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2021 Volkswagen Tiguan reliability record

NHTSA consumer complaints and recall campaigns for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan from the dataset labeled 2026. The source file does not provide an exact snapshot date. Use the reported issues to guide further checks; these counts do not establish failure rates or repair costs.

NHTSA source snapshot · 2026Consumer reports are not verified defects Official source
NHTSA complaints
174
Dataset year: 2026; snapshot day not provided
Top problem area
ENGINE
41 complaints
Recalls on record
5
see below
Reported harm
6 reported crashes · 4 injuries

How this record compares

raw NHTSA counts, not defect rates

Counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold, time in service or reporting frequency. A larger count does not establish a higher chance of failure, and these comparisons do not set the maintenance budget in our calculator.

Complaint rank

#2,896

of 4,194 vehicle records

Vs Volkswagen median

-75

median 249 across 119 Volkswagen records

Vs 2019-2023

-65

median 240 complaints in 444 records

Top component share

24%

Engine: 41 complaints

What owners report fails — 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

  • ENGINE 41
  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER 28
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 21
  • FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 10
  • POWER TRAIN 10

5 recalls on record for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

  • NHTSA 22V514000 · 2022 · EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:INFOTAINMENT:SOFTWA A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
  • NHTSA 22V176000 · 2022 · SUSPENSION A broken rear suspension knuckle can cause a loss of stability, increasing the risk of a crash.
  • NHTSA 22V226000 · 2022 · STRUCTURE:BODY An insufficiently attached spoiler may separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a cr
  • NHTSA 21V038000 · 2021 · SEATS:CRITICAL FASTENERS The seat can move front and back without restriction if bolts are missing, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
  • NHTSA 20V716000 · 2020 · BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CA A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Look up these campaign numbers at NHTSA.gov →

Estimate the 5-year cost to own a 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

Build a separate budget with your purchase price, insurance quote, mileage and maintenance estimate. Complaint counts do not enter that calculation. Unknown local taxes and fees stay listed as costs to confirm.

Open TCO calculator

These are unverified consumer reports and manufacturer recalls filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not validated defect rates, and not adjusted for how many 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan units were produced or sold. High-volume and older vehicles naturally accumulate more complaints. Use this as one research signal, not a verdict on any individual vehicle. Dataset year: 2026; exact snapshot day not supplied. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain).

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?

NHTSA has 174 consumer complaints on record for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan and 5 recalls. The most-reported problem area is engine (41 reports). These are unverified consumer reports filed with the government, not validated failure rates, and are not adjusted for how many 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan units were produced — popular vehicles naturally accumulate more reports.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?

Owners most often report problems with: engine (41), unknown or other (28), electrical system (21), fuel/propulsion system (10). Each figure is the number of complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

How much does it cost to own a 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?

This complaint dataset does not measure repair prices or predict a maintenance budget for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan. Use your purchase price, insurance quotes, fuel use and a maintenance estimate in the separate five-year cost calculator. It does not convert complaint counts into repair costs, and any unknown taxes remain excluded and clearly listed.

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