2021 Volkswagen Tiguan: What to check before buying

Oil loss is the main failure. A failed PCV valve or oil separator builds crankcase pressure. That pressure cracks the plastic oil pan and forces oil past the timing cover seals, sometimes dumping oil on the road. Cars drop into limp mode with an EPC warning and a 3000 rpm limit, losing power in traffic. Other reports describe heavy oil burning that dealers call normal, worn valve stem seals that call for a new cylinder head, and complete engine failure from metal debris between about 29,000 and 70,000 miles. Many failures come just after warranty ends, and cylinder heads are back-ordered.

Oil escapes through a cracked oil pan, sometimes spraying out on hills. Cars lose power with low oil, check engine, or EPC warnings lit. Blue or gray exhaust smoke and excessive oil consumption are common, and dealers point to valve stem seals, the valve cover, or the turbo and timing chain. Repairs often fail again, and some end in a diagnosis of engine failure. Reported failures cluster between 46,000 and 53,000 miles.

A false "Driver Door Contact Switch" error sets the electronic parking brake on its own, at stops or at low speed. Electronic brake and start/stop faults often show up with it. Other reports describe the engine shutting off while slowing, EPC limp mode, and sudden loss of acceleration as the speedometer and tachometer drop to zero. Some cars light up dozens of warnings and shift into park on their own, and dealers cannot diagnose them. Fuel gauge errors, a stuck trunk release, flickering climate control, and the falling overhead console also appear.

Ceiling-mounted consoles drop out without warning when their plastic and adhesive crack. The falling part startles drivers and blocks the rearview mirror, and this category includes the one reported injury. Replacement consoles are often back-ordered. Other reports describe the front panoramic sunroof exploding at speed, and sunroof leaks that soak the floor and return after repair. A rattle behind the driver's head near the B-pillar is also reported on a nearly new car.

Oil loss and oil burning account for most reports. A failed PCV valve lets the timing cover leak and cracks the oil pan. One such leak appeared at 53K, just past the 4-year, 50k-mile warranty. Worn exhaust valve seals and blown head gaskets lead to cylinder head or engine replacement. Owners also describe throttle lag of almost 2 seconds from a stop, jerking under acceleration, and power loss that limits speed. A fuel leak with a strong gasoline smell after a hard start also appears.

After a remote start, adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking stop working and show an error. Forward collision warning and rear cross traffic warning can drop out too. Dealers call it a known issue with no fix. The workaround is restarting the car normally or turning ACC off before using remote start. Separate reports describe sudden automatic braking at about 15 mph with nothing ahead, and ACC speeding up toward a slowing car at 70 mph. Both carry rear-end collision risk.

The fuel gauge reads wrong, often below half a tank. Drivers run out of gas while the gauge still shows fuel, sometimes in heavy traffic. The sensor is built into the tank, so the fix is a full tank replacement, quoted at over $5000 in one case. Oil separator failures filed here cause sudden oil loss, a cracked oil pan, and timing cover damage around 46,000 miles. A P24D6 tank ventilation pressure sensor code also blocks remote start.

Dome lights and the overhead console break free and fall in front of the rearview mirror, sometimes hitting the driver. Bumps, potholes, speed bumps, and closing a door can set them off, and some reports blame screws tightened enough to fatigue the plastic. Headlight seals also fail. Condensation builds inside until the light shorts out, and replacement headlights are back-ordered, so repairs are delayed.

Windshields crack from minor hits, and the crack can spread across the whole glass. Some owners are on their fourth windshield. Replacement glass is back-ordered with no delivery date, in one case for a year. Sudden false braking with nothing ahead is also reported, along with the overhead console falling and blocking the rearview mirror.