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
161 reports, newest first.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 5, 2019
BELT TENSIONER NOISE /MORNING STARTUP ROUGH IDLE AND MISFIRING.
Air bags, May 10, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, WHEN APPROXIMATING A GREEN LIGHT, THE VEHICLE IN FRONT MADE A SUDDEN COMPLETE STOP CAUSING THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASH INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS SOUGHT FOR THE CONTACT BUT THE INJURIES SUSTAINED WERE UNKNOWN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE DEALER WAS NOT INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine, Mar 30, 2019
ENGINE SHUT OFF AT A STOPPED POSITION RANDOMLY.
Seats, Other or unspecified, Mar 26, 2019
I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY PANORAMIC SUN SHADE IS SAGGING COST A LOT OF MONEY TO REPAIR...1500 AND UP ... MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH SOMEHOW IT'S A POOR DESIGN
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.
Air bags, Nov 5, 2018
THERE WAS NO CRASH OR PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE, AIRBAG SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING. FOR ABOUT A WEEK NOW, "ERROR: AIRBAG" MESSAGE IS SHOWN UP ON DASHBOARD AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS TURNED ON. IN ADDITION TO THAT, EVEN I BUCKLED UP, WHEN I MAKE A RIGHT TURN SEAT BELT ALARM IS BEEPING AND SEAT BELT LIGHT HAS TURNED ON WHILE I AM DRIVING. I AM CONCERNING ABOUT THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I AM DRIVING MY CAR EVERYDAY WITH POTENTIAL THREAT OF ACCIDENT WITHOUT AIRBAGS BEING DEPLOYED.
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.
Steering, Sep 28, 2018
STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING AND APPROACHING A 4-WAY STOP SIGN AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH ON A SECONDARY ASPHALT PAVEMENT ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING AND AN AUDIBLE BEEPING NOISE CAME FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE WITH NO MESSAGE ON THE DISPLAY. IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK ACTIVATED CAUSING THE PROBLEM TO OCCUR WHICH IS POSSIBLY A RESULT FROM A MALFUNCTION IN THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM.
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Service brakes, Sep 26, 2018, crash
WAS DRIVING AIR BAG NEVER CAME OUT THE IMPACT WAS FRONT.
Electrical system, Air bags, Sep 4, 2018
WHEN DOING A FULL TURN MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED CLICKING AND THEN MY AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. I ALSO LOST ALL STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS AND HORN. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND OUT IT WAS A CLOCK SPRING. VOLKSWAGEN HAS HAD MANY MODELS AFFECTED BY THIS EVEN MY 2011 YEAR TIGUAN BUT WHEN VOLKWAGEN PULLS UP MY VIN, THEY ARE CLAIMING IT IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL WHICH IS VERY FRUSTRATIONG.
Air bags, Aug 29, 2018
THE CLOCK SWITCH FAILED TWICE AND VW REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FAULTY PART ALTHOUGH IT SHOWS THE HAD RECALLED 2011 THRU 2014 BUT THEY SAID IT DIDN'T INCLUDE MY VIN.
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.
Steering, Air bags, May 29, 2018
AFTER DRIVING MY 2011 TIGUAN FINE A COUPLE TIMES EARLIER IN THE DAY, I CAME BACK TO MY PARKED CAR, AND TURNED IT ON. WHEN I DID THIS MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WITH AN "ERROR: AIRBAG" MESSAGE ON THE DISPLAY. AFTER THIS HAPPENED, I NOTICE THE HORN AND OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES OF THE WHEEL DIDN'T WORK. I TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP, AND THEIR SAID THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDS REPLACED. IT WASN'T UNTIL AFTER ALL OF THIS THAT I FOUND OUT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL BEFORE. ALTHOUGH THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDS REPLACED, THE VW SERVICE CENTER SAID THEY CANNOT GET THE CLOCK SPRING PART TO REPLACE IT. THEY COULDN'T TELL ME A TIME THAT THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, May 15, 2018
AS I WAS TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WITH THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, I HEARD A CLICKING SOUND AND THEN A SNAP. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IMMEDIATELY CAME ON AND ALL ELECTRONIC CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE HORN CEASED TO WORK. I HAD THE COVER PUT ON BASED ON THE PREVIOUS RECALL, WHICH OBVIOUSLY FAILED. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND AFTER A HARD FIGHT, HAD THEM REPLACE THE CLOCK SPRING. THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE ISSUE WITH THE HORN WAS RELATED TO THIS; HOWEVER, I HAVE READ SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS INDICATING THE SAME ISSUE. CURRENTLY, THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPAIR MY HORN.
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.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, May 1, 2018
CLOCK SPRING FAILED TWICE CAUSING PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT TO FAIL AND HORN DOES NOT WORK. FIRST REPAIR WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND 2ND REPAIR WAS UNDER THE RECALL. DEALER SAID I HAVE TO CALL VW TOO COVER IT AND VW CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID IT WILL NOT BE COVERED UNTIL A 2ND RECALL IS ORDERED. SO FAR VW HAS NO PLANS TO RECALL IT AGAIN ON THEIR OWN.
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.
Steering, Air bags, Mar 7, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND AN AIR BAG WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BRANDON VOLKSWAGEN (9816 E ADAMO DR, TAMPA, FL 33619, (844) 378-9574) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V483000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 6, 2018
MY AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON IN THE CAR IT IS MY DASHBOARD I HAVE HAD IT RESET AND IT STILL KEEPS COMING ON AND IT SAYS AIRBAG ERROR WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS
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.