2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Seat Fastener Recall (21V038)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 57 vehicles · Reported February 1, 2021
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. is recalling 57 2021 Volkswagen Jetta; 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles. Bolts may be missing from the front seat tracks. The seat can move front and back without restriction if bolts are missing, increasing the risk of injury during a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 21V038 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V038000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 72L6 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | February 1, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. |
| Vehicles | 2021 Volkswagen Jetta; 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan |
| Units affected | 57 |
| Component | Seats > Critical Fasteners |
| Safety risk | The seat can move front and back without restriction if bolts are missing, increasing the risk of injury during a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan in recall 21V038?
Bolts may be missing from the front seat tracks.
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.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Is it safe to drive a 2021 Tiguan with recall 21V038?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: The seat can move front and back without restriction if bolts are missing, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: The seat can move front and back without restriction if bolts are missing, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the critical fasteners.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V038?
Recall 21V038 covers 57 vehicles: 2021 Volkswagen Jetta; 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan.
NHTSA lists 57 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Volkswagen | Jetta |
| 2021 | Volkswagen | Tiguan |
What is the fix for the Tiguan seat fastener recall?
Yes. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat tracks and, as necessary, install the bolts, free of charge.
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 contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 72L6.
When was recall 21V038 announced?
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. reported recall 21V038 to NHTSA on February 1, 2021.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| February 1, 2021 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V038000. |
This recall was filed 68 months ago. If your Tiguan was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Tiguan is part of recall 21V038?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V038 is open on your Tiguan, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 21V038000 is open on your Tiguan, it will be listed there, along with Volkswagen recall number 72L6. You can also ask any Volkswagen dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should Tiguan owners do about recall 21V038?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V038000 applies to your Tiguan.
- Call a Volkswagen dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
- Keep a simple log of any critical fasteners symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Tiguan owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 210 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 4 of them about the body, doors and seats.
Too few NHTSA complaints about the body, doors and seats have been filed since recall 21V038 was reported (4) to say whether the fix is holding.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 210 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 4 of them involve the body, doors and seats. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan: 141 complaints in total, 2 about the body, doors and seats
- 2021 Volkswagen Jetta: 69 complaints in total, 2 about the body, doors and seats
Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the passenger’s side seat failed to adjust. The contact stated that his wife was unable to utilize the passenger’s side seat and seat belt in a safe manner. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the vehicle was designed that way.
2021 Volkswagen Jetta owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11443124, filed December 8, 2021
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the overhead console detached from the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the overhead console to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.
2021 Volkswagen Tiguan owner, GA, NHTSA complaint 11481391, filed August 26, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the sunroof console detached. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a detached sunroof console. The contact was informed that the sunroof console needed to be replaced.
2021 Volkswagen Tiguan owner, NM, NHTSA complaint 11623415, filed November 4, 2024
Can recall 21V038 make my Tiguan a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
A recall by itself does not make a car a lemon. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, what matters is whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety, and whether the manufacturer or its dealers fixed it within a reasonable number of attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
Body and latch defects on the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan may seem minor until a door opens while driving or a seat will not lock. Problems that return after repair belong in your records.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Tiguan been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Volkswagen Tiguan recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 21V038
Is the 21V038000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Tiguan is part of recall 21V038000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
What should I keep for a possible lemon law claim?
Keep every repair order, the recall owner letter, your purchase or lease contract, and notes on dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure each dealer visit is written up, even when the dealer says it cannot find a problem.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 21V038000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Volkswagen. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.