Electrical System Problems of Volkswagen Tiguan - part 2

When it’s hot outside I get a warning about the starting system then all the electronics shut off including all dash, radio, and exterior lights.

See all problems of the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan 🔎.

In July, chicagoland was very hot and my car stays in the garage. The piece that holds the sun roof control panel on the ceiling melted and came partially off. It’s been hanging since then since I was told it wasn’t ready to be fixed yet since there is no recall. I’ve been waiting but now my sos feature is inoperable.

See all problems of the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan 🔎.

Experienced water leaks due to improperly routed sun roof drains. Experienced air bag electrical malfunctions, locking doors and unlocking doors, and air bag sensor/wiring harness inside passenger door.

The overhead console fell down with no indication or force - could’ve been heat or weak parts. Overhead console dangled by electrical wires and blocked rearview mirror and line of sight. Upon research, numerous other Volkswagen Tiguan owners have experience similar issues.

My car has delayed acceleration issues of between 3 - 6 seconds. The last one that was 6 seconds ore more was on June 29. In addition it's happened several times. I took the vehicle in for its last service and was told the issue was my battery. Battery was replaced and issue not resolved. The service before that I was told it was a carbon build up. Continues to happen sporadically.

Started noticing issues within first week of purchase. Cruise control will not increase nor decrease speed when set. Steering wheel controls will not advance or decrease speed. Intermittent problem. First service dealer could not replicate. Second service dealer contacted vw assist and was advised to replace steering wheel buttons. Did not fix problem. Third service vw assist advised to replace clock spring and wiring harness. Part still on back order almost a month later. Meanwhile, vehicle now rapidly decreases or advances speed on own while cruise control is set. Adaptive control function is off and not source of issue. I feel this is software related issue as I have also had malfunction of infotainment radio system. Another reason I feel software issue is due to vehicle back up safety braking activates and throws vehicle into park when nothing is behind me.

See all problems of the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan 🔎.

On three (3) separate occasions, my 2019 vw Tiguan has produced an error stating "check starter system" on the console and shut down electrical systems such as instrument panel, brake lights, headlights, taillights, back up camera, and other electrical systems while driving. All three (3) situations followed the same series of events whereas the car was out in the sunlight on warmer days (70+ degrees) and occurred within 5 or so minutes of starting. After shutting the vehicle off and attempting to restart, the ignition will not always work and the car will not turn over. When it does, the key will need to be turned farther than a normal ignition start and most likely produce an immediate error and electrical system shut down. In the most recent occurrence, I found a parking garage and left the car for around an hour and did not experience the issue for the rest of the trip. It appears that there was a recall for a similar issues with the jetta models made in the same year (2019). Volkswagen recall: 28h7-ignition switch / NHTSA campaign number: 23v604.

I have had several incidents where the forward collision activated for no reason. I didn’t keep track of dates because I did t realize I would need to. Then I began having other issues: incident 1 June 7, 2025: I was driving down the road and lost all power. Car wouldn’t start back up. Got a jumpstart and didn’t have any issues like that after that for two months. Issue 2: July 3, 2025: infotainment center went completely black. Callled dealership and they told me it wasn’t under warranty. July 11, 2025: backup camera came on in reverse. August 3, 2025: backup camera came on while in reverse. August 15. 2025: backup camera came on in reverse. August 27, 2025: went to start car for in morning and it start, just made strange sounds along with clicking. Put on battery charger for 20 minutes, started it and let run for a few minutes. It was fine after that. August 27, 2025: displayed the welcome to Volkswagen three times today. Backup camera came on. August 28, 2025: sitting in my car without power on and the welcome to Volkswagen displayed on infotainment screen.

See all problems of the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan 🔎.

Fuel gauge showed close to empty and we filled up the tank. The fuel gauge is still reading empty and not properly reporting the gas level in the tank.

My vehicle will have a slow start when I start the car and also a delay when it is at a stoplight. I took it in for service twice and they told me it was because I had an after market battery. However - yesterday my car completely went dead at a stop light and I had to turn the engine off and in. It often lags or stops at a light. According to reddit it seems it’s a crank start issue.

The rear camera has been inoperable since June 2025. Vw have not issued a fix. This is a safety issue.

See all problems of the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan 🔎.

The overhead console that controls the interior lights, sunroof, sos button, etc. Just popped off while driving and almost hit me in the head.

