2009 Volkswagen Tiguan

Routine

Owners filed 168 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine. It has been recalled 3 times.

Not among the Volkswagen Tiguan years to avoid. Which Volkswagen Tiguan years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
70,000 milesMedian miles at failure

149 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,000–90,000 miles.

Most common 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan problems

71 of the 168 complaints (42%) are about the engine.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine62
100
Electrical System33
010
Steering10
000
Air Bags · airbags10
000
Engine and Engine Cooling · engine7
031
Power Train · transmission6
000
Fuel/Propulsion System · fuel and propulsion system6
000
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration4
010
Unknown or Other4
000
Service Brakes · brakes4
100

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline14V441000
Filed Jul 21, 2014151,389 vehiclesVolkswagen of America, Inc.

Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Tiguan vehicles manufactured July 2007 to June 2014. When using winterized fuel, in certain conditions bubbles may form in the fuel system which could result in the vehicle stalling.

Risk. A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle's software to increase the fuel pump pressure, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin August 19, 2014. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24AV/2W.

Exterior Lighting13V569000
Filed Nov 22, 201362,155 vehiclesVolkswagen of America, Inc.

Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tiguan vehicles manufactured July 2007 through June 2011. Due to a problem with the fuse for the exterior lights, the holder for the fuse that controls the vehicle's exterior lights circuit may melt.

Risk. If the holder melts, there may be a partial loss of exterior lighting. Reduced vehicle illumination diminishes the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuse, free of charge. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's recall number is 97Z9/2V.

Engine and Engine Cooling08V235000
Filed May 28, 20086,579 vehiclesVolkswagen of America, Inc

Defect. VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 4,079 MY 2008 PASSAT AND 2,500 MY 2009 TIGUAN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.0T FSI ULEV II ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) CONTAINING SOFTWARE THAT MAY NOT PROPERLY CONTROL ENGINE IDLE WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING TURNED ON. IN RARE CASES, THE ECM MAY UNEXPECTEDLY INCREASE ENGINE RPM.

Risk. AN ENGINE SURGE CAUSED BY AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN ENGINE RPM MAY SURPRISE THE VEHICLE OPERATOR AND CAN RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND UPDATE THE ECM SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-893-5298.

All 3 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Steering
Filed Sep 22, 2026PA

Steering column keeps locking up. I’ve replaced a fuse and it fixed it initially but problem returned. Upon my research apparently this is a common problem in these vehicles.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 9, 2024MS

The car keeps throwing sensors (camshaft, crank sensors, throttle body etc) and the ECM needs to be updated. It keeps turning over. I checked the recall list of VINs and mine is within the range, however there aren't any recalls listed.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 26, 2024IL

Intermittent AC working issues, air conditioning does not cool or the cooling is weak

Steering
Filed Feb 14, 2023GA

Power steering goes out randomly after cold weather, even while driving. There is no warning before the power steering goes out. I have almost crashed into another car several times because of this. Many people have had this exact problem with this make and model.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 12, 2022189,000 milesNY

The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated while driving at 45 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond and seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V235000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 189,000.

Engine
Filed Aug 9, 202284,092 milesCA

The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the oil pressure warning light illuminated and a message to stop the vehicle immediately was displayed. AAA arrived on the scene and diagnosed the vehicle with oil sensor failure. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic and the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was vibrating while driving back to the residence. The vehicle stalled upon arrival at the residence in the driveway. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer and diagnosed with timing chain and timing sensor failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 84,092. The contact stated that VW of America was notified of the failure. The vehicle was taken to another dealer for a second opinion and all of the issues were confirmed. It was strongly recommended that the engine be replaced as well.

Power Train
Filed Apr 22, 2022IN

The engine reached 100k miles in the second week of April 2022. After that, I tried to turn on the vehicle, and the engine did not respond. I took my car to the mechanic, and he told me that the car needed an engine replacement. This is very strange since the vehicle had an excellent maintenance schedule, and I usually, this type of car last longer. That engine issue could have caused a severe accident on the road, and fortunately, it never happened. The timing belt might have an issue there, but I had very little information from the engine codes since I did not have an indicator earlier. It just appeared like that. I feel that this type of issue is unfair. After having more than four cars with way more miles, this has never happened, and on average, a Tiguan engine should last at least 150k miles according to the statistics of the vehicle model and year. I feel upset and disappointed with this vehicle model since the cost of replacing the engine cost around 6000$, and I am an international student with no money to do that repair. I feel helpless, and VW told me the only way to get a recall of this car is through a report from the NHTSA, which would be fair given the circumstances I have been through. The only thing I request is to generate a recall for this vehicle if possible. I hope some reads this, and I appreciate the work you do. Thanks

Electrical System
Filed Oct 28, 2021MN

Problems start with ABS and Steering warning lights with EPIC warning on dash, flickering of lights and radio shut off by loosing power steering and rough acceleration and idling. Has been in to VW dealership 5 times now with repairs "fixing" problem for a few days - a week before returning again. This is a safety issue because this happens very quickly and without warning. Once I was on a highway and had to carefully move to side of the road and limp to a safe area (luckily I was in the right lane already).

