The Lemon IndexAll cars · Volkswagen · SUV
Volkswagen Tiguan.
The best Volkswagen Tiguan years are 2014, 2015, 2021. Years to avoid: 2018, 2022, 2011. Across 2011-2022, it has a Lemon Index of 114, where 100 is the average car and lower is better.
Reliability by year, 2011 to 2025.
Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.
Best years to buy
2014.
Quick answers.
Is the Volkswagen Tiguan a good car?
It is about average, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2011-2022: Lemon Index 114; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: the best is 2014 and the worst is 2018.
What are the best Volkswagen Tiguan years to buy?
By owner complaints per car sold: 2014, 2015, 2021.
What Volkswagen Tiguan years should you stay away from?
The years with the most complaints per car sold: 2018, 2022, 2011.
How many recalls does the Volkswagen Tiguan have?
60 safety recalls across the 15 model years we track. Most: 2018 (14), 2019 (5), 2021 (5). Each year's page lists them.
What are the most common Volkswagen Tiguan problems?
Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name engine, electrical and transmission & drivetrain most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.
Every year in one table
| Year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Top complaint | Recalls | Crash test | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 174 | 1.7× the average car's complaints | 54 | lights (59%) | 3 | — | 21–22 |
| 2012 | 131 | 1.3× the average car's complaints | 45 | engine (42%) | 3 | — | 21–24 |
| 2013 | 87 | 1.1× fewer complaints than average | 33 | engine (33%) | 3 | ★★★★☆ | 21–23 |
| 2014 | 50 | 2× fewer complaints than average | 15 | airbags (47%) | 3 | ★★★★☆ | 21–23 |
| 2015 | 52 | 1.9× fewer complaints than average | 18 | electrical (33%) | 4 | ★★★★☆ | 22–23 |
| 2016 | 69 | 1.4× fewer complaints than average | 30 | airbags (33%) | 2 | ★★★★☆ | 22–23 |
| 2017 | 73 | 1.4× fewer complaints than average | 22 | airbags (27%) | 4 | ★★★★☆ | 21–22 |
| 2018 | 218 | 2.2× the average car's complaints | 197 | engine (30%) | 14 | ★★★★★ | 22–24 |
| 2019 | 78 | 1.3× fewer complaints than average | 87 | electrical (23%) | 5 | ★★★★★ | 24–25 |
| 2020 | 66 | 1.5× fewer complaints than average | 62 | automatic emergency braking (26%) | 3 | ★★★★★ | 23–25 |
| 2021 | 60 | 1.7× fewer complaints than average | 64 | automatic emergency braking (20%) | 5 | ★★★★★ | 24–25 |
| 2022 | 189 | 1.9× the average car's complaints | 189 | engine (42%) | 5 | — | 24–26 |
| 2023 | 77 | 1.3× fewer complaints than average | 70 | engine (36%) | 1 | ★★★★☆ | 24–27 |
| 2024 | 91 | about average | 74 | electrical (35%) | 2 | ★★★★☆ | 24–27 |
| 2025 | 104 | about average | 53 | automatic emergency braking (32%) | 3 | ★★★★★ | 25–29 |
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the government within 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average, lower is better. How it works
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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