Volkswagen

Tiguan

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD · model years 2010 to 2025

See all 21 Tiguan trims All Volkswagen cars

The verdict

Best year: 2025. complaints: 31, below this model's typical 74; recalls: 2, below this model's typical 3.

Worst year: 2018. complaints: 274, about 3.7x this model's typical 74; recalls: 13, about 4.3x this model's typical 3.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Volkswagen Tiguan
Year	Trims	MPG	HP	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Investigations	Top complaints
2010	2Gas	21	200	$3,650	2	109	2 (1 open)	ENGINE 32%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 20%, EXTERIOR LIGHTING 12%
complaints: 109, below this model's typical 148 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 5 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 64 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.5 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2011	2Gas	21.5	200	$3,575	3	160	4 (1 open)	ENGINE 26%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19%, EXTERIOR LIGHTING 17%
complaints: 160, above this model's typical 148 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 59 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.6 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2012	2Gas	22.5	200	$3,425	3	152	3 (1 open)	ENGINE 24%, AIR BAGS 16%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%
complaints: 152, above this model's typical 148 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 6 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 55 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.5 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2013	2Gas	22	200	$3,500	3	139	3 (1 open)	AIR BAGS 28%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16%, ENGINE 13%
complaints: 139, below this model's typical 148 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 62 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.9 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2014	2Gas	22	200	$3,500	3	81	3 (1 open)	AIR BAGS 37%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%, STEERING 15%
complaints: 81, below this model's typical 148 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 69 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.8 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2015	1Gas	23	200	$3,350	4	62	0	AIR BAGS 26%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 22%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 14%
complaints: 62, below this model's typical 74 recalls: 4, above this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 Score: 61 of 100, where higher is better.
2016	1Gas	23	200	$3,350	2	95	1 (1 open)	AIR BAGS 26%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 16%
complaints: 95, above this model's typical 74 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 54 of 100, where higher is better.
2017	1Gas	22	200	$3,500	4	72	0	AIR BAGS 29%, ENGINE 15%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%
complaints: 72, below this model's typical 74 recalls: 4, above this model's typical 3 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 Score: 44 of 100, where higher is better.
2018	1Gas	24	186	$2,600	13	274	2	ENGINE 18%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 11%, POWER TRAIN 11%
complaints: 274, about 3.7x this model's typical 74 recalls: 13, about 4.3x this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 11 NHTSA advised parking the 2018 model year outdoors over fire risk Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
2019	1Gas	25	no data	$2,500	5	177	0	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 13%, ENGINE 13%
complaints: 177, about 2.4x this model's typical 74 recalls: 5, about 1.7x this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 5 Score: 12 of 100, where higher is better.
2020	1Gas	25	186	$2,500	3	124	0	UNKNOWN OR OTHER 24%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16%, ENGINE 13%
complaints: 124, about 1.7x this model's typical 74 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 6 Score: 44 of 100, where higher is better.
2021	1Gas	25	184	$2,500	5	123	0	ENGINE 24%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 16%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%
complaints: 123, about 1.7x this model's typical 74 recalls: 5, about 1.7x this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 Score: 35 of 100, where higher is better.
2022	1Gas	26	164	$2,400	5	233	0	ENGINE 25%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 11%
complaints: 233, about 3.2x this model's typical 74 recalls: 5, about 1.7x this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 5 Score: 12 of 100, where higher is better.
2023	1Gas	26	164	$2,400	1	57	0	ENGINE 22%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 12%
complaints: 57, below this model's typical 74 recalls: 1, below this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 Score: 79 of 100, where higher is better.
2024	1Gas	26	164	$2,400	2	51	0	UNKNOWN OR OTHER 21%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19%, ENGINE 15%
complaints: 51, below this model's typical 74 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 3 Score: 78 of 100, where higher is better.
2025	1Gas	28	201	$2,200	2	31	0	UNKNOWN OR OTHER 18%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14%, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 14%
complaints: 31, below this model's typical 74 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 3 Score: 82 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median2010: 21 to 2025: 28

Owner complaints2010: 109 to 2025: 31

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Volkswagen Tiguan to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.