I am writing to formally express my deep concern and disappointment regarding the sudden failure of my Volkswagen Tiguan se, a brand-new vehicle purchased just three months ago. While driving, the car abruptly stopped in the middle of the road, putting my entire family in grave danger. Fortunately, there was no vehicle immediately behind us, or this could have resulted in a serious accident. Safety concerns: this incident raises serious questions about the reliability of this vehicle model and whether such a failure should ever occur in a brand-new car. A sudden breakdown in traffic is unacceptable, and I strongly condemn the presence of such cars on the road if they pose safety risks. Service & response issues: following this incident, I contacted Volkswagen’s service team at lewisville volk vogen ,893 s stemmons fwy lewisville, TX 75067 to investigate the issue and provide urgent assistance. However, after completing the service I got the heating error again in the car. This puts me in very deep state about this car. I have the incident report with me with stale enginer issue and the service done by volkvogen team and the issue still persists. Request for immediate action: I request Volkswagen to take urgent action to recall this kind of car which risks my entire family life into danger. If car stops on highway, we all will die instantly along with others who will be behind us. Sincerely, [xxx] [xxx] vehicle details – VIN- [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Volkswagen recall: 28h7-ignition switch. In vehicles equipped with a conventional ignition switch, the polyfuse can fail, particularly when the vehicle is operated in high temperature environments. If the polyfuse fails, it can result in the engine stalling while driving and failure of the vehicle's electrical system, increasing the risk of a crash. When sitting in the sun, this has happened 5 or so times. Yesterday it was only 77 degrees outside and it happened. The electrical shuts off completely. No brake lights, no blinkers, no odometer reading, nothing. The windows worked once. And several times, the car will still drive; however it is terrifying driving in these conditions. After letting it sit in the shade overnight, the car wont start the first time and then usually starts the second attempt. I have had the car shut off one time after the electrical stopped working, my car shut off as well. This is the exact thing that is happening to my 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan; however, when I call the dealership, they say that this recall does not apply to my VIN #.

The car will randomly jump, buck, engine accelerate . Even if I brake or put in park when engine on, it still bucks and feels like it wants to accelerate. Also when I want to accelerate and push on gas(like when I stop at stop sign and it’s my turn to go) it will randomly just buck and feels like it wants to stall, in middle of me trying to go into traffic . I’m afraid that if a person walks in front of my car( for example at a light or when I am waiting to turn, breaking, for someone crossing the street in front of my car) the car could bounce jump and hit them even when I break as I said, it jumps even while I break. I also am afraid because when I accelerate into traffic it also sometimes doesn’t accelerate and will pause and bounce…. Car easily could hit me!! I brought it to vw and they tried to tell me the repair would cost over $3000 I then brought it to another reputable repair shop and they thought it wasn’t related to what vw claimed they would fix. The other repair shop stated it to be computer/electrical issues which causes everything else to malfunction down the line and that they see this in many vw because of the heat here where we live (because vw did not reset computer system before checking electrical code again reason/malfunction. Vw only just went with whatever the computer system said without resetting it. Any ways guess I should also tell you when this happens an exclamation point comes up on dash board with some other initials, which I will send photo of. Iam afraid to drive it is in safe. And sometimes if I turn the car off and back on it’s like nothing is wrong with it!!! and it may not happen again for days !! but always happens eventually. This has been going on for on for about 6 months to 1 yr. Vw always blew me off until my warranty was up and now suddenly it’s an over $3000 issue, suddenly know what the problem is now! my 2nd opinion disagrees with them and told me to bring it to him when it happens but is closed each time it happens??.

After sitting in the hot sun for an hour or so, turned it on, and got a "check starter" warning, and all the dash instruments went off. No lights, turn signals, brake lights. Radio worked, windows worked for a bit, then nothing. Had power steering and brakes. Had warning lights on the mirrors. No ac/heat. Speedometer, tach, fuel, temp, display - all off. Car still ran. Found issue to be a faulty ignition switch.

See all problems of the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan 🔎.

My engine shut off my battery as I was driving. This forced my car to stop in the middle of the road. There wasn’t a battery sign or engine light on until after the event. This could’ve caused a wreck, especially if it would’ve happened on the highway. I also have a problem with my gas not registering. It doesn’t show how much gas I have left in my tank. I have had other electrical issues, and problems when starting my car.

See all problems of the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan 🔎.

Apple carplay and android auto disconnects at multiple locations while driving. It is due to wifi turning off automatically. And vehicle is been to dealership 3 times. But no resolution. Wifi turns off itself and carplay or navigation is interrupted. Every-time this happens and car needs to be pull over and hard reset the infotainment system to get the wifi back online. It started just after two months of purchase.

Clock spring broken when my wife turned her steering wheel leaving a parking lot. Airbags no longer work, along with anything electronic within steering wheel.

See all problems of the 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan 🔎.

