2022 Volkswagen Tiguan Problems

What owners reported to NHTSA about the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan, its recalls, and what to check before you buy one.

Volkswagen Tiguan, 2018 to 2024 model years
Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0
How the 2022 compares

Already more complaints than most Tiguan years

After only 4 years on the road, owners have already filed 1.9 times as many complaints as a typical Tiguan year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 33,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2014, 2015 and 2017.

Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Tiguan years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.

Owners have filed 276 complaints with NHTSA about the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan. The most reported problem area is the engine and cooling (119, 43% of complaints), followed by the driver assist systems and the electrical system. That ranks 2nd of 13 Tiguan years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 5 recalls.

Complaints276filed with NHTSA
Recalls5for this model year
Crashes35 injuries reported
Fires1reported in complaints

2 of these complaints came from Utah owners.

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Most reported problems

Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan before you buy.

Engine and cooling

119 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 33,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
  • Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
  • Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
  • Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

I have only ever serviced this vehicle at VW dealerships, and took the car in for service every 10k miles. The check engine light came on just under 50k miles and it was due to a cracked Leak Detection Pump. I paid for the repair out of pocket. After it was fixed, just a few weeks later the check engine light came back on. When I took…Owner complaint, filed 2026
I own a 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan that has experienced ongoing excessive oil consumption. At approximately 60,000 miles, the vehicle experienced a much more serious incident. While traveling approximately 75 mph on the interstate, the vehicle began actively spraying engine oil, covering the exterior of the vehicle. A warning light then…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Driver assist systems

73 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy

Parts named most: Assist (39), Adaptive cruise control (20), Warning (17).

What to check before you buy

  • Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
  • Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
  • Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

For multiple weeks, my vehicle's Travel Assist/driver-assistance system has repeatedly malfunctioned. The problem began after the vehicle was returned to me by the dealership following service related to an ongoing oil-consumption issue. Since receiving the vehicle back, the "Travel Assist currently not available" warning and associated…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Travel Assist Not Available warning chime several times while driving. This has been back to the dealer 3 or more times, steering wheel replaced, software updates and still this along with screen blackouts, steering wheel heater coming on without prompting, audio failure, backup camera not always functioning. It is very distracting to…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Electrical system

63 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
  • Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
  • Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, an alert flashed indicating that "Travel Assist is no longer available," followed by a loud, persistent chiming noise that continued while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent certified mechanic. The failure mileage was approximately…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 75,000 miles
According to the report I received from Nucar in Tilton NH, my 5F module for the infotainment system is not working after an OTA update. Navigation, volume, road sign assistance (speed limit signs), bluetooth sound, seat memory, etc .. I had to pay $700 to have them look at the car and they did not fix it. Now My estimate for repair is…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Transmission and drivetrain

42 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
  • Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
  • Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
  • If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

After replacing cylinder head, rack and pinion and steering assist I went to dealer just after warranty passed they told me that the oil separator and auxiliary/ secondary water pump. Car continues to have issues. Mainly with engine. Car could break down when driving with no oil getting to engineOwner complaint, filed 2026
My vehicle has been consuming oil at a rate of approximately 1 quart every 1,500 miles. The VW dealership I took my vehicle into reported that VW considers this “normal”. After arguing that any vehicle that will burn its entire oil reservoir between oil changes is not normal, they agreed to perform an oil consumption test which is…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Fuel system

31 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
  • On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
  • Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

I got this car in 2024 and it burns through oil. I am constantly replacing the oil and have had to have the seals replaced a couple of times. Every 200 to 300 miles I have to put oil in it. It’s too new of a car for that. I know a lot of other owners have had issues.Owner complaint, filed 2026
My 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan has an ongoing excessive oil consumption problem that began in April 2025 when the low oil warning illuminated. I added approximately one quart of oil and contacted the Volkswagen dealership. The dealership instructed me not to add oil myself if the warning returned and to bring the vehicle in for evaluation. On…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Steering

26 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
  • On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
  • A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

This vehicle was purchased in 2021, while the vehicle was under warranty, we had issues with the travel assist 2 times. The vehicle was taken twice to the main VW dealership to fix the issue with the travel assist. Both times they change the entire steering mechanism and the vehicle worked fine after that. Recently, the car started…Owner complaint, filed 2026
My 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan repeatedly displays the warning: “Travel Assist Currently Not Available.” When this occurs, the vehicle beeps every few seconds, which is extremely distracting while driving. I have also noticed that when the Travel Assist failure occurs, there is a pulsating feedback/vibration when braking. This condition…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Lights, wipers and visibility

16 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
  • Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

The wipers of this car go on and off automatically and you are not able to turn off the feature. They go on without rain or any debris on the windshield. I already took it to a Volkswagen dealer and they accepted the error and replaced the steering wheel, saying this was the cause. With the new steering wheel, the problem is still going…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The vehicle's sunroof glass failed catastrophically and shattered spontaneously without any external impact or contributing factor. The glass was not safety glass and shattered into sharp shards, dispersing throughout the vehicle interior, including the rear seating area. This failure posed a serious safety risk, as glass shards caused…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Cruise control and acceleration

14 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
  • Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

The powertrain control units (engine and/or transmission) exhibit concerning behaviors when accelerating from a stop. The actual vehicle acceleration and propulsive torque does not match driver demanded torque for an extended period of time. The amount of delayed reaction is longer when the vehicle is ‘cold’ meaning that the vehicle has…Owner complaint, filed 2024
The extreme acceleration delayed in responding. It has happened on a few occasions causing me to have to quickly brake the vehicle once it finally responds to avoid hitting any traffic in front of me, but one of the occasions was When I tried to make a left turn in an intersection, I pressed on the accelerator and the car moved forward…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Brakes and stability control

