Electrical system, engine, and powertrain issues are among the top complaints from vehicle owners received by the NHTSA
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There’s been a lot of hype about the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan. As a family-friendly SUV, it’s expected to provide the space and features today’s consumers want. The Tiguan is VW’s best-seller and the 2022 model is labeled as being “Sleek. Strong. Smart.” Yet, complaints are stacking up about the defective electrical system, and problems relating to a faulty powertrain, and engine that lead to major acceleration issues.
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Between December 1, 2021, and November 17, 2022, 32 consumers complained to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about problems they were experiencing with the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan. These relate to more than 12 components and systems they have found to malfunction or cause issues, some highlighting major safety issues.
While many complaints mention more than one component or system, in terms of numbers, the electrical system is the biggest bugbear, with 9 complaints. Problems relate to various issues including the infotainment system, the dashboard light failing, and the rearview camera failing to operate.
Engine complaints aren’t far behind, with a current total of 8 and the powertrain with 7. All but one of the engine-related complaints highlight acceleration issues as a major concern. Two describe how the car suddenly shuts off and then struggles to start again. Similarly, all 7 of the complaints filed as powertrain issues relate to acceleration failure.
Other reasons for complaints involve the windshield randomly cracking, the sunroof exploding without any form of impact, and overhead console units falling from the ceiling.
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | |
| Power Train | |
| Electrical System | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | |
| Lane Departure: Assist | |
| Steering | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | |
| Visibility/wiper |
Of the 9 complaints filed in the NHTSA’s Electrical System category, 6 mention problems with the Tiguan’s modular infotainment system, the Modularer Infotainment Baukasten (MIB). There are 2 additional complaints filed under Unknown or Other and Exterior Lighting and Back Over Prevention. Despite (or maybe because of) innovative upgrades, the system is causing major headaches for owners. Several of the complaints also highlight a breakdown of the backup camera display.
There is a recall for cars with a rearview camera that does not display an image. Filed with the NHTSA by VW under Back Over Prevention and Equipment, it states that the failure reduces the driver’s rear view, increasing the risk of a crash. More than 43,000 Volkswagens from 8 models, including the 2021-2022 Tiguan, are affected.
The cause, the recall published on July 20, 2022, states is the manufacturing process of the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system. It also points out that this is a serious safety issue because vehicles with this problem don’t comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Stand no. 111, Rear Visibility.
An owner from Washington states that the instrument cluster and infotainment display were blacked out during the day from start-up and for the duration of a two-hour drive. The backup camera display was also black. Restarting and turning the lights on and off had no effect on the dash display. “Brightness of the display is controlled through the infotainment display which was not visible.” After a 20-minute shutdown and restart, the display was normal again. But the condition keeps recurring.
Similarly, an owner from Pennsylvania states that the “Infotainment system fails to start or reboots randomly rendering the rear camera not functional.” Even though this happened more than two months before the official recall, the complaint reports that the VW dealership “identified the problem as the bad computer module.” But they were unable to do the repair because the part needed was not available.
The main problem, the complaint states, “is the lack of (the) rear camera when the infotainment screen is not working, which is a really crucial safety feature when backing out of spaces and parking.”
An owner from New Jersey also experiences the rear camera failing. “The infotainment system does not turn on on most occasions even after trying to reset it by long pressing the power button. Sometimes it takes about 15 minutes or so for the infotainment system to turn on. There is no way one can see the rear of the car without the rear camera feed on the infotainment screen. This is a serious safety issue. This problem has persisted even after the over the air software update. Also, this issue seems to be a widespread issue with multiple people complaining about this on many online forums.”
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There are a total 15 powertrain and engine complaints. Of these, 11 highlight an acceleration problem. There is another complaint filed in the Unknown or Other category, bringing the total of acceleration-related complaints to 12. Many of these state that the problem is most severe when they start their SUVs first thing in the morning.
An owner from Maryland describes how his wife experienced a lack of acceleration. Interestingly, it seems that this problem may be related to the infotainment issues described in the previous section. “During this drive, my wife reached a red light and came to a stop. When the light turned green and my wife attempted to accelerate, the acceleration was no longer working. There were several vehicles behind her that were stopped waiting for her to move. She had to turn the vehicle off and on again before it would work. At this point the infotainment and audio started working again too.”
An owner from Florida describes the acceleration problem as “an accident waiting to happen.” When the Tiguan was new, the owner reported the problem to a salesperson at the dealership the vehicle came from. “I was told the acceleration issue would work itself out because of low fuel and air (that) was in the fuel line.” When he took the car in for a service check with less than 350 miles on the clock, he was told “the issue can’t be duplicated.” The second service appointment for the same issue was about 1,100 miles later. By now, the acceleration issue was more severe.
The complaint describes how the SUV suddenly becomes unresponsive when making a left acceleration or when right-coasting into the turn. “Then you try to accelerate and the gas pedal goes down and nothing happens. Then, suddenly, the turbo kicks and takes off and it’s a very frightening and dangerous situation.”