Steering
Filed Sep 19, 2020CA

THE STEERING WHEEL LIGHT COMES ON AND THE STEERING GETS HARD AND IT'S DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT'S HAPPENING WHILE MY WIFE DRIVES IT. PLEASE GIVE ME SOME INFORMATION ON WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE HAPPENING OR IF U GUYS CAN LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL ON IT. I KNOW YOUR BUSY BUT PLEASE GET BACK TO ME AS SOON AS YOU CAN

Air Bags
Filed Jun 28, 202097,000 milesNJ

AIR BAG LIGHT ALL OF A SUDDEN CAME WITHOUT BUMPING - THE ENGINE IDLE WERE NOT NORMAL HIGH AND LOW - ELECTRICAL PROBLEM FROM THE STEERING

UnspecifiedCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 18, 2020NY

TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HER BROTHER WHOM OWNED A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER BROTHER WAS DRIVING HE WAS INVOLVED IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE FRONT DRIVER'S AIR BAG EXPLODED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHEMICAL POWDER FROM THE AIR BAG WENT INTO THE DRIVER'S MOUTH AND INTO HIS LUNGS. THE POWDER HAS CORRODED HIS TEETH, CAUSING ALL HIS TEETH TO BE EXTRACTED. HIS LUNGS WERE COMPROMISED AND HE ALSO SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS FINGERS AND WRISTS, INCLUDING CHRONIC INFECTIONS ON HIS BODY AND UPPER LEFT SHOULDER AND NECK DUE TO THE SEAT BELT. THE DRIVER HAS RECEIVED EXTENSIVE MEDICAL TREATMENT SINCE THE VEHICLE ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT WAS VERY CONCERNED THAT HER BROTHER'S CURRENT HEALTH ISSUES WERE DUE TO THE AIR BAGS CHEMICAL COMPONENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND WAS TOWED AWAY BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Electrical System
Filed May 11, 2020CA

MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE THROTTLE BODY SYSTEM AS WELL AS THE COOLANT HOSE WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED MY RADIO GOES BLANK TO WHERE I CAN'T SEE MY BACK UP CAMERA ! THIS VEHICLE HAS TO MANY ELECTRICAL ISSUES! *TR

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Apr 17, 2020165,000 milesMI

I CRASHED DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE ON 10.31.2019. I MADE A RIGHT TURN FROM A LIGHT. TRAFFIC CAME TO A STOP. I PUSHED THE BREAK AND IT DID NOT HOLD. IT FELT BUMPY. BREAKS DID NOT HOLD EVEN WHEN I PUSHED IT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I ENDED UP REAR ENDING THE CAR INFRONT OF ME GOING 15MPH. WHAT'S GOING ON THERE? SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THAT ASAP.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 25, 2020114,000 milesOH

I WAS APPROACHING MY DRIVEWAY IN MY 09 VW TIGUAN WHEN THE RED POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT CAME AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. I COULD NOT TURN THE CAR. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT DRIVING FAST OR I COULD HAVE BEEN IN AND ACCIDENT OR WORSE. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF THE YELLOW LIGHT, THE RED CAME ON AND THAT WAS IT. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE FEATURE ON THE VOLKSWAGEN THAT CAN KILL SOMEONE. I HAVE THE VEHICLE IN MY DRIVEWAY, WAITING TO BE TOWED AND REPAIRED.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 16, 2020135,000 milesWI

THE TURBO BLEW CAUSING THE CAR TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE BLOWN TURBO CAUSED METAL TO GO INTO MY FUEL SYSTEM AND OIL. THE AIR BAG SENSORS ARE FAULTY. THEY CANNOT SENSE SOMEONE IN THE SEATS. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A AUTO SHOP. DUE TO THE BLOWN TURBO, IT WILL COST $5,500 TO FIX.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jan 9, 2020MA

