There are 4 owner-reported powertrain & transmission complaints for the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguanin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
On December 3, 2025, Volkswagen of XXX performed an intake manifold recall repair on our 2017 Tiguan (VIN: [XXX] ) while the vehicle was under factory warranty. Approximately six weeks later the low coolant warning light appeared and the vehicle began actively leaking coolant. No other work had been performed between the recall and the onset of the leak. Our independent mechanic discovered physical damage to the original water pump consistent with a tool strike during the recall procedure. A new OEM water pump was installed but failed immediately due to an underlying pressure issue originating underneath the intake manifold. The vehicle has been at VW of South Charlotte since February 11, 2026 — seven weeks — with no root-cause diagnosis or repair. The dealership falsely documented OEM parts as aftermarket, refused to diagnose the vehicle, and the service manager made his final decision based on text messages rather than any inspection. VW Customer Care opened and closed six separate case numbers on this single unresolved complaint. Safety concern: The vehicle is non-operational and actively leaking coolant. The damage originated during a recall repair and has never been properly diagnosed or repaired. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The gas pedal stopped responding during high velocity highway drive. Luckily, I was able to steer the car safely to an emergency stop. I was able to shift gear to N and than to P but the car rocked violently when I tried to switch back to D. The car was towed and a mechanic inspection suggested that it's a transmission fail.
WHEN DRIVING DOWN AN INCLINE ON THE ROAD, THE CAR WILL DOWNSHIFT SO HARD THAT THE RPMS WILL GO REALLY HIGH FOR A FEW SECONDS. I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS NORMAL OR IF IT IS OK FOR THE ENGINE.
PURCHASED 05/19/2017. HORN AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS DID NOT WORK IN APPROXIMATELY 12/2017. WAS REPAIRED AND TOLD WAS A COIL PROBLEM. THEN ON 04/12/18 IT SUDDENLY FLASHED ALL THE DASHBOARD AND STEERING WHEEL LIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE OF MY DRIVING AND SUDDENLY DIED ON ME WHEN I TURNED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND THE STEERING WHEEL GOT LOCKED. LUCKILY HAPPENED NEAR MY DRIVEWAY!! HAD TO BE TOWED AND TOLD THEY FIXED THE BATTERY PROBLEM. THE NEXT DAY IT ACTED UP AGAIN WHEREBY THE RADIO KEPT SHUTTING OFF AND COMING BACK ON! BEFORE I COULD TAKE IT IN AGAIN I WAS INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT ON 04/16/18 AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING MY HEAD TO WHIP EVERY WHICH WAY!!
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026