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.
Electrical system, Oct 25, 2010
2009 TIGUAN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM - WAS DRIVING IN NORMAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC DURING RUSH HOUR (AVERAGE SPEED ABOUT 15MPH) AFTER MOVING A LITTLE I APPLIED THE BREAKS NORMALLY AND AS SOON AS THE PEDAL WAS PRESS THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON WITH A LOUD BEEP. ELECTRONIC BREAK WAS NOT TOUCHED NOR THE "AUTO HOLD" FEATURE WAS ENGAGE. VEHICLE APPEAR TO WORK PROPERLY BUT DURING THE NEXT 3 REMAINING MILES MORE WARNING LIGHTS STARTED TO COME ON AND STAYED ON. BRAKE LIGHT FIRST, THEN AIRBAG FAILURE, THEN ABS, THE ESC, POWER STEERING... AFTER ARRIVING HOME SAFELY TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON, WHEN TURNED ON MORE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND EVEN ONE FRONT HEADLIGHT BURNED OUT (HEADLIGHT COULD HAD BEEN A COINCIDENCE BUT I WILL NEVER KNOW) TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT A SENSOR WAS MALFUNCTIONING, THEY REPLACE THE SENSOR ALONG WITH SOME OTHER THINGS. SINCE THEN THE CAR HAS BEEN WORKING FINE BUT SEEMS THAT SOMETHING IS NOT QUITE RIGHT. SOMETIMES, WINDOWS AND SUNROOF WON'T OPEN OR CLOSE UNLESS CAR IS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON, SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS WON'T COME ON WHEN DOOR IS OPENED - SEEMS LIKE THE CAR IS COMPLETELY DEAD WHEN THAT HAPPENS BUT IT STARTS NORMALLY. ABS SEEM TO ENGAGE IN CIRCUMSTANCE THAT IT SHOULDN'T. HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER A FEW TIMES AFTER THAT AND THEY SAID THE CAR IS PERFORMING NORMALLY AND THEY CANNOT SEE ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT, BUT I'M CONCERN THE CAR MIGHT FAIL ANY MOMENT. *TR
Steering, Oct 7, 2010
VW 2009 TIGUAN STEERING FAILED ON OCTOBER 3RD, LOCKED SOLID, WAS IN A PARKING LOT. VW TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE WIRING HARNESS. GOT THE CAR BACK OCTOBER OCTOBER 5TH. WIFE DROVE IT TO AZ THE NEXT DAY AND THE STEERING FROZE WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING IT. SHE MANAGED TO PULL OVER. *TR
Steering, Jul 29, 2010
1 OUT OF 5 TIMES I START MY 2009 TIGUAN (WITH 10,000 MILES ON IT), MY POWER STEERING WILL FAIL AND THE LIGHT WILL COME ON. TODAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT A BLOCK FROM MY HOUSE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY POWER STEERING CUT OUT AND I HAD A VERY DIFFICULT TIME PULLING OFF THE ROAD TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART IT. ONCE I RESTART THE ENGINE, I HAVE NO PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO BE THE INITIAL START ONLY- IF I START IT TWICE I HAVE NO PROBLEMS. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN THE US AND NOW LIVE IN CANADA, SO MY WARRANTY IS NOT COVERED UNLESS I DRIVE IT TO THE US- SCARY THOUGHT CONSIDERING THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 17, 2010
I HAVE A 2009 TIGUAN I BOUGHT IN APRIL 2009. I ALSO FIRST NOTICED A REALLY BAD SMELL COMING OUT OF THE VENTS DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS WHEN IT'S VERY HUMID. I DIDN'T TAKE IT UNTIL THE FALL OF 2009 TO THE DEALER FOR AN UNRELATED MATTER. THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM BY PERFORMING A FILTER CHANGE AND APPARENTLY SANITIZING THE CHAMBER. IT SEEMED TO HAVE SOLVED THE PROBLEM. IT'S BEEN WARM THIS SUMMER IN THE NORTHEAST AND I'VE HAD THE A/C ON MOST OF THE TIME SINCE JUNE. I'VE NOTICED THE SMELL RETURNING SLIGHTLY, THOUGH NOT AS BAD AS LAST YEAR. I GUESS I'LL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE IF THE PROBLEM DEVELOPS FULL BLOWN WHEN I WILL NEED TO RETURN IT FOR ANOTHER SANITIZING TREATMENT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Other, Jul 10, 2010
