Are there open safety recalls?
5 open
Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.
FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan has 5 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 133 owner complaints, and gets about 25 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA
2021 Volkswagen Tiguan
- Engine 4-cyl 2L
- Drive Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel Regular
- Body Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Should you worry?
Look closer
Something in the public record needs a closer look before you buy.
What do owners report?
2 injuries reported
2 of 133 reports (~2%). On a high-volume model that alone isn’t unusual — look for patterns below.
How did it score in crash tests?
5 out of 5 stars
5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.
Open recalls · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2021.
- 20195recalls
- 20203recalls
- 2021 · this car5recalls
- 20225recalls
Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 24, 2026.
SAFETY
Will it protect people in a crash?
These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.
- Overall
- 5 / 5 stars
- Frontal
- 4 / 5 stars
- Side
- 5 / 5 stars
- Side pole
- 5 / 5 stars
- Rollover
- 4 / 5 stars
Factory safety & driver-assist equipment
- Stability control
- Standard
- Lane-departure warning
- Optional
Tested as: 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD · 2 versions tested
Open safety recalls
5 openA recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.
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Seats
01/02/2021
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Long Wheelbase and Jetta vehicles. Bolts may be missing from the front seat tracks.
How they fix it: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat tracks and, as necessary, install the bolts, free of charge. The recall began February 18, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 72L6.
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Back Over Prevention
18/11/2020
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan LWB, Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas FL and Arteon vehicles. The rear view camera could malfunction during an ignition cycle, leading to a black screen or infotainment system freeze. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
How they fix it: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91BB/91BC.
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Suspension
23/03/2022
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Tiguan, Taos, and 2021 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. A second notice will be sent once remedy parts become available. The left or right rear suspension knuckles may corrode, crack, and break.
How they fix it: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace one or both rear suspension knuckles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 13, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42L8.
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Structure
06/04/2022
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Tiguan and 2018-2021 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. Due to incorrect installation instructions, the accessory rear hatch spoiler may be insufficiently attached to the vehicle.
How they fix it: Dealers will replace the spoiler, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 66N5.
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Back Over Prevention
20/07/2022
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Golf GTI, Jetta GLI, Jetta NF, Arteon FL, Tiguan LWB, 2022 Taos, Jetta PA, Tiguan PA, 2021-2022 Atlas Cross Sport, and Atlas FL vehicles. The manufacturing process of the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system may cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
How they fix it: Dealers will update the infotainment software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DV.
The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.
From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 24, 2026.
OWNERS
What problems do owners report?
People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.
Owner reports · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2021.
- 2019188reports
- 2020138reports
- 2021 · this car133reports
- 2022252reports
133 owner reports on file
2 crash mentions 2 injury mentions
Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 133 total reports.
- ENGINE 33 of 133
Vehicle abruptly lost power on the highway and limited itself to 3000 RPM. PCV valve failed and oil pan cracked at only 45k vehicle miles.
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 24 of 133
The component that is failing is the Radio. The radio consistently turns off when using it and power cycles itself back on which creates a concern when I am using the phone or the Maps feature. I had the same issue with a 2019 Volkswagen Pa
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 22 of 133
My name is [XXX], and I am writing today to express my complete frustration mentally and financially with a CPO 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan (VIN [XXX]) I purchased XXX. To date my vehicle has been in for service multiple times – countless times
- POWER TRAIN 9 of 133
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving downhill at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost automotive power. The vehicle was coasted into a driveway and restarted. Upon restarting the vehicle, the el
- STRUCTURE 8 of 133
On April 19, 2026, my 2021 VW Tiguan experienced a sudden loud gunshot-like sounding noise and my sunroof exploded. I fortunately had the screen closed, but large pieces of glass fell and were caught by the screen. It endangered me and my 3
- VISIBILITY/WIPER 5 of 133
Wipers randomly start when switch is turned off. Wipers will randomly not start when wipers are turned on. Safety of others is affected due to visibility being obscured due to wipers not turning on. Injuries can occur when wipers randomly s
Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.
From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 24, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.
FUEL COST
What does it cost to drive?
EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.
Sold in 2 versions
They range from 24 to 25 mpg combined. Figures below are the base version. Pick yours to see its own numbers.
Combined MPG · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2021.
- 201925mpg
- 202025mpg
- 2021 · this car25mpg
- 202226mpg
$2,450
estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles
Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.
City driving 23 mpg
Highway driving 29 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 25 mpg
Over 5 years, compared to an average new car
This model is estimated to cost about $1,250 more on fuel.
Spends more Saves more
From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 24, 2026.
HOW IT WAS BUILT
Factory details
What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.
Engine
4-cyl 2L
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic (S8)
Fuel
Regular
See all factory details (7)
- Engine
- 4-cyl 2L
- Cylinders
- 4
- Displacement
- 2 L
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic (S8)
- Body
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Fuel
- Regular
From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 24, 2026.
What this free check does not include
We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Confirm the recalls were fixed
This model has 5 open NHTSA recalls (including the seats). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
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Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
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Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
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Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
FOR SALE NEAR YOU
2021 Volkswagen Tiguan listings
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan? +
NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, including the seats. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan get? +
The EPA rates the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan at 25 mpg combined (23 city / 29 highway), about $2,450 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan? +
Owners have filed 133 complaints with NHTSA for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, including 2 involving a crash. The most-reported area is engine.
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