THE HEAD LIGHTS DO NOT SHINE BRIGHT AT ALL ALMOST NON EXISTTENT VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT

Engine
Filed Dec 6, 201950,000 milesNJ

VW TIGUAN 09 PURCHASED AS NEW. ONLY 50K MILES ON IT WHEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ENCOUNTERED. SOON AFTER (LAST WEEK, NOV 25 2019), ENGINE STALLED WHILE ACCELERATING OUT OF SECOND GEAR AND WAS SEIZED. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SAID IT WOULD COST 5,800 TO REBUILD ENGINE. WHILE DOING MY OWN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH, DISCOVERED THE COMPLAINTS HERE DETAILING PRECISELY THE SAME ISSUE (TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILURE) THAT WAS DESCRIBED TO ME BY MY MECHANIC. THEN DISCOVERED THAT THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT REIMBURSEMENT (HTTPS://TIMINGCHAINLITIGATION.COM/) FOR THIS ISSUE THAT I AM NO LONGER ELIGIBLE FOR BECAUSE JAN 25 2019 FILING DEADLINE WAS NOT MET - KEEP IN MIND THAT MY ENGINE FAILED ONE WEEK AGO (11/25/2019) WITH ONLY 50K MILES ON IT. I TOO, NEVER RECEIVED A CLASS ACTION NOTICE IN THE MAIL. AFTER CALLING THE CLASS ACTION HOTLINE, I WAS TOLD TO SEND AN EMAIL TO THE LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT ADMINISTRATOR REQUESTING A FILING DEADLINE EXCEPTION. UNLIKELY THAT ANY OF THIS WILL WORK IN MY FAVOR. BUT I TOO, LIKE MANY OTHERS HAVE BEEN UNNECESSARILY BURDENED BY VOLKSWAGEN'S NEGLIGENT HANDLING OF THIS MAJOR DEFECT. IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT CUSTOMERS LIKE MYSELF ARE NOW SADDLED WITH THIS COMPLETE LOSS.

Engine
Filed Oct 2, 2019114,000 milesVA

CAR STOPPED AND WOULD NOT START DUE TO TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FUALT WITH CODE P0016. CAUSED COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AND THE NEED TO COMPLETELY REBUILD THE TOP END OF THE ENGINE. THIS WAS VERIFIED AFTER A COMPLETE LOSS OF COMPRESSION DUE TO THE VALVES BEING DESTROYED ON THE ENGINE.

Engine
Filed Aug 26, 2019113,000 milesMO

MY 2009 VW TIGUAN ENGINE FAILED AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK 35 MPH, IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, OUT OF NOWHERE MY CAR ENGINE MADE SCARY CRUMBLY NOISE AND SUDDENLY DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRAFFIC; COMPLETELY DEAD. I WAS SCARED TO DEATH AND IF I DIDN'T REACT FAST TO PUT EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON, I COULD HAVE BEEN PLOWED BY A BIG TRUCK BEHIND ME. THERE WERE CARS PARKED ON EACH SIDE OF THE STREET, AND NO PLACE TO PULL OVER. I WAS CLOSE TO WORK BUT WAS STRANDED ON THE STREET WITH HIGH TRAFFIC BECAUSE I COULDN'T MOVE THE CAR. I TRIED TO TURN IT ON BUT AGAIN SAME RUMBLING SOUND AND DEAD AGAIN. I CALLED A FRIEND TO HELP ME PUSH THE CAR TO MY EMPLOYER'S PARKING LOT SO I COULD BE SAFE. AFTER WORK I CALLED AAA FOR ASSISTANCE AND THEY COULDN'T START THE CAR SO IT WAS THEN TOWED TO THE PLACE I LIVE. THEY ALSO CONCLUDED THAT THE ENGINE IS THE PROBLEM. THAT IS WHEN I STARTED RESEARCHING ABOUT IT AND FOUND OUT THERE WAS A SETTLEMENT FOR TIMING CHAIN THAT I WAS NEVER INFORMED ABOUT AND MY VIN GOT MATCHED. I BOUGHT THIS CAR ON 07/31/2018, IT WAS WELL MAINTAINED SINCE THEN AND NO ISSUES PRIOR TO THIS. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE SINCE I HAD NO PRIOR WARNING AND COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE OR SOMEONE COULD HAVE KILLED ME IN THE ACCIDENT. I AM ASKING YOU TO HELP ME FIGURE THIS OUT AND HELP FIX THE ENGINE PROBLEM ON MY VEHICLE. I CAN'T STRESS ENOUGH HOW SCARED AND CONCERNED I AM SINCE THEN ESPECIALLY BECAUSE I HAVE TWO CHILDREN THAT I DRIVE IN THIS SAME CAR AND I THOUGHT THIS CAR IS SAFE FOR THEM AND MYSELF AND EVERYON

