Volkswagen Tiguan Complaints (2019)

196 consumer complaints on file.

#11773791October 26, 2026
ENGINE
Car burns excessive oil (1 quart per 1000 miles). Smoke comes from tail pipes. Had PCV replaced. Engine blocked scoped and valve guide #3 is bad. VW has not recalled this common issue and does NOT have the parts available to fix (on 6+ month back order).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773326October 23, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
I am calling to open a formal escalation case against Volkswagen. I just had a major engine replacement now covered under warranty. Immediately upon delivery, the vehicle began severely leaking drivetrain fluid from the bevel box. The dealership text-admitted that their Technical Service Bulletin repair failed and that the unit needs to be replaced, but they are trying to charge me out-of-pocket for a defect directly tied to the warranty repair window. This is a severe safety risk of a drivetrain lockup on the highway. They also notified me after the fact my engine was completed that my catalytic convertor was failing or had failed along with a fan. None of these items were made aware to me while my car was getting a new engine and none of these were existing issues before I brought my car in.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11772588October 21, 2026
ENGINE
Cylinder head failure. Vehicle is currently at VW dealership waiting on part that is in a nationwide backorder as so many are failing. I was told it will be at least a 4-6 week wait for repair, maybe longer as part is backordered. Vehicle had a full inspection done by VW dealership. Vehicle was needing oil in between oil changes, then after last oil change, the low oil light came on 3 days after a full oil change. Then started going through 2 quarts a quart a week and noticed smoke coming from the exhaust. Took it to the VW dealership where I purchased the vehicle to get an inspection and when I told the service center the symptoms, they said it was probably the cylinder head, its a common issue with my engine type. Then after inspection, the service center told us to look up the issue online to see if there are any class action lawsuits as this is such a common issue with my engine type.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770416October 11, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Driving totally fine and my car makes a loud noise, tells me to check starter system and pull over. ALL electronics shut off and engine continues to run. Speedometer, gas gauge, radio screen, lights, turn signals, hazards, brake lights, EVERYTHING electronic shuts off. Starter was checked, battery was checked, alternator was checked, everything is fine. This is a VW issue as MANY 2019 Tiguans have been experiencing this exact issue this year. This is NOT safe!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767562September 28, 2026
ENGINE
The cat has been leaking oil and has gotten worse this past month. The plastic plug has been changed but it keeps leaking.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11764313September 15, 2026
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond, and the vehicle vibrated abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who confirmed the failure but was unable to retrieve any fault codes. The vehicle was also taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to retrieve any fault codes. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11763878September 13, 2026
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vehicle: 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan Mileage: Approximately 84,000 miles Problem: Intermittent Park-position/gear-selector warning and transmission emergency mode My 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan has developed an intermittent safety-related transmission/gear-selector problem. The vehicle intermittently displays the warning: “Only exit vehicle in P position. Please service vehicle.” At other times, the vehicle also displays: “Transmission in emergency mode.” The warnings are intermittent, but they have occurred while operating the vehicle. The problem appears to involve the vehicle’s ability to correctly recognize or communicate the transmission/gear-selector position. I am concerned that this may represent a safety defect involving the gear-selector/Park-position detection system rather than a normal transmission failure. I understand that Volkswagen previously recalled certain 2011–2019 vehicles under NHTSA Recall 19V-615 / Volkswagen Recall 37M2 because of a shift-lever microswitch problem involving incorrect recognition of the Park position. NHTSA’s recall documentation states that an incorrect Park-position signal can create a risk of unintended vehicle rollaway. However, the Tiguan was not included in that recall. I am asking NHTSA to investigate if a similar defect may affect 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles and whether the Tiguan should have been included in the prior recall or whether a separate safety recall/investigation is warranted. Because the vehicle can enter transmission emergency mode and may intermittently fail to correctly recognize the Park/selector position, I believe this warrants review as a potential safety defect. I respectfully request that NHTSA review the complaint history for 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles and determine if it is a safety-related defect. I am also requesting that NHTSA consider whether Volkswagen’s prior recall should have included the Tiguan or whether additional vehicles should now be covered.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11761079August 31, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
On unusually hot days, my VW Tiguan 2019, pops up a Check Start system and shuts down the dash and all electrical components (speedometer, A/C, infotainment system, blindside monitors, brake lights etc.) Car still runs but everything does not work. On searching, there are other VW users complaining about this issue as well making it a known manufacturer defect/issue. I called my local VW dealer letting them know that this is a safety issue and to find out if there is currently a recall for this issue but was told there is none. As this is a massively known safety issue. I think the NTHSA must mandate Volkswagen to do a complete recall for all VW vehicles they know are affected by this issue on their own budget without having consumers have to pay for this repair. Thank you.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11757043August 14, 2026
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am reporting a safety-related electrical defect on my 2019 Tiguan that has been intermittently occurring since March 2026. This typically has happened during the hotter parts of the day when the tempreature in in the 90's. While driving, I get two different warnings that displays; "Check starter system" followed by "ignition-system-shut down". Within a few minutes, the engine continues running but the instrument cluster, HVAC and turn signals lose power. Other electrical systems also shut down like, the radio, navigation, head lamps, and side view mirror adjustment. This creates a serious safety hazard because I lose turn-signal and vehicle-information functions while the vehicle is moving." I have found multiple complaints involving 2019 Tiguans with this exact failure mode, including complaints specifically connecting it to Volkswagen recall 28H7 / NHTSA 23V-604 involving the ignition switch and polyfuse. Volkwagen has not aknowledge, reproduced, nor confirmed this issue. I belive that ithe issue is related to the same problem as Volkswagen's 28H7 / NHTSA 23V-604 ignition-switch recall, which currently applies to certain Jettas. That complaint describes the same combination of engine continuing to run while A/C, instrument cluster, headlights and turn signals lose power. I believe that 28H7 should be expanded to the 2019 Tiguan.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11755432August 7, 2026
