Vehicle report
2020 Volkswagen Tiguan
Free recalls, owner complaints, and NHTSA safety ratings for the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan, plus how to check this specific vehicle before you buy.
The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan has 3 NHTSA recalls on record and 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Its overall NHTSA crash-test rating is 5 out of 5. Below is the full breakdown, plus how to check this specific vehicle by VIN before you buy in Alberta.
3
Open recalls
15
Complaints
5
Overall safety
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2020 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls (3)
SEATS
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen ) is recalling certain 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, Jetta, Jetta GLI and Tiguan and Audi Q5 and SQ5 and 2021 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. Parts of the front seat frame and backrest adjuster may not have been welded properly.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seats, and, as necessary, replace the seatback frames, free of charge. The recall began September 11, 2020. Volkswagen owners may contact their customer service at 1-888-241-2289. Audi owners may contact their customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 72L1, 72K8, and 72K9.
SEAT BELTS
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020 Tiguan LWB vehicles. The third row seat belt anchor bolts may not have been properly torqued.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and will repurchase the vehicles. Owners are advised: No one should occupy the third row seat due to the safety risk. The recall began October 7, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen number for this recall is 69BA.
STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
Remedy: 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.
2020 Volkswagen Tiguan safety ratings
5
Overall
4
Front
5
Side
4
Rollover
Source: NHTSA NCAP ratings.
2020 Volkswagen Tiguan owner complaints (15)
- STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the overhead console detached, nearly striking the contact on the head. The contact stated that the console wiring was hanging loose with the mount cracked and the screw casing disintegrating. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Started to smell a musty odor in my 2020 Tiguan. Had no idea where it was coming from. Repeatedly wiped down and vacuumed the car; but the smell would not leave. Eventually my husband realized that the carpet in the back seat area under the floor mats was wet and smelled very bad. We used a wet/dry vac to pull the water out. But it only returned. Mold has now started to develop and grow on the carpet on both sides of the car in the back. This is very bad as I don't want me and my family breathing in mold. Also, I purchased the car in late March of 2024 and have only had it for just a little over two years. Since I've had the car we have gotten all routine maintenances completed including the 80K mile service. After reading online I see that this is a COMMON problem with VW Tiguan's where either the Sunroof leaks into the car or the A/C drain causes issue; in both cases it causes water leaks and mold. Tried calling VW and Audi of America to explain and see if they would buy the car back, but was advised due to the year and mileage they could not. This is sad to me because this is dealing with MOLD. VW is aware of these issues and seems to not care if people are left finishing out financing on a loan with a car that leaks and causes mold. I'm even seeing that on the NHTSA website complaints section for Tiguans, that multiple people have registered complaints about the same issue. Attaching picture of mold that is growing in back area.
- FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
I was driving and a vehicle was making a left hand turn, in the middle lane and they were in their lane and I was in mine, but the vehicle decided to use the automatic breaking which then cause me to have whiplash and it took a few seconds for the car to move and I had other cars behind me. Also, because this happened so quickly with no warning I first had to think did I hit the car, because I would have had no knowledge because the automatic stoping made noise and jolted me. So this is dangerous is all sorts of levels. If the other vehicle didn’t move and appeared to be fine and I had no damage to my car I would have not known.
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sunglass holder latch is broken on the 2020 Tiguan, it obstructs the rear view mirror completely. Volkswagen is charging to have it repaired although there are multiple complaints online about this issue. We have to use tape to keep it shut but the heat melts the adhesive and it falls constantly while driving.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
center roof console fell out while driving VW states it out of extended warranty charging $200 for repair I find this very dangerous
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving on freeway, the overhead console in my 2020 VW Tiguan suddenly fell down. At highway speeds , I thought I had been hit or something. It immediately obstructed the view through my wind shield and rear view. I had to rapidly pull over, narrowly averting a collision. Very dangerous. I see that this is a common problem in this model of car supposedly caused by the factory over torquing the screws that secure it.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When I am driving my vehicle, I get an alert that the "Ignition switched off, please safely stop the video". All electrical power to the vehicle subsequently drops off. This is the same issue that the 2018-2019 VW Jetta's were recalled for in 2023.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When the weather is warm or hot the car will drive less than a mile then cuts off but still drives. No air conditioning no radio or camera works how car shuts off but can still drive.
