2021-2022 Volkswagen Tiguan Body Panel Recall (22V226)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 6,553 vehicles · Reported April 6, 2022
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. is recalling 6,553 2021-2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles. Due to incorrect installation instructions, the accessory rear hatch spoiler may be insufficiently attached to the vehicle. An insufficiently attached spoiler may separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 22V226 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 22V226000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 66N5 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | April 6, 2022 |
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. |
| Vehicles | 2021-2022 Volkswagen Tiguan |
| Units affected | 6,553 |
| Component | Structure > Body |
| Safety risk | An insufficiently attached spoiler may separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021-2022 Volkswagen Tiguan in recall 22V226?
Due to incorrect installation instructions, the accessory rear hatch spoiler may be insufficiently attached to the vehicle.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Tiguan and 2018-2021 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. Due to incorrect installation instructions, the accessory rear hatch spoiler may be insufficiently attached to the vehicle.
Is it safe to drive a 2021-2022 Tiguan with recall 22V226?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: An insufficiently attached spoiler may separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: An insufficiently attached spoiler may separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Tiguan shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the body, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 22V226?
Recall 22V226 covers 6,553 vehicles: 2021-2022 Volkswagen Tiguan.
NHTSA lists 6,553 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2022 | Volkswagen | Tiguan |
What is the fix for the Tiguan body panel recall?
Yes. Dealers will replace the spoiler, free of charge.
Dealers will replace the spoiler, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 66N5.
When was recall 22V226 announced?
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. reported recall 22V226 to NHTSA on April 6, 2022. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as June 3, 2022.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| April 6, 2022 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 22V226000. |
| June 3, 2022 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 54 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 22V226?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 22V226 is open on your Tiguan, it will be listed there.
Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. It shows any open safety recall on your vehicle, including 22V226000. Your VIN is on the registration card, the insurance card, and the driver side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. Recent recalls can take a few days to appear in the lookup.
What should Tiguan owners do about recall 22V226?
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 22V226000 applies to your Tiguan.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- 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 body 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 recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.
What are Tiguan owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 410 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 3 of them about the body, doors and seats.
Too few NHTSA complaints about the body, doors and seats have been filed since recall 22V226 was reported (2) to say whether the fix is holding.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 410 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 3 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.
- 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan: 269 complaints in total, 1 about the body, doors and seats
- 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan: 141 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 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
2022 volkswagen tiguan. Consumer writes in regards to safety concerns with the auto unlock feature on vehicle. The consumer stated all 4 doors on the vehicle unlock when the gear was shifted to park. The consumer stated the feature could be potentially harmful in some situations.
2022 Volkswagen Tiguan owner, IL, NHTSA complaint 11458615, filed March 28, 2022
Can recall 22V226 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 2021-2022 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 2021-2022 Volkswagen Tiguan has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
Civil Code 1793.22(b) sets out a presumption that applies in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles: two or more repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, four or more attempts for the same defect, or more than 30 total days out of service for repairs. Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases. Owners outside that window can still have a claim.
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 22V226
Is the 22V226000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed June 3, 2022.
How do I know if my Tiguan is part of recall 22V226000?
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 22V226000 (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.