The visibility of a vehicle has more to do with all of the auto glass than simply the ability to see out the windshield. With the Tiguan, exploding and cracking auto glass can sometimes be more of the problem.
There are 3 complaints about windshields cracking and 2 that state their sunroofs exploded.
Cracking windshields seems to be a greater problem than the number of NHTSA complaints indicate. All three complaints state that they’ve been told there is a shortage of windshield glass.
An owner from Illinois states that the windshield cracked without impact when the SUV was stationary. This is certainly not an isolated incident as the complaint points out. “Glass is unavailable to replace due to demand as (the) dealer states (that) this model is having multiple failures of windshield.”
An owner from California was told that the windshield that cracked randomly “is on national backorder indefinitely and they cannot provide a replacement part at this time.” The problem is that the crack is about 3½ feet long and it takes up about 85% of the windshield. “It really affects my visibility as it makes the lines on the road appear in two different places on either side of the crack.” And, he states, “it is illegal to drive with a cracked windshield, especially one that is as cracked as mine.”
One of the complaints states that their windshield crack was caused by a rock. The owner tried to fix it with a repair kit but was told a new windshield was the only solution. “I was informed it will take at least 8 weeks for them to get one with a cost of $1,200. It’s unacceptable to drive around with a cracked windshield for more than two months due to lack of this safety part.”
A 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan owner from Los Angeles describes how he thought he’d been shot at when the panoramic sunroof exploded. “I don’t know how else to describe it. I was on my way to work, about to get on the interstate, and all of a sudden I heard this loud “pow” sound. My immediate thought was that I had been shot at.” The sunroof was completely shattered and the driver had “glass shards in my hair and all over my arms and back, causing small cuts on me.”
Not only did the dealer refuse to provide a loaner or pay for a rental car, but five days later, called to say the owner would have to use his personal auto insurance to claim.
Another complaint, this time from an owner in California, states that while driving at approximately 70 mph “the sunroof exploded without impact.” Shattered glass fell inside the cabin of the vehicle, which only had about 624 miles on the clock.
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Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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I have a 2022 Tiguan se-r line black. Had the whole travel/lane assist going off. The steering wheel was replaced a little over a year ago. The vehicle had under 10,000 miles. A year goes by on the new steering wheel, the travel/lane assist is currently going off again. The car has 22000 miles on it now. This is ridiculous. It also eats oil. The car had an oil change about 4000 miles ago and is already saying the car is low on oil. No leaks anywhere under vehicle. The dealership doesn’t have a loaner vehicle and needs to do a diagnostic and says it may or may not be covered under the factory bumper to bumper warranty.
I got 22 Tiguan Se last June I have so many Issues, from repairs on seats secondary valve problems, battery keep going dead, the back up camera not working, car completely stop where driving. I hate I got this truck. Help this is a lemon.
I have several concerns about my car start when I just buy fort day at my house I just arrive with my new car Tiguan 2022 and I saw a spot in the floor and was oil I drive back to the dealer and keep the car for repair. Next couple days I pick up my car. Second I Sidney the radio just turn of and sometimes reset by himself and start work again or just turn of the screen but still ear the music the back up camera sometimes turn off. I bring my car to the dealer for fix it they change the radio two more days and start the problems again I need to pair my phone every time than turn on the car. One day I driving my car and the icon of the oil turn on I had 29,000 miles by that time I bring it to the dealer and they said it is normal but the consumption of oil is to much. I order to make the consumption oil test and yesterday the engine icon turn on in my dash board. I bring my car to the dealer and they said I can to continue drive my car like that they set an appointment in two more weeks they said is safe drive like that. I want to know what I can do I feel that I spend in the past three months every two weeks in the service. When we buy a new car is for do not have problems I want advice of to know what I can do.
I have a 2022 Tiguan and I have had nothing but issues for the last pass three months with the car cutting off while driving. The cruise control won’t work my volkswagon app will not remote start, lock my doors are unlock my doors, then on top of that whenever I called the dealership to try to get it fixed they tell me all kind of excuses, especially when I took it to get service to check engine light was on it turned off then it turned back on and they told me they couldn’t take my car in because if they did my car would not be able to cut back on because they don’t have the software. This is very frustrating because I really love the model of my car but for the headache it’s not worth it.
I have a 2022 VW Tiguan R-line Black. Bought it with 6 miles on it now I have 20,000. About 8,000 miles in when I start the car and go to move it’s like the car is driving that is trying to stop, engine bogs down and can’t get any acceleration, then it clears up after a few times. Can be extremely Dangerous if you need to get out of a situation. A few months ago the “Travel Assist Currently not Available” warning and chime started going off. Now it’s going off more and more… car can be in park idling or driving. I have many videos of dashboard while this is happening. I brought to VW once and they told me if the issue isn’t currently happening they won’t be able to see what’s causing it. Made another appointment for this coming Saturday. Told them I have so many videos of issues, they responded that does us no good. I know it helps me out. My co-worker has same issue and her VW dealer told her she needed a new steering wheel, something with communication. My cousin has a 2022 VW TAOS and has same acceleration problem. VW needs to come clean and fix all this.
