VolkswagenTiguan2021Overview/volkswagen/tiguan/2021/base/

2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Tiguan.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan is equipped with a 6.0‑qt engine oil capacity requiring 0W‑20 viscosity and paired with an eight‑speed automatic (S8) transmission, delivering EPA‑rated fuel economy of 23/29/25 mpg. In terms of reliability, the model year logged 128 total owner complaints, with the engine being the top complaint area, and it was subject to five recalls. Compared with the Tiguan’s complaint history from 2009 through 2026, the 2021 figure sits below the peak of 274 complaints in 2018 but above the low of 20 complaints projected for 2026, placing it in the middle of the model’s reliability trend.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020172016

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy23/29/25 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI The OEM uses various batteries during production based on vehicle options. PR codes will denote factory installed options for this vehicle. Refer to the appropriate service information for options and battery usage. battery, OE oil filter 06L115562B. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI The OEM uses various batteries during production based on vehicle options. PR codes will denote factory installed options for this vehicle. Refer to the appropriate service information for options and battery usage.OEM · verified
Tire size215/65R17 99HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter06L115562B
Engine air filter5Q0129620B
Spark plug06K905601K
Serpentine belt06K903137A alt 06L903137A
Cabin air filter5Q0819669

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length185.8 in
Overall width72 in
Overall height66.5 in
Wheelbase109.8 in
Curb weight3856 lb
Track (front / rear)62.6 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined23 / 29 / 25 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Tiguan of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.7–9.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.70 sec — 2026 SEL R-Line Turbo 4MOTION
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2020SEL 4MOTION 2.0L Turbo I-48.30 sec16.40 sec184 hpAWD
2022SE R-Line Black 2.0L Turbo I-48.10 sec16.20 sec184 hpFWD
2022SEL R-Line 4MOTION 2.0L Turbo I-49.10 sec16.90 sec184 hpAWD
2019SEL Premium R-Line 4MOTION 2.0L Turbo I-49.70 sec17.30 sec184 hpAWD
2018TSI SEL Premium 2.0L Turbo I-48.20 sec16.30 sec184 hpFWD
2018TSI SEL Premium 4MOTION 2.0L Turbo I-48.60 sec16.50 sec184 hpAWD
2018TSI SE 2.0L Turbo I-48.80 sec16.80 sec184 hpFWD
2018TSI SEL 4MOTION 2.0L Turbo I-48.90 sec16.70 sec184 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 0W-20 engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine CoolantVolkswagen Coolant G13 TL-VW-774J
Engine Coolant Capacity10.6 qt
Engine Oil0W-20
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or StudsDiesel Engines: 84.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Cylinder Head InstructionsUse new bolts only.

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts103 ft-lbs

Ignition

Spark Plug ManufacturerVolkswagen
Spark Plug Torque22.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity0.98-1.04 lbs

Brakes

Minimum Pad Thickness0.079" in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Inspection Procedure (Lower) — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Inspect Ball Joint by pulling down on lower control arm then forcing it upward. The joint should also be inspected by moving the lower portion of the tire and wheel in an in and out motion. During inspections allow for normal upper strut mount and wheel bearing wear but no ball joint play should be observed. Step 3: The ball joint should also be replaced if the boot is torn, stud is worn or joint shows any play.
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolt with Collar37 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
144.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°44 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 80,000 mi; coolant every 20,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 20,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 20,000 miBattery (inspect) · Body Water Drains (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 40,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Instrument Cluster Warning Indicator (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAir Intake Hose Debris Screen (clean) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean)
Every 80,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan recorded 128 consumer complaints, 5 federal recalls and 0 investigations, with a total of 494 TSBs filed. Engine‑related issues comprised 29 of those complaints, while “Unknown Or Other” accounted for 23, making them the two most frequent complaint categories. Compared with the prior year (132 complaints, 3 recalls) and the following year (245 complaints, 5 recalls), 2021 sits in the middle of a post‑2018 decline that peaked in 2018 with 274 complaints and 13 recalls before a gradual reduction until 2021 and a rebound in 2022. This places the target year in the middle of a generation‑wide arc that began with a low‑complaint period (2014‑2017), surged in 2018, then trended downward until 2021 before rising again in 2022. Given its relatively modest complaint volume and recall count versus adjacent years, the 2021 model remains a reasonable choice, though buyers should verify that any engine‑related service actions have been completed.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
494
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
128
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 128 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine29
Unknown Or Other23
Structure7
Electrical System5
Fuel/Propulsion System5
Visibility/Wiper4
Forward Collision Avoidance4
Power Train3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V038000SeatsReported 01/02/2021

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Long Wheelbase and Jetta vehicles. Bolts may be missing from the front seat tracks. Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat tracks and, as necessary, install the bolts, free of charge. The recall began February 18, 2021. Owners may…

20V716000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: CameraReported 18/11/2020

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan LWB, Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas FL and Arteon vehicles. The rear view camera could malfunction during an… Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 494 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TT 10-18-02_22026-06-18EngineLubricating engine components before reassembly.
TT 13-20-01_32026-06-18EngineInstruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
Customer email_91UB2026-06-15Unknown Or OtherYour vehicle is currently eligible for the 91UB software update designed to:
Dealer 91UB2026-06-15Unknown Or OtherThis OTA update addresses a potential issue with special characters being broadcast over…
V6919012010479_172026-06-11Air BagsInquiries

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Tiguan. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 Tiguan take?

6.0 qt of 0W-20, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Tiguan have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Tiguan get?

EPA figures are 23 city / 29 highway / 25 combined mpg.