84 of the
3,473 complaints filed about the Volkswagen Tiguan
are about the glass, mirrors and wipers —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2022.
84
Complaints
2%
Share of all complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers complaints by model year
#1 issue is only the driver's side replacement windshield wiper is and has been unavailable for over 6 months. This presents a danger that focusing on a different part of the windshield is problematic; secondarily, the smears even using washer fluid are impossible to rectify. The dealership echoes the same problem on many vehicles and is blaming VW parts supplies. I will not use parts stores after many difficult and not acceptable performances of these OTC blades. The second issue is cruise control stops working erratically. This causes the vehicle to slow very quickly., also causing people following too closely to get angry us! While on a 1100 mile trip it quit tens of times; will not re-engage frequently and then suddenly become available. I'm told the steering wheel wiring is the issue and I was told to being in for diagnosis. A fault code in the steering wheel controls was documented, but parts department said these too are on a very long list of same issues on many Tiguans. Now I'm told that since the dealer verified the fault code for this issue and cleared it, but VW refuses to replace the steering wheel electronics. Many customers have told me they also have to "wait on parts.?!
NHTSA complaint #11758585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The overhead console by the rear view mirror suddenly detached - only hanging by cords. It will not go back on. Duct tape will not even hold it. It is a safety hazard to drive it, and it impairs visibility. The dealership I took it to says this is a problem with 2020 tiguans, but I will have to pay for the repair.
NHTSA complaint #11754422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
[XXX], XXX Volkswagen America Volkswagen Customer CARE 3800 Hamlin Road Auburn Hills, MI 48326-2829 Reference: VW Tiguan 2026. Dashboard reflection on both lateral mirrors creates a Hazardous Visual Obstruction. Dear all, I’m a loyal client with my second lease with Volkswagen. Few weeks ago, me and my wife leased two Tiguan SE R Line Black 2026, the vehicles are great, however there is manufacture or design issue that I would like to share with you, since this issue could end in a fatal accident. The silver or chrome dashboard is reflected to the side mirrors (pictures attached), creating an obstruction to see the vehicles behind by the time to turn left or right. Dashboard reflections often caused by sunlight or bright streetlights can blind drivers, can create a hazardous visual illusion or hazy obstruction significantly increasing the risk of an accident. We do not feel safe at all with this condition, and it bothers a lot since the reflects not only blind sight when trying to see vehicles behind, but definitely this is something Volkswagen should solve, not only for us but all drivers using this vehicle, just to prevent an accident. (see the pictures below). Please let us know what options we have here. Thks and best regards INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11752172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I'm filing an urgent safety complaint regarding a series of severe defects in my 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan (VIN: [XXX]) that pose immediate, life-threatening hazards. On XXX, I took delivery of the vehicle, which was refueled by the dealership. By XXX, with temperatures soaring to 104°F, I encountered three critical issues: 1. **Engine Stall During Low-Speed Turn**: While turning at 2 MPH, the engine shut off without warning, losing power steering and brakes, and displaying a message to "manually restart the engine." 2. **Engine Stall While Reversing**: The engine stalled again while reversing into a parking spot, triggering the same emergency warning. 3. **Structural Window Seal Failure**: At 55 MPH, the driver-side window seal tore away, becoming a projectile that struck the passenger-side window, creating a severe distraction and road hazard. Despite reporting the engine stalling issues to the dealership, the service manager didn’t open a formal Repair Order, citing the stalling as "intermittent." On July 5, while attempting to refuel with half a tank, gasoline violently sprayed from the rear undercarriage, indicating a catastrophic failure of the fuel tank venting system. These incidents within 72 hours of delivery highlight systemic manufacturing and quality control failures. I have had the car towed back to the dealership via flatbed tow and the Volkswagen roadside assistance representative assisted with this transaction. I urge the NHTSA to investigate the fuel tank venting mechanisms, engine management software, and exterior seals of the 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan. Immediate action is necessary to quarantine this VIN ([XXX]) and assess potential safety recalls or stop-sales. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11748363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The 2026 vw Tiguan infotainment system blacks out due to thermal failure at ambient temps as low as 100 deg f this creates a total loss of driver controls including windshield defrost and demise systems posing an immediate visibility hazard vw refused to repair becuase defective hardware does not store a diagnostic trouble code on reboot. Prevents any driver action to clear fogged windshield. Or operate fan speeds to do so.