CAR JUST TURNED A YEAR OLD WITH 10,477 GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY 65MILES PER HOUR WHEN I THOUGHT MY TIRE WAS GOING FLAT BECAUSE I FELT A JERK IN THE ACCELERATION I PULLED OVER TO CHECK THE TIRES I SAW ALL BLUE SMOKE COMING FROM EXHAUST. IT WAS NOT UNTIL I GO TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO NOTICED A PROBLEM.NO SIGN OF ENGINE LIGHT OR CODES CAME ON UNTIL I WAS IN PARK CHECKING MY TIRES. THE PROBLEM WAS RECTIFIED,BROKEN FUEL LINES...AFTER DISCUSSING THIS WITH OTHER THEY INFORMED ME I WAS PRETTY DARN LUCKY DUE TO THE FACT THE ENGINE COULD HAVE IGNITED... *TR
Structure, Jun 4, 2010
I HAVE A NEW 2009 VW TIGUAN THAT JUST HIT 10,000 MILES AS OF THE DATE OF THIS COMPLAINT. I BOUGHT ON OCTOBER 31ST, 2009. WITH THE FIRST HEAT OF SPRING I STARTED THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT AND THERE WAS A TERRIBLY RANK SMELL OF MOLD. I TOOK IT TO LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDER ON MAY 5TH WHO CLAIMED THAT THE DRAIN FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT WAS CLOGGED AND A POOL OF STAGNANT WATER HAD FILLED THE BASIN. HE DIDN'T KNOW FOR HOW LONG THAT POOL HAD BEEN THERE. THEY CLEANED OUT THE BASIN, REPLACED THE FILTER, AND DISINFECTED THE CAR. ONE MONTH LATER AND THE VENTILATION SYSTEM STILL REEKS OF MOLD. IN SOME WAYS IT'S WORSE, BECAUSE NOW THE ODOR ISN'T JUST WHEN RUNNING THE AC. IT NOW IS THERE WHEN RUNNING NORMAL VENTS AND THE SMELL IS STARING TO OOZE INTO THE MAIN COMPARTMENT. LAST NIGHT, THE 4TH OF JUNE, IT WAS 85-90 DEGREES AND VERY HUMID. DURING A 15 MINUTE DRIVE THE ODOR WAS TERRIBLE. AFTER ARRIVING HOME I HAD A 20 MINUTE COUGHING SPASM. I PRACTICALLY CANNOT RUN THE VENTILATION. MY NEXT STEP IS TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM, CONTACT VW OF NORTH AMERICA, AND START LOOKING INTO THE LOCAL LEMON LAWS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 6, 2010
ECM FAILURE WHICH CAUSES VEHICLE TO TRAVEL A MAXIMUM OF 15MPH. ENGINE RUNS ROUGH AND WILL NOT RESTART FOR A MINUTE AFTER YOU TURN OFF IGNITION. DASH BOARD LIGHTS COME ON, AND INFORMATION CENTER INDICATES "ENGINE FAULT - WORKSHOP". *TR
Power train, Apr 4, 2010
EVERY 2 TO 3 MONTHS, CAR FAILS TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY/CHANGE INTO HIGHER GEAR, HAS BEEN REPAIRED TWICE AND NOW NEEDS A THIRD, WAS TOLD IT WAS A WIRING PROBLEM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 23, 2010
MY MOTHER HAS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN AND THE CAR BURNS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL EVERY 5,000 MILES. VW REQUIRES THE CAR TO BE SERVICED FOR AN OIL CHANGE BY 10,000 MILES BUT AT THE 8000 MILE MARK MY MOM'S VW TIGUAN HAD LOST ALMOST 2 1/2 QUARTS OF OIL. FOR A NEW CAR THIS IS WAY TOO MUCH OIL TO BE BURNED. THIS IS UNSAFE TO THE ENVIRONMENT, AND FOR A BRAND NEW CAR I HAVE A FEELING THESE CARS WILL NOT LAST LONG. I HAD TO FILL MY MOMS CAR WITH ONE QUART OF OIL AFTER THE DIP STICK WAS SHOWING NO OIL AT ALL AFTER 8,000 MILES AND THE DIP STICK BARELY STARTED SHOWING SOME OIL ON LOW. IF I WERE TO LEAVE IT FOR THE REST 2,000 MILES LIKE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS RECOMMEND MY MOTOR WOULD SEIZE UP. *TR
Structure, Feb 5, 2010
MOLD IN AIR CONDITIONING DUCTWORK OF 2009 VW TIGUAN IS OVERPOWERING AND CAUSING BRONCHOSPASM AND ALLERGY (ASTHMATIC AND ALLERGIC RHINITIS/CONJUNCTIVITIS SYMPTOMS. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jan 7, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT HAS A 2009 VOLKSWAGON TIGUAN WITH A VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL ISSUE. WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL BETWEEN 35 AND 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURS WHEN THE AIR OR HEAT CONTROL LEVER IS 4 OR HIGHER. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED 16 TIMES SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN AUGUST 2008. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25.