Shortly after purchase, the vehicle began experiencing ongoing mechanical and electrical issues that required multiple repair attempts. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for service on the following dates: •November 29, 2024 •December 2, 2024 •December 16, 2024 •December 23, 2024 •January 6, 2025 in total, the vehicle was out of service for 21 days in December and 28 days in January. Despite repeated repair attempts, the issues were not resolved. Due to the excessive time out of service and repeated unsuccessful repairs, I submitted a request for Volkswagen to repurchase the vehicle. This request was denied. The vehicle was returned to me on February 1, 2025. On February 9, 2025, while parked in my driveway and not in operation, the vehicle caught fire. I was later informed that the fire originated in the dashboard and was electrical in nature. This incident presented a significant safety risk. Had the fire occurred while the vehicle was in operation or spread to my residence, it could have resulted in serious injury, loss of life, or significant property damage. I am reporting this incident due to concerns that the electrical failure and resulting fire may indicate a broader safety defect affecting this vehicle model. I respectfully request that NHTSA review this matter to determine whether further investigation or corrective action is warranted in the interest of public safety.

Feb 2026 my airbag light came on few days ago, now my horn doesn't work, and the functions on the steering wheel don't work, like being able to reset tire pressure and check functions for the car, the phone, the radio/cd information. Jan 2025 my seat belt (driver ) lock is broken ,to attach the seat belt in place. . I have to just keep it clicked in, and put it over my shoulder (over a yr now) also , as of Aug 2025, my car keeps having issues of stalling/ bucking, even though my mechanic has changed the points/plugs twice now. And the overheat light comes on ,off and on. . Sometimes clears up once the car is shut off and then turned back on. . Some times has to sit for a while, then clears up.

Carnet system has been replaced once on the vehicle due to non-function…not even a year later not working again.

Electronic power steering fails and there is a loss of control with turning the wheel (left/right). This is a hazard especially on the road as it not only puts myself at risk but other drivers lives at risk. There is a red steering wheel that lights up on the dash which indicates loss of power steering. There have been multiple reports already of electronic power steering failure with Volkswagen vehicles. They have yet to issue a massive recall on anything which can turn potentially hazardous to peoples lives. The electronic power steering failure always seems to persist no matter if it’s too cold or too hot.

See all problems of the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan 🔎.

11/19/2024 check engine light came on while I was driving. Got home, checked oil and it was down about a quart. Oil had just been changed on 10/17/2024. Only approximately 1800 miles put on vehicle since last oil change. Vehicle was at approximately 62,000 miles. Also tire pressure light always on. Scheduled appt with vw dealer. Dealer invoice states "p04f000 checked purge valve and found oil in line, due to defective crankcase breather, and causing an oil leak, replaced crankcase breather, replaced the evap purge valve and replace the upper timing cover gaskets. Cleared oil off engine and test drove". The engine could have blown while I was driving this, I had no previous warning signs and since the dealer says the defective crankcase breather, thinking they should be fixing this issue and not charging the customer. Total cost of repair $960. 02.

My check engine light keeps turning on and off. I took it to the dealership and they gave me a list of things to fix in the future but nothing too serious. They fixed the intake manifold, which I was not aware or informed that it had a recall on it, and they cleaned the valves. They turned off the check engine light and when I picked up the car, it came back on. I informed them about it and they turned it off again. Then again it turned back on as soon as I left the dealership. They told me I had to change the oil and so I did but it turned on again. I tested it at auto zone and the reader said to change the camshaft position sensor and I did. The check engine light turned off and on again quickly. Then recently the steering wheel light turned on and locked the steering wheel.

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving in extremely hot weather, the fault code message stating that the ignition was switched off, check the starter system, and to please pull over to the side of the road was displayed, while emitting a beeping sound to alarm the driver. The electrical systems, excluding the engine, became disabled. The contact stated that the headlights, taillights, instrument panel, and several other electrical functions were inoperable. The driver coasted to the side of the road and waited until the engine had cooled off before continuing to drive. The failure occurred consistently, in approximately 2 to 3 minutes, causing the driver to repeat the actions for the vehicle to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The code starter fault error message was displayed; however, the dealer did not believe the failure was related to NHTSA campaign number: 23v60400 (electrical system); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact stated that the part number: 521905865; for the ignition switch, was the same and believed that the failure was related to the recall. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure because the temperature was not 90 degrees or higher. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 74,103.

The car will constantly alarm “travel assist currently not available “. Lane assist is not turned on. It will alarm and shut off and alarm again. There are times when is will alarm 10-15 times in less than a minute. It will also alarm when in park. The alarm is often distracting, irritating and create alarm fatigue. I am unable to have a 5 minute conversation on the phone without having to hang up during your the alarm constantly going off.

