2019 Volkswagen Tiguan
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 192 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 17 Tiguan model years with reports.
Of the 2019 reports, 6 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 5 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Tires, pressure monitoring and regulating systemsOct 31, 2022
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.
Dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audis customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.
Campaign 22V815000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, bodyApr 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.
An insufficiently attached spoiler may separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 22V226000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsMar 27, 2019
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Tiguan LWB vehicles. The tire information label contains inaccurate tire dimension and inflation pressure specifications. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
The incorrect specifications can result in improper tire inflations or to installing a tire of the wrong size on the vehicle. Either of these situations can increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will install a corrected tire information label, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D2.
Campaign 19V241000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rear, springs, coil springsMar 6, 2019
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Golf Sportwagen, 2019 Jetta, 2015-2019 Golf, and 2018-2019 Tiguan vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.
If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall began April 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42J5.
Campaign 19V188000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, instrument cluster/panelNov 26, 2018
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas and Tiguan and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles that do not have keyless entry. The instrument cluster may not provide an audible warning to let the driver know that the key is still in the ignition when the door is open. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."
If the driver is not notified by an audible noise that the key is left in the ignition, it can increase the risk of vehicle theft or crash.
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 90L3 and 90L4.
Campaign 18V824000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: service brakes
24 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, May 24, 2026, crash
While driving and starting to go into the turn lane on the right, to make a right turn, the car would not slow down, while pressing the brake the car would not slow, I could not turn at the speed and was unable to get back into the flow of traffic either , so was left driving into a guard wire holding up a pole.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Nov 5, 2025
Parking brake would not disengage and the shop told me it was because water was in the floor pan behind the passenger seat and it’s causing shorts In the electrical system. The cause of the water was diagnosed as a leaking sunroof. This has caused me loss of vehicle, time and too much money!
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Apr 23, 2025
Driving my vehicle on two occasions the brakes just automatically engaged, an error warning with an exclamation mark flashed briefly then went away. The car did not come to a complete stop but engaged the brake for at least 2 seconds. I was driving approximately 30-40 mph. I took it to the dealership were they indicated that they get about two complaints a month on this issue. They stated they believe the car falsely recognized someone in front of me and engaged the brakes. The dealership was unable to recreate the issue and said they found no signs of the warning that came on the screen in the logs. I was able to provide the exact times that the issue occurred so Im concerned there was no log of it. If I was on the express way and the brakes engaged it would have caused a serious accident. The fact that there is no way to trace the issue is concerning to me, as well as the serious safety implications that cannot apparently be reproduced or an error that was not logging but still notifying me that it occurred. This issue occurred multiple times several months apart
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Mar 28, 2025
I dont know what fail in the car.brakes system sensors i really dont know.but i was leaving the dentals office about to take main road when all the sudden my car just fully stopped all four weels where some how braked and the car turned off by itself i was stuck in the middle of the road and cars barely missed me. I honestly was in a very dangerous situation.i have a video of how the car braked by itself the engine turned off on its own..please help us check this immediatly in my opinion it is super dangerous..it has happened to me once but thays enough. There was no warning lights on the dash..thats all i can remember..thank yku
Service brakes, Dec 7, 2024
At 79,200 mi. metallic grinding noise was coming from rear wheel. Disassembly of rear brake pads on driver side revealed inner brake pad completely worn to the metal backing (no braking material remaining.) An inspection of the pad showed that the manufacturer installed the pad such that the brake pad wear indicator was positioned too far from the pad. The wear indicator never made contact with the pad and therefore, never made the characteristic high pitched audible tone as the inner pad reached critical wear. This resulted in a complete failure of the driver side rear brake pad.
Service brakes, Dec 3, 2024
The electronic parking brake would not disengage. After trying all the tips found online I finally got it to disengage but now it won’t re-engage and I am getting a warning “electronic brake fault” on the dash. It’s very dangerous not to have a working parking brake.
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Apr 17, 2024, crash
The emergency braking system caused a rear accident . Leaving at fault " unable to control vehicles ", listed by State Farm, resulting in a personal injury claim with no injuries for $475,000.00 all parties including Volkswagen will be sued . The vehicle has caused loss of employment and a lawsuit on top of that I'm still paying a $586.00 Car note and $686.00 car insurance just for me to drive now . I'm mad asf !!!!
