Used Volkswagen Tiguan 2016-2024 reliability
Category: Family SUV
The Volkswagen Tiguan is a spacious and practical SUV and a great used buy.
What should I look for in a used Volkswagen Tiguan estate?
When viewing a used car, always follow our used car buying checklist.
Bodywork
The Tiguan is a large car but its extremities are, for the most part, easily visible, and some models even have a reversing camera option. Many examples have been used in city centres and supermarket car parks, so check for scuffs and dents on the bodywork. Also, check the alloy wheels for any kerb damage.
Gearbox issues
Some owners have complained of issues with the DSG automatic gearbox, so check that changes are smooth and quiet.
If you're looking for information on the older model, click here for our used review of the 2007-2016 Volkswagen Tiguan.
What are the most common problems with a used Volkswagen Tiguan estate?
Front seat backrests may collapse in a collision
Due to a manufacturing issue with the front seats of some Tiguans made between 1 August 2016 and 31 November 2016, the backrests may collapse in a collision. Speak to your nearest Volkswagen dealer for further information, because your car will need replacement frames fitted if your car is affected.
Too little engine torque at low speed
A software update is required on examples made between 9 October 2018 and 28 May 2019 in order to increase the amount of torque the engine provides at low speeds to improve drivability.
Cracks in the front left seat frame
Separate to the previously mentioned recall for collapsing seatbacks, the front left (front passenger) seat frame could be cracked and affects a small number of Tiguans made between 4 and 5 February 2019, so contact your dealer for further information. Your car will need a new frame if it is affected.
Airbag and seatbelt tensioners
A problem with the airbags and seatbelt tensioners on examples made between 1 May 2016 and 31 October 2016 could mean that they don't perform effectively in a collision, increasing the risk of injury to occupants. Check with your dealer to find out if this recall applies to your car because all the faulty parts will need to be replaced.
Tow bar
A potentially defective tow bar locking mechanism on Tiguans built between 11 May 2016 and 5 November 2018 will need to be replaced in order for people to tow safely.
Front discs
A small number of examples made between 19 and 23 January 2018 could have been fitted with front brake discs that aren't of the correct thickness. This may lead to the disc cracking and potentially fracturing under extreme loads. If yours is among the affected cars, a Volkswagen dealer will replace its front discs free of charge.
Fuel tank
The thickness of the walls of the fuel tank in a small number of Tiguans manufactured between 10-11 October 2019 could be thinner than they should be. Speak to your local Volkswagen dealer for further information because affected cars will require the tank to be replaced.
Dealer supplied wheels
Any dealer supplied wheels manufactured between 13 September and 22 October 2019 will need to be replaced because they're not compatible with the Tiguan. If you happen to have ordered a spare set of wheels (for a set of winter tyres, perhaps), then it might be worth contacting your dealer for further information.
Roof spoiler
The roof spoiler fitted to certain models made between 1 May 2016 and 20 June 2019 could fall off. Of those that are affected by this recall, additional bolts will be fitted to secure it in place.
Front suspension (Allspace)
A swivel joint in the front suspension might not have been tightened down correctly at the factory of Tiguans constructed between 1 February 2017 and 31 March 2018. Check this out with your dealer because affected vehicles will need to be inspected by a technician as part of this recall.
Wrong fuses fitted (Allspace)
A small number of examples built from 23 October 2017 and 9 June 2018 could have one or more incorrect fuses fitted. This will need to be checked over by a VW dealer who'll replace the fuses with the correct ones.
Passenger airbag (Allspace)
A problem with how the front passenger airbag was folded during its manufacture could lead to potential problems when it is deployed in a collision. This recall affects Tiguans made from 14 March to 18 May 2018 and requires that a new passenger airbag is fitted, so contact your local VW dealer to find out if your car is affected by this.
Front seat backrest adjuster
The adjustment mechanism might not have been welded correctly to the seat frames of a small batch of Tiguamns made between 26 and 29 June 2020, and if your car is affected, it'll need to have the backrests replaced at your local VW dealer.
Click here for more information. Contact your local VW dealer if you believe your vehicle is involved in a recall.
Is a used Volkswagen Tiguan estate reliable?
Our data suggests the VW Tiguan is reliable – averagely so.
In our latest What Car? Reliability Survey, the Tiguan placed 32nd in petrol and 39th in diesel, with reliability scores of 91.9% and 88.1%, respectively. That's out of a pool of 48 cars in the family SUV class. Based on that, the Tiguan is more reliable than the Cupra Formentor and Range Rover Evoque but less reliable than the BMW X1 and the top-spot holder, the 2014-2021 Lexus NX.
Common faults included non-engine electrical and infotainment faults (of which both petrol and diesel models suffered). The diesels suffered more from engine electrical issues – 5.0% of owners surveyed experienced this issue, against 1.6% of owners of petrol Tiguans.
VW ranked 20th out of 34 manufacturers as a car brand — higher than Audi, Mercedes, and Cupra but lower than Ford, Seat, and Skoda.
Used Volkswagen Tiguan reliability: the owners' view
What Car? readers have told us of their experiences with the Volkswagen Tiguan.
On the whole, the model has a strong reliability record, with few owners reporting any significant issues. However, some mentioned electrical faults, particularly related to the infotainment system and navigation. These glitches, while not affecting the vehicle's driveability, did necessitate visits to the dealership for software updates and repairs.
The feedback on the dealer service they received was mixed. Some readers praised them for their quick and efficient solving of problems, highlighting excellent customer service and communication. On the other hand, a few readers expressed frustration over delays in diagnosing issues and securing parts for repairs, which sometimes led to longer-than-expected vehicle downtimes.
Overall, the Volkswagen Tiguan was commended for its reliability, although the quality of dealer service appeared to vary significantly depending on location.