Engine
Filed Jul 26, 201999,760 milesIA

ON ENGINE START UP, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER DRIVING IT A SHORT WHILE, THE CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN. HAD IT TOWED TO A QUALIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILED AND THE ENGINE JUMPED TIME, CAUSING CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE TO THE CYLINDER HEAD AND PISTONS. MECHANIC ESTIMATED A REPAIR COST OF APPROXIMATELY $6000.00 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WITH A USED ONE. THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 100K MILES BUT THE REPAIR WOULD HAVE COST MORE THAN IT WAS WORTH. VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR, EVEN THROUGH A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT WAS SETTLED AGAINST THEM FOR THIS ISSUE, SINCE THE DEADLINE FOR APPLYING WAS 6 MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jul 24, 201935,000 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING (REGARDLESS OF SPEED), THE CAR WILL RANDOMLY UNLOCK AND LOCK ITSELF. SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS IN RAPID SUCCESSION 2-3 TIMES'IN OTHER INSTANCES, IT'LL HAPPEN JUST ONCE....WHICH IS TO SAY THEY'LL UNLOCK ONLY. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, I WILL LOCK THE DOOR AGAIN, AND IT'LL UNLOCK AGAIN. IT HAPPENS TO BOTH THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. I HAVEN'T NOTICED THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR IS PARKED AND THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO CONSISTENCY TO IT. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS RANDOMLY AND I JUST RECENTLY THOUGHT TO REPORT IT.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 4, 2019120,000 milesWI

SUNROOF HAD DEFECTED DRAIN TUBES. DUE TO THE DRAIN TUBES BEING DEFECTED, IT CAUSED A MAJOR LEAK IN THE SUNROOF AND ENDED UP FLOODING THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. DUE TO THE FLOODING, IT SHORTED OUT MY PASSENGER AIR BAG. MY PASSENGER AIR BAG IS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. ALSO, THE ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON EVEN AFTER THE PROBLEMS ARE FIXED. THE ENGINE HAS BEEN FIXED NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE PROBLEMS STILL COME BACK. THE ENGINE IS FAULTY. PROBLEMS KEEP ARISING WITH THE ENGINE IN GENERAL. I HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT NUMEROUS TIMES AND ITS ALWAYS THE SAME PROBLEM BEING FIXED

Air Bags
Filed May 31, 2019122,000 milesWI

DRAIN TUBES IN THE SUNROOF WERE CORRODED AND LEAKING INTO THE CAR. THE WATER LEAK CAUSES MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS INCLUDING SHORT CIRCUITING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THE WATER LEAK IS ALSO CAUSING LIGHTING ISSUES ON INSIDE OF CAR. THERE IS ALSO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE ESC LIGHT COMING ON JUST AFTER IT BEING SERVICED. THE ESC LIGHT WILL COME ON WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN AND WONT LET YOU ACCELERATE.

Air Bags
Filed May 25, 2019120,000 milesWI

PANORAMIC SUNROOF IS LEAKING. CAUSING FLOODING IN THE CAR AND IS AFFECTING SOME ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT IN THE CAR. PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR IS AFFECTED AS WELL DUE TO THE FLOODING. THE LEAKING FROM THE SUNROOF HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY.

Engine
Filed Mar 27, 201982,082 milesWI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP POSITION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO VAN HORN NISSAN OF SHEBOYGAN (5515 RACETRACK RD, SHEBOYGAN, WI 53081, (920) 457-8844) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN AND CYLINDERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,082.

Seats
Filed Feb 8, 201980,000 milesIL

WAS SITTING IN CAR DRIVING, FELT UNCOMFORTABLE WARMING SENSATION UNDER MY BUTT ON SEAT. FIGURED IT WAS NOTHING, KEPT DRIVING. ABOUT 20 MINUTES LATER NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ENGINE AND BURNING SMELL COMING THROUGH AIR VENTS. WOULD CHECK WHEN HOME. GOT HOME, GOT OUT OF CAR, LOOKED DOWN, BURNT/MELTED HOLES IN THE CAR SEAT. HEATING FROM THE INSIDE SEAT WARMER SLIGHTLY HAD BURNED UP THROUGH THE OUTSIDE SEAT.

