2009 Volkswagen Tiguan

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Engine is the leading concern among 167 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 17 Tiguan model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 167

Of the 2009 reports, 4 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 3 people were injured.

Primary concernEngine80 reports · 48% of complaints
Owner complaints167Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship3 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Engine80
  2. Electrical system40
  3. Power train20
  4. Exterior lighting15
  5. Steering15
  6. Fuel/propulsion system11
  7. Air bags10
  8. Engine and engine cooling10

Recalls and investigations

  1. Fuel system, gasolineJul 21, 2014

    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.

    A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.

    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.

    Campaign 14V441000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Electrical system, wiring, fuses and circuit breakersNov 22, 2013

    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.

    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.

    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.

    Campaign 13V569000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Engine and engine coolingMay 28, 2008

    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.

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

    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.

    Campaign 08V235000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints

167 reports, newest first.

  1. Power train, Engine, Apr 4, 2017

    67,000 MILES ON AN 8 YEAR OLD TIGUAN MAJOR FAILURE OF THE REAR MAIN OIL SEAL, FOLLOWED 3 DAYS LATER BY THE FAILURE OF THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER. BOTH THE SEAL AND THE TENSIONER ARE NOTED POINTS OF FAILURE AND VWOA IS NOT STANDING BEHIND THE KNOWN ISSUE AND OR QUALITY ISSUES REGARDING THESE PARTS. REAR MAIN SEAL BROKE DURING A HIGHWAY DRIVE, NO CHECK ENGINEER LIGHT APPEARED, OIL WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY DRAINED FROM THE CAR AND NO LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON. THE ONLY INDICATION OF THE FAILURE WAS THE POOL OF OIL UNDER THE CAR WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED. AFTER REPAIR OF THE REAR MAIN SEAL, CAR RAN FINE FOR 3 DAY AND THEN THE TIMING CHAIN SLIPPED CAUSING SEVER ENGINE SHAKE. CAR WAS STATION ARE WHEN THIS OCCURRED AND CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY TOWED TO THE DEAL FOR DIAGNOSTIC. FAILURE OF THE TENSIONER ON THE TIMING CHAIN WAS THE CONTRIBUTING FACTOR AND LOW OIL PRESSURE CAN CAUSE THE FAILURE ACCORDING TO RESEARCH OF THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE. THE FAILURE OF THE REAR MAIN SEAL COULD HAVE CAUSED ENGINE FAILURE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND WITH NO WARING LIGHTS OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS THE DRIVE IS UNAWARE OF THE CONDITION. IN DISCUSSION WITH VWOA THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED IN STANDING BEHIND THE QUALITY OF THE ENGINE AND OFFER NOT ASSISTANCE TO HELP COVER THE COST OF THE DEFECTIVE, INTERNAL PARTS, THAT A CONSUMER WOULD HAVE NO UNDERSTANDING OF HOW TO CHECK OR CONFIRM CONDITION WITHOUT EITHER THE MANUFACTURER OR THE DEALER MAKING A POINT TO CHECK DURING NORMAL SERVICE INTERVALS. THE TENSIONER HAS AN EXISTING TSB NOTING THE PROPENSITY OF THE TIMING CHAIN TO SLIP AND THE TENSIONER TO FAIL.

  2. Engine, Mar 30, 2017

    THE TIMING TENSIONER WENT BAD AND CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE WHICH NOW NEEDS REPLACED AT AROUND $7K-$8K. THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE BY VW AND THERE ARE CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS OUT THERE. I CALLED VW OF AMERICA AND THEY REFUSED TO EVEN HELP WITH THIS ISSUE DUE TO THE FACT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. HOW COULD THERE BE NO RECALLS ON A CAR THAT THEY KNOWINGLY HAD ISSUES WITH THE TIMING TENSIONER? I CANNOT FIND ANYTHING ON THE NHTSA SITE THOUGH ON SOME FORUMS OTHERS HAVE STATED A FILE NUMBER FOR THE SAME ISSUE. I JUST THINK VW SHOULD STAND UP AND TAKE CARE OF A PROBLEM THEY KNEW ABOUT A LONG TIME AGO.

