2023 Volkswagen Tiguan
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 67 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 15th highest complaint count among 17 Tiguan model years with reports.
Of the 2023 reports, 1 involved a crash. 1 person was injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Back over prevention, softwareFeb 12, 2025
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Tiguan, 2023 Arteon, and 2024-2025 Audi Q3 vehicles. An error may occur in the camera control unit at vehicle startup, resulting in the rearview camera image not displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will update the camera control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed to Audi owners April 3, 2024, and Volkswagen owners November 18, 2025.Volkswagen owners will receive a second notice once remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Volkswagen) 91NY and (Audi) 90AV.
Campaign 25V082000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
67 reports, newest first.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 15, 2025
Back up camera malfunction. Most of the time does not work. Gives message on screen
Engine, Sep 16, 2025
I own a 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan (EA888 2.0L). The Check Engine Light has repeatedly illuminated, and multiple scans show recurring EVAP/emissions and network communication faults: P04F0 (EVAP purge line A performance) and P0451 (fuel tank pressure sensor range/performance), along with U1111 00 (“function limitation due to missing message”) and U1123 00 (“databus error value received”). While drivability may seem normal at times, these faults persist and clear/recur, raising concerns about fuel-vapor containment/emissions compliance and potential intermittent loss or limitation of vehicle electronic systems/driver-assistance functions due to CAN-bus communication errors. I’m reporting this because the condition is ongoing, produces a continual CEL, and may present safety and reliability risks if not addressed by the manufacturer.
Engine, Jul 23, 2025
The contact's granddaughter owns a 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while her granddaughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the low oil pressure warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence, where oil was added to the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where an oil change was performed. Additionally, the dealer replaced the oil separator and gasket. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the repair could not be covered because the vehicle was out of warranty and the previous oil changes were not performed by the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.
Engine, Jul 16, 2025
I am experiencing a high oil consumption rate on my 2023 VW Tiguan. VW claims that the rate of consumption is within the 1 Quart every 1200 miles limit, but 3500 miles after an oil change, the check engine oil light came on and I had to add oil. 2000 miles later, it came on again and I had to add oil again. In a 10,000 mile oil change rated car, this would equate to adding 8-9 quarts of oil between changes. This is not normal oil consumption. The effects of increased emissions and premature fouling of the catalytic converter system alone is cause for concern, or the possible loss of engine power on the highway due to failure from lubrication loss, resulting in an accident. The car will emit blue/white smoke from tailpipe and rough idle randomly when the cylinders are overloaded with oil.
Engine, Jul 1, 2025
Extreme oil consumption would cause a catastrophic engine failure. Low oil warning light going off (3 times within 3000 miles) requiring the need to add oil. Oil on dipstick is down to the bottom. Had local Big O check it out - oil had been lost. Currently doing a 1000 mile oil consumption test through dealer. Started at around 48,000 miles. Currently have 52,000.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 14, 2025
The vehicle experiences intermittent (but daily) accelerator lag or failure to respond when the gas pedal is pressed from a stop. There is a significant delay—sometimes several seconds—before the car begins to move, even when the accelerator is fully depressed. This appears to be related to the power train and/or engine system. The hesitation in acceleration has created multiple unsafe situations, including near-miss accidents while turning left across traffic or entering intersections, when the car failed to respond as expected. This hesitation could easily result in a collision, particularly in high-traffic areas. The issue has been reported to the dealership on multiple occasions and while they have been able to reproduce the problem, it isn't every time and they turn the vehicle back over to us unresolved. Video documentation of the malfunction has been submitted to the service department, and they have acknowledged the issue is being reviewed by VW engineers. The vehicle has been inspected multiple times by the authorized Volkswagen dealership service department. Engineers from the manufacturer have reportedly been involved in the review, though we have not yet received a confirmed diagnosis. There are no warning lamps, dashboard messages, or error indicators associated with the accelerator issue. The first noticeable delay in acceleration from a stop occurred at least 6 months ago and has continued intermittently since.
