Owners have reported 5 crashes, 1 fire and 4 injuries to NHTSA for the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints41
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan frequently report issues with the electrical system, particularly involving a sudden loss of power and failure of electronic components. Typical symptoms include the entire dashboard and electronic systems shutting off unexpectedly, often triggered by high temperatures, with messages like "check starter system" appearing. These incidents commonly occur soon after starting the vehicle and are sometimes linked to the ignition switch, which shares a part number with a recalled Jetta model. Complaints mention mileage around 70,000 to 74,000 at the time of failure. Safety implications are significant, as one report involves a crash and another a fire, highlighting potential risks of loss of control. Buyers should be aware of these recurring issues and consider the potential need for costly repairs.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints14
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan frequently report issues with the vehicle's automatic braking system. Complaints often describe the brakes engaging unexpectedly, sometimes bringing the vehicle to a complete stop without any apparent obstruction, and occasionally triggering a warning light. These incidents are reported at various speeds, including highway speeds and when turning or driving in windy conditions. Several owners note that these unexpected braking events occur without any warning, and in some cases, the issue is not logged, making it difficult for dealerships to diagnose. One crash is mentioned, resulting in a rear-end collision attributed to the emergency braking system. Additionally, a few owners report mechanical brake issues, such as brake pad wear and brake line looseness leading to fluid leakage, which occurred at different mileage points. These issues highlight potential safety implications, particularly the risk of being rear-ended or losing control due to sudden braking.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints14
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan frequently report issues related to the powertrain, with common symptoms including transmission hesitation, throttle lag, and unexpected vehicle shuddering. Several complaints describe the vehicle entering "Limp Home" mode, accompanied by warning lights such as the Check Engine and EPC lights, often resulting in reduced acceleration and a maximum speed limit of 4000 RPMs. These issues often arise shortly after purchase, with some reports noting problems within the first few weeks or at low mileage. Safety implications are noted in reports of unintended vehicle movement and a single injury related to severe vehicle shaking, with one complaint mentioning a fuel leak that could pose a fire risk. Buyers should be aware of these patterns, especially concerning hesitation during acceleration and the potential for unexpected vehicle behavior.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints13
ENGINE
Owners report that the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan frequently experiences high oil consumption, with some describing the need to add a quart of oil every 1,000 miles. Complaints commonly mention issues with delayed acceleration and stalling, particularly at low speeds and from a stop, which some attribute to the vehicle's drive-by-wire technology. Additionally, there are reports of rough engine starts and oil leaks, including from the water pump and plastic oil pan. These problems appear across various mileages, with some occurring as early as 3,000 miles. Safety implications are noted, such as potential fire hazards from oil leaks and dangerous loss of power in traffic, which could lead to crashes or near-miss situations.
Owner complaints13
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners report frequent issues with the forward collision avoidance system in the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan, particularly involving the automatic emergency braking (AEB) system. Complaints frequently mention unexpected and forceful braking without any apparent obstruction, sometimes occurring at high speeds on highways or during routine maneuvers like exiting parking lots. These incidents often involve sudden deceleration from speeds as high as 74 mph to significantly lower speeds, creating a risk of rear-end collisions. Owners describe the AEB activating in situations where no imminent threat is present, with multiple reports indicating the problem persists despite dealer inspections and no error codes being found. The timeline for these issues varies, with some owners noting occurrences beginning around March 2023, and safety implications include near-misses and potential for rear-end impacts.
Owner complaints6
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan frequently report issues with vehicle speed control, particularly related to acceleration failures. Complaints describe instances where the car hesitates or fails to accelerate from a standstill, even when the gas pedal is fully pressed, often resulting in delayed or sudden acceleration. These issues typically occur when merging onto highways, turning, or accelerating from traffic stops. Some reports mention that the problem persists despite dealership visits, with no clear resolution provided. The safety implications are significant, as multiple owners recount near-accidents due to the car's unpredictable acceleration behavior. These issues are reported across various mileages, sometimes as early as 1,500 miles, suggesting potential early onset of these problems.
Owner complaints5
AIR BAGS
Owners report several airbag-related issues with the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan. Multiple complaints describe airbag lights illuminating without cause, indicating potential malfunctions. Two incidents involve airbags failing to deploy during crashes, with one resulting in injuries. Another complaint mentions airbags deploying unexpectedly following a tire blowout without impact. These issues are noted at various mileages, with one instance occurring around 37,997 miles. Safety implications include crashes and potential injuries, making these reports significant for prospective buyers.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints4
SUSPENSION
Owners of the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan frequently report issues with the suspension, with a notable instance involving a crash due to a right front suspension collapse at low speed. Common symptoms include loud noises from the front suspension when driving over uneven surfaces or small dips, often described as bottoming out or thumping, particularly around 30-40 mph. These issues are reported at varying mileages, with one complaint noting problems from as early as 11,000 miles. Some owners express concerns about unresolved safety recalls potentially related to suspension components, highlighting the importance of verifying recall status and repair history. Safety implications are evident, with reports of loss of control and a collision linked to suspension failure.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints4
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Owners report several issues with the fuel and propulsion system of the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan. A common problem involves a sudden loss of power, often accompanied by the vehicle entering a "limp mode," which restricts engine RPM. This issue is sometimes linked to a faulty fuel injector harness, although not all vehicles are covered under the extended warranty for this part. Another complaint mentions a turbo failure after hitting black ice, resulting in significant power loss. Additionally, one report describes a severe gasoline leak in a rental vehicle, indicating potential safety risks. These issues can occur at various mileage points, with no specific range consistently reported.
Owner complaints3
STEERING
Owners of the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan report issues primarily related to steering, with common symptoms including clunking sounds from the front left when turning and the vehicle steering to the right while driving. One complaint indicates a prolonged wait for a replacement part, with no estimated delivery time, and mentions that a local mechanic advised against driving due to potential loss of steering. Another owner describes the lane departure assist pulling the car violently between lanes. These issues are reported at various mileage ranges, with one vehicle noted at approximately 27,450 miles. Safety implications include the risk of losing steering control, which is a significant concern for potential buyers.
