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2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

Gas

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
2 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26

Safety Signal

76 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record

RecallsNHTSA campaigns 5

Complaints2 crash · 2 injured reported 144

Crash ratingNHTSA overall 5★

Fuel economybest combined, EPA 25 mpg

2027 2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Tiguan, is EPA-rated at 25 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 144 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Volkswagen Tiguan — photograph via Wikimedia Commons — Volkswagen Tiguan (2007 generation) · Photo: Alexander-93 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov

Configuration	Powertrain	Drive	Engine / motor	City	Hwy	Comb	Annual fuel*
Tiguan	Gas	FWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	23	29	25	$2,700
Tiguan 4motion	Gas	AWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	21	27	24	$2,800

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 43019, 43023.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates

Configuration	Smog rating	Emission standard	Where it can be sold new	SmartWay
Tiguan, Tiguan 4motion	7 / 10	California LEV-III SULEV30 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 30	All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards	—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body style	Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
GVWR class	Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg)

Engine Basics

Cylinders	6
Displacement	3.6 L

Engine Output

Horsepower

276 hp

Fuel Economy

Fuel	Gasoline

Seating

Seat rows	3
Seating capacity	7 seats

Transmission

Drivetrain	AWD/All-Wheel Drive
Transmission	Automatic
Transmission speeds	8

Driver assistance

Standard: Adaptive cruise control, Anti-lock brakes, Automatic emergency braking, Backup camera, Blind-spot monitoring, Electronic stability control, Forward collision warning, Lane departure warning, Lane keeping assist, Parking assist, Pedestrian automatic emergency braking, Rear cross-traffic alert

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: 4Motion S, 4Motion SE, SE R-Line Black, SEL, 4Motion SEL Premium R-Line, S). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada

Length	185.8 in
Width (body, without mirrors)	72.0 in
Height	66.5 in
Wheelbase	109.8 in
Track, front	62.6 in
Track, rear	61.8 in
Curb weight	3,777–3,856 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear	56/44

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 2 configurations: 4-door SUV 4Motion, 4-door SUV FWD. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

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Recalls (5)

Source: NHTSA recall database

○minor

Back Over Prevention

91DV

43,091 vehicles 92% reported repaired

Problem 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." Risk A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix 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.

Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF Remedy instructions PDF

NHTSA campaign 22V514000 reported Jul 20, 2022 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

▲high

Structure

66N5

6,553 vehicles 79% reported repaired

Problem 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. Risk An insufficiently attached spoiler may separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash. Fix 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.

Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF Remedy instructions PDF

NHTSA campaign 22V226000 reported Apr 6, 2022 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

▲high

Suspension

42L8

10,119 vehicles 97% reported repaired

Problem 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. Risk A broken rear suspension knuckle can cause a loss of stability, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix 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.

Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF Remedy instructions PDF

NHTSA campaign 22V176000 reported Mar 23, 2022 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

▲high

Seats

72L6

57 vehicles 100% reported repaired

Problem 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. Risk The seat can move front and back without restriction if bolts are missing, increasing the risk of injury during a crash. Fix 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.

Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF

NHTSA campaign 21V038000 reported Feb 1, 2021 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

○minor

Back Over Prevention

91BB / 91BC

32,048 vehicles 100% reported repaired

Problem 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." Risk A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix 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.

Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF

NHTSA campaign 20V716000 reported Nov 18, 2020 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

Whether any of this applies to one specific Tiguan

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2021 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Volkswagen publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →Volkswagen’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database

144complaints filed

2 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 2 injuries · 0 deaths reported

15 per 10,000 built · Volkswagen reported 97,728 Tiguan built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2021: 8 · 2022: 15 · 2023: 12 · 2024: 29 · 2025: 41 · 2026: 39

Most-cited components

Engine → 59

Unspecified 30

Electrical System 25

Forward Collision Avoidance 14

Fuel/Propulsion System 12

Structure 11

In depth: engine problems →

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

I have had to replace multiple windshields for something barely hitting it on the freeway - I think this is my 4th windshield and have not been driving near big trucks or construction during the incidents.