  3. Engine, Mar 21, 2017

    TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER IS DEFECTED. THE TIMING CHAIN LOST TENSION WHILE VEHICLE WAS ON ALLOWING THE CHAIN TO JUMP ONE TOOTH CAUSING DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS TO THE ENGINE.

  4. Engine, Mar 4, 2017

    WHIEL DRIVING ON A BUSY STATE ROAD, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AROUND 70,900 MILES. I HEARD RATTLING SOUND FROM ENGINE, FRONT END SHAKE. I PULLED OVER NEAR MY HOUSE AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. I THEN HAD TROUBLE STARTING THE VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY INFORMED ME OF THE FOLLOWING, "TECH FOUND THAT TIMING CHAIN ADJUSTER HAS REACHED ITS LIMITS. FOUND COOLANT FANS HAVE INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT. TECH RECOMMENDS TO REPLACE ALL TIMING CHAIN COMPONENTS AND TO REPLACE BOTH COOLNG FANS. TIMING CHAINS AND ALL COMPONENTS $2887.68 COOLING FANS $1252.16" THE TECH THEN TOLD ME HE WOULD NOT RECOMMEND ME DRIVING THE VEHICLE ANYMORE. I'M NOT SURE WHEN THE TIMING ADJUSTOR FAILED, BUT IF I WERE TO KEEP DRIVING THE TIGUAN, IT COULD HAVE CAUSED MY ENGINE TO SEIZE AT ANY TIME. I LATER BECAME AWARE FROM INTERNET RESEARCH THAT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER PROBLEM WAS COMMON AMONG VOLKSWAGEN AND AUDIS WITH THE 2.0T ENGINE SOLD FROM 2008 - 2011 AND IN NOV. 2011 VOLKSWAGEN ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) MAKING THEIR DEALERS AWARE OF THE DEFECT. HOWEVER, THE COMPANY NEVER INFORMED CUSTOMERS. THIS PROBLEM IS CURRENTLY THE SUBJECT OF AN ONGOING CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. VOLKSWAGEN HAS SO FAR REFUSED TO HELP ME IN ANY WAY, INSTEAD MAINTAINING THAT BECAUSE MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY (6 YEARS OR 60,000 MILES) THEY ARE UNABLE TO HELP IN ANY WAY AND THAT I WOULD BE FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE TIGUAN MANUAL SAYS NO MAINTENANCE SHOULD BE NEEDED ON THE TIMING CHAIN UNTIL 130,000 MILES.

  5. Engine, Jan 27, 2017

    AFTER NOTICING EXCESS OIL LEAKAGE WE TOOK OUR "09 TIGUAN TO OUR ASE CERTIFIED LOCAL INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO SPECIALIZES IN EUROPEAN CARS. HE FOUND A REAR MAIN SEAL FAILURE. VW PASADENA FOUND THE FOLLOWING: TIMING CHAIN FAILURE, CRANK CASE BREATHER FAILURE, CARBON BUILD UP ON VALVES, REAR MAIN SEAL FAILURE, PRESSURE CIRCULATION VALVE (PCV) FAILURE. VEHICLE IS WITHIN POWERTRAIN WARRANTY AND VW REALDRIVER MECHANICAL FAILURE SERVICE CONTRACT WARRANTY BY MILES, BUT NOT BY TERMS (5 YR AND 3YR RESPECTIVELY). WENT TO LOCAL DEALER, ESCALATED TO VW AMERICA, AND DENIED CLAIM 1/26/17. AFTER OWNING 10+ VW'S IN THE FAMILY THIS IS IT. ESCALATING PAST CLAIMS MGR TOMORROW AND SEEKING A RESOLUTION.

  6. Engine, Jan 16, 2017

    THE ENGINE FOR MY PARTICULAR CAR IS VERY POORLY DESIGNED CAUSING IT TO HAVE SO MANY ISSUES ONE AFTER THE OTHER. AT ON 72K MILES I HAVE ALREADY HAD THE FOLLOWING JOBS DONE TO MY CAR: REPLACE PCV VALVE, DECARBONIZATION OF THE CAR, REAR MAIN SEAL LEAK REPLACEMENT.