Electrical system, Service brakes, Jan 23, 2023
Error code: "Driver door contact switch". When this comes on randomly I can't unlock or lock my doors. I have had to climb out of my car through the passenger side door after parking because the driver's side won't unlock. Fault: "Auto parking break" When this comes on I can't turn on or off the parking brake. Sometimes when I'm driving and there is a bump or a change in surface level the parking break comes on. My car stops all of a sudden and cars behind me swerve not to hit me. I have noticed that the issues can go as fast as they come on. They only really happen in cold weather. Last year (2022) was the first year that things happened. I took my car in to see what Volkswagen could do. They said that because the error codes weren't running then they couldn't diagnose the issue. They also said that they have never heard of this before. However, when the error codes are on it's unsafe to drive the car. I have read that other Volkswagens have this issue. The link below is one example. https://knightlawgroup.com/volkswagen-tiguan-wiring-harness-automatic-braking-problems/
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Mar 19, 2022
My Tiguan is doing the same thing as the Atlas. I have been told by the Dealer and the Vw representative that did a physical inspection of my vehicle. That the issues are the same. I was doing 70 mph on the highway all the dash lights went on and then the breaks engage bring my vehicle to a complete stop. This was in March of 2021. Vehicle was taken straight to dealer I was told then what was happening. And was told the issed was resolved. Then in January 2022 the vehicle did the same thing once at a low speed, and again that same morning going 30 mph, were the truck behind us did everything he could to avoid hitting the vehicle as my vehicle came to a complete stop. I was the front car and thankfully the truck behind me was the only other vehicle on the road. I pulled in to a parking lot, I attempted to back up and the vehicle would not go in to reverse. I had to have my vehicle towed to the dealership where has sat since January. They have not been able to repair the unit. As they are waiting for a wire harness for the door. Vw corporate has been notified and is not been helpful at this point.
Power train, Service brakes, Feb 18, 2021
MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A SLIGHTLY SLOPED DRIVEWAY AND TURNED OFF. AFTER 2 MINUTES, CAR WENT BACK APPROX. 100 FEET THROUGH WALKWAY AND ENDED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF MAIN ROAD. THIS IS A SERIOUS MALFUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE AS IT CAN CAUSE INJURY TO SOMEONE. WHEN CALLED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER, THE REP SAYS THERE IS A RECALL ON ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION CONTROL SOFTWARE UPGRADE BUT I WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT THIS RECALL. IN ADDITION, ON THE NTHSA WEBSITE IT SAYS THE UPGRADE IS FOR "UPDATE TO ADDRESS ELEVATED TAILPIPE EMISSIONS THAT WERE FOUND DURING VEHICLE TESTING".
Service brakes, Feb 2, 2021
2019 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ISSUES WITH AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM WAS OVERLY SENSITIVE AND DISTRACTING. THE CONSUMER STATED TWICE THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM GENERAL ACTIVATES WHEN BACKING OUT OR IN A DRIVE THRU. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED.
Power train, Service brakes, Engine, Jan 7, 2021
VEHICLE STARTED LEAKING FLUIDS 2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING. THE CAR HAS NOW BEEN IN 6 TIMES FOR LEAKING OIL FLUIDS, AS WELL AS NOISY BRAKES, AND A BUCKING TRANNY. HAS HAD SEALS REPLACED, BOOT REPLACED AND IS NOW LEAKING AGAIN 1/2021 IN THE FRONT, AND ALSO LEAKING IN THE REAR OF THE CAR.
Service brakes, Aug 24, 2020
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. I HAVE ENGAGED SEVERAL VW SERVICE TECHNICIANS ABOUT A PERMANENT FIX BUT THEY SAID THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AFTER HEARING OF SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS BUT THERE IS NO PERMANENT FIX. 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.
Service brakes, Aug 12, 2020
THE FRONTAL BRAKING ASSIST. IT LOCKS UP EVEN WHEN IT IS TURNED OFF. IT WILL JUST BRAKE VERY SUDDENLY., CAUSING THE CAR TO LOCK UP. THERE DOESNT EVEN HAVE TO BE A REASON FOR IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE YEAR I HAVE HAD THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN MOTION, AND CITY STREET.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Aug 4, 2020
I WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET WITH NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME AND MY AUTONOMOUS EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED ITSELF BRINGING MY CAR TO AN ABRUPT STOP. THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE STREET, ON THE FRONT ON MY CAR, OR IN FRONT OF ME.
Service brakes, Jul 31, 2020
THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM ACTIVATED TWICE IN SIX WEEKS WHILE PULLING OUT FROM A PARKING LOT ONTO A CITY STREET. THIS HAPPENED AT 2 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS. BOTH TIMES WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE VEHICLE WAS TURNING RIGHT AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP 1/3RD TO 1/2 THROUGH THE TURN.
