiple times because my door is stuck open.
NHTSA complaint #11635475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the sunroof console detached. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a detached sunroof console. The contact was informed that the sunroof console needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the parts to repair the vehicle needed to be ordered; however, the parts were on back-order. The contact stated that he had been waiting on the delivery of the parts for 45 days and parts were still on back-order. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000.
NHTSA complaint #11623415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan has a problem with the sunroof leaking and floors being filled with puddles of water in entire car. This have caused the water to cause electrical problems with the vehicle as well as meadow and mold.
NHTSA complaint #11618322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.