9 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
  • The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
  • Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

I leased a 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan from Brooklyn Volkswagen on May 24, 2022, within 48 hours I experienced a strong vibration upon braking. Most noticeable at speeds higher than 25mph. On May 31, 2022 I returned the car to the Brooklyn Volkswagen Service Center for inspection. It had been determined by my service advisor that the brakes…Owner complaint, filed 2022
I am reporting a serious engine defect on my 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan at approximately 39,500 miles. The vehicle has excessive oil consumption and an oil leak. The authorized dealer diagnosed the problem as requiring full cylinder head replacement. This is a major engine repair at low mileage. I previously told the dealer the vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Air bags

5 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
  • Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that the vehicle had been at the dealer since November 2025 unrepaired regarding the side curtain air bag. The dealer informed the contact that Part Number: 5NN880742G; was on backorder. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time to…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated without a passenger seated in the seat. Additionally, there was an audible sound heard. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 20,000 miles

Body, doors and structure

4 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
  • Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
  • Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

2022 volkswagen tiguan. Consumer writes in regards to safety concerns with the auto unlock feature on vehicle. The consumer stated all 4 doors on the vehicle unlock when the gear was shifted to park. The consumer stated the feature could be potentially harmful in some situations.Owner complaint, filed 2022

Wheels and tires

3 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
  • Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
  • The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

Tire pressure sensor seems to consistently read low tire pressure every month or so, adjust tire pressures and problem keeps happening. A month ago, I had a tire explode and I’m not sure if it was related to a faulty tire or from my improper tire gauge constantly giving me troubles. Bought the car in September 2022, and have replaced 2…Owner complaint, filed 2023
I bought this brand new Tiguan in July 2022. The engine is either leaking or burning engine oil. I have the check engine oil level light on around every 2000-3000 miles. I had been to the dealer several times. They just inspect for leak and added engine oil. The problem still exist. The dealer stated that my car needs oil change every…Owner complaint, filed 2023

Seats and seat belts

2 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
  • Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

The driver-side seat belt buckle is getting stuck and does not release the seat belt when the release button is pressed.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Seven months after I purchased this vehicle as new the driver side rear seatbelt buckle is not working which is preventing that passenger to put the seatbelt on, it keeps coming out. I called the local Dealership, FIndley Henderson Volkwagen, and the earliest appointment is a week from today, which means I can't have anyone sitting…Owner complaint, filed 2022

Suspension

1 complaintClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
  • Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
  • Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

My backup camera stopped functioning not too long after the warranty was expired. It began by not coming on sometimes and then it went completely out. The entire unit is no longer functioning which prevents me from being able to use my backup camera and that is a safety issue.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Volkswagen Tiguan complaints by year

Compare the 2022 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.

Compare with similar 2022 compact SUVs

Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.

CarVs. its other yearsRecallsMost reported
2022 Volkswagen TiguanWorse than most years5Engine and cooling
2022 Toyota RAV4Too new to judge1Electrical system
2022 Honda CR-VToo new to judge3Steering
2022 Mazda CX-5Too new to judge0Lights, wipers and visibility
Compare side by side

2022 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls

This is every recall issued for the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan, not what is still open on one car. A recall that was fixed does not show up any differently here. Check a VIN at NHTSA to see what is still open on the car you are looking at, and ask the seller for proof any recall work was done.

Backup camera

Feb 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V082000
Risk
A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will update the camera control unit software, free of charge.
Full recall summary

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Tiguan, 2023 Arteon, and 2024-2025 Audi Q3 vehicles. An error may occur in the camera control unit at vehicle startup, resulting in the rearview camera image not displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Backup camera

Jul 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V514000
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.
Full recall summary

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."

Body and structure

Apr 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V226000
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.
Full recall summary

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.

Suspension

Mar 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V176000
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.
Full recall summary

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.

Brakes

Nov 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V853000
Risk
A loose brake pipe nut may allow brake fluid to leak, extending the distance required to stop and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect and tighten the brake pipe nut, as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Tiguan vehicles. The nut that secures the brake pipe near the right-front wheel well may be loose.

2022 Volkswagen Tiguan questions

What are the most common problems with the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan?

The most reported problem areas on the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan are the engine and cooling (119 complaints), the driver assist systems (73 complaints) and the electrical system (63 complaints).

Is the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan a good year to buy?

Already more complaints than most Tiguan years. After only 4 years on the road, owners have already filed 1.9 times as many complaints as a typical Tiguan year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 33,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2014, 2015 and 2017. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Tiguan years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.

How many recalls does the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan have?

NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan. The most recent, from Feb 2025, covers the backup camera. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.

At what mileage do 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan problems start?

Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 33,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.

Which Volkswagen Tiguan years should I avoid?

The Tiguan years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2018. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2014, 2015 and 2017. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.

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Where these numbers come from. Complaints are reports that owners filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), counted from NHTSA’s complaint database as of November 5, 2026. Owners do not have to prove a problem to file one, so a complaint is a report, not a confirmed defect. Models that sell in big numbers get more complaints, and newer model years have had less time on the road, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Recalls come from NHTSA’s recall database and cover every vehicle of that model year, not one particular car. Quotes are trimmed, and anything that looks like a VIN is hidden.