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2023 Volkswagen Tiguan Engine Problems

14 owner-reported engine complaints from NHTSA data

14
Complaints
Jan 2025Dec 2024
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (14)

highENGINE
Filed: Mar 2026

Your 2023 Tiguan is consuming oil rapidly, requiring you to add oil every 800-1000 miles. Volkswagen has refused to repair it under warranty, claiming the consumption rate isn't high enough yet, despite the issue being documented in multiple class action lawsuits and your car's check engine light and low oil warning activating. Excessive oil consumption can cause engine failure or stalling while driving, creating a safety risk for you and your family. Fixing this issue will likely require Volkswagen to perform a proper oil consumption test and replace internal engine components that are causing the excessive burning.

NHTSA #: 11724669
highENGINE
Filed: Mar 2026

Your low oil warning light keeps coming on even though you've had multiple oil changes performed. The dealer eventually diagnosed a failed valve stem seal as the cause, but the vehicle wasn't repaired. Replacing the valve stem seal will require removing the cylinder head to access and install new seals.

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NHTSA #: 11724773
highENGINE
Filed: Feb 2026

Your oil warning light keeps turning on about 1,000–1,500 miles after you get an oil change, and this has happened multiple times. You've had to add oil regularly to prevent engine damage, which suggests your engine is consuming oil faster than normal. This issue has been reported by other owners of this model year, and in some cases has led to engine failure.

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NHTSA #: 11717756
highENGINE
Filed: Sep 2025

Your Check Engine Light keeps coming back on, and diagnostic scans show problems with your emissions system (specifically the fuel vapor purge system and fuel tank pressure sensor) and your vehicle's internal computer network. While your car may seem to drive normally, these errors repeatedly return even after being cleared, which could affect your emissions system and potentially limit some electronic features or driver-assistance functions. A mechanic or dealer will need to diagnose and repair the emissions components and check your vehicle's CAN-bus communication system.

NHTSA #: 11687590
highENGINE
Filed: Jul 2025

Your car's low oil pressure warning light came on while driving. After adding oil and taking it to the dealer, they found the oil separator and gasket needed replacement along with an oil change. The manufacturer denied warranty coverage because the vehicle was out of warranty and previous oil changes weren't done at a dealership. The issue occurred at around 66,000 miles.

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NHTSA #: 11675621
highENGINE
Filed: Jul 2025

Your 2023 Tiguan is burning through oil much faster than normal. Even though VW says the consumption rate is within acceptable limits, you're needing to add oil every 3,500-5,000 miles instead of just at regular oil changes, which could lead to engine damage, rough idling, and blue/white smoke from the tailpipe. This excessive consumption may require an engine inspection to identify internal leaks or worn components causing the oil loss.

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NHTSA #: 11673982
highENGINE
Filed: Jul 2025

Your engine is consuming oil at an excessive rate, with the low oil warning light illuminating three times within just 3,000 miles of driving. You've had to repeatedly add oil to keep levels adequate, and a technician confirmed oil is being lost from the engine. The dealer is currently conducting a 1,000-mile oil consumption test to diagnose the root cause. This issue could potentially lead to severe engine damage if the underlying problem isn't identified and corrected.

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NHTSA #: 11670488
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jan 2025

The oil level light has come on 4 times. The car has under 20,000 miles on it. This puts my safety and others' safety at risk as low oil can cause the engine to stop working rendering the car dangerous if the oil becomes too low while driving. This is a known problem with VW Tiguan's and there is a current lawsuit regarding their oil consumption. The dealer has topped off the oil when needed. The oil light comes on and is typically a quart or more low when checked.

NHTSA #: 11634377
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2024

The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving 35-40 MPH, the engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was leaking oil. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the oil separator, PCV Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve, and gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. who confirmed there was no recall coverage. The approximate failure mileage was 56,000.

NHTSA #: 11632475
mediumENGINE
Filed: Aug 2024

Vw tiguan 2023 consume a lot of engine oil every 2000 and 3000 mile the oil engine light turn on and it shows that oil level is low and that 2nd time happens since I bought the car in 01/2023 the service manager in vw las vegas sahara told me that normal every 3000 mile you have to add oil I told him that new car not 20 years old car so he told me that how it is can you please investigate the issue now I scare to drive far and there is a lot complain online about the issue thank you

NHTSA #: 11609594
mediumENGINE
Filed: May 2024

VW Dealership in West Lebanon NH is acknowledging that there is an issue with VW Tiguan engines burning oil at a higher rate than the standard. The fuel low indicator keeps coming on. They advise me to add oil which is coming out of my pocket vs theirs under warranty. I've had two appointments. They are now doing a fuel consumption test and I have to return for a 3rd appointment. They stated they are seeing a lot more folks like myself coming in with lower mile Tiguan with this issue. Normally they are seeing many with 50K + miles. While I was there another customer overheard the service adviser talking to me and he said he has the same issue. Blue puffs of smoke coming out of the back too when we start car. Seems like this is a huge issue that is now coming to light. Dealership told me i'm at a stage 2 with VW and next steps is taking engine apart and warning VW of issue.

NHTSA #: 11589991
mediumENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Aug 2023

From a cold start, the vehicle seems to have an issue with fuel/acceleration. When pressing the gas through an intersection, the vehicle seems starved for gas and does not accelerate and almost stalls. This is very dangerous in a city environment, as the gaps between cars is sometimes small. There are no warning signs, just reports from several of my drivers experiencing the same issue with the same vehicle. We just purchased 13 of the same vehicle.

NHTSA #: 11540554
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jul 2023

The vehical when engine is cold. Has delays and lags. I didn't think much of it when I first bought it, I assumed the computer was trying to learn. Well car has 12000 miles on it and still does it I've been to the dealer several times. They have told me this is normal?. Until I went to a different dealer. Service Manger states the vehical has a software problem and none repairable at the time ( I have paperwork to prove it) I tried to lemon the car out after that. Vw state because the info wasn't written by a service tec, they won't lemon the car out? I fear my wife getting t boned.

NHTSA #: 11533580
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jul 2023

When I click the button to start the car and then quickly reverse, the system locks up. It's a safety hazard. It's happened to me 4 times. Twice on 7-14-23 and another two times within the last 3 weeks.

NHTSA #: 11530333

Other 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan Issues