The 2019 VW Tiguan is a compact crossover SUV that is popular with consumers because of its spacious interior, refined ride, and efficient engines. Volkswagen’s Tiguan is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 best-selling compact SUVs on the market.

VW claims the Tiguan “Fits your life“, but many owners are living with non-stop Tiguan problems with infotainment, braking, engine and overhead console detachment.

Learn the 2019 VW Tiguan problems, defects and complaints in our lemon law blog.

To view more VW Tiguan problems, click on another model year: 2021 2020

Top Problems With The 2019 VW Tiguan

NHTSA has at least 86 complaints by owners of the 2019 VW Tiguan. The most common problems and issues reported by owners of the 2019 VW Tiguan are listed below:

• Engine problems
• Infotainment system issues
• Overhead console problems
• Forward Collision Avoidance and Braking issues

Forward Collision Avoidance Problems – Braking Issues

VW’s Forward Collision Avoidance helps prevent or lessen the severity of a collision. In this feature, radar and camera sensors are used to detect possible collisions with other vehicles, pedestrians, or other objects on the roadway. Upon determining an impending collision, the system will alert the driver and apply the brakes automatically to help avoid a collision.

Many Tiguan owners are experiencing problems with the the forward collision avoidance.  A common problem with the VW Forward Collision Avoidance is that it may not function correctly in certain situations, leading to an increased risk of collision.   Many VW Tiguan owners have reported forward collision avoidance problems to the NHTSA.

Just read these 2 complaints from VW Tiguan owners to NHTSA:

While driving 25mph with no vehicles or other obstructions ahead, the vehicle forward collision warning audibly warned of an imminent crash, displayed a visible indicator on the dashboard screen, and applied strong braking force for about 2 seconds as I had been accelerating slightly. There were vehicles directly behind mine which may have collided with me if I had stopped suddenly. There was no risk of a frontal collision. This occurred as the vehicle was driving on a standard asphalt road and approached a red brick style crosswalk (there were no pedestrians).

Driving on clear road with sunny skies when vehicle break system warning light came on and vehicle suddenly and without warning began breaking. The sudden breaking of the vehicle with no reason or cause surprised me and put me in a dangerous position that could have resulted in an accident. Luckily the vehicle behind me was far enough behind where it was able to break without rear ending me. There was no warning that the vehicle had sense something on the road (none which were visible to me) before slamming the breaks.

The VW Tiguan braking complaints continue with an owner reporting to Edmunds:

 the emergency braking just randomly goes off with NO car anywhere near me

With all the VW Tiguan forward collision avoidance complaints, its not surprising VW issued a service bulletin to address the collision avoidance problems.

In VW’s Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) ID Number: 10199496 titled “Automatic Emergency Braking“, it specifies a step-by-step procedure to repair the collision avoidance issues for the VW Tiguan.

VW Tiguan Infotainment Problems

Many 2019 VW Tiguan owners have reported issues with the infotainment system. Some of the problems reported include:

• • Touchscreen response time is slow
  • Bluetooth connection issues with smartphones
  • Crashing or freezing of the system
  • Unresponsive audio system
  • The GPS navigation system does not work properly

Here’s an infotainment complaint by a VW Tiguan owner to VW Owners Club Forum:

I just got a brand new Tiguan SEL 4Motion. Drove it off the lot..248 miles on the ODO my infotainment system started acting up….the system starts… lags, and reboots. Then restarts. Within 90 seconds, it reboots. It does this about 4 times before it goes completely dead. No center console screen, no digital cockpit compass or nav. No charge from the ports. Dead. Then if you hold the power button for 15+ seconds it’ll reboot. And start the process all over again.  Guys at the dealership today said it’s software, no fix for it yet, it’s not dangerous… so stay tuned.  It’s so disappointing though to have a brand new car with basically 70% of the features inaccessible. And no path forward.

According to Car Expert, VW has acknowledged mistakes with infotainment and promised fixes. VW plans to update software and upgrade hardware with the Tiguan Infotainment system.

VW Tiguan Overhead Console Problems

There are 6 complaints on NHTSA from VW Tiguan owners about the overhead console detaching. One NHTSA complaint states:

The car was parked outside during the summer. Opened the car door and noticed the entire overhead console above the driver had detached, and was broken, hanging head high by the wire connections. The plastic is broken around the screws that usually hold it into place, so it cannot be reattached without getting a replacement part installed. Driving is dangerous when this occurs as the entire console sways back and forth in front of the driver, hitting them, which in turn obstructs visibility through front windshield, internal and exterior rearview mirrors and is an overall distraction/hazard to the driver. Also cannot utilize overhead lights and other functionality while the overhead console is detached. No warnings or way of predicting this from occurring. This is the second time this has occurred in the span of 1 year to this vehicle. Had dealership install new overhead console after this happened the first time.

The complaints continue with the VW overhead console falling down with a Tiguan owner stating in VW Owners Club Forum:

I am having the exact same issues . Last month I got in and found my overhead console about the same condition (detached). I taped it with Duct tape and brought into dealer. Along with this, GPS, microphone stopped working for phone and apple play. I brought it back to dealer (4) times when they finally got the console back on and gps/microphone working. Had it back for approx. 5 days and it stopped working again. Console still attached. Very frustrating. Another (2) weeks before I can bring it back.

You can view a picture of a detached VW Tiguan console by clicking here.

Tiguan Engine Problems

A perfectly functioning engine is essential to staying safe on the road.  However, many 2019 VW Tiguan owners have experienced engine problems with stalling, and hesitation.  Here are two reports of VW Tiguan engine problems to the NHTSA

My problem does not involve a crash but involves frequent DELAYED ACCELERATION in warm and cold weather, due to Drive-by-Wire technology or software. My VW service department does not acknowledge the problem and considers this delayed acceleration as turbo lag! Really, turbo lag at idle and no forward movement! Example sitting in parking lot at idle, auto trans in D drive. I stopped to let out my wife of car and I depressed accelerator pedal and nothing happened for six second delay, the motor continued at idle, 1000 rpm, than after approx., full six seconds (i was counting) then car raced off and I had to brake. This issue occurs from full stop warm or cold and from idle to 1800 rpm and up to 25mph and from first week of ownership beginning in October 2019. This had been reported up to eight times and only serviced by the selling VW dealership.

2019 VW Tiguan Problems – Getting Help

Whether you have brake issues, engine problems, overhead console falling down, or infotainment problems with your 2019 VW Tiguan, you don’t have to pay out-of-pocket or live with non-stop warranty repairs.

VW will only be held accountable for the 2019 Tiguan problems and defects if drivers use the lemon law.  Fortunately the PA Lemon Law, NJ Lemon Law, NY Lemon Law and Hawaii Lemon Law can help you.

It is important to contact a lemon law firm as soon as possible to begin the process of getting compensation for your damages.  We are the lemon law experts and can help you get a new car or refund.

Contact us today for free lemon law help.