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: engine
63 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 9, 2026
Car only starts when it wants to. Rpms dont go over 4,000. Low idle.
Engine, Dec 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the engine stalled. After several attempts, the vehicle started however the vehicle drove slowly. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and then towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine failed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the fuel pump was previously repaired. The vehicle was towed back to the residence and was not repaired. The contact mentioned that the horn and the instrument panel failed to function. The failure mileage was unknown. 137,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 26, 2024
My Tiguan randomly shuts down or stalls while driving. I have come very close to accidents because It is in the middle of the road where I can't pull over, people coming around a curve behind me that may not have time to brake, specifically RV's and Semi-trucks. It is terrifying. I have maintained my vehicle meticulously and payed thousands in repairs only to be told by dealerships and VW corporate offices that there is nothing they will or can do and that there are no recalls and out of warranty. However...There WAS one in 2014 citing DANGEROUS to drive because of stalling. According to KBB. I don't know what else to do and I am not able to get a new vehicle.
Engine, Sep 16, 2021
Timeing chain skipped a tooth destroyig the engine completely. Yes its available for inspection upon request. The problem has been settled in a class action lawsuit but no recall has been issued for ea888 engines between 2008 and 2013
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 1, 2020
THE VEHICLE STARTED SPUTTERING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO VOLKSWAGEN AND THEY TOLD ME TO PUT GAS TREATMENT IN SEE IF THAT FIXES PROBLEM. IT SEEMED TO HELP A BIT FOR A WEEK BUT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON. THEN ONE MORNING I GOT UP AND TIRED TO START CAR IT HESITATED TO START ALMOST DIED AND STARTED. I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING IT TO VOLKSWAGEN AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THANK GOD I WAS JUST DOWN THE ROAD FROM MY HOUSE. IT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS IF IT DIED ON HIGHWAY. ONE OF THE RECALLS ON THIS MODEL IS DESCRIBING WHAT HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE. BUT WHEN I LOOK IT UP THE SCORE TELLS ME THE RECALLS WERE FIXED. WHICH I KNOW THIS IS NOT TRUE. MY MOTHER TRIED TO GET VOLKSWAGEN TO FIX THE AIRBAG RECALL THEY JUST DISMISSED HER SAYING YOUR VEHICLE IS NOT ONE ON RECALL. NOW THEY WANT ME TO PAY TO FIX VEHICLE THIS IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND UNACCEPTABLE! NOT A HAPPY CUSTOMER.
Engine, Mar 12, 2020
TIMING CHAIN FAILURE, BROKEN. STARTED ENGINE ON 3-10-2020, ENGINE SPUTTERED, STALLED. SHOP MECHANIC CALLED 3-12-2020 TO NOTIFY ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN SNAPPED.
Engine, Mar 12, 2020
ENGINE WATER PUMP FAILURE DURING A STOP @ RED LIGHT
Engine, Feb 12, 2020
TIMING CHAIN FAILED WHICH CAUSED CAR TO DIE AND DAMAGED ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS HAPPENED. TRAFFIC WAS NOT HEAVY AND VEHICLE WAS ON CITY STREET SO WAS ABLE TO STOP AND PULL OVER.
Engine, Aug 16, 2019
HAVE HAD 3 VW WATER PUMP FAILURES WITHIN THE PAST 11 MONTHS. THE ORIGINAL WATER PUMP FAILED IN SEPTEMBER 2018; THE REPLACEMENT FAILED IN JUNE 2019; AND ANOTHER REPLACEMENT FAILED IN AUGUST 2019. ALL INSTALLED AT AAA APPROVED MECHANIC SHOPS. COOLANT WOULD RUN LOW AND WHEN ALERTED TO THIS, IT COULD BE OBSERVED FLOWING ONTO THE GROUND WHILE THE VEHICLE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AND THE CAR IN MOTION.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 5, 2019
BELT TENSIONER NOISE /MORNING STARTUP ROUGH IDLE AND MISFIRING.
Engine, Mar 30, 2019
ENGINE SHUT OFF AT A STOPPED POSITION RANDOMLY.
Engine, Dec 19, 2018
REAR MAIN OIL SEAL DESIGN IS INSIGNIFICANT. MY BLOWN OUT SEAL LEAKED OIL ONTO HEATED ENGINE COMPONENTS AND CAUSED SMOKE/OIL VAPORS TO BE PULLED INTO CABIN AREA. VEHICLE FIRE COULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND IDLING AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT BUT COULD HAVE JUST AS WELL BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD.
