My 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan has recurring oil consumption and an inoperative infotainment head unit. The engine requires approximately one additional quart of oil every 2,000 miles between oil changes. This requires repeated monitoring and oil additions. The cause of the oil loss or consumption has not been confirmed. The infotainment screen remains black. It briefly lights up or attempts to start, but does not successfully boot and remains unusable. This is a recurring problem. If accurate: The rearview camera image also does not display when reversing, limiting visibility behind the vehicle. The oil consumption was first noticed as soon as we bought the vehicle new, and reported a couple times at the dealership we purchased from, who then stated it was normal. The head unit problem began around 60,000 miles, around 8/2026.
2023 Volkswagen Tiguan: screen or infotainment failure
5 of the 72 complaints about the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan describe screen or infotainment failure.
- owner complaints
- 5
- of this car's complaints
- 7%
- recalls
- 0
Screen or infotainment failure by model year
What owners say
The infotainment screen went black and does not appear to work. I had tried the method of hard resetting the system and it did not work. I went to get it check at the dealer and it was not able to get fixed. This is a safety hazard as the screen was not able to display the use of the rear camera increasing a risk of a crash. The screen also acts as an aid for the driver which becomes a risk when the display no longer works.This has only occurred once before and fixed on its own. This had unexpectedly happened.
On September 14, 2026, my 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line experienced a sudden electronic/system failure while the vehicle was in use. The infotainment system entered a continuous reboot cycle and subsequently displayed a black screen. At approximately the same time, the SOS/emergency-call indicator illuminated red and the vehicle/app reported “Emergency call function limited! Service vehicle.” Multiple vehicle functions then became unavailable, including Front Assist/automatic emergency braking, cruise control, navigation, compass, and Dynamic Road Sign Display. The instrument cluster displayed active warnings, and the Dynamic Road Sign Display fault generated a loud warning chime approximately every 30 seconds while driving. The repeated audible warning was significantly distracting. Attempts to restart the infotainment system and completely power-cycle the affected systems did not restore normal operation. Disconnecting and reconnecting the 12-volt battery also did not correct the original failure. The vehicle was subsequently taken to an authorized Volkswagen dealership for diagnosis. I am reporting this because the failure was not limited to entertainment or convenience equipment. The electronic failure coincided with loss of multiple driver-assistance functions, including Front Assist/automatic emergency braking, as well as loss of the vehicle’s SOS/emergency-call capability. The repeated warning chimes also created an additional distraction while operating the vehicle. The vehicle is currently at an authorized Volkswagen dealership awaiting diagnosis/repair. Volkswagen Customer CARE case 07734827 has been opened regarding the incident.
The vehicle has experienced multiple intermittent electrical and safety-related malfunctions that have become more frequent over time. The most serious issue involves the Automatic Emergency Braking system activating unexpectedly while the vehicle is slowly reversing out of a residential driveway. The brakes suddenly apply with significant force even when there is no visible obstacle behind the vehicle. This causes the vehicle to stop abruptly, jerks all occupants forward, and creates a risk of being struck by other vehicles because the sudden stop is unexpected. The vehicle has also experienced an intermittent engine shutdown while stopped in traffic. While waiting at a stoplight or waiting for another vehicle to reverse, the engine will unexpectedly shut off and a message appears instructing the driver to place the vehicle in Park. This creates a safety hazard because the vehicle cannot continue moving until it is restarted. Additional intermittent electrical issues include the infotainment/navigation screen freezing or glitching, the air conditioning unexpectedly blowing warm or hot humid air instead of cold air, and the horn failing to operate properly. The horn will sometimes not sound at all or will be much quieter than normal, reducing the driver’s ability to warn other motorists or pedestrians in an emergency. These problems occur intermittently and without warning. There are no consistent warning lights prior to the failures other than the message instructing the driver to place the vehicle in Park when the engine shuts off. The unexpected braking, engine shutdown, and horn malfunction create significant safety concerns for the driver, passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists. The cause of these issues is UNKNOWN.
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
Service bulletins that may apply
- This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during...
- This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during...
- This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during...
- This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during...
- Diagnosis for Excessive Current Draw.
- A "How To" activate Car Net® 2.0
- Replace steering wheel cover.
- Blank Screen, soft reset MIB instruction
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan screen failure
Is screen or infotainment failure a common problem on the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan?
5 of 72 owner complaints about the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan (7%) mention screen or infotainment failure. The model year with the most reports is 2022.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan?
There are 0 recalls and 56 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan
Oil consumption 13Backup camera 9Check engine light 6Hesitation 6Jerking 6Stalling 5
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