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
upper center console has completely come down,
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING
While driving the car looses all dashboard lights, brake lights, blinkers. The motor stays running and it has a check starter system message. Has done it several times in the 2 weeks we have owned it. Seems to only occur when it is hot outside. It is very unsafe to loose break lights, blinkers, and all info on dash while driving with no warning. It gives a pull over immediately message right after it does it. Taking it to auto repair shop this week to see what they say, but not very optimistic since I have been reading it happens a lot with this vehicle and rarely they figure out the problem.
- ENGINE
Car has been consuming excessive oil in a short amount of time, Volkswagen claims it’s in “normal” specs but car consumes all the oil after oil change within 1200 miles. Between 0-5,000 miles 2 extra quarts will be added to engine. First time I noticed it was a month after purchasing the car when my oil/engine light came on. Recently oil cap blew off
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SOS button is not working. Console fell out of roof of car earlier this summer (a national recall) and now the SOS error J949 is not working, and because the SOS button isnt working neither is the bluetooth. This is absolutely due to the faulty console that had to be rewired and clipped back into the roof of the vehicle. Currently not being covered by dealerships, it is absolutely a volkswagen fault in their upper electrical console issue.
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE,BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that the engine warning light was illuminated due to an emissions issue. The message to check the oil level was displayed. The contact pulled over to check the oil and added a quart of oil. The vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that there was smoke coming from the exhaust. The contact was informed that the cylinder head valve seals had failed and caused oil to seep through the exhaust ports and was burning oil on the second head emissions system and the port was clogged. Additionally, the back over prevention camera was inoperable. The contact determined that the top half of the engine needed to be replaced. The cylinder head was on backorder. The local dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not under warranty. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Car beeped and displayed warning stating that Ignition will turn off and Check Starter System on four separate occasions, resulting in loss of all electrical power including but not limited to headlights, brake lights, console display, speedometer, dashboard lights, turn signals, hazard lights a/c, etc. The center console felt very warm. The car needed to be pulled over and ignition turned off for a prolonged period of time before restarting or else the issue would continue. The car does not always start right back up upon first try. It is unsafe to drive a car without any working electronics, especially at night. It is difficult and unsafe to pull over to a safe space without any working electronics, especially at night. Brought car to Vw dealer and they removed and replaced the ignition switch actuator.
- SERVICE BRAKES
While Driving Breaks got hard to push and car system made “beep” alert with words “Break booster fault” displayed on instrument panel. Pulled over and error went away. Checked brake booster and lines. Can not get it to duplicate. Read on Volkswagen forums online that this is happening to others. Car shops unable to duplicate as well but reports online state that is has happened again after being cleared by Auto Shop.
Checking a used Volkswagen Tiguan before you buy
The recall, complaint, and safety data above describes the 2020 Tiguan in general. To know the condition and history of the specific vehicle you're looking at, check it by VIN. A VIN check shows whether this particular Tiguan's recalls are still outstanding, and a full history report adds accident, title, and ownership records the data above can't show.
Before you buy a 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan in Alberta:
- Run a free VIN check on the exact vehicle for its own recalls and safety data.
- Run an Alberta Personal Property Registry lien search so you don't inherit debt.
- Get an independent pre-purchase inspection.
- If it's a dealer, confirm their AMVIC licence.
See other model years of the Volkswagen Tiguan, or browse more Volkswagen models.
2020 Volkswagen Tiguan — questions and answers
Does the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan have any recalls?+
Our check found 3 NHTSA recalls associated with the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan. Check the specific vehicle by VIN to see which remain outstanding, since some may already have been repaired. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.
How many complaints does the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan have?+
NHTSA lists 15 owner complaints for the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan in our results. Complaints are problems reported by owners and don't always lead to a recall, but a pattern of similar complaints is worth weighing before you buy.
Is the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan safe?+
The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan has an overall NHTSA crash-test rating of 5. Review the front-crash, side-crash, and rollover ratings above, and pair safety ratings with a mechanical inspection of the specific vehicle.
How do I check a 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan VIN?+
Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN into our free VIN check to see recalls, complaints, and safety ratings for that exact vehicle, then run an Alberta Personal Property Registry (PPR) lien search before you pay.
Are recall repairs on a Volkswagen free?+
Yes. Safety recall repairs are performed at no cost by a franchised Volkswagen dealer, even for a used vehicle and even if you're not the original owner. Confirm the required parts are in stock before relying on the fix.
Get the full vehicle history report
SPONSOREDAccident & damage records, liens, title brands, ownership history, and odometer verification.
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