The engine started smoking at 11,000 and new valve seals were replaced in the head. The engine has started to smoke again at 16,800 mile and dealer said the next step would be to replace the head. Car has been to the dealer 6-7 times for electrical and engine problems. The SOS light comes on almost every morning. Driver seat memory does not work and dealer can't figure it out after 5-6 times, they have replaced about everything on the seat and it still doesn't work.
2024 Volkswagen Tiguan owner complaints
76 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 4 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. 20 of them are reproduced below in full, most recent first, grouped by category.
electrical 10 complaints shown
The infotainment center freezes and spontaneously disconnects. At first, I though it was my phone and switched carriers. It was not. It also does not recognize my key is present and I have to pshycially lock and unlock it. Sometimes the doors won't open and it happens several times. It is unsafe when I am driving and the gps goes out and I have been distracted, missed turns and put myself and others in danger. Also, you can only get gas if the doors are unlocked. This is not safe becasuse someone could take your purse or child while you are pumping gas. The vehicle has been updated, keys replaced but nothing has helped the issue. There were no warning lights.
The defect has occurred since the day the vehicle was leased. The entire multimedia and safety interface shuts down randomly while driving (screen goes black, GPS stops, rear camera and driver-assistance functions stop working). This happens in multiple areas across the city, not in a single location. The dealership initially blamed my internet or phone, delaying proper diagnosis. The first available service appointment was more than a month later, and the vehicle was first taken in on January 27, 2025. Since then, the vehicle has been in the shop more than five times across multiple dealerships, including over a month during the most recent repair attempt. I have also been required to visit the dealership more than 30 times for the same issue. Dealership technicians and the service manage
During normal operation on a public road, the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan suddenly began emitting smoke from the front of the vehicle. This occurred without any warning lights, messages, unusual smells, or symptoms beforehand. Within moments, flames became visible from under the hood. The occupants, including a child and an elderly family member, immediately exited the vehicle. The fire spread rapidly and resulted in a total loss. The fire department arrived and extinguished the flames, and both fire and police reports were created documenting the incident. The vehicle was nearly new, with approximately 7,000 miles on it, no mechanical issues, and no prior maintenance warnings. Nothing unusual occurred during the drive, and the vehicle had been used under normal, paved-road conditions. On Nov
The vehicle experienced a sudden, total loss of motive power while driving on active roads on two separate occasions (10/06/2026 and 10/18/2026). The vehicle completely shuts off without throwing any preliminary dashboard warnings, battery lights, or error messages. Once shut down, the ignition will not turn over and the engine refuses to start. The vehicle can only be temporarily revived via an external jumpstart, indicating that the engine is draining the battery entirely while in motion because the alternator or smart battery charging module is defective. During the second incident on 10/18/2026, the vehicle stalled in the middle of a busy traffic intersection while stopping at a red light. My spouse and infant child were trapped in the vehicle for over two hours in an extremely high-ri
The vehicle experienced a sudden, total loss of motive power while driving on active roads on two separate occasions (10/06/2026 and 10/18/2026). The vehicle completely shuts off without throwing any preliminary dashboard warnings, battery lights, or error messages. Once shut down, the ignition will not turn over and the engine refuses to start. The vehicle can only be temporarily revived via an external jumpstart, indicating that the engine is draining the battery entirely while in motion because the alternator or smart battery charging module is defective. During the second incident on 10/18/2026, the vehicle stalled in the middle of a busy traffic intersection while stopping at a red light. My spouse and infant child were trapped in the vehicle for over two hours in an extremely high-ri
The entertainment screen/backup camera screen turns on and off constantly. It will not stay on and shuts off completely after so many times of it turning on and off and doesn’t turn back on unless you hold the power button down for 15 seconds but still continues the on and off. Nothing has been done to the screen for it to start doing this.
On 10/11/2025 while driving, the vehicle caught fire.
"The main infotainment screen completely failed and went black on my 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan, rendering the backup camera entirely inoperable. This creates a severe safety hazard and violates Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 111. The vehicle was diagnosed at Keffer VW, and the manufacturer stated the replacement parts are backordered for 4 to 5 weeks. The dealership and manufacturer refused to provide a loaner vehicle, forcing me to leave the car on the dealer lot to avoid driving an unsafe vehicle. Volkswagen is failing to provide a safe remedy within a reasonable timeframe under warranty."