ENGINE
The car, a 2019 VW Tiguan, had a “check engine” light come on, and the resulting diagnosis and repairs - using VW’s specific engine fault codes - led to the replacement of both water pumps at 72,000 miles. An investigation of the water pump problem on such cars revealed that Volkswagon previously settled a major nationwide class-action lawsuit (apparently kept secret) covering certain 2014–2021 models with 1.8L and 2.0L engines. This resulted in an extended warranty covering the repair or replacement of failed water pumps. For some reason our car was not covered by the extended warranty, even though the engines in the 2017 Tiguans are all the same. Why weren't we, as the owners of a 2019 Tiguan, notified of the results of the class-action lawsuit, and given the extended warranty? I want to know the difference between the water pumps in the affected vehicles, and the one in our car. The water pump # in her Tiguan is identified as O6L 121 111 M. What differentiates her water pump from those covered by the settlement? Why are we forced to pay a good deal of money to correct a pretty disturbing VW design flaw (a plastic water pump), when others aren’t?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11754140August 1, 2026
ENGINE
This vehicle is burning oil! I have stayed on top of getting the regular/required oil changes but inbetween we have had to constantly top off the oil. I also get all oil changes at the dealer. Last time when I complained about it the guy told me that it would be a lot of work to try to find out why and left it at that. My warranty expires in November and I don't want to get burned by this by needing a new engine!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749983July 13, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle drove over a pothole or an object on the roadway and the vehicle stalled. The failure had reoccurred on several occasions. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749450July 9, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While I'm driving, the engine will still be running, but the entire dash shuts down. The radio turns off. The needles for the speedometer, shift gauge, gas gauge, wont work. The ac turns off, but the engine will still run. The warning ignition turned to off please pull over carefully comes up before everything but the engine, turns off completely
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11748835July 7, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
During Hot weather the vehicles electrical will shut down while driving displaying a message saying check starter system and I will loose all lighting and brake lights and turn signals and HVAC systems and engine will shut off also I was going down the highway when this happened to me and it only happens in hot weather. This has been happening since we purchased the vehicle Volkswagen refuses to fix it and the 2020 models are on recall for this same issues.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11745696June 22, 2026
SUSPENSION
I am submitting this complaint regarding a safety defect on my 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan (VIN: [XXX]) consistent with NHTSA Safety Recall No. 19V188 (VW Recall Code 42J5) - premature fracture of rear axle coil springs. The vehicle exhibits uneven rear ride height indicative of coil spring fracture. The installed rear coil spring bears a manufacturer production label dated November 2018, which falls within the recalled production period (March 2017 – November 2018) identified in the recall documentation for 2018–2019 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles. My VIN falls outside the published recall range. However, the recall documentation expressly acknowledges that affected VINs are non-sequential, as the defect originated in specific sub-supplier production batches. Springs from the same defective batch may have been installed in vehicles outside the published range. The failure mode - premature spring fracture due to substandard material or incorrect manufacturing process parameters - is identical to the defect in Recall 19V188, presenting the same safety risk: rear tire damage, loss of vehicle control, and potential crash. I request that NHTSA investigate whether Recall 19V188 adequately encompasses all affected vehicles and direct Volkswagen to review sub-supplier batch records to determine whether additional VINs warrant inclusion. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11745493June 21, 2026
ENGINE
Oil separator valve went out which caused the upper timing cover gasket, Cambridge assembly seal, oil pan and seal to fail. Could have caused the engine to fail whiling driving which could have resulted in an accident occurring. Confirmed by dealership. No other inspection has been done on it. Oil light came on whiling driving. I put in more oil. It goes in for regular oil changes and as not been noted prior to 6/19/26 that there was an issue with the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743875June 13, 2026
POWER TRAIN
XXX, the emergency mode kept coming on, on the dash of my daughters 2019 Tiguan. I Took the tiguan to VW and they recommended replacement of gear selector unit. This is the car my daughter drives. She recently graduated and is now going to the military, leaving for bootcamp on 6/15. The part has been on backorder for 6 months (since Dec 2025), so she has only been able to drive on short trips and can not take her car to bootcamp or to her first duty station in [XXX]. She is essentially carless due to this issue. We've been waiting on a part of over 6 months. The car is not safe to drive as it also constant message, "Only exit vehicle in P position", "Trans in emergency mode". I can't in good faith sell the car to buy another knowing it has this issue. We have been working with White Allen VW in Dayton Ohio. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743905June 13, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
When driving car will read error code that states there is problem with the starter and shuts off all electric components while engine is still running. Has happened multiple times since initial incident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743681June 12, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While driving my car, I get a loud beep and all of a sudden it says system switch failure pull over safely. It seems to do this on hot days. We thought it was maybe the battery and replaced that at $280. It was fine for about a week and then started doing it again. Everything on my dashboard goes completely blank my AC stops working I cannot see my gauges. Nothing works. It’s very scary especially when you’re driving. You can’t see your speed. Even the manual speed goes out my gas meter doesn’t work. None of the meters work. I just bought this car six months ago. This is absolutely insane and after looking up what is going on with my car this seems to be a very common occurrence which would make me wonder if the ignition switches need to be replaced or the 645 relay is faulty, but it’s not adding up something absolutely needs to be done. It’s an unsafe occurrence that could potentially kill someone while they’re driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11742516June 6, 2026
ENGINE, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
My car jumps and lags due to fuel injector. It will be replaced by Volkswagen but only if there believe it’s Ana issue even though there are several reports of this issue
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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