Vehicle speed control, Jan 4, 2010
I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING SUDDEN, UNEXPECTED AND VERY SCARY "SURGES" WITH MY 2009 VW TIGUAN. IT HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR RECALL WORK ON THIS PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN SOLVED. VW THINKS IT IS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE IT IS A HARDWARE PROBLEM. I FOUND IT INTERESTING TO READ ABOUT SIMILAR PROBLEMS BEING EXPERIENCED BY TOYOTA OWNERS. I READ ABOUT THIS ON THE ABC WEBSITE WHICH IS WHERE I LEARNED ABOUT YOUR CONNECTION TO THE PROBLEM. THE SURGE IN MY TIGUAN HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH FLOOR MATS. I BELIEVE THAT IF VW AND TOYOTA COMPARED NOTES ON ALL PARTS IN THE "SURGING" CARS THEY MAY FIND A COMMON DENOMINATOR WHICH IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM AND PERHAPS WE CAN SAVE SOME LIVES. 16 DEATHS SO FAR - UNACCEPTABLE. THE SURGES ARE VERY VERY FRIGHTENING. *TR
Parking brake, Sep 13, 2009
BOUGHT NEW 2009 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN 2009 IN JUNE. FIRST 4 WEEKS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE HEARD FAINT NOISES FROM BRAKES. WHILE IN TRAFFIC AT A STOP LIGHT, THE CAR ABS SYSTEM CAME ON AND THE DASHBOARD LIT UP. CAR WAS UNABLE TO MOVE AND LOCKED UP TOTALLY. CAR WAS DRAGGED ONTO A TOW TRUCK AND HAD TO BE SOAPED OFF THE TOW TRUCK. VOLKSWAGEN IS STILL TRYING TO DIAGNOSE THE CAR TO UNDERSTAND THE FAILURE. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 5, 2009
1 OF 2 FUEL LINE "QUICK CONNECT" FITTINGS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT (PASSENGER SIDE FIRE WALL AREA) DISCONNECTED WHILE DRIVING. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS COVERED WITH FUEL AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RUN. THE VEHICLE HAD 114 MILES. *TR
Power train, Oct 25, 2008
THE DRIVESHAFT BOLTS STRIPPED ON MY 2009 VW TIGUAN WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 30 MPH. SHE MANAGED TO SLOWLY DRIVE THE VEHICLE BACK HOME. AFTER INSPECTION, IT BECAME CLEAR TO ME THAT THE DRIVESHAFT WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE UNDER BODY AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN A DRIVABLE CONDITION. I HAD TO CALL VW ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND HAD TO FLATBED IT TO LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP IN RENO. IT SEEMS LIKE THE DRIVE SHAFT BOLTS HAVE NOT BEEN TORQUED TO SPEC BEFORE THE VEHICLE LEFT THE FACTORY. I AM UPSET THAT SOME THING SO CRITICAL LIKE DRIVESHAFT TORQUE HAS NOT BEEN CHECKED AND THE VEHICLE NOT PDI-ED BEFORE I GOT THE KEYS. THE REPLACEMENT DRIVESHAFT AND BOLTS ARE ON RED-ORDER. *TR
Power train, Oct 21, 2008
1) DRIVING WITH LOW SPEED, ACCELERATING IN TRAFFIC. 2) AWD AXLE CAME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING, DAMAGING THE AXLE AND UNDERBODY SURROUNDINGS (HEAT SHIELDS ETC.) FORTUNATELY, DID NOT LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. 3) VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED, WAITING FOR PARTS. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Aug 11, 2008, crash
ON JUNE 13, 2008 I WAS TRAVELING WEST BOUND ON A TYPICAL SOUTH FLORIDA DAY, VERY HOT AND HUMID CLEAR DAY. JUST THEN A PICK-UP TRUCK PUT OUT VERY FAST IN FRONT OF ME. I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES WITH PLENTY OF TIME TO STOP, BUT JUST BEFORE I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE ENGINE ROARED AND I HIT THE TRUCK VERY HARD. AT FIRST I THOUGHT MY FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE BRAKE TO THE GAS, BUT NO WAY, I BROKE MY FOOT BECAUSE I HIT THE BRAKE SO HARD. MY QUESTION IS THIS,IS THERE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS NEWCAR? *TR