  7. Electrical system, Engine, Jan 12, 2017

    TIGUAN. PURCHASED THE CAR IN DECEMBER 2015 REPLACED THE WATER PUMP IN FEBRUARY 2016 AND AGAIN IN JANUARY 2017. THE WATER PUMP ON THIS CAR HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES IN ITS LIFETIME. VW SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND OFFER EXTENDED WARRANTIES TO ALL OWNERS OF ITS CARS.

  8. Engine, Jan 11, 2017

    LARGE POOL OF MOTOR OIL UNDER THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. DEALER INSPECTED AND INFORMED ME OF A FAILED REAR MAIN SEAL CAUSED HIGH CRANKCASE PRESSURE BUILDUP DUE TO A STUCK (CLOSED) PVC VALVE.

  9. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 1, 2017

    THE WIRING INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS INSULATION THAT DEGRADES WITH THE HEAD GENERATED BY THE LOW BEAM/DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHTS. IT BECOMES BRITTLE AND FALLS OFF CREATING BEAR WIRE SHORTING HAZARD. THE LIGHT ASSEMBLIES ARE SUCH THAT THE WIRING CANNOT BE ACCESSED TO REPLACE WITH HIGH TEMP INSULATION. VW ONLY REPLACES W/ THE SAME ENTIRE ASSEMBLY WHICH DOES NOT CORRECT THE HAZARD & COSTS $800 TO REPLACE BOTH ASSEMBLIES. I CAUGHT THE DEFECT WHEN REPLACING A LIGHT BULB. THIS AFFECTS MORE THAN THE TIGUAN MODEL.

  10. Electrical system, Engine, Dec 1, 2016

    CAR WOULD NOT START OR EVEN TURN OVER. BATTERY WAS FINE AND FIRMLY CONNECTED. LIGHTS ALL CAME ON. NO ERROR MESSAGES. ON THIRD OR FOURTH TRY, IT STARTED RIGHT UP. I BACKED THE CAR OUT OF DRIVEWAY ONTO MY STREET WITH DISTANT APPROACHING TRAFFIC. I SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE AND THE CAR BEGAN TO MOVE FORWARD AND LEFT, THEN WITH A LOUD CLUNK IT DIED COMPLETELY, ENGINE OFF, ALL LIGHTS DARK. NOW IN DANGER FROM THE NOT-SO-DISTANT ONCOMING TRAFFIC, I TRIED TO RESTART. SAME TROUBLE AS BEFORE---NO REPONSE BUT THE ALL LIGHTS CAME ON. TWO OR THREE TRIES AND THEN IT STARTED. THE SAME THING OCCURRED THE FOLLOWING MORNING. NO OIL DUMP OR ANY OTHER FLUID. UNKNOWN CAUSE. VW DEALERSHSIP UNABLE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM AND THUS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE. THE DYING WHILE IN MOTION PROBLEM IS A POTENTIALLY INJURY-CAUSING OR EVEN FATAL HAZARD.

  11. Power train, Engine, Nov 17, 2016

    WHILE DRIVING THE REAR OIL SEAL FAILED CAUSING SUDDEN LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE THAT REQUIRED AN IMMEDIATE TRIP TO THE MECHANIC. NO WARNING LIGHTS EVER CAME ON TO INDICATE A PROBLEM. HAD OUR VEHICLE STALLED OR ENGINE FAILED DUE TO LOSS OF OIL WHILE WE WERE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED WE COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. ALMOST A YEAR LATER WHILE PARKED THE ENGINE FAILED TO TURN OVER AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO MECHANIC. TIMING TENSIONER HAD FAILED CAUSING DAMAGE TO ENGINE REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM LEADING UP TO THIS INCIDENT. HAD WE BEEN DRIVING AND THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED WE COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THESE ARE BOTH KNOWN PROBLEMS BY VW YET THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING TO REPAIR OR MAKE THEIR CUSTOMERS WHOLE DUE TO THESE DEFECTS. NOW I HAVE AN $7,000 PAPER WEIGHT BECAUSE I HAVE TO REPLACE A BLOWN ENGINE IN A CAR THAT HAS 90,000 MILES AND IS 7 YEARS OLD.

