2021 Volkswagen Tiguan reliability record
Every consumer complaint and recall the U.S. government (NHTSA) has on file for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan — the repair risk behind the ownership cost.
- NHTSA complaints
- 174
- 173 in the last 5 years
- 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 ratesComplaint 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.
Estimate the 5-year cost to own a 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan
A vehicle's complaint record hints at the repair and maintenance budget you'll need. Add your state, purchase price, and mileage to the TCO calculator for the full picture.
Open TCO calculatorThese 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. Data as of 2026. 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?
Ownership cost depends on your state taxes, insurance, fuel, and the maintenance the vehicle's reliability record implies. Use the CarOutlay 5-year TCO calculator to estimate the full cost including the repair risk this complaint record suggests.