Engine
Filed Jan 28, 201973,000 milesFL

I NOTICED A HUGE OIL PUDDLE WHERE MY CAR WAS PARKED. I DROVE STRAIGHT TO THE VW SERVICE DEPT IN MY AREA...THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 75K MILES & WAS LAST SERVICED BY A VW DEALERSHIP DUE TO FUEL PUMP RECALL. UPON MY DISCOVERY OF THE MASSIVE OIL LEAK, I NOW KNOW WAS SPAWNED FROM THE PCV VALVE GOING BAD WHICH HAS RESULTED IN BLOWING OUT 3 SEALS AND REQUIRING A NEW PAN. I HAVE RECIEVED AN ESTIMATE FROM A VW DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT AND A WELL KNOW AUTO REPAIR SHOP- BOTH HAVE QUOTED THE COST NO LESS THAN $2000 WITH POTENTIAL OF REACHING $3000. ESSENTIALLY THE PCV PART IS ABOUT $20.00 IN COST, BUT BECAUSE IT JUST "WENT BAD" AND ITS PURPOSE IS TO ALLOW THE ENGINE TO BREATHE...BLOWING OUT THESE ADDITIONAL SEALS MEANS THAT THE ENGINE WILL NEED TO BE REMOVED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CAR IS VALUED AROUND $7000 TO RESALE IN GOOD CONDITION. NOW, A CONSUMER HAS TO SPEND 30% TO 40% OF THE CARS VALUE TO REPAIR THE FAULTY VALVE THAT CAUSED ADDITIONAL ISSUES IN ORDER TO STOP THE BLEEDING. I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM CARMAX AT 30K MILES IN NOV 2014- AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE THERE WAS NO DISCLOSURE OF A RECALL ISSUED IN AUGUST OF 2014 & DID NOT EVEN RECEIVE A LETTER REGARDING THE RECALLED UNTIL 2 YEARS LATER FROM EITHER CARMAX OR VW. IN ALL ACTUALITY THE ENTIRE SECTION IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL REGARDING THE ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY REMOVED & IS MISSING. NO INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON OR WERE DISPLAYED FROM THE LEAK OR SEALS. I WOULD HAVE NEVER KNOWN IF I WASN'T PARK IN A PAVER DRIVEWAY AT SOMEONE'S HOME & ASKED IF THAT L

Engine
Filed Oct 29, 201896,872 milesCA

I HAVE A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN DURING THE TIME OF FAILURE THE VEHICLE WAS AT 96,872 MILES ON IT. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, FAIRLY CLOSE TO MY HOUSE. I HAD JUST GOT OFF WORK AND WAS COMING DOWN A SLIGHT HILL. ONCE I LET OF THE THROTTLE PEDDLE THE VEHICLE JARED AND BEGAN RUNNING TERRIBLY UNTIL THE ENGINE STALLED. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE AND PARK IN FRONT OF SOMEONES HOUSE. I TRIED TO START THE CAR AND IT WOULD CRANK BUT NO START. I GOT THE VEHICLE TO MY HOUSE AND TESTED EVERYTHING I COULD UNTIL I DID A COMPRESSION TEST, NOTHING. THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILED AND MY TIMING CHAIN JUMPED CAUSEING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. I WAS LUCKY TO NOT BE GOING VARY FAST AND NO KIDS OUT PLAYING IN THE STREET. WELL JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHER REPORTS, VW OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIRS. I REALLY HOPE A RECALL COMES OUT ON THIS ISSUE DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF OCCURRENCES, BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. SOMEBODY NEEDS TO WORRY ABOUT VEHICLE SAFETY BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW VW DOESN'T.. ITS ALL ABOUT THE $$$ TO THEM

Engine
Filed Aug 23, 2018117,000 milesMN

ENGINE SEIZED AT JUST OVER 117,000 MILES. REPLACED THE ENGINE WITH A NEW USED ONE AND IT SEIZED AGAIN NOT EVEN 4 MONTHS AFTER THE NEW USED ENGINE WAS REPLACED.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 25, 2018110,000 milesRI

THE TIMING CHAIN JUMPED THE SAFETY AND DESTROYED THE ENGINE AND STEERING. THE WIRING UNDER THE FRONT SEATS IS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.

Engine
Filed Apr 25, 201875,000 milesMO

THE VEHICLE HAS HEAVY HESITATTION ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHIN CITY LIMITS. IT IS AS IFF THE CAR WILL STOP. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE CERTIFIED VW DEALERSHIP DUE TO THE ENGINE LIGHT BEING ON. IT WAS FOUND THAT THERE ARE METAL PIECES FROM THE ENGINE OR SPARK PLUG IN THE OIL AND HAS MESSED THE ENGINE UP. WITH REGULAR OIL CHANGES, HOW WOULD THESE PIECES OF METAL BE IN THE ENGINE. I PERFORMED SOME RESEARCH AND SAW THAT A LOT OF OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUES. THIS SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE REVIEWED AND LOOKED INTO FURTHER BY THE NHTSA.

