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.
Of the 2009 reports, 4 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 3 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
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
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.
Power train, Dec 19, 2015
WHILE DRIVING WITH MY FOUR YEAR OLD IN THE BACKSEAT OF THE CAR, THE CAR SUDDENLY MISFIRED AND THE ENGINE ROUGH IDLED. THE CAR STALLED AT INTERSECTIONS AND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. WE ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT AS WE WERE DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET, AS CARS BEHIND US HAD TO SWERVE OUT THE WAY WHEN OUR ENGINE STALLED. WE TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC IMMEDIATELY, AS IT WAS CLEARLY HAZARDOUS TO HAVE ON THE ROAD, AND FOUND THAT A PISTON HAD MISFIRED AND STRETCHED THE TIMING CHAIN. THE CAR, A VW TIGUAN FROM 2009, WAS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD WHEN THIS EVENT OCCURRED.
Power train, Engine, Nov 18, 2015
ON OCT. 24, 2015 WHEN I TRIED TO START MY CAR, IT SHOOK, IDLED ROUGHLY AND STALLED. I TRIED AGAIN AND IT WOULDN'T START. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY VOLKSWAGEN DEALER. THEY CHECKED IT AND TOLD ME THE TIMING CHAIR HAD BROKEN CAUSING CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS WAS $4952.29. AND IF THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED, IT WOULD BE $6500. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA GROUP WOULD PAY NOTHING TOWARD THE REPAIR CLAIMING IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. (THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY WAS 5 YEARS/60,000 MILES.) THE CAR HAD 49,000 MILES, BUT WAS OVER THE 5 YEAR TIME PERIOD. BUT A TIMING CHAIN SHOULD BE GOOD FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR; UNLESS THERE IS A DEFECTIVE PART. YOU HAVE A TSB (TB-15-12-01 -NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10045560) ON THE "TENSIONER" WHICH CAUSES THE CHAIN TO BECOME LOOSE, SKIP AND BREAK. MOREOVER, THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON YOUR SITE ABOUT THIS EXACT ISSUE. VOLKSWAGEN FAILED TO NOTIFY CUSTOMERS OF THIS DEFECT AND THERE WAS NO RECALL. THIS IS A TICKING TIME BOMB THAT CAN RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE DAY BEFORE THIS HAPPENED, I WAS TRAVELLING ON THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE FOR 8 HOURS AT THE POSTED SPEED OF 70 MPH. IF THE CHAIN HAD BROKEN DURING THAT TIME, IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A FATAL ACCIDENT INVOLVING ME AND/OR OTHERS. WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL? WHY SHOULD VOLKSWAGEN BE ALLOWED TO PUT MY LIFE AND THE LIVES OF OTHERS AT RISK? WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY FOR VOLKSWAGEN'S NEGLIGENCE WHEN THEY WERE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE FOR ALMOST 3 YEARS? THIS DEFECT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO KILL. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE YOU WILL TAKE ACTION TO REQUIRE VOLKSWAGEN TO FIX THIS PROBLEM?
Engine, Oct 16, 2015
ON A CROSS COUNTRY ROAD TRIP, MY 2009 VW TIGUAN WAS RUNNING PERFECTLY. STOPPED AT A REST STOP, AND WHEN TRIED TO RESTART CAR, IT RATTLED SEVERELY AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO VW SERVICE, AND I WAS TOLD I NEEDED AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT, DUE TO A FAILED TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER. IT COST ME $5800, ALONG WITH 5 DAYS OF LODGING WHILE WAITING FOR REPAIR. THE VW DEALER SUPPORTED THE FACT THAT I SHOULD GET REIMBURSED BY VW. MY VEHICLE HAD A PERFECT MAINTENANCE RECORD. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE MANUAL PERTAINING TO MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENT FOR TIMING CHAIN/TENSIONER. ALL IT TAKES IS A QUICK SEARCH ON THE INTERNET TO SEE THE UNBELIEVABLE AMOUNT OF CASES AND COMPLAINTS, EVEN TO VEHICLES WITH AS LOW AS 10,000 MILES. THERE IS APPARENTLY A NEW TENSIONER SERVICE KIT AVAILABLE TO AVOID THE CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE, BUT VW HAS NOT NOTIFIED CUSTOMERS. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY A SAFETY ISSUE. MY WIFE OR I COULD HAVE BEEN TRAVELING IN A REMOTE AREA WITH NO CELL RECEPTION, WHICH IS OFTEN THE CASE. IT IS ALSO UNACCEPTABLE TO PUT THE FINANCIAL BURDEN ON CUSTOMERS WHEN IT COULD BE AVOIDED. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. THIS IS A CANADIAN VEHICLE, BUT THE BREAKDOWN OCCURRED IN NY STATE. THIS SHOULD BE A NORTH AMERICAN RECALL.