Visibility/Wiper May 22, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11523238

When using the remote start the ACC and automatic braking system will fail and give an error. This is a known issue for VW and they have not provided a solutions in over 2 years. To make it work again you need to either turn the car off and back on without remote start or disable the ACC before using the remote start

Forward Collision Avoidance Apr 7, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11515956

The car will suddenly shut off while slowing down or coming to a stop. The “start/stop” error message is displayed and the car displays to “manually restart car”. At first this happened only sporadically, but now this is happening while on the highway in traffic or while turning in an intersection. Today it has happened 5 times.

Electrical System Dec 5, 2022 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11496143

I have to put oil into the engine every 2000 miles. The dealership has run 2 separate oil consumption tests and they claim they are unable to find anything wrong

Engine Nov 21, 2022 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11494472

The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the air bag control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.

Air Bags at 13,000 miles Oct 3, 2022 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11487727

On ~August 1, 2022, the "overheard console" (containing lights, BT microphone, and sunglass compartment) unexpectedly "dropped" out of the vehicle's ceiling. The plastic and adhesive keeping this part in place appeared to have cracked into pieces, and the weight of the part caused it to fall.

Structure Sep 7, 2022 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11483325

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by Volkswagen itself: 23 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 1 killed, 26 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 24 per 100,000 built. Every Tiguan model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

When owners reported it

Reported at 26k

miles, typically

Half the 17 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 11,000 and 50,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.

Too few readings for a curve — the 17 on file: 4 under 10k, 2 10k–20k, 4 20k–30k, 1 40k–50k, 4 50k–60k, 1 90k–100k, 1 150k +.

Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP

Configuration	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
SUV AWD	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆	—
SUV FWD	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆	—

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications

Extended coverage on file 2 filings by the manufacturer with NHTSA naming this model year

Term not in NHTSA’s summary · Volkswagen warranty extension VWP-24-09Volkswagen Warranty has extended the coverage for the overhead console on 2019-2022 Tiguan Vehicles for 2 years 24,000 from the expiration of NVLW
Term not in NHTSA’s summary · Volkswagen warranty extension VWP-24-04These documents are for the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) Limited Warranty Extension as part of the Class Action Settlement

The term and the vehicles it covers are the manufacturer’s, as NHTSA’s summary of each filing states them; a dealer checks one particular car by its VIN. Every Volkswagen warranty extension (9) → · Every warranty extension on file, all makes →

Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 498

Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-09-17

Kindsas classified by NHTSA 474 service bulletins, 19 others, 3 warranty extensions

Most often about: Equipment, Engine, Electrical System, Unknown Or Other, Structure.

V0116152014815_20 Service bulletin
2026-09-17 · Engine
Suggested fuel additive
SM 39-2026 Other
2026-09-09 · Unknown Or Other
This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
V4622022067177_5 Service bulletin
2026-08-27 · Service Brakes
Repair or Replace Information
VOS-26-47 Service bulletin
2026-08-14 · Electrical System
This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the issue: Part number 3Q0-959-435N software version number 1307 has incorrect coding.
V4015022033347_8 Service bulletin
2026-08-10 · Power Train
Replacement instruction
TT 00-13-04_7 Other
2026-08-06 · Unknown Or Other
Permission to change Daily Order upgraded to RED Order
V0026012081638_2 Service bulletin
2026-08-04 · Unknown Or Other
Differences between a leak and seepage
V9123042071790_3 Service bulletin
2026-07-20 · Unknown Or Other
MIB3 Recovery Solution

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints

Codes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.

Code	What it means	Most often filed under	Where it appears
P0442 P0442 on Volkswagen →	A small leak in the evaporative emissions system.	Equipment · Gas cap →	31 bulletins
P0456 P0456 on Volkswagen →	A very small leak in the evaporative emissions system.	Equipment · Gas cap →	26 bulletins
P0087 P0087 on Volkswagen →	Fuel rail pressure is below what the system commanded.	Suspension · Fuel pump →	12 bulletins
P0463 P0463 on Volkswagen →	Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.	Equipment	12 bulletins
P053F P053F on Volkswagen →	Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.	Suspension · Struts and shocks →	12 bulletins
P0149 P0149 on Volkswagen →	Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.	Suspension · Struts and shocks →	5 bulletins
P0300 P0300 on Volkswagen →	Misfire detected, but not isolated to one cylinder.	Suspension · Ignition coils →	5 bulletins
P0301 P0301 on Volkswagen →	Cylinder 1 is misfiring.	Suspension · Ignition coils →	5 bulletins
P0302 P0302 on Volkswagen →	Cylinder 2 is misfiring.	Suspension · Ignition coils →	5 bulletins
P0303 P0303 on Volkswagen →	Cylinder 3 is misfiring.	Suspension · Ignition coils →	5 bulletins
P0304 P0304 on Volkswagen →	Cylinder 4 is misfiring.	Suspension · Ignition coils →	5 bulletins
P0461 P0461 on Volkswagen →	Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.	Electrical System · Battery →	5 bulletins

Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

New York inspections 3.3%

failed emissions

5,027 initial inspections of 4,921 vehicles.

Measure	The 2021 Tiguan	Every 2021 vehicle	Behind it
Failed the emissions check	3.3%	1.9%	5,015
Failed the safety inspection	2.1%	1.5%	5,027
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit	0.20%	0.19%	5,027
Miles driven a year	10,700	10,343	odometer at inspection
Average odometer	56,811	54,681	odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2021 vehicle” is every 2021 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

Tiguan by model year

all years, side by side →

Year Safety Recalls Complaints

2027 A 0 0 29 mpg 2026 A 0 37 29 mpg 2025 C 3 53 29 mpg 2024 B 2 76 27 mpg 2023 A 1 70 27 mpg 2022 C 5 272 26 mpg 2021 this page C 5 144 25 mpg 2020 C 3 141 25 mpg 2019 B 5 194 25 mpg 2018 F 14 293 Do not drive 2017 C 4 76 22 mpg 2016 B 2 97 23 mpg

Common questions about the 2021 Tiguan

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 5 recall campaigns for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan. The most serious on file is 22V226000, covering Structure. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?

NHTSA gave the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan 5 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 4-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 4-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it C (76/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?

Across the 2 EPA-rated configurations of the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, the best EPA combined figure is 25 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?

Transport Canada measured it at 185.8 in long, 72.0 in wide (body, without mirrors), 66.5 in tall, on a 109.8 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 3,777–3,856 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?

Owners have filed 144 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, most often about engine, unspecified, electrical system. Of those, 2 involved a crash, 2 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?

The EPA smog rating for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan is 7 out of 10. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-III SULEV30, Federal Tier 3 Bin 30 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?

The manufacturer has filed 498 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, most often covering equipment, engine, electrical system. The most recent is dated 2026-09-17. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan failed the emissions check on 3.3% of first inspections — higher than the 1.9% for every 2021 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 2.1% (every 2021 vehicle: 1.5%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

Data	Held	Source	What it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations	2 configurations	EPA certification records	Every configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates	2 configurations	EPA emission certificates	Smog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls	5	NHTSA recall campaigns	A complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints	144	NHTSA complaint database	Also complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings	2 tested	NHTSA NCAP	Only the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins	498	NHTSA manufacturer communications	Everything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations	none	NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation	No defect investigation has been opened.
Driver-assist crash reports	none	NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01	No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like.
Specifications filed with NHTSA	11 fields	NHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patterns	What the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions	7 fields	Transport Canada, Canadian Vehicle Specifications	Length, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipment	none	Manufacturer press kit	We have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

JSON for this page · API

2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

Specs & fuel economy

Emissions & certification

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Dimensions Exterior

Engine Basics

Engine Output

Fuel Economy

Seating

Transmission

Driver assistance

Dimensions & weight

Factory warranty running out?

Recalls (5)

Back Over Prevention

Structure

Suspension

Seats

Back Over Prevention

Whether any of this applies to one specific Tiguan

Hear about a recall before the letter does

Parts & accessories for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

Owner complaints

Most-cited components

In owners' own words

When owners reported it

miles, typically

Crash ratings

Service bulletins & campaigns

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

At the New York inspection station

failed emissions

Tiguan by model year

Common questions about the 2021 Tiguan

Does the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan have any recalls?

How safe is the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?

What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?

What are the dimensions of the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?

What do owners complain about on the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?

How clean is the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?

Are there service bulletins for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?

How does the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan do at state inspection?

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Where to go next

Sources & method