I have the 22’ Tiguan and have had nothing but problems. I love the car but I spend more time in the shop than enjoying it. At times it won’t accelerate (I had to go into someone’s yard to avoid being hit on the highway with my daughter in the backseat), go into reverse, consistently have zero sound from the radio/Bluetooth, the media center will go black for days (scariest part is no back up camera). The dealership said these are common problems and they don’t know how to fix it. They have done updates, reset, replaced the module twice. Nothing works.
I have a 22 Tiguan and have acceleration issues first thing when starting the car. After a few hundred feet of travel it disappears but very annoying. Infotainment system issues have been, mostly Sirius XM not loading stations where I am unable to change them. I did fill up the gas tank one day and later that afternoon is said tank was 1/4 full as I drove the gauge kept increasing until gradually full. I now have an engine light on and suspect it is that. Will make an appointment to have it checked.
My 2022 Tiguan which I bought in December has engine issues. Acceleration has an almost nose dive when starting out, almost like the car is stalling out. Lane assistance shits off and on randomly while driving. Lights are set to auto and I have come out to garage on morning and running lights stayed on. I have to double check every time I turn my car off now. It’s done it like 5 times.
I have a 2022 Tiguan annoying issue is the notification that my “Travel Assist currently not available” with amber triangle icons and with alert rings every few minutes (its like driving without your seatbelt notifications). Service has no solution and tells me , and the check engine light on, remote start not working, app in phone not working and they told me I have to pay for fix my car, I very angry with Volkswagen, I never going to buy another Volkswagen, never
I have a 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan and I live in northern NY and we get snow! Every 10 seconds or so an alert goes off that states “travel assist currently not available”. I have gotten out of the car and cleaned off the whole front end and it still continues to go off. At this I have about 5000 miles on my car and bought it brand new. The back window was never hit or in an accident and it completely shattered one morning when I started the car. I had to put a claim into my insurance to get a new back window. I cannot wait to trade in this car and will never buy another Volkswagen.
I have the same problem with the entertainment; a bump in the road will set it off, and then shut the entire system down. Annoying, but not life threatening. Last night my driver door suddenly opened while on the 5 Freeway traveling 72 Mph. Went from locked and driving to open on a freeway- I got off, and took a picture of the hazard signal under the oil light – something about a hill flashed as well. Absolutely terrifying, and VW won’t do anything.
Since I picked up my 2022 Tiquan Highline I have had multiple issues: (1) the audio system totally cuts out (turning the car off/on at a stop light sometimes brings it back). (2) the most annoying issue is the notification that my “Travel Assist currently not available” with amber triangle icons and with alert rings every few minutes (its like driving without your seatbelt notifications). Service has no solution and tells me for the past 6 months that a system software update is coming that will correct the problem with the infotainment system (3) the start/stop system hesitates when starting (keep that feature turned off). Passengers express concerns with the amount of false notifications and I’m so frustrated that I’m ready to sell off this car!
Having similar problems as everyone here. My lower level console where air conditioning controls are keeps turning up and turning down on its own. Lights that indicate airbag use keep turning on and off also. Many times my navigation screen gets stuck as well as the volume when connecting and Disconnecting from a Bluetooth call. Then there’s the stop start system! I’ve had my car completely shut off while exiting the freeway ( going from freeway speed to a lower 25 mph) at that point the car indicates to put in park and restart car. Insane and dangerous in that circumstance with other cars exiting at same speed behind me! Sometimes the car will even turn back on after I’ve shut it down and have exited the vehicle. Lol my car radio will start up again and that’s how I know it restarts.🤦🏽♀️ I’ve taken car in to ask if it’s a computer update or what not- but nada. It’s a 2020 tiguan and thank God that I purchased the warranty for the life of my loan, but still so faulty!
I have a 2022 Tiguan, That has numerious Radio, Navigation, & electrical problem that started the day I picked the car. I have called the & or written the Service Mgr at Cypress VW in Houston, Left messages with the Customer Service Mgr. (also supposedly the internet sales manager, with no results.
I then call VW Cutomer Service and spoke to someone who told that a person named Jackie would investigate my complaint and call me back with in 24 hours, it has been 6 days and no response.
I have been to the dealer 4 times, for the radio problem. the fist time they got me right in & out quickly, the next 3 times it took between 4 to 6 hours.
The last time when the told me they couldn’t duplicate the problemI went back to the tech explained the problems and he the said he knew about the problem and needed to order a new radio. The radio supposedly has been ordered, but nobody can tell me if the new radio will solve all the problems or if I will still have other electrical problems.
No response on an eta for the radio.
VW muist have so many complaints that nobody will respond to any problems.
HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS with my 2022 Tiquan. Information system sometimes inoperable; audio often not available, but also cruise control shuts off unilaterally but icon indicating operation continues to be lit. VW Customer Service refers me the back to the dealer; Dealer service tried multiple times but can’t find a solution.