  12. Power train, Engine, Oct 19, 2016

    WHILE DRIVING MY CAR FROM WV TO NY, I BROKE DOWN IN PA. MY CAR WAS MAKING AN ODD NOISE AND RUMBLING FEELING WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH AND WOULD WORSEN DURING ACCELERATION. I WAS VERY CONCERNED, SO I PULLED OFF TO A GAS STATION. AT THIS POINT NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS WERE ON. AFTER I FILLED UP ON GAS, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. IT WAS TOWED TO VW DEALERSHIP IN NORTHERN PA, WHERE I WAS TOLD AN AIR HOSE WAS BROKEN. 10 DAYS LATER, MY CAR BEGAN MAKING THE SAME NOISE AND DRIVING POORLY AGAIN WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESS IN LONG ISLAND, AND WAS EXACERBATED BY ACCELERATING. MY CAR COULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 30 MPH, SO I PROMPTLY TOOK MY CAR TO THE MECHANICS, WHERE I WAS TOLD THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER AND GUIDE, EXHAUST VALVES, GASKET HEADS AND SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY IN 1400 MILES, MY CAR HAD CONSUMED ALL OF THE ITS OIL AND WAS ON RUNNING ON FUMES. APPARENTLY MY CAR CONSUMES OIL AT AN ABSURD AND UNACCEPTABLE RATE. THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILING HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM AMONGST VW 2.0TSI ENGINES AND CURRENTLY THERE ARE MULTIPLE LAWSUITS FILED AGAINST THIS TYPE OF ENGINE, AS IS THE CONSUMPTION OF OIL. MY CAR WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THESE FAILURES, BUT THAT IS ONLY BECAUSE I PULLED OVER TO A SAFE LOCATION AS SOON AS I FELT SOMETHING WAS WRONG. AGAIN A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER CAME PRIOR TO BOTH MECHANIC VISITS. HOWEVER THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND MAY CONTINUE TO CAUSE ONE IN OTHER VEHICLES. *TR

  13. Engine, Sep 16, 2016

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS BEFORE THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

  14. Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Visibility/wiper, Sep 4, 2016

    I WAS ON A CITY STREET IN NOVA SCOTIA WITH THE FAMILY IN VACATION, I WAS DRIVING LIKE 50 KM/H AND EPC LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ON THE DASH BOARD IT SAID ENGINE FAULT WORKSHOP . MY CAR WAS STARTING TO ACT WEIRD , NOT TAKING SPEED , NOT CHANGING GEARS MY ACCELERATION PEDAL WAS PUSHED AT MAX AND IT SEEMS LIKE THE CAR WAS LOOSING SPEED. I PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TURN ENGINE OFF AND WAIT FOR 4-5 MIN , WHEN I STAR CAR AGAIN EPC LIGHT WAS OFF ONLY ENGINE LIGHT REMAIN ON AND NO MESSAGE ON THE BOARD. CAR SEEMS TO BE GOOD FOR DRIVING. I REACH AT THE CAMP GROUND WHERE WE WORE AND PARK THE CAR. 20-30 MIN LATER MY WIFE WANT TO TAKE A LOAD OF LAUNDRY TO THE CAMP LAUNDRY PLACE AND WASH THEM, I GIVE HER THE KEY FOR CAR AND WHEN SHE TRIED TO START , THE CAR WASN'T STARTING. I UNPLUG BATTERY PUG IT BACK IN NOTHING WAS WORKING. I CALL A TOE TRACK TO TAKE THE CAR TO A VW SHOP IN TRURO (VANTAGE MOTORS). THEY TOLD ME THEY FIX THE PROBLEM, THEY HAVE TO CHANGE A RELAY 460 UNDER THE DRIVER DASH AND MOVE A FUSE #5 TO #7 UNDER THE HOOD AND THEY TOOK THE CAR FOR A TEST DRIVE AND EVERYTHING WAS GOOD, NOW I CAN COME AND PICK THE CAR FROM THEM 279$ BILL. BECAUSE I WAS IN A SUCH A HURRY TO GET BACK HOME IN NEW BRUNSWICK I DIDN'T CHECK TO SEE IF CAR IS FULLY OPERATIONAL, AND I DIDN'T HAVE TO, BECAUSE THEY TOLD ME THEY TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE. NOW ON MY WAY DOWN TO HOME I REALIZE MY FANS ARE NOT WORKING,CIGARETTE PLUGS,WINDSHIELD PUMPS ON FRONT AND BACK, AND WINDSHIELD WIPER ON THE BACK ARE NOT WORKING, I CALL THE VW SHOP IN TRURO TO FIND OUT WHAT IS THE PROBLEM AND IF IS A WAY FOR ME TO FIX IT.THEY TOLD ME IT CAN BE MULTIPLE PROBLEMS TO TAKE THE CAR WHEN I REACH HOME TO MY VW SHOP IN ST. JOHN NB.