Engine
Filed Mar 14, 2018203,766 milesMD

I STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH THE EPC LIGHT COMING ON IN MY CAR BACK IN 2017. I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED "CARBON CLEANING" WHICH I HAD DONE IN JULY 2017 TO THE TUNE OF $950+. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE DONE, MY CAR SEEMED FINE UNTIL I WAS OUT DRIVING UP A LONG HILL NEAR HOME AND MY CAR COULD NOT PICK UP SPEED. THE EPC WARNING LIGHT CAME BACK ON. I PULLED OVER AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AGAIN. WEIRD, BUT NO PROBLEMS UNTIL NOVEMBER 2018 AND THE SAME THING STARTED TO HAPPEN. FOR PERSONAL REASONS, I COULD GET TO MY GARAGE, BUT JUST BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO TAKE IT IN TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CHECKED OUT AND FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, I'D COME OUT OF THE GROCERY STORE FRIDAY, MARCH 9, AND MY CAR WOULD NOT WORK. HAD IT TOWED TO THE GARAGE I FREQUENT AND WAS TOLD THAT MY TIMING CHAIN TENSION HAD FAILED AND I WOULD BE LOOKING AT A BILL OF $3,100. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS IS THE SECOND ENGINE ON THIS CAR. I REPLACED THE ORIGINAL ENGINE AFTER IT DIED IN 2012. I PAID $7,000 FOR A NEW ENGINE ONLY TO END UP BACK IN THE SPOT WHERE I'M HAVING TO PAY LOADS OF MONEY TO HAVE THIS "NEW" ENGINE REPAIRED. THE FIRST TIME MY ENGINE DIED IN 2012, I BEGGED AND PLEADED WITH VW TO OWN UP TO THIS AND TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THEY ONLY OFFERED ME 10% OFF OF A NEW CAR.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 6, 2018WA

REAR MAIN SEAL FAILURE CAUSES OIL TO LEAK

Air Bags
Filed Mar 1, 2018125,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000.

Engine
Filed Feb 14, 201886,231 milesGA

VEHICLES TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILED CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING. TIMING GAIN TENSIONER FAILED CAUSING SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE. WHILE MERGING ONTO FREEWAY ENGINE LOST ALL PROPULSION CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE ACCELERATION DUE TO ISSUE. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WITH A SEMI TRUCK AS VEHICLE WAS ONLY MOVING AT 20 MPH ONTO A FREEWAY WHERE SPEED LIMIT IS SEVENTY. WAS ABLE TO MOVE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER BUT WOULD NOT RESTART DUE TO ENGINE DAMAGE. VOLKSWAGEN HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE ISSUE BUT HAS OFFERED ZERO ASSISTANCE

Engine
Filed Feb 2, 201890,100 milesIN

AT 90K MILES THE REAR MAIN SEAL HAS FAILED. THIS COMES JUST 4K MILES AFTER HAVING THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD REPAIRED AND ALL TIMING COMPONENTS REPLACED FROM THE TIMING TENSIONER FAILURE.

Engine
Filed Jan 18, 201870,000 milesMO

THE REAR MAIN SEAL ON MY 09 TIGUAN 2.0 TSI BLEW AT 709K MILES FROM PCV VALVE DEFECT. I HAVE HEARD OF SEVERAL CASES OF THE PCV CLOGGING ON THE TSI ENGINE CARS SENDING BOOST PRESSURE INTO CRANKCASE AND BLOWING THE SEAL.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 10, 201891,500 milesAL

WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY JUST AT 80KM/H I FELT MY TIGUAN LIKE DRIFTING MANY TIMES, IT WAS LIKE SLIDING RIGHT AND LEFT ON FEW CENTIMETERS MAYBE 2 OR 3 CM. JUST FOR YOUR INFORMATION, THE WINTER TIRES ARE MOUNTED ON THE CAR. THIS IS WEIRD BECAUSE I WASNT GOING FAST, AS I MENTIONED 80 KM/H.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 8, 201825,000 milesHI

2009 VW TIGUAN. THE WIRING TO BOTH HIGH AND LOW BEAM LIGHTS IS FAULTY. THE INSULATION AROUND THE COPPER WIRING TO ALL LIGHTS HAS CRACKED OFF EXPOSING THE COPPER WIRING. AS A RESULT THE LIGHTS FREQUENTLY DO NOT WORK PROPERLY LEAVING ME WITH A HEADLIGHT THAT DOES NOT FUNCTION. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE LOCAL VW DEALERSHIPS FAIL TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. WHICH LEADS ONE TO THINK THAT VW AMERICAN FAILS TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM BUT WIDESPREAD. REPLACING THE BULB IS ONLY A TEMPORARY FIX. THE PROBLEMS PERSISTS BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY, CRACKING WIRE INSULATION. VW WILL CHARGE $800. TO REPLACE BOTH LIGHT SYSTEMS. THEIR REASON FOR THE HIGH COST IS THE LABOR INVOLVED. THEY SAY THE FRONT BUMPER HAS TO BE TAKEN OFF TO COMPLETE THE HEADLIGHT LAMP REPLACEMENT. THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT THAT VW NEEDS TO ADDRESS. WIRE INSULATION IS NOT SUPPOSE TO CRACK MAKING THE LIGHT INOPERABLE. YET THE DEALERSHIP EXPLANATION SAYS IT'S "DUE TO WEAR". WELL, WHY AREN'T ANY OF THE OTHER WIRING SYSTEMS UNDER THE HOOD CRACKING? BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSE TO. THAT'S WHY. THIS IS EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING TO KNOW THAT I HAVE TO PAY AN EXORBITANT AMOUNT OF MONEY TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SYSTEMS. SOMEONE PLEASE INITIATE SOME ACTION.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Dec 22, 201776,000 milesTX

AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 17 MILES AND CUTTING THE CAR OFF AND THEN GETTING BACK INTO IT AFTER ABOUT 20 TO 30 MINUTES TO START UP , THE CAR STARTED AND CUT OFF. I STARTED IT BACK UP AND IT CUT OFF. SO I WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND STARTED IT AND IT STAYED ON LONG ENOUGH FOR ME TO GET HOME SAFELY. AFTER THAT IT WILL CONTINUE TO DO THIS OFTEN. MORE FREQUENT TO THE POINT OF ME BE SCARED TO GO ANYWHERE FAR. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY DURING THE FIRST TIME IT STALLED. IF I GET INTO THE VEHICLE AND TRAVEL A SHORT DISTANT AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF. THEN COME BACK TO IT AND TURN IT ON SOMETIMES IT WILL STAY ON AND SOMETIMES IT WILL STALL AND I TRY TO GIVE IT GAS THINKING THAT WILL KEEP IT ON. BUT IT DOESN'T . I HAVE LEARNED TO LET IT SIT AND TRY IT AGAIN. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG AND NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW AND WANTS TO KEEP IT FOR DAYS. UNTIL I FOUND THIS RECALL WHICH SOUNDS LIKE WHAT I'M EXPERIENCING I WAS WONDERING IF IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Oct 7, 2017111,778 milesIA

CAR WAS DRIVEN TO FROM FRIENDS HOUSE TO GRANDMOTHERS HOUSE AND SHUT CAR OFF AND WAS VISITING FAMILY FOR 1 HOUR TO 1 1/2 HOURS. THEN GOT IN CAR AND TRIED TO START VEHICLE AND THE TIMING JUMPED AND MADE A LOAD GRINDING NOISE AND WOULDN'T START. IT BENT THE VALVES IN THE ENGINE RAN INTO THE PISTONS. AN RUINED THE MOTOR. (111778 MILES) HAD TO HAVE A NEW MOTOR PUT IN COST $7801.54.

Engine
Filed Oct 5, 2017121,731 milesCT

TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER BROKE AND CAUSED CATASTROPHIC ENGINE DAMAGE. VW QUOTED ME MORE THAN $8,000 TO FIX AND VW AMERICA ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY. THIS CAR WAS IMPECCABLY MAINTAINED AND REPLACING/SERVICING THE TIMING CHAIN IS NOT ON THEIR MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT 121,000 MILES AND WAS DRIVEN TO THE MECHANIC, AS WE ALREADY HAD AN OIL CHANGED SCHEDULED. WHEN THE MECHANIC WENT TO START THE CAR TO REPLACE THE CAM SENSOR (WHAT THE COMPUTER/ENGINE INDICATED WAS THE PROBLEM), THE CAR WOULDN'T START. I THEN HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO LOCAL VW DEALER, WHERE THEY TRIED TO GET ME TO BUY A NEW CAR. WHEN I CALLED VW AMERICA, THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT THAT THE TENSIONER HAS A FAULTY DESIGN AND ONLY SAY THAT THEY CANNOT HELP WITH THE COST OF THE REPAIR SINCE THE CAR IS OUTSIDE ITS WARRANTY.

Engine
Filed Sep 6, 201793,500 milesMN

TIMING BELT TENSIONER FAILURE, CAUSING CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AT JUST OVER 93,000 MILES. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ALL TOO COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. A NEWER MODEL OF TIMING BELT TENSIONER HAS BEEN USED SINCE DECEMBER 2011. MINE HAS THE OLD STYLE. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN ENGINE LIGHT POPPED ON, INDICATING THE ISSUE.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 23, 201790,000 milesOH

THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER IN THIS VEHICLE IS KNOWN TO FAIL AND DESTROY ENGINES. THEY HAVE ISSUED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ON THE ISSUE, BUT HAVE DONE NOTHING TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE FOR OWNERS. MY WIFE AND CHILD WERE IN THE CAR AND THE TENSIONER FAILED AND THE ENGINE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY FREEWAY CAUSING THEM TO ALMOST GET REAR ENDED BY A SEMI TRUCK. YOU CAN FIND THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS HERE: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/VOLKSWAGEN/TIGUAN/2009/TSBS/. I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE DUE TO A KNOWN ISSUE. A RECALL IS TRULY NEEDED ON THIS ISSUE. MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE HAPPEN TO THEM. ALSO MY DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG FAILED AND VW REFUSES TO ADDRESS THIS SAFETY ISSUE.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 21, 201728,000 milesPA

