Volkswagen Tiguan Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 207 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Volkswagen Tiguan across 18 model years. The 2018 model year has the most (49). The words owners use most often: “timing chain” (8% of reports).
- 207power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 8mention a crash
- 5mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- 26%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Timing chain: mentioned in 16 of 207 complaints (8%)
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 93 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 207 complaints, 8 mention a crash, 5 an injury.
Volkswagen Tiguan power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Tiguan | 5 | 14% | — |
| 2025 Tiguan | 7 | 13% | 9,910 |
| 2024 Tiguan | 5 | 7% | — |
| 2023 Tiguan | 8 | 12% | — |
| 2022 Tiguan | 42 | 15% | — |
| 2021 Tiguan | 11 | 8% | 29,480 |
| 2020 Tiguan | 5 | 4% | 40,000 |
| 2019 Tiguan | 17 | 9% | 400 |
| 2018 Tiguan | 49 | 17% | 8,000 |
| 2017 Tiguan | 5 | 7% | 23,000 |
| 2016 Tiguan | 3 | 3% | — |
| 2015 Tiguan | 2 | 3% | 36,000 |
| 2014 Tiguan | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2013 Tiguan | 6 | 4% | 24,000 |
| 2012 Tiguan | 7 | 5% | 9,000 |
| 2011 Tiguan | 8 | 5% | 53,000 |
| 2010 Tiguan | 6 | 5% | 78,000 |
| 2009 Tiguan | 20 | 12% | 71,500 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists power train for the Volkswagen Tiguan. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
This is an additional complaint concerning the same vehicle previously reported under ODI XXX. On XXX, while the vehicle was in Drive and moving at approximately 5 mph in [XXX], it unexpectedly shut off and shifted itself into Park. On XXX, while reversing, the vehicle suddenly lost all power and…
The contact owns a 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20-25 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly shifted into park(P) and the engine shut off. Additionally, the vehicle experienced phantom braking while reversing. The vehicle was restarted and taken to the…
I am leasing a 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line AWD, I took posession of on May 9, 2026. It has approx 2500 miles on it. The vehicle unexpectedly shifted itself into Park while I was actively driving the vehicle, including while approaching/intersecting at intersections. This occurred while I had my…
The vehicleâs automatic emergency-braking and parking-assistance systems intermittently activate when no collision is imminent. The vehicle unexpectedly stops, shifts itself into Park, and engages the electronic parking brake while moving at low speed. This has occurred while pulling into parking…
I am filing a safety complaint regarding my 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan SE R-Line with approximately 54,000 miles. The vehicle experienced a significant engine-related failure involving the oil separator/PCV system. Volkswagen diagnosed a failed oil separator/breather that caused excessive crankcase…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Volkswagen Tiguans have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 207 owner complaints about power train for the Volkswagen Tiguan. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Volkswagen Tiguan power train?
No recall currently lists power train for this vehicle.
What do owners say about power train problems on the Volkswagen Tiguan?
The most frequent phrase is “timing chain”, in 16 of 207 complaints.
Other Volkswagen Tiguan problems
- Engine problems (699)
- Electrical System problems (548)
- Air Bags problems (317)
- Steering problems (193)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (178)
- Forward Collision Avoidance problems (138)
- Service Brakes problems (127)
- Exterior Lighting problems (126)
See all Volkswagen Tiguan problems.