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: fuel/propulsion system
8 reports, newest first. Show all
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, 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, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 22, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A MALFUNCTIONING FUEL PUMP MODULE, THAT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER OR LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,200.
Exterior lighting, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 16, 2016
ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE CAR HAS LOST POWER WHILE IN DRIVE ON CITY STREETS. FIRST OCCASION APRIL 23 2014 THE COOLANT/WATER PUMP FAILED AS DID FUSE. MAY 23 FUEL PUMP FAILED AND FUEL PUMP PANEL. JULY 28 CAR DIED WHILE DRIVING DUE TO FAULTY FUEL INJECTOR. YESTERDAY AUG 15 2016 CAR AGAIN LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS AND HAD TO BE TOWED (FOURTH TIME WITH LESS THAN 50K MILES) TO DEALER. I AM AWAITING DIAGNOSIS BUT NO LONGER FEEL SAFE IN THE VEHICLE. TWICE I WAS FORTUNATE THAT POLICE OFFICERS SHOWED UP AND WERE ABLE TO PUSH MY CAR OUT OF TRAFFIC AND TO SAFETY BUT AT THIS POINT I BELIEVE VW SHOULD TAKE ACTION TO REPLACE THE CAR AS IT HAS CLEARLY PROVEN A SAFETY HAZARD FOR MYSELF AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 7, 2015
THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE FREEWAY DOING 70MPH AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY BEGAN KNOCKING AND COULD NOT SUSTAIN HIGHWAY SPEEDS. HAD TO STOP BY THE SIDE AND THEN SLOWLY TAKE THE NEXT EXIT. ON TAKING IT TO THE DEALER, THE MENTIONED THE IGN COILS & SPARK PLUGS WERE FAULTY AND I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THEM REPLACED WITH NEW PART NUMBER. VEHICLE HAD ONLY 55K MILES ON IT AND HAD ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON IT.
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 7, 2014
CAR LOST POWER AND LURCHED, ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE OVER 20-30 MPH. WAS ABLE TO PULL CAR OVER OFF OF 2-LANE ROAD. COULD NOT START CAR. HAD TO HAVE A TOW. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THERE HAS BEEN A FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM PROBLEM AND THE FIRST HAPPENED ALMOST A YEAR AGO. THE FUEL PUMP WAS "BAD" ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. CAR WAS REPAIRED, ALONG WITH A REPLACED FUEL INJECTOR (2ND TIME). PICKED UP CAR AND PROCEEDED TO LEAVE THE DEALER. CAR WAS DRIVING LIKE A TRUCK AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 30 MPH. ENGINE LIGHT REPEATEDLY FLASHING, BAD FUMES IN CAR. WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC AND TURN AROUND AND MAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER. TODAY IT'S THE COIL. AND "THIS IS A FLUKE" AND CAN HAPPEN AT ANYTIME. THEY ARE REPLACING THE COIL, BUT NOW WHEN WILL THE NEXT ONE HAPPEN? THIS 2011 TIGUAN HAS HAD NUMEROUS FUEL PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT IT. ALSO, I DID EXPERIENCE THE EXTERNAL LIGHTS RECALL ISSUE AND THIS WAS FIXED EARLIER THIS YEAR. SEEMS THERE IS A LOT WRONG WITH THIS CAR AND NOW I HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THE NEXT ISSUE WILL HAPPEN AND WHERE I WILL BE WHEN THAT HAPPENS! *TR
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 29, 2014
THIS CAR DOES NOT FEEL SAFE. SEVERAL TIMES THE CAR HAS JUST STOPPED. STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND STARTED TO GO AND CAR JUST DIED. NO LIGHTS, NO WARNING. I START UP THE CAR, MOVE FORWARD AND GET READY TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND CAR JUST DIES. VW SAID THEY NEED TO HAVE WARNING LIGHTS OR SOMETHING SO THEY CAN GET THE INFORMATION FROM THE COMPUTER AND SINCE THERE ARE NONE, IT WON'T TELL THEM ANYTHING. EVEN IN HIGH-SPEED DRIVING IT SOMETIMES FEELS LIKE THERE IS A LULL OR THAT FUEL IS NOT BE INJECTED. CAR DOES NOT FEEL SAFE. I ONLY USE PREMIUM GAS AND KEEP IT ABOVE 1/4 OF A TANK AS WELL. I DO NOT TRUST THIS CAR. UNFORTUNATELY, I CANNOT CHANGE IT OUT AT THIS TIME. *TR
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 20, 2013
WHEN TRYING TO LEAVE A PARKING SPOT, CAR STALLED. WAS ABLE TO PUT CAR IN PARK AND RESTART CAR. TOOK TO DEALER AND A FUEL SENDING RELAY WAS REPLACED. HAD THE CAR IN THE SHOP 6 MONTHS PRIOR FOR THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE REPORTED MULTIPLE TIMES ON THIS MODEL. DEALER SAID THEY REPLACED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. INCIDENT OCCURRED AGAIN. CAR RETURNED TO SHOP AND THIS TIME THEY SAID IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP AGAIN. THANKFULLY THIS DID NOT OCCUR ON HIGHWAY AS OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED, BUT NOW DON'T HAVE FAITH IN THIS VEHICLE. VW WOULD NOT HELP REPAIR COSTS AS CAR IS NOW (THIRD INCIDENT) OVER THE WARRANTY MILEAGE. WOULD NOT PURCHASE AGAIN! *TR