Volkswagen Tiguan harsh shifting problems

Filed Oct 22, 2026 · Steering · 82,000 miles · ME

The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a clunking sound coming from the vehicle while depressing the brake pedal and making left turns. The contact stated that the failure became worse over time. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the steering rack mounting bolt was fractured due to corrosion and half of the bolt had seized. The contact was advised that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact was notified about the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V590000 (STEERING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 82,000.

Filed Sep 27, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · ME

This is an additional complaint concerning the same vehicle previously reported under ODI XXX. On XXX, while the vehicle was in Drive and moving at approximately 5 mph in [XXX], it unexpectedly shut off and shifted itself into Park. On XXX, while reversing, the vehicle suddenly lost all power and the engine shut off while the transmission was still in Reverse. The vehicle had to be shifted into Park before it would restart. Photographs were taken immediately after the XXX incident and are available. These repeated shutdowns created a serious risk of a crash or injury. The vehicle has an extensive repair history, including a transmission replacement, but continues to experience hard shifting, vibration at all speeds including during acceleration, intermittent check-engine lights, electrical problems, camera and infotainment failures, and remote-start failures. There was no immediate warning before either shutdown. Volkswagen has been notified. The vehicle is now included in Volkswagen safety recall 57KL/the federal safety agency 26V587 for Body Control Module software that may reset unexpectedly, switch off the ignition, cause an engine stall, and disable controls, warning lights, exterior lighting, or the rearview camera. The recall remains incomplete. The vehicle is available for inspection. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 8, 2026 · Electrical, Suspension · ME

Since purchasing this new 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan, I have experienced repeated electrical and drivability defects despite multiple repair attempts by an authorized Volkswagen dealership. The vehicle has been out of service approximately 70+ days, including a transmission replacement, a loose ball joint and suspension repairs. Defects include repeated check engine lights, remote start failures, false "door ajar" warnings, intermittent warning messages, vibration while driving, and hard shifting. The vehicle also shut off while I was reversing and had to be shifted into Park before it would restart. Before taking the vehicle back, I asked the dealership whether it was safe to drive and did not receive a response. After the vehicle was retrieved from the dealership for the 4th time, several defects recurred within approximately 44 minutes, and the check engine light returned the following night. I believe these recurring defects present a safety risk to me, my passengers, and other motorists.

Filed Oct 27, 2023 · Steering · VA

In September 2022, we began to hear clunking sounds from the front left, especially when turning. We took the vehicle to the VW dealer and were told that there is a known issue with the steering and they will order the part. At this point, the vehicle was still under warranty. For several months, we continued to ask the dealer for an update on the part and were told that it was back-ordered but to continue driving the vehicle, as it was safe to do so. We continued to drive the vehicle as our daily driver. We also informed the VW dealer that the clunking was becoming louder and more prevalent. They continued to tell us the vehicle was safe and the part was back-ordered, with no estimate of when it would be back in stock. We asked about the part every time the vehicle was at the dealer, and called periodically to check in, almost every month until August 2023. At no point did VW reach out to us. Fast forward to September 2023. We took the vehicle to a local mechanic for a routine oil change, and asked that they evaluate the steering. This mechanic told us to stop driving the vehicle immediately as the vehicle could lose steering at any time. I immediately called the dealer and was told again that the vehicle was safe to drive. When I informed the dealer that I had in writing to stop driving the vehicle immediately, they offered us a loaner. The dealer stated there is still no estimated time of delivery for the needed part, and also stated that 800+ vehicles are waiting on the same part. I assume not all these vehicles have been parked & that most remain on the road, unaware that they may lose their steering.

Filed Aug 21, 2023 · Driver assistance, Transmission · MO

August 11,2023 went to dealer for oil change and Halodex fluid service at Napleton VW of Springfield, Missouri. Two hours later on drive from Springfield to Dallas, Texas outside Pryor, Oklahoma the following happened: In right hand lane on cruise at 72mph in 65mph, heard clunk in rear. Lost power and car began to slow down. Pulled over and Halodex fluid was spewing from under car. Car would not go into gear and move. Had vehicle towed to closest VW dealer Don Thornton of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Was determined rear differential failed. VW has not offered reason why a 2022 VW Tiguan SEL r-line premium with 49,000 miles approximately had a powertrain failure. In August of last year (12 months ago) we owned a 2017 VW Atlas SEL that had the same issue after an oil change and Halodex fluid service. A clunk was heard and grinding of gears. VW of Wichita, Kansas bought the car from us and put us in the 2022 Tiguan.

Filed Jun 13, 2023 · Acceleration, Transmission · OH

When engine is cold, the transmission hesitates/stutters and then slams into gear. After a couple of minutes of driving, the issue stops. Turning the auto start/stop off does not have an impact on the hesitation/stuttering. This is a safety issue. Dealership claims they cannot replicate and no issues on computer diagnostics. Issue has been on going since it was purchased.

Filed Jan 25, 2023 · Acceleration, Transmission · WA

Acceleration and shifting at low speeds (below 25mph) is unpredictable. The car will hesitate and then lurch forward in an unpredictable way when reversing up a slope and when starting from a stop, particularly on a hill. The unpredictable nature of the issue, and the tendency of the vehicle to lag and then surge creates a significant safety concern. We took the car to the VW dealer we purchased it from for service. They confirmed there is a problem, and said they have received other complaints. They reset some settings, this did not correct the problem. Since then we have experienced a clunking noise sometimes when the car is shifting gears at low speeds.

Filed Jan 18, 2022 · Suspension · IL

The car has had 10 safety recalls with one being the suspension. The suspension problem hasn’t been fixed as the car makes a loud clunking noise when driving it. My car has been to Volkswagen twice and they stated that the car was fine and they have no solution for the sound. This really needs to investigated. I googled the noise to see what it was and there are a lot of people that are complaining about this noise. I just bought my car and I’m literally about to trade it in because of this.

Filed Jun 3, 2020 · Engine · 8,000 miles · IL

New 2019 tiguan s 4motion purchased in feb 2020 and has about 8k miles. Already having issues with hard shifting (both up and down) and have had the vehicle chug/stall and almost cause a crash 2 times now because it wouldn't accelerate. All of these issues are after about half hour of driving. Hard downshift is normally around 20-30mph and up shift 30-40. Never jerked before and now it's hard and very unsafe.

Filed Dec 11, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 32,000 miles · CA

On multiple occasions, subject vehicle displayed check engine light and epc light at random intervals, causing car to unexpectedly be limited to 4,000 RPM and unable to accelerate past 40mph. As a result, this put driver in extremely unsafe situations and endangered safety of passengers and fellow drivers, particularly on highway. First encountered at 34,000 miles on odometer. Persisted through 41,000 miles. Seconds before error is encountered, vehicle would run rough and undergo rough shifts. In addition, vehicle also suffered with sluggish acceleration from stop. Vehicle taken to service center multiple occasions. On first encounter, technician instructed simply to reset vehicle. When taken second time, code p0203 injector short circuit cyl 3 was diagnosed and engine harness replaced. However, issue continued. When taken third time, injector harness replaced.