The PCV valve has failed twice, resulting in oil leaks onto hot surfaces. Leak could lead to hazardous conditions by oil being sprayed onto exhaust surfaces. Dealer confirmed the PCV valve was the failed part.
The worst 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine58
- Electrical26
- Driver assistance13
- Fuel system12
- Body11
- Transmission11
- Visibility9
- Brakes6
- Acceleration5
- Lights5
- Airbags2
- Suspension2
- Locks1
- Seat belts1
- Steering1
- Tires1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan
Oil consumption 24Check engine light 17Engine failure 11Sunroof shattered 8Loss of power 7Adaptive cruise 5Backup camera 5Fire or smoke 5
Trouble codes owners of the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan mention
P24D6 3
Recalls 5
Equipment: electrical: infotainment: software
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Golf GTI, Jetta GLI, Jetta NF, Arteon FL, Tiguan LWB, 2022 Taos, Jetta PA, Tiguan PA, 2021-2022 Atlas Cross Sport, and Atlas FL vehicles. The manufacturing process of the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system may cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Risk
- A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the infotainment software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DV.
Recall number 22V514000 · Recall details
Structure: body
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- An insufficiently attached spoiler may separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 22V226000 · Recall details
Suspension
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Tiguan, Taos, and 2021 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. A second notice will be sent once remedy parts become available. The left or right rear suspension knuckles may corrode, crack, and break.
- Risk
- A broken rear suspension knuckle can cause a loss of stability, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace one or both rear suspension knuckles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 13, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42L8.
Recall number 22V176000 · Recall details
Seats: critical fasteners
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Long Wheelbase and Jetta vehicles. Bolts may be missing from the front seat tracks.
- Risk
- The seat can move front and back without restriction if bolts are missing, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat tracks and, as necessary, install the bolts, free of charge. The recall began February 18, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 72L6.
Recall number 21V038000 · Recall details
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan LWB, Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas FL and Arteon vehicles. The rear view camera could malfunction during an ignition cycle, leading to a black screen or infotainment system freeze. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Risk
- A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91BB/91BC.
Recall number 20V716000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan 517
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Volkswagen Warranty has extended the coverage for the overhead console on 2019-2022 Tiguan Vehicles for 2...
- These documents are for the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) Limited Warranty Extension as part of the...
- Prevent Sporatic Misfire Faults.
- Checking engine oil level.
- Reprogramming Control Module process
- Condensation and or water droplets visible on inside of exterior light lenses
- Condensation
- This OTA update addresses a potential issue with special characters being broadcast over HD radio.
- Engine missfire diagnostic aid
- Identifying and Mixing Volkswagen Engine Coolants
2021 Volkswagen Tiguan fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 23 | 29 | 25 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | AWD | 21 | 27 | 24 |
What 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The 5F module on our 2021 VW Tiguan has bricked our infotainment screen after a botched software update sent from VW. We are having to drive our car without the use of a GPS, rear view camera, radio and defrost system because VW has not currently got this issue on recall, and we are not under warranty. This was a problem caused soley by VW’s software update and has nothing to do with our driving or service of the car.
A software update from Volkswagen causes the infotainment system to crash and become unusable and no longer functions. Car owner is forced to purchase a new infotainment control system which is back ordered nationally with no estimation of arrival. The back up camera, and rear traffic warning no longer works as the screen is black. There is no radio, safety controls, vehicle notifications, no media control or connectivity to phones. This is a national problem, this is effecting thousands of Volkswagens through various models and years. Its a known problem, and Volkswagen is aware of it caused by their mandatory OTA update.
I am writing because of a premature rear axle coil spring fracture , which could have caused immediate risk of tire puncture and loss of vehicle control. An engine light had come on in our vehicle, and we brought it in to the dealer to find out why. They could not find any reason that the light had come on, and said everything was fine, but that they did find that the rear spring was broken. We are aware that in 2019, Volkswagon had a recall on some of its models, and I believe that there is a design flaw that made this happen in our vehicle. The technician sent us a video of the situation. Unfortunately, the file of this video is too large to attach.