Engine, Oct 15, 2015
VEHICLE STARED TO RUN RUFF AND STALL CAUSING A DRIVING HAZARD. VW DEALER REPAIR FACILITATE CLAMMED THAT IT WAS FRONT CRANK SEAL P/N 06L-103-085-B COST OF PART $11.30. AFTER REPLACING THE SEAL THE DEALER THEN CLAIMED THAT THE PVC VALVE WAS BAD ALSO P/N 06H-103-495-AC $201.30. IT IS KNOWN THAT WHEN THIS PART FAILS THAT IT WILL CAUSE THE SEAL TO FAIL AS WELL. TOTAL COST OF REPAIR WAS $774.07. THIS VEHICLE HAD 66,973 MILES. THIS IS A MAJOR FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE A DANGEROUS CONDITION. THE TYPE OF FAILURE SHOULD NOT OCCUR ON AN ENGINE WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE.
Air bags, Sep 14, 2015
VW 2009 AIRBAG ISSUE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE 2010-2014 TIGUANS. OUR CAR HAS THE SAME AIRBAG ISSUE HOWEVER THE 2009 MODEL IS NOT COVERED. SINCE THE 2009 MODEL IS THE SAME AS THE 2010-2014 MODELS THERE SHOULD MOST LIKELY BE A RECALL FOR THE 2009 MODEL.
Power train, Aug 28, 2015
WHILE DRIVING ON ROAD APROX. 40MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING-HAD TO COAST TO SIDE AND TOW IT.WHEN TOWED TO VW DEALER -THEY SAID TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILED AND IT'S COMMON PROBLEM.THEY EVEN HAD TSB FOR THAT.WHY THEY DON'T RECALL THIS SINCE THEY ARE AWARE OF IT.IF I WAS AT HIGHER SPEED ON INTERSTATE,I WOULD BE IN BIG TROUBLE.
Other or unspecified, Aug 12, 2015
THE VEHICLE HAS A FAULTY DRAINAGE SYSTEM. THE ORIGINAL PIPING THAT WAS PUT INTO THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE YEARS HAS EXPERIENCED WEAR AND TEAR AND HAS NOT HELD UP TO ORIGINAL VOLKSWAGEN STANDARDS. OTHER VEHICLES BY THIS BRAND NAME HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS LEAKING ISSUE. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO DISTRACTIONS WHILE DRIVING AND MAKE A DRIVER LOSE CONTROL.
Engine, Jul 22, 2015
WAS TRAVELING JUST OFF I270 OUTSIDE OF COLUMBUS OH ON FRIDAY 7/17/2015 WHEN THE REAL MAIN ENGINE SEAL FAILED CAUSING A DUMP OF THE ENGINE OIL AND A WARNING TO IMMEDIATELY STOP THE ENGINE DUE TO LACK OF OIL PRESSURE. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING AT ALL. IF HAD BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE COULD HAVE PUT US AT RISK DUE TO THE ABRUPT FAILURE. HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE FOUND MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE AND ENGINE (2.0 TSI 2009 ON) IN OTHER VW'S THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE RANGE OF 80 TO 100K MILES. FINALLY HAD TO HAVE THE CAR FLATBEDDED TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE THE ENGINE WAS DECLARED UNREPAIRABLE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED OUT OF WARRANTY AT A COST OF OVER $7,000.