  15. Engine, Aug 18, 2016

    TURNED CAR ON AND STARTED TO SHAKE AND IDLE WILDLY, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TIMING CHAIN JUMPED WAS THE DIAGNOSIS, WENT TO GET 2ND OPINION SAME RESULT. MECHANIC WORKING ON VEHICLE, DONT HAVE EXACT EXTENT OF DAMAGE BUT HAVE AN ESTIMATE OF COST.

  16. Air bags, Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jul 31, 2016

    WATER LEAKS INTO ROOF AND A PILLAR DOWN THE DOOR INTO THE FLOOR ON BOTH SIDES OF VEHICLES. WAS WASHING THE VEHICLE AND SAW WATER DRIPPING IN THROUGH THE DOOR INTO THE VEHICLE. NOTICED WATER POOLING UP IN HEAD LINER ABOVE THE A PILLAR, DOWN THROUGH THE TRIM OF A PILLAR, DOWN THE DASH BETWEEN DOOR AND FRAME OF CAR, INTO THE FLOOR. SINCE THIS VEHICLE HAS CURTAIN AIRBAGS IN THE A PILLAR AM WORRIED ABOUT CORROSION AFFECTING THE AIRBAG OPERATION OR AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OF SOME KIND. WATER POOLING CAN CREATE AN UNSAFE MOLD/MILDEW ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THIS VEHICLES HAS A PANORAMIC SUN ROOF. HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS OF WATER DAMAGE, WATER LEAKING INTO THE VEHICLE.

  17. Engine, Jun 22, 2016

    CAR AT 55,000 MILES HAD COIL FAILURE. CAUSED ENGINE TO RACE AND STALL ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. LUCKILY, IT WAS ONLY AT 25 MILES PER HOUR IN MY DEVELOPMENT.

  18. Engine, Jun 6, 2016

    I BOUGHT MY CAR JULY 6 2015 THE FIRST WEEK THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. SO THEN 2 WEEKS LATER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN THIS TIME CADILLAC CONVERTER WENT OUT THE THE HEAD LIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. NO ITS IN THE SHOP FOR THE TIMING THIS CAR HAS BEEN A NIGHT MARE SINCE I GOT IT.

  19. Power train, May 26, 2016

    TIMING CHAIN FAILED AT 90,000 MILES.

  20. Engine, May 25, 2016

    MY CAR WAS PARKED IN A LOT AND WOULDN'T START. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THE TIMING CHAIN HAD JUMPED AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE BEYOND REPAIR. THEY QUOTED MY $8K TO PURCHASE A NEW ENGINE.

  21. Engine, May 18, 2016

    TIMING CHAIN ISSUE: ON NOV 18 2015 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING FROM WORK WHEN SUDDENLY THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLED. CAR WAS TOWED TO VW DEALERSHIP IN IRVING TX,WHERE THEY DID DIAGNOSTICS AND CONCLUDED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN SLIPPED OUT AND BROKE THE CYLINDER HEAD. THE TOTAL COST WAS FIXING THAT WAS AROUND 5000$. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE NO RECALL ON THE TIMING CHAIN ISSUE AND I SHOULD CALL VW OF AMERICA, WHICH I DID. I ASKED THEM WHY THE DEALERSHIP WHENEVER I TAKE THE CAR FOR SERVICE DIDNT NOT REQUEST I CHANGE THE TIMING CHAIN. ACCORDING TO THEM TIMING CHAIN IS NOT PART OF THE ROUTINE SERVICE BECAUSE ITS SUPPOSED TO LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR. THE VW REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME I SHOULD GO AHEAD AND FIX THE CAR AND WHENEVER THEY HAVE A RECALL ON THE ISSUE THEY WILL REFUND ME THE FIXING COST. NOW I AM STUCK WITH VEHICLE IN MY DRIVEWAY BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THE VEHICLE. AND VW WILL NOT COVER THE COSTS EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE SELLING A VEHICLE WHICH THEY STATE THE TIMING CHAIN DOESNT NEED TO BE CHANGED.