NHTSA complaint #11748170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tha back up camera system is glitching out. We reset the system but is keeps freezing/blacking out after about 30 seconds. This is known issue with this model of Volkswagen.
NHTSA complaint #11741067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wipers randomly start when switch is turned off. Wipers will randomly not start when wipers are turned on. Safety of others is affected due to visibility being obscured due to wipers not turning on. Injuries can occur when wipers randomly start. There was no warning prior to the problem starting.
NHTSA complaint #11732222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The wipers of this car go on and off automatically and you are not able to turn off the feature. They go on without rain or any debris on the windshield. I already took it to a Volkswagen dealer and they accepted the error and replaced the steering wheel, saying this was the cause. With the new steering wheel, the problem is still going on and they don’t offer any solutions because they don’t understand what is happening to the car. This is very distracting and I’ve been close to crashing due to the wipers going on and off consistently. I researched on the internet and there are several VW cars with this issue and no solutions found.
NHTSA complaint #11715442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle's sunroof glass failed catastrophically and shattered spontaneously without any external impact or contributing factor. The glass was not safety glass and shattered into sharp shards, dispersing throughout the vehicle interior, including the rear seating area. This failure posed a serious safety risk, as glass shards caused minor injuries to my skin, and could have resulted in significant injury had a child or pet been seated in the back. The incident has not been reproduced; however, the damage was confirmed and repaired by the authorized dealership, which replaced the sunroof glass, frame, and sunshade due to extensive damage. The vehicle was inspected by the dealership, and a comprehensive insurance claim was filed. No warning lamps, messages, or symptoms were present prior to the failure, and the event occurred without warning.
NHTSA complaint #11713327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Four cracks of varying lengths ranging from roughly one inch to four inches have spontaneously appeared on the drivers side of the windshield. These were first noticed when entering the car, not while driving. Cracks can be felt from the inside of the vehicle only. One crack appears to be jagged and looks black when looking through the windshield from the inside.
NHTSA complaint #11707991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Went to work, drove home, went to take my daughter to her friends and noticed my windshield on the passenger side was cracked big time. Just from sitting in my driveway.
NHTSA complaint #11704806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Driving long the interstate in South Carolina, all of a sudden there was a loud explosive sound and a crackling sound accompanied by the loud explosion. It startled me!! I gathered myself and put on hazard lights and got over on the far right lane to pull onto the shoulder of the highway. I thought that a tire or two had blown but was not the case. I got back into the car and started visually looking around to see where the crackling noise was still coming from. I looked up towards my Sunroof and discovered that a large hole in my Sunroof. Fortunately, my sunshade was closed and shield the debris/glass from spraying my face and body. I took the car to the V.W. dealership and explained the infraction to them. They diagnosed the problem and contacted me later that day to let me know that they were sending the request to V.W. corporate to get authorization to repair under warranty. The dealership did not detect any signs of rocks or debris causing the explosion. Corporate denied the dealerships request to repair under warranty. I filed the damaged Sunroof under my auto insurance. Im currently awaiting for the adjuster to inspect the damaged Sunroof that is at the dealership. I feel that Corporate dud not even consider the fact that this could have been an exploding Sunroof...and im sure that they have encountered this defect before. There are articles on-line of others who encountered this problem.
