2011 Volkswagen Tiguan
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 161 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 17 Tiguan model years with reports.
Of the 2011 reports, 4 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 1 person was injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontalAug 4, 2015
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.
Campaign 15V483000 on NHTSA.gov
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
Representative owner complaints: air bags
30 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Air bags, Jul 29, 2016
WE HAVE A 2011 TIGUAN AND THE STEERING WHEEL CLOCK SPRING HAS FAILED (PER THE VW DEALER), INITIATING THE AIRBAG MONITORING INDICATOR LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. ALSO, DUE TO THE CLOCK SPRING FAILURE, THE HORN, THE AIRBAG, AND ALL ELECTRONIC CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL DO NOT WORK. THIS IS THE SAME REASON AS FOR AN ACTIVE RECALL INVOLVING 420,000 VOLKSWAGENS, BUT THIS VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL. THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS WITH THE VEHICLE, AND NOTHING DONE TO HAVE CAUSED THIS FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON.
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, May 15, 2016
MY VEHICLE HAD THE STEERING WHEEL CLOCK SPRING REPLACED AT THE DEALERSHIP IN FEB 2016 UNDER THE RECALL. MAY 14 2016 I WAS TURNING LEFT AT A STOPLIGHT WHEN THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND MY STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS AND HORN STOPPED WORKING. I BELIEVE THE CLOCK SPRING HAS GONE BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. MILEAGE: 87,000
Air bags, Nov 18, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V483000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Aug 15, 2015
VEHICLE JUST OVER 45K AND WAS TOLD THE CLOCK SPRING SHORTED WITH NO REAL REASON AS TO WHY THIS WOULD HAPPEN SO EARLY IN THE VEHICLE LIFE. THE IMPACT OF THE FAILURE FROM WHAT I CAN VISUALLY TELL IS THAT I HAVE NO HORN, THE ELECTRONIC CONSOLE DOES NOT FUNCTION AND ALL BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL DO NOT WORK. THE CONSOLE ALSO DISPLAYS AN AIRBAG ERROR, WHICH THE DEALER CANNOT CONFIRM IF THIS IMPACTS MY ACTUAL AIRBAG SYSTEM. I'M TOLD THE OVER $750+ TO SERVICE. GIVEN THE POTENTIAL SAFETY IMPACT OF THIS DEVICE, I FIND IT RIDICULOUS THAT ONE, IT SHORTED, AND TWO, THE COST AND THE DEALERSHIP / VW CORPORATE UNWILLING TO ADDRESS THE CONCERN, OTHER THAN TO SAY I AM OUT OF WARRANTY. ITS VERY DANGEROUS NOT KNOWING IF THE CLOCK SPRING IMPACTS THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IN MY VEHICLE, LET ALONE NOT HAVING A FUNCTIONING HORN.
Electrical system, Air bags, Mar 27, 2015
VEHICLE JUST UNDER 45K AND WAS TOLD THE CLOCKSPRING SHORTED WITH NO REAL REASON AS TO WHY THIS WOULD HAPPEN SO EARLY IN THE VEHICLE LIFE. THE IMPACT OF THE FAILURE FROM WHAT I CAN VISUALLY TELL IS THAT I HAVE NO HORN, THE ELECTRONIC CONSOLE DOES NOT FUNCTION AND ALL BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL DO NOT WORK. THE CONSOLE ALSO DISPLAYS AN AIRBAG ERROR, WHICH THE DEALER CANNOT CONFIRM IF THIS IMPACTS MY ACTUAL AIRBAG SYSTEM. I'M TOLD THE PART COSTS $290 PLUS $400 IN LABOR COSTS. GIVEN THE POTENTIAL SAFETY IMPACT OF THIS DEVICE, I FIND IT RIDICULOUS THAT ONE IT SHORTED, TWO THE PRICE IN LABOR TO REPLACE AND THE DEALERSHIP / VW CORPORATE UNWILLING TO ADDRESS THE CONCERN, OTHER THAN TO SAY I AM OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS WAS A REAL PROBLEM WITH OTHER MODELS IN THE VW LINE UP, INCLUDING A HUGE RECALL FOR CHRYSLER. I REALLY THINK SOMEONE SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AND DETERMINE IF THERE IS A RECALL THAT SHOULD BE DONE HERE. VERY DANGEROUS NOT KNOWING IF THE CLOCKSPRING IMPACTS THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IN MY VEHICLE, LET ALONE NOT HAVING A FUNCTIONING HORN. *TR