2023 Volkswagen TIGUAN: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
61 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
35,086 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2023 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 22 of 61 complaints (36.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 7 | 11.5% |
| Braking behavior | 7 | 11.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 4.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 3.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.6% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 1.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 22 |
| Electrical System | 11 |
| Unknown Or Other | 10 |
| Power Train | 8 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 6 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
Engine: 22; Electrical System: 11; Unknown Or Other: 10; Power Train: 8; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 6; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Service Brakes: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 55 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2024 | 17 |
| 2025 | 15 |
| 2026 | 14 |
2023: 15; 2024: 17; 2025: 15; 2026: 14
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 7 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11506677 · 2023-02-10 (February 10, 2023)
On 2/8/2023 When starting my vehicle my digital instrument cluster did not display anything. (No Speedometer, tachometer, etc) While the cluster is not working, the Red "Level 1 Warning" light is displayed which tells you not to drive the vehicle. The issue was NOT resolved with restarting the vehicle, or letting it sit for several hours. The issue "self-resolved" the next morning and has not reoccurred (yet) I have noticed that on certain random starts the digital instrument cluster can take over 30 seconds to display any data. Bringing …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11506677 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11515928 · 2023-04-07 (April 7, 2023)
Front passenger seat belt, when its in use the system activate the alarm and don't recognize that seat belt is in use.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11515928 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11529323 · 2023-06-28 (June 28, 2023)
While driving the unit will shutdown and reboot randomly, shutting down all functions. Dealer diagnostic showed no issues with the software or firmware. When using NAV or phone related functions the unit will also shut down randomly and reboot. In some cases , the unit will down and not respond to a hard boot by holding the power button down for 20 seconds. The power to the infotainment could cause the dash to shutdown. No warning or power codes were noted.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11529323 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11530333 · 2023-07-04 (July 4, 2023)
When I click the button to start the car and then quickly reverse, the system locks up. It's a safety hazard. It's happened to me 4 times. Twice on 7-14-23 and another two times within the last 3 weeks.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11530333 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11531195 · 2023-07-09 (July 9, 2023)
Happening within the first few weeks of purchase from new in November 2022. Delay and wildly inconsistent acceleration from a stop. This is most noticeable within the first 10 minutes of driving and is much worse when cold. Often, when accelerating from a stop, the vehicle does not move for several seconds; when the car does begin to move the acceleration is erratic and often results in wheel spin and a loss of control. We’ve nearly been t-boned on several occasions because the car’s acceleration is erratic. I’ve taken the vehicle to the…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11531195 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11532027 · 2023-07-13 (July 13, 2023)
The vehicle stutters or hesitates when accelerating from a stop. This is even more prevalent when the car has first been started. This is a major safety issue as when my family is pulling out into traffic the car just lurches forward initially before then finally just taking off. It's almost as if there is a delay in fuel being sent to the engine to move it forward. It shakes a little and then goes really fast. You can hold your the gas peddle down some and the car won't move then after a second or two it finally accelerates without moving…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11532027 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11532406 · 2023-07-14 (July 14, 2023)
Malfunction with power delivery/transmission: I often experience inconsistent acceleration/power while driving at low speeds, the loss of power and jerks feel very similar to an engine misfire. Safety Risk: This behavior is very dangerous as we instinctively push down gas pedal to overcome lack of power and it causes the car to rocket forward as too high throttle has been opened and one can easily lose control and crash. Occurance: I feel this loss/inconsistent power situation happens at cold start and once the car is warmed up it doesn't oc…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11532406 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11533580 · 2023-07-21 (July 21, 2023)
The vehical when engine is cold. Has delays and lags. I didn't think much of it when I first bought it, I assumed the computer was trying to learn. Well car has 12000 miles on it and still does it I've been to the dealer several times. They have told me this is normal?. Until I went to a different dealer. Service Manger states the vehical has a software problem and none repairable at the time ( I have paperwork to prove it) I tried to lemon the car out after that. Vw state because the info wasn't written by a service tec, they won't lemon the …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11533580 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
25V082000 · Back Over Prevention:Software
Reported: 2025-02-12 (February 12, 2025)
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."
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the camera control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed to Audi owners April 3, 2024, and Volkswagen owners November 18, 2025.Volkswagen owners will receive a second notice once remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Volkswagen) 91NY and (Audi) 90AV.
NHTSA campaign record ↗