2009 TIGUAN 2.0 TSI ALL WHEEL DRIVE IN 2012 I DISCOVERED SOME WETNESS IN THE TIGUAN FLOOR MAT. (LESS THEN 3 YEARS OLD CAR) I TOOK IT TO VW DEALERSHIP, THEY FOUND A MALFUNCTION OF THE ROOF DRAIN HOSE. THE ESTIMATE WAS SO HIGH $700 THAT I FIGURE WELL, I CAN LIVE WITH A LITTLE WETNESS WHEN IT RAINS HARD. 2012 TO 2015 THE CAR WAS AT PIZZA ARDMORE VW SEVERAL TIMES (THE SAME DEALERSHIP) DUE TO AN ONGOING RED AND ORANGE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD. "CHECK ENGINE"INCLUDING MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRBAG. IN MAY 2015 THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STOPPED RUNNING. "YOU NEED A NEW ENGINE" I WAS TOLD, WITHOUT PROVIDING ME WITH ANY EXPLANATION IN SPITE OF MY REQUEST. HOW COME 25,000 MILE ENGINE BRAKES? NEARLY $8,000 FOR A NEW ENGINE ON A SIX YEAR OLD TIGUAN. TWO YEAR LATER, THE CAR STOPPED RUNNING AGAIN, THE ENGINE WILL NOT START, ALL ELECTRIC ARE SHOT, NO RADIO, NO LIGHT, NO AIRBAGS, NO POWER, ALL GONE. BACK TO PIAZZA ARDMORE VW, THE CAR WAS THEN DECLARED TOTAL LOSS, IT WAS TOO EXPENSIVE TO FIX. IT ALL HAPPENED FOR TWO REASONS. THE VW MANUFACTURER PRODUCTION DEFECT OF THE DRAIN HOSE. AND LOUSY PIAZZA VW DEALERSHIP NEGLECTED TO DETECT AND FIX THE PROBLEM TWICE BEFORE IT WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS.

Engine
Filed Jun 19, 201795,400 milesWI

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. WOULD NOT START. TOWED TO DEALER AND TOLD THE ENGINE WAS NO GOOD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. TIMING CHAIN FAILURE IS THE REASON. UNABLE TO FIX AS COST TO REPAIR IS $7000.

Engine
Filed Jun 14, 2017127,000 milesCO

THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILED CAUSING CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE COST TO REPAIR MY ENGINE IS $8,000. I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS PARKED, IT HAPPENED WHEN I STARTED THE CAR. OTHERS HAVE FAILED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN AFTER THE FAILURE. VOLKWAGEN IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THEY CURRENTLY ARE PRODUCING THE 4TH VERSION OF THE PART. THE CURRENT PART NUMBER IS 06K-109-467-K.

Engine
Filed May 6, 201780,600 milesCO

ON MONDAY EVENING 02/13/2017 IN DOWNTOWN DENVER, CO, I STARTED MY CAR AND PULLED INTO TRAFFIC WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO JUMP VIOLENTLY AND ALL WARNING LIGHTS WENT ON. I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND IT WOULDN'T START AGAIN. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE GARAGE WHERE IT HAD BEEN SERVICED THE PRECEDING WEEK.THE MECHANIC CALLED LATER TO SAY THAT THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED BECAUSE THE TIMING MECHANISM HAD SLIPPED BUT THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PULL THE ENGINE TO EVALUATE THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE. LATER ON THE NEXT WEEK, HE REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR AND THAT I WOULD NEED A REPLACEMENT ENGINE. THERE WAS A WAIT OF SEVERAL DAYS AND TIME TO DO THE WORK. I GOT MY CAR BACK IN RUNNING CONDITION ON 2/24/2017 AFTER PAYING $6776.94 FOR THE REPAIRS.

Engine
Filed May 6, 201780,600 milesCO

I WAS IN DOWNTOWN DENVER, COLORADO ON 2/14/2017. I STARTED THE CAR, PULLED INTO TRAFFIC AND THE CAR STARTED JUMPING, ALL WARNING LIGHTS WENT ON AND I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. IT WOULDN'T START, WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE WHERE THE MECHANIC REPORTED THAT THE TIMING MECHANISM HAD SLIPPED AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE. WHEN HE EXAMINED IT FURTHER HE REALIZED IT WAS BEYOND REPAIR AND THAT I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE.

Engine
Filed May 3, 201793,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT IDLE. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 170410920. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000.

Complaints 1-50 of 168, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2018
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202638010Routine
202557300Routine
202477240Routine
202372100Routine
2022274510Above average
2021144500Routine
2020141300Routine
2019196510Routine
20182881430Do not drive
201776401Fatalities reported
201697220Routine
201562410Routine
201484300Routine
2013140310Routine
2012153300Routine
2011162320Routine
2010110240Routine
2009 — this page168360Routine

Compare every Tiguan year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jul 21, 2014. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.