The 2020 VW Tiguan is a stylish, versatile compact SUV, however many owners are complaining of the following defects:

• Engine problems with loss of power,
• Oil leaks,
• Seat belt recall
• Brake defects with the forward collision avoidance system.

See below for a detailed list of problems we have discovered with the 2020 VW Tiguan and your lemon law rights to a refund.

Engine Problems

All 2020 VW Tiguan vehicles come standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 184 horsepower.  Tiguan owners have experienced problems with the VW Tiguan turbo engine consisting of oil leaks and loss of power.

One owner states is always losing oil on NHTSA  “My change oil service light came on and kept reminding me daily for 10 days that i needed an oil change. I took it to the local dealership today and they said they would only change the oil at 10,000 miles. I only had 5800 miles but the oil was low so they added oil. I haven’t even had the car 6 months. What is wrong with the new engines or should the oil really be changed at 6000 miles? I should not be having issues with a brand new vehicle. Something needs to be done by Volkswagen to correct this issue.”

Another Tiguan driver reports a loss of power on Edmunds “the intake gets too hot under normal conditions…literally won’t go when you press the gas. The dealer told me it was working as designed and refused to do anything calling it turbo lag, I know turbo lag this was just unresponsive. The car wouldn’t go with your foot planted for 3-4 seconds trying to cross a busy street. So after taking it back and doing the whole dance they finally got ahold of me and said they’ll take it back and they magically found a “fix” for it instead of just telling me to put 91 octane in it and always drive it in sport mode, they put new injectors in it. The car doesn’t have smooth delivery of the very little power it does have anyway, it’s very jerky”.

Tiguan Brake Problems with Forward Collision Avoidance System

VW claims its 2020 Tiguan comes with “driver assistance technology that helps enhance safety.”  However many drivers are reporting a defect with the collision avoidance system and experiencing a sudden unintended braking.

An owner complains of brake defects with the VW Tiguan in NHTSA, “The vehicle will stop itself while in motion through the automatic braking system at random times, both in traffic and when no other vehicles are around. The warning will show up in the gauge cluster and the car will quickly come to a stop. This has happened on at least 4 occasions. The dealer has stated there are no faults.”

The complaints continue on NHTSA with another Tiguan owner stating. “My vehicle’s front assist collision sensor will engage itself while going down some driveways regardless of how slow or angled i try to exit (i always make sure that my exit and turns are safe from any ongoing traffic so the sensor is only being tripped from ground in front of the sensor). I have been almost been rear ended three times because of this and almost hit from the side when the the sensor engaged when i was more than halfway out into the first lane to make my turn.”

The 2020 VW Tiguan is not the only car having problems with the braking system.

We have previously reported that more than 1.7 million Honda CR-V and Accords are under investigation for “random brake problems”.

In addition, we have also reported that NHTSA has been investigating Tesla for random braking in its 2021 and 2022 Tesla Model 3 and Model Y electric vehicles. The investigation involves the automated emergency braking system.  Also, Nissan was hit with a class-action lawsuit for “phantom braking” problems, due to the faulty emergency brake system.

From the above reports, it appears that numerous auto manufacturers, such as VW, may be experiencing problems with their emergency braking systems, which could make driving hazardous.

Seatbelt Recall – Lemon Law Repurchase by VW

Seatbelts are the most important safety of a car and has prevented serious injuries in accidents.  The VW Tiguan has been experiencing problems with its seatbelts.

A Tiguan owner claims on NHTSA,  “Seatbelts are wet and moisture is building up in the car after heavy rain while sunroof and all doors closed and car is parked. Possibly a sunroof draining issue. Seatbelts mainly affected are in the rear, particularly rear-passenger – but front belts affected also. Water also observed in rear door wells and on front driver’s window post (left of windshield). Seatbelts smell damp and are so wet that they are uncomfortable to wear and would leave water on clothes”.

VW issued a recall, NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V579000, for the seatbelts in September 2020.   VW reported a problem with the Tiguan 3rd row belt anchor bolts which may not have been torqued properly.

VW states in the recall  “Volkswagen will notify owners and will repurchase the vehicles. Owners are advised: No one should occupy the third row seat due to the safety risk.”