Steering, Jun 17, 2015
I HAVE A 09 TIGUAN. THE POWER STEERING FAILURE FIRST HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING FROM SEATTLE TO SPOKANE, WA. IT'S A 300-MILE, 5-HOUR DRIVE. I STOPPED ABOUT HALF WAY AT A REST STOP AND WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR AGAIN, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING RAPIDLY BACK AND FORTH. THEN THE RED LIGHT OF POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE CAME ON. I RESTARTED THE CAR SEVERAL MORE TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. SO I HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR WITHOUT POWER STEERING. FORTUNATELY THE ROAD IS PRETTY MUCH STRAIGHT FROM THAT POINT ON. JUST IMAGINE WHAT IF THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHEN THE CAR'S STILL RUNNING. WHEN I REACHED SPOKANE, IT WAS KINDS LATE. MY PLAN WAS TO GET THE CAR TO A DEALER FIRST THING NEXT DAY, BUT WHEN I STARTED THE CAR THE NEXT DAY, THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARED AND IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN DURING MY 5-DAY STAY IN SPOKANE. HOWEVER, WHEN I DROVE THE CAR BACK TO SEATTLE, THE SAME PROBLEM APPEARED AGAIN. I FINALLY TOOK THE CAR TO A VW DEALER. THEY TOLD ME THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM STORED IN STEERING RACK AND IN ORDER TO FIX THIS, THE WHOLE STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE JOB WAS QUOTED ABOUT $1,900. ALSO THE DEALER THINKS VW NEEDS TO AT LEAST COVER PART OF THE FIX, SO THEY FILED THE PAPERWORK. BUT VW DENIED ANY KIND OF COVERAGE. I ENDED UP PAYING FOR EVERYTHING. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE, I FOUND DOZENS OF OTHER TIGUAN OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. I'M NO CAR EXPERT, BUT THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE TIGUAN AND CAN EVEN BE A DESIGN FLAW FROM VW. VW NEEDS TO PUT THIS PROBLEM INTO ITS RECALL LIST ASAP! P.S. I FOUND A YOUTUBE VIDEO SHOWING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM OF THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=7DZ-1U8TWVC. . . .UPDATED 07-16-15 *BF UPDATED 9/21/2015*JS
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 16, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. UPON TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO START THE VEHICLE, IT SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, BUT FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 08V235000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 14V441000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, May 14, 2015
I HAD PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE NEW AND FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING SHAKING, STALLING AND THEN ENGINE LIGHTS COMES ON. MY VEHICLE NOW HAS 59900. MILES ON IT AND ON YESTERDAY THE SAME THING OCCURRED. WHEN I CONTACTED VW THEY SAID MY VIN # IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST BUT IT NEEDS TO BE BECAUSE I HAVE PAID FOR A FUEL PUMP FLUSH I HAVE HAD IT DONE WHILE UNDER WARRANTY ALSO AND I'M HAVING THE SAME RESULTS WHERE THE VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY AND SHUTS OFF WHILE IN TRAFFIC SO THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE AND ACCIDENT COULD OF OCCURRED STOPPING UNEXPECTEDLY. ONCE ATTEMPTED TO BE DRIVEN VEHICLE DID NOT START AGAIN.