Engine, Nov 4, 2018
ENGINE OIL LEAK WAS NOTICED FIRST WHEN PARKED. AFTER FIRST REPAIR (NOVEMBER 01, 2018), IT STARTED TO LEAK AGAIN ONLY AFTER TWO DAYS FROM REPAIR. THEN IT WAS AGAIN REPAIRED, BUT IT STARTED TO LEAK THE SAME DAY AGAIN EVEN A NEW OIL PAN WAS REPLACED. NOW T IS UNDER REPAIRING AGAIN (NOT SURE THE COST AND POSSIBILITY TO FIX YET). THIS REPRESENTS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT MAY CAUSE A FIRE OR EVENTUALLY ENGINE TO FAIL. MAY PROVIDE REPAIR REPORT FROM DEALER ONCE IT IS FINALIZED. THANK YOU.
Engine, Aug 12, 2018
TENSIONER AND CRANK SHAFT SPROCKET FAILURE. I BELIEVE THERE ARE SOME CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS ON THIS AND AM EXPECTING IT TO GO TO RECALL.
Engine, Aug 6, 2018
A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON RIGHT AFTER STARTING THE CAR. THE OWNERS MANUAL SHOWED IT AS A "CATALYTIC CONVERTER" WARNING LIGHT AND RECOMMENDED THE CAR BE DRIVEN SLOWLY TO THE NEAREST VW DEALER. BY THE TIME IT ARRIVED AT THE DEALER, IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO RESTART, AND WHEN THEY SCANNED THE CODES, IT SHOWED A PROBLEM WITH CAMSHAFT TIMING. THE DEALER SAYS THE ENGINE SHOULD BE REPLACED.
Engine, Jul 18, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (LAKELAND VOLKSWAGEN, 209 S LAKE PARKER AVE, LAKELAND, FL) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE MIL SENSOR INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIVE AND IDLE ROUGHLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE MANIFOLD INTAKE, CRANK CASE BREATHING VALVE, IGNITION COIL, AND NOX SENSOR WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 26, 2018
I'M NOT SURE WHY THIS ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED BUT THERE'S PLENTY ON THIS THAT PEOPLE ARE EVEN GOING TO THE TV NEWS STATIONS FOR HELP.THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG ,NO LIGHTS,NO WARNING LIGHTS PRIOR AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY ENGINE MOTOR STOPS WORKING. I SPOKE WITH THE WARRANTY COMPANY ,THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY AS WELL AS VOLKSWAGEN... NOT ONE OF THEM WILL COVER THE ISSUE NOR HELP WITH THE ISSUE AT ALL. THE CAR WAS IN GREAT SHAPE AND ONLY JUST TURNED A MONTH AGO TO ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND MILES. I CAN'T AFFORD ALMOST 8 THOUSAND FOR NEW ENGINE AS WELL AS LABOR COSTS. THE CAR IS NOT VERY OLD FOR IT NOT TO B RUNNING AND MOTOR COMPLETELY STOP.I HAD TWO PAY THREE DIFFERENT DIAGNOSTIC COSTS AND TWO DIFFERENT TOWS. I NEED HELP,I WOULD ADVISE PEOPLE TO LOOK AT COMPLAINTS FROM 2009-2013 ON THIS VEHICLE WITH MOTOR WITH LOW MILES HAVING THIS ISSUE .IM THINKING OF CONTACTING A LAWYER TO HELP WITH THE ISSUE AS WELL AS THE VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR COSTS.PRIOR TO THIS I OWNED THE DISEL PASSAT AND HAD TO TURN THAT IN WITH VOLKSWAGEN LYING ON EMISSIONS.DO NOT BUY A VOLKSWAGEN ,NOT WORTH IT.
Engine, Jun 18, 2018
I HAD DID THIS BACK IN JANUARY AS WELL AS THE CAR ITSELF WAS NOT FEELING RIGHT. ON THE NEWS PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BETWEEN MILES OF 57 THOUSAND TO OVER 100 THOUSAND COMPLAINED ABOUT ENGINE,MOTOR COMPLETELY STOPPING,COMPLETELY NOT WORKING. MY CAR AS WELL JUST FULLY STOPPED FOR NO REASON.IVE CALLED MY WARRANTY COMPANY AND DUE TO IT BEING JUST 100 THOUSAND MILES AND TWO THOUSAND OVER BUT A YEAR 2019 STILL THEY WILL NOT HELP ME AT ALL.MY CAR IS STUCK IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH ME NOT HAVING A CAR TO DRIVE .I NEED HELP THIS IS NOT NORMAL THAT AN RHINE WITH NO PRIOR SIGNS JUST STOPS .I AM LOOKING FURTHER FOR MY OPTIONS AS I'M GETTING NO HELP THRU ANY VW.
Engine, Jun 18, 2018
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE CAR EVERYTHING WAS FINE GOING GOOD AS SHE WENT TO PUT IN PARK THE CAR JUST STOPPED..THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STOPPED. IT'S STILL NOT RUNNING ST ALL FOR NO REASON AT ALL.THE MAINTENANCE ON CAR IS UP TO DATE AS WELL AS BRAND NEW TIRES PUT ON.