My entire infotainment system went black and a warning about the SOS system failing came up on the dash. My back up camera does not work, the SOS system does not work, radio, charger, etc. I called VW Customer Care who sent me to the dealership. Dealer said they tried the TB 91-26-04 (2082628) software protocol from Volkswagen and had no success. They need part J794 to complete the repair. The part is on back order with no ETA of when it will arrive. Dealership gave me back the car with compromised safety features (now federally mandated). I'm a lessee under warranty. I'm also nervous that other parts of the car could also have electrical or systemic failure.
other 7 complaints shown
Front sensor for frontal collision, lane keep and adaptive cruise control. Warning lights including SOS will come on with a message saying no sensor view, and safety systems not available. Comes on randomly when driving.
Complaint Type: Vehicle Safety / Potential Defect / Dealer Negligence Description of Complaint: I am reporting a serious safety issue resulting from negligent service performed by Kocourek Wausau Imports. After the dealership performed my 2024 Tiguan’s second oil change under warranty, strong fumes and white smoke entered the cabin multiple times, causing vomiting, severe headaches, and forcing me to leave work early. The dealership initially claimed the vehicle was safe to drive. Only after my insistence did they admit a mechanical issue involving the cam/valve area, stating a plug required replacement. The part was on backorder, and I was not warned of any risk. Shortly thereafter, I discovered the engine was completely out of oil, despite recent dealer service. A vehicle of this mode
The fuel gauge does not read properly even after it has been replaced.
When you need the navigation the screen will go black or keep buffering. Radio will not stay connected to my phone. Phone calls are very slow.
Driver side door randomly opens while driving! Then when the car detects the door is open it puts itself in park while driving no matter what speed you are going. Ive had this car for 2 months it has less than 1000 miles. Once home I finally inspected the latch area on the car side and the door and both areas were extremely hot. This is very much a safety issue!
2024 Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line stalls completely while driving at local speeds with no warning. The vehicle has been to the dealership 4 times for the exact same safety issue. The dealership On The First 3 Attempts has changed the throttle body, start-stop mechanism, and battery, but cannot fix or diagnose the stalling. Now The Car Is Again In The Shop For The 4th Time And I’m Still Waiting For A Answer The Car Has Been Sitting In The Shop Since September 21st and No Answer Yet From Dealership The Car Is Still There and This is a severe, life-threatening defect that occurs while transporting children."
infotainment center, chargers and reverse camera no longer working. vehicle available for inspection my reverse camera is not working which causes safety issues as Under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 111, Rear Visibility, vehicles in the relevant categories manufactured on or after May 1, 2018 are required to provide a compliant rearview image during a backing event. NHTSA explains that manufacturers generally satisfy this requirement with a backup/rear camera system. vehicle has been inspected by a third party auto dealership that specializes in European vehicle. There is NO Volkswagen dealership on the Hawaiian Island of Hawaii that I live on. there were not warning signs or symptoms of the problem
visibility 1 complaint shown
Four cracks of varying lengths ranging from roughly one inch to four inches have spontaneously appeared on the drivers side of the windshield. These were first noticed when entering the car, not while driving. Cracks can be felt from the inside of the vehicle only. One crack appears to be jagged and looks black when looking through the windshield from the inside.
lighting 1 complaint shown
On [XXX], my 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line AWD (VIN: [XXX] ) was damaged in a deer collision, requiring replacement of the right headlight assembly (P/N 5NL941114D/E, adaptive IQ.Light matrix with turning signal). The part was ordered June 9, 2025, via New Motors VW (Erie, PA) but remains on national backorder with no ETA (dealer confirms not even "top 25" priority). The vehicle has been undrivable and unreleasable from Betts Brothers Collision (Titusville, PA) for 194 days (as of Dec 13, 2025). The shop refuses to release it without the OEM headlight for safety reasons—operating with one functional headlight + inoperable turning signal violates FMVSS 108 (S9.1: paired headlamps required for visibility; turning signals per S5.1.1). This creates an unreasonable crash risk (impaired nig
engine 1 complaint shown
My car was less than a year old, had been at the dealership for routine maintenance on September 24th, and with no warning signals from the vehicle's electronics smoke started coming out from the hood while I was ~20 minutes into my drive to work. Within a short period of time there were flames, and ultimately the car was engulfed in flames, resulting in a total loss.