Other or unspecified, Apr 29, 2015
ALL OF A SUDDEN EPC LIGHT CAME ON, ALONG WITH CHECK ENGINE SERVICE NOW MESSAGE FLASHED ON DASH. I WAS GOING APPROX. 45 MPH. I COULDN'T ACCELERATE MORE THAT 5-10 MPH! I PULLED OFF TO SIDE OF ROAD. ENDED UP GETTING IT TO MCDONALD VW DEALERSHIP, IN LITTLETON. - WASN'T COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. VW SAID THERE WAS NO RECALLS ON THE EPC-THROTTLE BODY! - TOTAL COST? $817.66 PRETTY SCARY!! THANK GOODNESS I WASN'T ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, OR CONGESTED AREA; AT THE TIME. VERY UPSET!!! *TR
Power train, Engine, Apr 15, 2015
NOTICED OIL LEAK ON OTHERWISE SPOTLESS DRIVEWAY A FEW DAYS AFTER 100K SERVICE AT VW DEALERSHIP. RETURNED TO DEALER WHERE REAR MAIN SEAL WAS IDENTIFIED AS THE SOURCE. ESTIMATE WAS $1400 TOTAL COST TO REPAIR ALONG WITH OIL HOSES TO TURBO. DISCUSSED DETAILS AND FREQUENCY OF RMS REPAIR WITH TECH, SINCE TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REMOVED. ALSO RESEARCHED VW FORUM THREADS ON RMS FAILURE TO FIND THAT 2008+ MODEL VWS ARE MOST AFFECTED, 2009 TIGUANS IN PARTICULAR. OF THE 13 COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA SITE REGARDING FAILED REAR MAIN SEALS ON VWS, MORE THAN HALF (7 OF 13 = 54%) ARE FROM OWNERS OF 2009 TIGUANS. (3 OF 13 COMPLAINTS WERE FOR 2009 PASSATS, WITH 1 EACH FOR A 2009 CC, A 2011 TIGUAN, AND A 2012 JETTA.). EVEN WITH THIS SMALL SAMPLING, HAVING 54% OF THE RMS FAILURES AFFECTING THE SAME MODEL (TIGUAN) OF THE SAME MODEL YEAR (2009) IS MORE THAN A COINCIDENCE. IT SHOWS A TREND. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA ACKNOWLEDGES NO SUCH TREND, AND VW CUSTOMER CARE REFUSES ANY RESPONSIBILITY BEYOND WARRANTY. *TR
Engine, Apr 2, 2015
THE MAIN REAR SEAL OF THE ENGINE FAILED. ENGINE GUSHING OIL AND LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE ENGINE SEAL SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
Engine, Apr 1, 2015
I HAVE HAD OVER THE COURSE OF 3 YEARS ONE OF THE 4 ENGINE COILS GO OUT ON MY CAR RIGHT AFTER THE VEHICLE STARTED. MY CAR HAD 41K MILES WHEN THE FIRST WENT OUT AND NOW THE THIRD IS AT 53K. THE MECHANICS AT VW KNOW IT IS A PROBLEM AND THEY EXPECT IT. THERE IS EVEN A NEW PART WITH A NEW PART NUMBER WHICH INDICATED VW KNOWS OF THE ISSUE AND THEY REDESIGNED THE PART. ITS INSANE TO ME THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON THIS PART. *TR
Engine, Mar 27, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Engine, Mar 25, 2015
COOLANT PUMP WENT OUT JAN 25 2015. I HAD PURCHASED CAR USED FROM A NON VW DEALER BUT TOOK TO IT TO A VW DEALER TO REPAIR. THEY REPLACED FOR $750.00. I RESEARCHED FURTHER ON CARFAX AND FOUND THE PUMP HAD BEEN REPLACED ALREADY BY ANOTHER VW DEALERSHIP WITHIN THE PREVIOUS 12 MONTHS. I CONTACTED VW AND HAD TO FIGHT WITH THEM TO COVER MY REPAIR WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN PART OF THE WARRANTY WITH PREVIOUS REPAIR. THEY DID REFUND MY MONEY. IT IS NOW 2 MONTHS LATER, 3/25/2015 AND I AM AGAIN EXPERIENCING A COOLANT LEAK. *TR
Steering, Jan 30, 2015
ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILURE. STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING AND SHARPLY TURNED RIGHT BEFORE RETURNING TO NORMAL AND ALL INDICATIONS OF FAILURE SUBSIDED. I HAVE HAD THREE INSTANCES OF THIS HAPPENING IN ONE YEARS WORTH OF TIME.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 16, 2015