Engine, May 9, 2018
BRIGHT RED "OIL CAN" STARTS FLASHING ON SCREEN WHILE ON MAJOR HIGHWAY. MADE I HOME. THE NEXT DAY THE CAR KEPT STALING BEFORE I EVEN LEFT FOR WORK. FOUND OUT NO OIL WAS BEING DISTRIBUTED THROUGH THE MOTOR CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. LOUD NOISE COULD ALSO BE THE TIMING BELT, WHICH IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE VEHICLES. NOW I HAVE A CAR THAT IS NOT PAID OFF, AND I CAN'T DRIVE. THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARE.
Engine, Mar 23, 2018
CAR WAS RUNNING FINE, NO DASH LIGHTS, ODD SOUNDS OR ANYTHING TO INDICATE ISSUE. LAST OIL CHANGE WAS NORMAL AND ALMOST DUE FOR NEW OIL CHANGE. AT 109K MILES, WENT TO START THE CAR AND TURNED OVER BUT IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN. THOUGHT MAYBE KEY FOB OR FUEL PUMP BUT HAD TO HAVE TOWED TO VW DEALER. UPON REVIEWING, DEALER EXPLAINED THAT CAR SUDDENLY JUMPED THE TIMING CHAIN AND RUINED THE ENGINE, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF NEW ONE COSTING $8000+. SINCE OUT OF WARRANTY, VW WILL NOT ASSIST IN ANY WAY EVEN THOUGH APPEARS TO BE COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY RISK IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE CAR IS MOVING.
Engine, Jan 12, 2018
MY CAR WOULD JUST B DEAD.COULDNT START IT WITH A JUMP.NEDED IT TOWED.FOUND OUT IT WAS A TIMING CHANGE AND NEEDED TO B DONE ASAP OTHERWISE ENGINE COULD STOP WORKING.OF COURSE NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THE DEALERSHIP COSTS WERE OUTRAGEOUS SO DECIDED TO GO ANOTHER PLACE WHICH CHARGED ME HALF THE MONIES TO GET IT DONE.TIL THIS DAY THE CAR NEVER RUNS RIGHT.
Engine, Jan 12, 2018
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START MY CAR, IT WOULD NOT 'CATCH' AND START RUNNING. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILED. THE RESULT WAS A SLIPPED TIMING CHAIN THAT RENDERED THE ENGINE USELESS. I WILL NEED A WHOLE NEW ENGINE. I UNDERSTAND NOW THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF ENGINE FROM VOLKSWAGEN. THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS 82,000+ MILES AND IN MY HUMBLE OPINION, IS TOO EARLY FOR THIS TYPE OF FAILURE.
Engine, Dec 31, 2017
WE WERE DRIVING THE CAR AND THE ENGINE SEIZED AND SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY AS WE WERE IN MOTION. UNABLE TO START ENGINE AGAIN. AT 52,000 MILES, THE VW MOHEGAN LAKE MOTORS TOLD US THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR $8K. RESEARCH INDICATES IT HAD BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH VW ISSUING TECHNICAL SHEETS ABOUT THE ENGINE IN THESE MODELS AND HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THEY REFUSED TO PAY BECAUSE NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY WHICH HAD ENDED A MONTH BEFOREHAND.
Engine, Dec 28, 2017
CAR WAS DRIVEN HOME WITH NO ENGINE NOISE OR SMOKING AND PARKED BY THE STORM DRAINAGE. NO SIGNS OR ANYTHING PRIOR THAT THE CAR NEEDED SERVICING. ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER WENT OUTSIDE TO MOVE THE CAR UP FROM THE DRAINAGE ABOUT 5 FEET TO IN FRONT OF THE CENTER OF THE HOUSE IN FRONT OF THE DOOR. OPENED CAR DOOR AND PLACED KEY IN TO TURN THE ENGINE ON. ENGINE JUST TURNED BUT WOULD NOT IGNITE OR COME ON. ON 12/26/17 CONTACTED THE DEALER AND STATED THE ISSUE. QUICK THOUGHT WAS THE FUEL PUMP OR MODULE WENT OUT. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. AFTER DIAGNOSIS AND RESEARCH. FOUND OUT THE ENGINE HAD "JUMPED TIMING" OR TENSIONER HAD CRASHED THE ENGINE. CAR HAS 63K MILES AND NOW TO FIX IT WILL COST 7000.00. DEALER STATED WITH A 10% DISCOUNT THE COST WILL BE LOWERED 6,1000.00 PLUS TAXES. TOTAL RIP OFF THE CAR HAS A WARRANTY OF 36K WHEN PURCHASED BUT NOW HAS PAST THE MILEAGE TIMEFRAME BUT THE (TENSIONER) IS NOT TO GO OUT OR HAVE PROBLEMS UNTIL THE VEHICLE REACHES AROUND 120K .