NHTSA complaint #11703224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The defect has occurred since the day the vehicle was leased. The entire multimedia and safety interface shuts down randomly while driving (screen goes black, GPS stops, rear camera and driver-assistance functions stop working). This happens in multiple areas across the city, not in a single location. The dealership initially blamed my internet or phone, delaying proper diagnosis. The first available service appointment was more than a month later, and the vehicle was first taken in on January 27, 2025. Since then, the vehicle has been in the shop more than five times across multiple dealerships, including over a month during the most recent repair attempt. I have also been required to visit the dealership more than 30 times for the same issue. Dealership technicians and the service manager stated that the vehicle is defective, that nothing else can be done, and that all repair attempts have failed. The manufacturer claims it is an “environmental connectivity issue” in one spot, which is not accurate. Multiple videos requested and submitted show the failure happening in different areas of the city. At the dealership’s request, I drove with a technician who recorded the failure again. Customer Care instructed me to return the loaner vehicle immediately and take back the defective vehicle, even though it is unsafe to operate. The Customer Care manager refused to speak with me and required an appointment several days later, but they still demanded that I return the loaner and pick up the unsafe vehicle now. When I requested written documentation acknowledging that the vehicle is unsafe, they refused to provide it. This is an unresolved, repeated safety defect that puts me at risk while driving. Please, I'll appreciate any help. Thank you in advance.
NHTSA complaint #11699413 — 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.
Windshield wiper motor damaged. Yes available for inspection. Preventable damage to wipers causing visibility issues. The damage was inspected by a Volkswagen service center. No one else has inspected it. The service center gave me an estimate to repair the windshield wiper motor for an estimate of $1100. When asked how to shut it off , they didn't know and had to go back to their colleagues, then he came back and gave me a 4-5 step process on how to shut off the wiper, similar to a combo on a playstation or sega remote. The failure happened due to my lack of knowledge on how to shut off the automatic wiper sensors off. The manual doesn't clearly state how to completely disable the automatic sensors. Due to this, the wiper was damaged in a car wash, ripping off one of the wipers and no both wipers not functioning. I took the quote for repair and called the corporate office of Volkswagen and they denied pick up any of the cost and said it was damage done to the car. But I argued that it was preventable and that it didn't clearly state in the manual (Owner's Manual Tiguan Edition 08/2023 United States version) how to shut it off completely. I asked for the call to be escalated, they refused, then I came back and said I wanted to know where in the manual does it clearly state how to disable the auto sensors. The leadership member couldn't tell me at first where it was documented, after a few minutes he finally gave me the page numbers were it DID NOT state HOW to completely disable the sensor. He said decision was made. He took me from page 112 to 114 to 37 and where we landed was where they made the decision " Page 114 Fig 106 labeled "A" "Rain/light sensor deactivated and a square next to "A". The design of the wiper functionality is flawed and so is the documentation to support what it truly does or how it is managed. This is also NOT aligned with what I was told at the service center. But the member of leadership didn't care to know what they handled it.
NHTSA complaint #11689239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 68 MPH, there was a booming sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stopped to inspect the vehicle and discovered that the rear glass sunroof panel had shattered from the inside and shards of glass were ejected from the sunroof panel. The contact wrapped the roof with plastic to secure the damaged sections of the sunroof, to ensure no other glass shards fell from the vehicle while driving. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 44,000.
NHTSA complaint #11683151 — 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 windshield wipers have been acting up, turning on unexpectedly when I use the turn signals, with no input from me, or when I drive over bumps, which seriously blocks my view and creates a danger on the road, especially in bad weather or during turns. This problem started showing up in October 2023 when the car had about 16,000miles, still under the 4-year/50,000-mile warranty. I took it to a dealership that month, but they checked the turn signals, scanned for faults, and found nothing, yet the issue didn’t go away. I tried again in September 2024 with another appointment, but the dealership wanted $250 for a diagnostic and to keep the car overnight, so I couldn’t proceed. The car and wiper system can be inspected if needed. There were no warning lights or messages beforehand; the trouble began in October 2023. Only the first dealership looked at it, with no fix. I have several videos showing the problem.
NHTSA complaint #11679481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.