THE COIL, THE FUEL PUMP AND THE REAR SEAL ARE DEFECTIVE. THEY ARE COVERED FOR REPAIR UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE ISSUE IS THAT THIS IS THE 3RD ENGINE FAILURE THIS YEAR, ANOTHER IN THE PAST. IF YOU GOOGLE 2009 TIGUAN REAR SEAL, YOU WILL FIND MANY MANY VW OWNERS EXPERIENCING THIS SAME ISSUE AT THIS EARLY AND EARLY MILEAGE ON THIS VEHICLE. THERE IS AN APPARENT MANUFACTURERS DEFECT THAT IS BEING OVERLOOKED. *TR
Service brakes, Nov 15, 2014
A LIQUID WAS ACCIDENTALLY SPILLED ON THE PARKING BRAKE, WHICH IS LOCATED NEXT TO THE CUP HOLDERS. NOW THE CAR IS SAYING THERE IS A "PARKING BRAKE FAILURE", INDICATING THIS ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT IS NOT SEALED FROM SPILLS EVEN THOUGH IT IS LOCATED NEXT TO THE CUP HOLDERS. *TR
Engine, Nov 12, 2014
I BROUGHT MY TIGUAN IN DUE TO AN ENGINE LEAK AND TO HAVE AN ENGINE DIAGNOSTIC. THEY INDICATED THE MAIN REAR MAIN SEAL WAS LEAKING. 700 PLUS DOLLARS. REPAIRED THE SEAL THE LEAK STOPPED BUT THE LOW ENGINE PRESSURE LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF. THE THEN INDICATED THAT THE TENSIONER ARM WAS BAD AND THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I RECEIVED A CALL THE NEXT DAY THAT THE TENSIONER WAS BAD BUT THE TENSIONER CHAIN HAD WALKED OFF THE ROCKER ARM AND THAT THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I CALLED MULTIPLE TIMES TO VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER CARE MULTIPLE TIMES AND THEY RESPONDED THAT THEY CANT HELP WITH ANYTHING. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE TENSIONER ARM THROUGH GOOGLE AND FOUND PAGES AND PAGES OF BLOGS WITH PEOPLE THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE TENSIONER ARM FAILING RESULTING IN ENGINE FAILURE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 5, 2014, fire
I WAS DRIVING ON ROLLING ROAD (NORTH) TOWARD OLD KEEN MILL ROAD IN SPRINGFIELD, VIRGINIA AROUND 4:05 PM ON NOVEMBER 4, 2014 (TUESDAY). I SAW THE SMOKE COMING OUT NEAR THE HOOD IN THE FRONT WHILE WAITING FOR TRAFFIC LIGHT, SO I PULLED OVER TO THE PARKING LOT NEAR A GAS STATION. I SAW PEOPLE WAVED TO ME, AND YELLED AT ME TO STOP, I GOT OFF MY CAR AND THEY TOLD ME MY CAR WAS ON FIRE AT THE BOTTOM, WE BEND DOWN AND LOOKED THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE, AND SAW THE FIRE BURNING ON THE MATERIAL HANGING DOWN. FORTUNATELY, A DRIVER RAN OVER CARRYING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER FROM HIS CAR, AND A PERSON FROM THE GAS STATION ALSO BROUGHT ANOTHER FIRE EXTINGUISHER, THEY SPREAD THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. I COULD NOT WAIT FOR THE TOW TRUCK, SO I CAREFULLY DROVE THE CAR TO THE VW DEALERSHIP IN FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA. THE MECHANIC LIFTED UP THE CAR AND TOOK DOWN THE BURNED LOWER ENGINE COVER, AND FIGURED THAT IT WAS BECAUSE MANY DRIED LEAVES STUCK NEAR THE ENGINE AND THE HIGH HEAT NEAR THE ENGINE CAUSING THE LEAVES TO FIRE UP AND BURN THE LOWER ENGINE COVER. I'VE SAVED THIS LOWER ENGINE COVER IN MY TRUNK, AND HAVE REPORTED THIS SAFETY INCIDENT TO THE VW CUSTOMER SERVICE. THE CASE WAS DOCUMENTED AND A CASE # [XXX] WAS ASSIGNED. I REPORT THIS INCIDENT TO NHTSA FOR THE SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE THIS NON-FIRE-RESISTANT MATERIAL CAN CAUSE THE LIFE OF THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Power train, Nov 4, 2014
CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN DOWN INTERSTATE THROUGH CONSTRUCTION AREA. LOUD POP WAS HEARD FROM REAR END. AFTER A SHORT DISTANCE, REAR OF CAR STARTED TO SHUTTER THEN LOCKED UP COMPLETELY. CAR SKIDDED TO A STOP ON. CHECKED TO SEE IF IT WAS BRAKES ONSITE AND IT WAS NOT. HAD TOWED TO VW DEALER IN HOMETOWN AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE GEARS IN THE REAR END HAD COME APART AND SEIZED THE REAR WHEELS. **IF THIS HAD OCCURRED AT NORMAL INTERSTATE SPEEDS I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED WORSE RESULTS UP TO DEATH. WHEELS WERE COMPLETELY LOCKED UNTIL CAR WAS PUT INTO REVERSE TO UNBIND THE AWD SYSTEM. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 22, 2014
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION CONTINUES DESPITE RECALL FIX IN MAY 2008. I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THIS RECALL BY VW CORPORATE OR THE DEALER. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN AUG. 2008 - 3 MONTHS AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS DONE. WHEN I COMPLAINED ABOUT UNEXPECTED SURGES NUMEROUS TIMES TO THE DEALER, VW CORPORATE AND NHTSA NOT ONE PERSON MENTIONED THE 2008 RECALL WHICH EXACTLY DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM I WAS EXPERIENCING. I HAD THREE SERIOUS NEAR COLLISIONS BECAUSE OF THIS UNINTENDED SURGING BEFORE I MYSELF DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM. I DID THIS BY KEEPING A 2-YEAR LOG OF WHEN THE SURGES OCCURRED AND UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES. I FOUND THAT THE ONLY COMMON DENOMINATOR IN THE INCIDENTS WAS THE USE OF AIR CONDITIONING. IT ONLY SURGED WHEN THE A/C WAS ON 3 OR 4. TODAY - AFTER VISITING YOUR NEW SAFERCAR.GOV I LEARNED ABOUT THE 2008 RECALL FOR THE FIRST TIME. IT DESCRIBES EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING WITH THIS CAR AND IT CITES THE A/C AS THE DIRECT CAUSE. AFTER DRIVING IN DANGER FOR SIX YEARS - I WANT THIS FIXED NOW AND I WANT TO KNOW WHY I WAS NOT INFORMED OF THIS RECALL AFTER MY NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS TO BOTH VW AND NHTSA. *TR
Engine, Aug 16, 2014
AT SLOWER SPEEDS, IDLE, COMING TO A STOP AND ACCELERATING THE ENGINE SPUTTERS CAUSING A HAZARDOUS SITUATION. THIS IS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE OF THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER. VW HAS CREATED IMPROVED REPLACEMENT PARTS BUT HAS NOT INFORMED ANY CUSTOMERS. ALSO THE VW TIGUAN OWNERS MANUAL CLAIMS THAT THE TENSIONER IS LIFETIME AND NEED NO MAINTENANCE. EVENTUALLY THE SPROCKET WHEELS BECOME SO WORN THAT THE CHAIN JUMPS AND DESTROYS THE PISTONS/HEADER/ENGINE. FAILURE USUALLY HAPPENS ABOVE THE 60,000 MILE POWERTRAIN LIMITED WARRANTY. VW AMERICA IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT CLAIMS "LIKE ANY COMPONENT ON ANY VEHICLE, IT'S STILL POSSIBLE FOR IT TO FAIL". THEY KNOW THIS IS A SERIOUS HAZARD, THEY HAVE A FIX AND THEY DO NOT INFORM CUSTOMERS. *TR