Volkswagen Tiguan sudden acceleration problems

Filed Apr 4, 2026 · Brakes · NJ · crash

Car suddenly accelerates on its own and does not respond to breaks.

Filed Sep 22, 2025 · Fuel system, Transmission · CA

My 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan (purchased used) has a recurring and unsafe issue related to acceleration and the automatic start/stop feature. When accelerating from a stop or while maintaining slight pressure on the gas pedal, the vehicle lurches forward as if aggressively accelerating, even though my foot pressure has not changed. Additionally, when the start/stop feature re-engages after idling, the vehicle sometimes lunges forward despite my foot being firmly on the brake pedal. This behavior has occurred multiple times, creating near-miss situations that could have resulted in accidents. Service History: The issue was replicated by one Volkswagen technician during an overnight test drive but was not accurately reflected in the official service notes. A different technician (shop foreman) later claimed the concern could not be replicated and dismissed it as a “normal vehicle characteristic,” despite my report. The dealership performed a factory reset but the problem persists. Safety Concern: This is a serious safety risk that poses a danger to myself, my passengers, and others on the road. I am especially concerned because my teenage daughter is about to begin driving this vehicle, and I do not feel it is safe for her. Manufacturer Response: Volkswagen of America has declined my buyback request, stating that the situation “does not merit an offer.” I strongly disagree, as the vehicle’s behavior is not normal or acceptable, and could result in unintended acceleration accidents. Request: I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate whether this issue is a defect in the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan and whether other vehicles may be experiencing the same unsafe condition.

Filed Aug 30, 2024 · Acceleration · AZ

The extreme acceleration delayed in responding. It has happened on a few occasions causing me to have to quickly brake the vehicle once it finally responds to avoid hitting any traffic in front of me, but one of the occasions was When I tried to make a left turn in an intersection, I pressed on the accelerator and the car moved forward very slightly then stopped and would not move forward, I attempted to get the car to move as cars were then headed straight towards me and I pressed all the way down on the accelerator, after a few seconds it finally responded and jumped forward just in time for the cars coming towards me not to hit my car. After this I immediately took it into the dealership, they confirmed this was a known issue with the Volkswagen Tiguans as well as some Atlas’ however this was an issue with the computer in the car and they had attempted to fix the issue with an update to the computer but had no success therefore they had no way to resolve the issue and we would just have to take the car back as is. This issue put my life, my kid and my unborn child at risk as it would not move, after the dealership confirmed they knew this was an issue with this particular type of vehicle and saying they had absolutely no fix for it so therefore they would do nothing for us is completely unacceptable and when we bought the car no one informed us of this issues so I am very concerned there are many more individuals facing the same safety risk driving this vehicle and I feel it too unsafe to drive until they have a resolution.

Filed Jun 26, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · PA

After starting the car, upon first acceleration, the car hesitates badly and has the tendency to lunge forward. It feels like it may stall. When I say cold, I mean when the engine has cooled down. This does not have to do with outside temperature. It happens when it's warm outside as well and the engine has cooled down. This issue has been present since taking ownership in Dec 2022. This poses a serious injury risk to pedestrians as I can not anticipate my acceleration even with light pressure on the gas. In addition, it poses a risk to my car, myself, surrounding vehicles and motorists. Please look into this issue. I've done some research and found other VW Tiguan owners who are experiencing the same hesitation and were told by the dealer as well that they can't fix the problem.

Filed Apr 14, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · WI

I have owned the vehicle since October 2022, currently ~4,400 miles. During second week of ownership, backup camera was blank upon startup and placing vehicle into reverse. A system reboot solved the issue, but several reboots have been required in subsequent months. Common that audio doesn't initiate (from any source) as well. Second issue - cold-engine acceleration is borderline dangerous as the vehicle can seem to bog down then lurch with sudden acceleration. After engine warms, this does not occur. Third issue - during straight-line driving, car sometimes changes gears for no apparent reason - sometimes not smoothly. Downshifting can skip gears far too often. Final issue - safety sensors (collision warning) have activated at least twice since owning (6 months) for no reason - looks like 'red space invader' in center of dash and loud chime comes on as well.

Filed Mar 20, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · NY

When the car engine is cold, upon first acceleration, the car hesitates badly and has the tendency to lunge forward. It feels like it may stall. When I say cold, I mean when the engine has cooled down. This does not have to do with outside temperature. It happens when it's warm outside as well and the engine has cooled down. This issue appeared when I first took ownership of the vehicle in July of 2022. This poses a serious injury risk when making turns with oncoming traffic. It hesitates to the point that oncoming traffic may hit my vehicle if there isn't enough room for them to stop in time. The vehicle was inspected by the dealer and they were able to recreate the issue. Unfortunately, they said this is a known issue and they can't do anything about it. Diagnostics did not report any failure codes and the car computer firmware is up to date. I am fearful for my life and whoever is in my vehicle. Please look into this issue. I've done some research and found other VW Tiguan owners who are experiencing the same hesitation and were told by the dealer as well that they can't fix the problem.

Filed Jan 28, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · GA

Sudden Acceleration Issue. Leaving a parking lot at low acceleration my 2022 VW Tiguan SEL R-line suddenly accelerated. I was able to stomp on the brake pedal to remedy the situation. This happened twice in a 12 hour period. I have not yet taken it to the dealer as this is a rare incident at this time. All seemed like normal operation at the time the issue happened.

Filed Sep 16, 2019 · Acceleration · 105,000 miles · CA · crash

In a shopping center parking lot. As I was pulling into a parking spot, the vehicle surged forward, gas pedal stuck. Proceeded to jump the curb, ran over a sign, and then into a large flower pot. All the while motor running at high RPM's, until the ignition was turned off. The entire front of the car was damaged.

Filed Dec 11, 2018 · IN

While driving at no particular speed without objects/animals/other vehicles in sight the car emits a beep along with the red flashing car collision signal across the front panel then occasionally slams the brakes with so much force that myself(driver) and passengers are lunged forward. This has happened mostly during sunny days on multiple types of roads such as interstates and city streets regardless of turning or driving straight.

Filed Jul 5, 2018 · Acceleration, Transmission · 1,500 miles · IL

The vehicle has a start/stop feature that is on by default and is dangerous when waiting to make a turn. It temporarily shuts the car down and restarts upon release of the brake pedal to move the car forward which causes severe hesitation in excelleration. To make matters worse the transmission in this vehicle jerks and hesitates. When it does finally kick in it causes the car to surge forward to fast and makes it difficult to drive and handle in a turn, epecially with oncoming traffic. Have almost been t-boned a few times due to both of these issues. We dont feel safe in this vehicle!! These issues need to be addressed by volkswagon before someone is seriously hurt. We love the styling and look of our tiguan but feel the transmission and start/stop issues are very unsafe!!