  22. Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, May 2, 2016

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V441000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 07/01/16*LJ UPDATED 11/21/2017*JS

  23. Engine, Mar 18, 2016

    THE WATER PUMP FAILED AT 106,246 MILES, IT WAS REPLACED. THE PUMP FAILED AGAIN AT 109,802 MILES, IT WAS REPLACED. THE PUMP FAILED AGAIN AT 135,473 MILES. ON ALL THREE OCCASIONS, THE PUMP FAILED ON START UP, THE CAR WAS NOT IN MOTION.

  24. Seats, Jan 29, 2016

    DRIVER SEAT BACK SUPPORT FAILURE. I WAS AT THE INTERSECTION OF ALAMEDA AND CHAMBERS, IN AURORA, CO. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL TO PROCEED FORWARD, A BICYCLIST DARTED OUT IN FRONT OF ME SO I QUICKLY HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL TO AVOID HITTING HIM. AT THAT MOMENT MY BACK SUPPORT DROPPED BACK INTO A FLAT RECLINE POSITION. MY VEHICLE DID NOT TRAVEL 3 FT, NOR DID I REACH ANY SPEED OVER 3 MPH. I MADE A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING LOT TO SEE IF I COULD LIFT THE SEAT BUT IT APPEARED TO BE LOCKED INTO THE FLAT POSITION. I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE VW DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. I WAS TOLD THAT MY SEAT OPERATED CORRECTLY AND THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO GET IT UPRIGHT AGAIN. BUT WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE SEAT FELL BACKWARDS OR FAILED. I'M CONCERNED THAT THERE IS A MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH SEAT AND THAT IF I'M IN AN ACCIDENT THAT THE SEAT WILL FAIL AND THAT I COULD BE SEVERELY INJURED OR WORSE.

  25. Engine, Dec 29, 2015

    TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILURE: MY TIGUAN HAD BEEN RUNNING PERFECTLY AND WAS A GREAT CAR SINCE PURCHASING IT 7 MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. I DROVE IT 250 MILES AND AT THE END OF THE TRIP AS I WAS PULLING INTO MY DESTINATION, I NOTICED BACK-AND-FORTH ROCKING AND THE ENGINE SOUNDING A BIT CLUNKY. I PLANNED TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER I PURCHASED IT FROM TO GET CHECKED OUT AND WASN'T GOING TO DRIVE IT IF I NOTICED THE BACK-AND-FORTH ROCKING AGAIN, BUT I DIDN'T. APPROXIMATELY 100 MILES BEFORE MAKING IT BACK HOME, I PULLED INTO A GAS STATION FOR A REST STOP. I CAME BACK OUT TO MY CAR TURNED THE KEY, AND NOTHING HAPPENED. THE BATTERY WAS AT FULL CHARGE, BUT THE ENGINE HAD THE STARTER WANTED TO FIRE UP THE ENGINE, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY LOCAL VW DEALER AND WAS EXTREMELY SURPRISED UPON RECEIVING NEWS THAT MY ENGINE AND TURBO WERE BLOWN AND BOTH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER NOTIFYING THE USED CAR LOT I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM, I WAS MADE AWARE OF MY VEHICLE BEING ONE MONTH BEYOND THE 6-MONTH WARRANTY. I CALLED VW WHO SAID THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING TO HELP SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS WELL OVER THE WARRANTY MILEAGE. I HAVE SINCE PERSUADED THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED FROM TO COVER THE INSTALLATION OF A REPLACEMENT ENGINE, BUT PURCHASING THE NEW ENGINE AND TURBO(UPWARDS OF $9K FOR OEM) HAS FALLEN ON ME.