The high pressure fuel pump has failed within 40,000 miles and now again at 110,000 miles. It causes the vehicle to randomly turn in drive and while idle. It has had oil consumption issues and oil leak issues that constantly occur. The dealer has replaced the high pressure fuel pump under warranty 40,000 miles and has now detected it needs to be replaced again at 110,000 miles. I paid for oil leak repair which was over 5,000 dollars and now I have another oil leak issues with the oil separator.
At 58,218 miles, the engine on this 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan failed after excessive oil consumption progressed to engine knocking. The vehicle was brought to Volkswagen of Orange Park on July 24, 2025, for excessive oil consumption. The dealer performed a second oil-consumption test. During the test, the engine was heard knocking. The dealer removed the oil pan and found excessive metal. Volkswagen replaced the engine under warranty. The repair invoice was dated August 31, 2025. This created a safety concern because an engine failure can cause loss of propulsion or stalling while driving. The dealer confirmed and repaired the condition.
At approximately 53,876 miles, my 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan experienced a severe, premature failure of the Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve / oil separator assembly. The failure of this component caused an immediate, dangerous buildup of internal crankcase over-pressurization. Because the excess pressure could not vent safely, it caused a catastrophic domino effect through the engine block, structurally blowing out multiple critical engine gaskets and rubber oil seals. Furthermore, the extreme downward pressure physically cracked the factory-installed composite plastic oil pan, leading to an immediate and rapid engine oil leak. A sudden and rapid loss of engine oil and internal oil pressure while operating a vehicle at highway speeds poses an extreme safety hazard. Had the oil pressure dropped completely while driving with my children in the vehicle, it could have resulted in a sudden engine seizure, sudden loss of motive power, or complete engine failure on a live highway, placing my family and surrounding drivers in imminent danger of a high-speed collision. Volkswagen is aware of this engine design defect, as evidenced by active internal Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) and a pending federal class-action lawsuit (Reece v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.) detailing identical PCV-induced seal and plastic oil pan failures in the exact same model year. Volkswagen's failure to issue a safety recall for this unlisted "lifetime" part forces families to drive under the threat of sudden component blowout and subsequent engine failure. A mandatory safety investigation and recall are required to address this systemic powertrain defect.
2021 Tiguan parking brake comes on without being commanded. There is a fault with the drivers door. I believe the the driver door module or corresponding wiring. The front drivers window toggle switch does not work the toggles switches for the rest of the window work only if the is not an error displayed on the dash. The lock button does not work on the drivers door at all and only works on the rest of the door when an error message is not displayed on the dash. The dash displays the following errors: 1. Driver Door Contact Switch. 2. Start/Stop. 3. Electronic Parking Brake. It also displays Attention: Engine is running. So far the parking brake only comes on(un commanded) when the vehicle is stopped.
Like many others, at 55k miles, our oil separator malfunctioned causing our oil pan to crack and dump every drop of oil. We had to replace the oil pan and fortunately our mechanic friend figured out it was the new pcv valve malfunction causing too much pressure in the engine. My wife was luckily pulling onto our property when the car essentially shut itself off. When searching for the valve I needed, talking to multiple parts dealers and then a vw tech, none of them are sure why there’s no recall. It happens between 50-60k to THOUSANDS of people now. Then I watched videos on the issue and the mechanics online are all saying the same thing- this should’ve been a recall 2 years ago and are all asking the same question. It’s time VW does what’s right. It’s awfully coincidental that they installed plastic oil pans that would crack and leak under instead pressure, rather than a blowout seals because of the valve failure.
The J949 SOS emergency communication unit failed, disabling vehicle 911 automatic crash notifications and emergency response capabilities.” the federal safety agency opens defect investigations based on consumer complaint clusters for this exact failure pattern.
Compare the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan
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Other model years
200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
Questions about the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan
Is the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?
Owners have filed 146 complaints about the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, close to a typical Tiguan model year.
What is the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan year score?
The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan scores 71 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Volkswagen Tiguan: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?
Engine and cooling, with 58 complaints, typically around 53,000 miles. Next is electrical (26).
How many recalls does the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan have?
5 recalls, covering equipment, structure and suspension.
What year does the Volkswagen Tiguan have bad engine?
The Volkswagen Tiguan model years with the most engine complaints are 2022 (120 complaints), 2009 (88 complaints) and 2018 (82 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan get?
Official estimates for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan range from 24 to 25 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 23 city and 29 highway.
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