Back over prevention, May 30, 2025
System: The rearview camera system on my 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan failed and has not worked reliably since shortly after lease. The camera intermittently displays a black screen or fails to activate when the vehicle is placed in reverse. This issue has persisted despite normal vehicle use. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: This defect presents a serious safety risk. Rear visibility is critical to avoid hitting unseen pedestrians, children, or obstacles when reversing. The rearview camera is a federally required safety feature for a reason. I am especially concerned because I often drive in residential areas and near schools — places where children may be behind a vehicle without being visible through mirrors alone. I am a parent myself, and the thought of potentially harming someone due to a malfunctioning camera is deeply distressing. This unresolved defect has caused significant anxiety and fear each time I drive. I do not feel safe operating this vehicle, and I worry constantly that I might unintentionally harm someone due to the lack of full rear visibility. It has diminished my confidence and peace of mind behind the wheel. Dealer Confirmation: Yes. I brought the vehicle to the dealership, where it was kept and I was later told they could not fix the issue because no remedy is currently available. No loaner was provided during that time, and I was left without transportation while believing the vehicle was being repaired. Inspection History: The vehicle was inspected by the authorized Volkswagen dealership. However, no repair was made due to the lack of an available fix. It has not been reviewed by police or insurance representatives. Symptoms/Warning Signs: There were no warning lights or dashboard alerts, but the camera would randomly fail, showing a black screen or partial image when reversing. These symptoms started within the first few months of leasing the car and continue
Insert, Padding, Other/i am not sure, Mar 17, 2025
My Rava car seat was recalled voluntarily due to an issue with the harness tether loosening from debris getting into the latch secondary to a manufacturer design flaw. When replacing my car seat cover as per the recall instructions, I discovered the impact foam on my Rava was completely cracked down the middle. The car seat has never been moved out of my vehicle since the initial install other than to replace the cover as per recall instructions, and my car along with the car seat have never been in an accident. I only discovered the cracked impact foam because I was replacing the car seat cover as per the recall instructions. I have no idea how long the car seat had been compromised like this as I have never had to remove the cover for any reason. I contacted Nuna about this issue and they stated since it is out of the 2 year warranty they can’t do anything about it and to discontinue use. I am now out the $600 I spent on a car seat that allegedly had stellar safety ratings. There are hundreds of people on online forums complaining about the same issue with Nuna’s impact foam. Had I not discovered this malfunction my daughter could have been seriously injured in the event of a crash. This is a huge safety issue and should be addressed with the company. I do have photos I can send in a separate email, however, will not upload on this web forum.
Vehicle speed control, Jan 21, 2025
The contact owned a 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated causing the vehicle to veer off the road, and the contact lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 14,171.
Engine, Jan 6, 2025
The oil level light has come on 4 times. The car has under 20,000 miles on it. This puts my safety and others' safety at risk as low oil can cause the engine to stop working rendering the car dangerous if the oil becomes too low while driving. This is a known problem with VW Tiguan's and there is a current lawsuit regarding their oil consumption. The dealer has topped off the oil when needed. The oil light comes on and is typically a quart or more low when checked.
Other or unspecified, Dec 30, 2024
Severe oil consumption approximately every 2,000 miles the oil light comes on and I have to take it in. Had it serviced at 10,000 miles was told nothing was wrong. The oil light came on again after about 2000 miles from service. Have taken it for oil top off about 7 times approximately every 2,000 miles or so since purchased.
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving 35-40 MPH, the engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was leaking oil. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the oil separator, PCV Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve, and gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. who confirmed there was no recall coverage. The approximate failure mileage was 56,000.
Air bags, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Nov 13, 2024, crash
While driving south bound on i95 express lane, the vehicle in front of me stopped abruptly. I attempted to break but was unable to do so. Also the emergency breaks/front vehicle collision warning did not activate. In order to avoid a head on collision, I swerved to the right and my front left side made impact to the other vehicle on their right back side. This impact cause my vehicle to spin out of the express lane and into the regular traffic 180 degrees causing me to be facing incoming traffic. The air bags did not deploy- the state trooper, fire safety, and tow truck representative all commented that it should have. After the incident FDOT had to tow my vehicle to the shoulder prior to being towed away. During this time I was not able to turn the engine off- it remained on and was towed with the engine still running. The vehicle is currently under assessment with my insurance provider.