Service brakes, Mar 5, 2020
DRIVING IN WINDY CONDITIONS, 4 SEPARATE TIMES ON ONE DAY, SENSOR WENT OFF. RED CAR GRAPHIC ON MY SCREEN WITH "SIDE IMPACT" WAVE LINES ON THE SIDES AND CAR AUTOMATICALLY BRAKED SUDDENLY. HAPPENED IN CITY, WHILE IN MOTION. NO OTHER CARS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY AT TIME OF SENSOR WARNING AND BRAKING. 3 OF 4 TIMES HAPPENED AS WAS DRIVING NORTH INTO A STRONG NORTH WIND. NEVER HAD THIS WARNING THROWN BEFORE.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Dec 21, 2019
TWO SEPARATE PROBLEMS. #1 ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE CARS EMERGENCY SYSTEM ACTIVATED WITH NO CARS OR ANYTHING IN PROXIMITY. VW JUST CLEANED SENSORS . IT HAPPENED ONCE AFTER THAT WHILE PARKING THE CAR. #2 WITH ONLY 8000 MILES ON THE BRAKES PULSE WHEN APPLIED. WE WERE TOLD JUST WAIT FOR 1 YEAR SERVICE AND IT WILL BE LOOKED AT. THE TIGUAN WENT IN FRIDAY MORNING AND WE WERE INFORMED THE BRAKE ROTORS ARE WARPED. VW NORTH AMERICA RECOMMEND ROTORS AND ASSOCIATED HARDWARE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. TROUBLESOME ISSUE WITH ONLY 10000 MILES LES THAN I YEAR OLD.
Service brakes, Nov 17, 2019
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A SIDE ROAD IN A PARKING LOT WITH NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME AND NO ONE IN BACK OF ME. SUDDENLY THE CAR BRAKED AND THREW ME FORWARD. IT SCARED THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT OF ME. THERE WAS NO REASON WHY THIS HAPPENED. THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE ROAD. I REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO VOLKSWAGEN AND THEY HAD NO ANSWER AND TOLD ME TO DISABLE THE BRAKING SENSOR WHICH I DID. I FELT THE NEED TO REPORT THIS ISSUE SINCE I FELT THIS WAS A POSSIBLE DEFECT IN THE BRAKING SENSOR. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON A BUSY ROAD I COULD HAVE BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND. AGAIN THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THE SUDDEN BRAKING. THIS IS A LEASED CAR AND WHEN I TURN IT IN I JUST WANT TO LET THEM KNOW THAT THE SENSOR IS TURNED OFF FOR THE NEXT PERSON WHO LEASES IT AND HAS NO IDEA IT IS TURNED OFF. IN SUMMARY, I WAS GOING AROUND 35-40 MPH WHEN THIS BRAKING OCCURRED WITH NO REASON WHATSOVER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
Service brakes, Aug 28, 2019
THE VEHICLES BRAKE LINE THAT WENT INTO THE ABS SYSTEM WAS NOT TIGHT ENOUGH AND BRAKE FLUID LEAKED OUT RESULTING IN THE FAILURE OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE LOSS OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM COULD BE FELT WHILE DRIVING, AND EVENTUALLY RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE NOT STOPPING. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NEW AND HAD 185MILES ON IT WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jul 9, 2019
THE AUTOMATIC BREAKING SENSORS WENT OFF FOR NO REASON. CAR STARTED BREAKING ON IT'S OWN. LUCKILY NO CAR BEHIND ME. CAR WAS IN MOTION ON A 35 MPH PART OF ROUTE 30 IN INDIANA WHEN IT STARTED TO BREAK SUDDENLY. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE IT. I SENT VOLKSWAGEN A MESSAGE AND THEY DIDN'T REPLY.
Service brakes, Jul 8, 2019
MY WIFE WASDRIVING DOWN A RESIDENTIAL STREET NO CARS IN FRONT OR BEHIND. THE AUTONOMOUS BRAKES ACTIVATED AND BROUGHT CAR TO FULL STOP FOR NO REASON.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jul 5, 2019
THE CARS BREAKING ASSISTANCE BRINGS THE CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP AT ANY SPEED. IT WILL BREAK WHEN NOTHING IS AROUND, WHEN BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, DRIVING DOWN FREEWAY, AND PULLING OUT ONTO THE ROAD.
Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, Jul 3, 2019
PURCHASED CAR JUNE 30, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON WAY HOME FROM DEALER. NEXT DAY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OFF, BRAKE POWER BOOST FAILURE FLICKER ON SCREEN, AUTO START/STOP NOT FUNCTIONING, RESTART CAR ALL GONE. NEXT TRIP TIRE PRESSURE WARNING, UNABLE TO RESET. HAD TO GO TO AN APPOINTMENT AND WAS HEADING TO DEALER ON THE WAY HOME, CAR WENT BLACK, LOST ACCELERATION, NO RESPONSE FROM THROTTLE WHILE DRIVING 75MPH ON BUSY FREEWAY. HAD TO COAST ACROSS FIVE LANES OF TRAFFIC TO BE SAFE. RESTART CAR, DROVE TO DEALER. TOTAL AMOUNT OF MILES ON CAR 152. PURCHASED SUNDAY EVENING 6:30 PM IN REPAIR AFTER NEAR COLLISION TUESDAY EVENING 5:00 PM.