Vehicle purchased 10. 31. 2023 at Volkswagen jackson (ritchey automotive) in jackson, mississippi. During the course of normal vehicle operation, multiple travel assist system failures and alerts as documented within Volkswagen technical service bulletin 2070207/1 occur. Three repair attempts have previously been performed by Volkswagen jackson (ritchey automotive) in jackson, mississippi as documented by invoices dated 20 Feb 2024, 27 Feb 2024, and 12 Mar 2024. These efforts appear to conform with the previously cited technical service bulletin 2070207/1 and confirm the defect(s) and/or nonconformity as per the bulletin's summary of "48?23? 01-travel assist currently not available. " the frequency and persistence of visual and auditory safety alerts pose significant hazards to the safety of the driver and vehicle occupants as an unnecessary distraction and nuisance in addition to the direct hazards of antecedent electrical malfunction and driver assistance system defects/nonconformity/failure. This matter has been discussed with dealership staff, yielding no productive resolution, and further assistance is being pursued through Volkswagen customer care. All rights to resolution through alternative means are documented as expressly reserved.

The pvc valve failed on my two-year-old Volkswagen Tiguan at 60,000 miles. As a result, the upper timing gasket was blown, the oil pan went bad, along with several other issues relating to gaskets, seals and sensors, causing an oil leak. This problem was confirmed by my local Volkswagen dealership, and is costing me over $2,000 out-of-pocket. The check engine light was extremely inconsistent - coming on and then going off for days at a time. This is a safety concern. Unfortunately, through research, I have found that many other Tiguan owners are experiencing the same problems, but it does not seem Volkswagen is willing to issue a recall.

Vw customer # 06426725. Rear hatchback opened two (2) times all by itself while parked in my garage overnight. The hatch door could not open all the way up because it came in contact with my garage door. Since I was not readily able to see the hatch was open, it was open enough to come in contact with my garage door when I opened the garage door from the garage door button at the front of the Tiguan. Now my garage door is damaged and my vw Tiguan rear hatch door is bent but still operational. Vw customer service region has offered no help or assistance to allow the vw dealer to further investigate the problem. I am appalled the the natsha has not investigated this further as I know it has been happening with other vw Tiguans. If children sit at the rear hatch while driving, then the child may fall out of the vehicle and end up as a fatality. If a large bag of dog food falls out then it could cause a fatality for the vehicles behind the vw Tiguan. The front warning/brake assist engages at low speeds when going down a small crest downward to exit a place of business onto a street. Again vw dealer looked but could not replicate. This unwanted stop can result in a fatality if the driver is required to merge quickly onto a major road.

The center overhead console fell down (controls dome lights, sunroof, & other convenience features). Thankfully, no one was driving but it could have caused a serious issue if we had been. Many other vw Tiguan owners have experienced this issue, sometimes multiple times.

Sos malfunction light came on after downloading & syncing the car with the myvw app. I took the car to the dealer & they said the module needs to be replaced & it would be $1500 because it’s out of warranty but it seems like in 2021 vw replaced it for free because it’s a known issue. I did not purchase this car until 2024 so it’s not covered. There are multiple people noting the same issue on online forums.

My Tiguan randomly shuts down or stalls while driving. I have come very close to accidents because it is in the middle of the road where I can't pull over, people coming around a curve behind me that may not have time to brake, specifically RV's and semi-trucks. It is terrifying. I have maintained my vehicle meticulously and payed thousands in repairs only to be told by dealerships and vw corporate offices that there is nothing they will or can do and that there are no recalls and out of warranty. However. . . There was one in 2014 citing dangerous to drive because of stalling. According to kbb. I don't know what else to do and I am not able to get a new vehicle.

See all problems of the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan 🔎.

A month ago I started my vehicle and 1/2 a mile into driving, all my electronics turned off with no warning(radio, instrument cluster, a/c, gauges, turn signals, headlights). The only electrical component working was the power windows. I couldn't see my speed, any warning lights or my turn signals. I immediately pulled over as I couldn't even tell if my car was still drivable. I turned off the car (just the engine at this point) and tried to start it again with no response when I turned the key. When it finally turned back on, all the electronics turned on and immediately turned off again. The display on the instrument cluster briefly said "check starter system". Since then it will happen any time it is hot out. Heat is definitely what is triggering the symptoms. This same issue has been seen in the vw 2019 jetta. This is a huge safety issue.

I was driving on a hot day and all of the instrument panel, air conditioning, all controllers, like signaling, windshield wipers, radio and all electronic gear turned off. Without the equipment and tools available, I could not change lanes or come to a stop safely. It would be difficult for me to say if other systems were affected. I was luckily not going very fast at the time and was able to navigate to the shoulder and stop my car without incident but it was a very stressful situation that I had never experienced in a vehicle before that time. Yes, my vehicle is available for inspection. This happened for the first time today so I have not tried to reproduce the issue. However, many others have complained about it on forums. . Read more...