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Nov 11, 2024
Loud break noise Randomly not operative automatic emergency break
Tires, Sep 11, 2024
Was driving on highway at 74 mph when the vehicles loss of air warning light came on. Five seconds later, I heard a pop which caused me to lose slight control of suv. Managed to pull safely over to the right side of highway where I managed to put on the spare tire. Luckily there was no other car to our right when the tire blew if not we would have hit another car and the incident could have been much worse. The tire was taken to two Volkswagen dealerships and they found no signs of nails or glass. It is unknown what caused the tire to rupture in such a way that it left multiple holes and cracks on the tire. The tire size is 255/45 R19 100H M+S
Other or unspecified, Sep 5, 2024
The cable for the Hood latch release has become separated/detached from the release Mechanism.
Engine, Aug 20, 2024
Vw tiguan 2023 consume a lot of engine oil every 2000 and 3000 mile the oil engine light turn on and it shows that oil level is low and that 2nd time happens since I bought the car in 01/2023 the service manager in vw las vegas sahara told me that normal every 3000 mile you have to add oil I told him that new car not 20 years old car so he told me that how it is can you please investigate the issue now I scare to drive far and there is a lot complain online about the issue thank you
Forward collision avoidance, Jun 5, 2024
Twice now I’ve been driving with no vehicles or anything in front or even behind me & the big red collision warning comes on & the brakes activate.
Engine, May 21, 2024
VW Dealership in West Lebanon NH is acknowledging that there is an issue with VW Tiguan engines burning oil at a higher rate than the standard. The fuel low indicator keeps coming on. They advise me to add oil which is coming out of my pocket vs theirs under warranty. I've had two appointments. They are now doing a fuel consumption test and I have to return for a 3rd appointment. They stated they are seeing a lot more folks like myself coming in with lower mile Tiguan with this issue. Normally they are seeing many with 50K + miles. While I was there another customer overheard the service adviser talking to me and he said he has the same issue. Blue puffs of smoke coming out of the back too when we start car. Seems like this is a huge issue that is now coming to light. Dealership told me i'm at a stage 2 with VW and next steps is taking engine apart and warning VW of issue.
Forward collision avoidance, May 19, 2024
The Automatic Emergency Braking, also called Front Assist, activates for no reason. No cars or elements in front of the vehicle. I'm trying not to use cruise control for fear that the Automatic Emergency Braking system might fail and cause an accident. My vehicle was inspected twice by a Volkswagen dealerhsip located in Michigan, and on both occasions, they told me they didn't find any faults, but while I'm driving the alarm keeps activating suddenly every 2 or 3 weeks. On the other hand, I've noticed that sometimes I approach another vehicle very quickly, which in my opinion should trigger the alarm, but it doesn't activate.
Electrical system, May 13, 2024
The vehicle trunk automatically opens when parked and the doors will unlocked.
Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Apr 22, 2024
On [XXX], I took this vehicle to Galpin VW for service on the collision warning system which began to malfunction on a daily basis and would spontaneously come on multiple times throughout the day, without any other vehicles in front of me nor around me. The service advisor at this service center, Pedro silva, declared to me and my wife that this vehicle was unsafe to drive and stated that he is in contact with VW and their engineering department which instructed to run additional tests on this vehicle. This vehicle now has been in service for this same issue for 6 days and running, including the previous attempt to fix this same issue at Winn VW earlier in the week, which failed to result in any correction. The Galpin advisor further stated that he can not release the vehicle to us in this condition and must continue working on this serious issue in which we agreed, since we can not accept such a vehicle in this extremely dangerous condition. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 21, 2024
Brand new VW Tiguan. The start stop system has failed since a month after I bought it. When I am stopped at a stoplight, stop sign or in traffic, often the vehicle will completely shut off and die. The dash displays a message that says must "manually restart". So then you have to put the car in park and press the engine start button again. This happens every few weeks at random since I've bought the car. I have had it into two different Volkswagen dealerships for a total of four times. Volkswagen has not been able to fix the issue and in fact they say several times it has not even showed a code when they scan it. It's very very concerning that the vehicle computer/scanner isn't even picking up this issue!!! This is a huge safety concern as sometimes when the vehicle dies I am holding up traffic on the freeway or in intersections.
Other or unspecified, Apr 15, 2024
From a stop the vehicle has a dangerous delay. From the time the pedal is pressed until the vehicle moves it can be a second or even two. The delayed response has come close to causing me to be rear ended on multiple occasions.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Mar 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the odor of fuel was present. Upon inspection, the contact discovered a fuel leak underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who discovered a small hole in the seam of the fuel tank. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 10,000.