this model year6 EU Safety Gate alerts naming this model are classed as a serious risk. Check the production dates against this car.
this model year3 further recall campaigns cover this model year. Ask a dealer which remain outstanding on this car.
this model yearOf 166 owner complaints for this model year, around 5% describe 3 injuries and 6 fires. These are unverified owner accounts, but the pattern is worth reading before buying.
Almost all of this describes the model year, not the individual car. Nothing here can tell you about this vehicle’s mileage, accidents or ownership — no identifier encodes those.
Owner complaints for this model year
166Complaints
4Involved a crash
6Involved a fire
3Injuries
Most reported components
engine80
electrical system40
power train20
exterior lighting15
steering14
fuel/propulsion system11
Read 15 of the most serious reports
service brakes, hydraulic,power train2 injuriescrash
NHTSA #10237628
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
engine and engine cooling,electrical system1 injuryfire
NHTSA #10429344
I OWN A 2009 VW TIGUAN. THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES THIS MORNING AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON WHILE MY PREGNANT WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR THIS MORNING. THE CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY VW AND HAD ROUGHLY 22,000 MILES ON IT. I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM EVANSTON AUTOBARN VW IN 2010 AND SERVICED IT AT FLETCHER JONES VW OF CHICAGO. I FILED AN INSURANCE CLAIM THIS MORNING AND CONTACTED BOTH VW DEALERSHIPS AND YOUR 24 HOUR HELP LINE. VW HAS BEEN ZERO HELP TO US. EVERYONE SAID TO CALL MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THIS IS NOT AN INSURANCE ISSUE. THERE WAS NO COLLISION. THIS CAR SIMPLY BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE BEING DRIVEN. CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS INVOLVED AND THE REPORT # IS HT535806. *KB
engine and engine coolingfire
NHTSA #10652651
I WAS DRIVING ON ROLLING ROAD (NORTH) TOWARD OLD KEEN MILL ROAD IN SPRINGFIELD, VIRGINIA AROUND 4:05 PM ON NOVEMBER 4, 2014 (TUESDAY). I SAW THE SMOKE COMING OUT NEAR THE HOOD IN THE FRONT WHILE WAITING FOR TRAFFIC LIGHT, SO I PULLED OVER TO THE PARKING LOT NEAR A GAS STATION. I SAW PEOPLE WAVED TO ME, AND YELLED AT ME TO STOP, I GOT OFF MY CAR AND THEY TOLD ME MY CAR WAS ON FIRE AT THE BOTTOM, WE BEND DOWN AND LOOKED THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE, AND SAW THE FIRE BURNING ON THE MATERIAL HANGING DOWN. FORTUNATELY, A DRIVER RAN OVER CARRYING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER FROM HIS CAR, AND A PERSON FROM THE GAS STATION ALSO BROUGHT ANOTHER FIRE EXTINGUISHER, THEY SPREAD THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. I COULD NOT WAIT FOR THE TOW TRUCK, SO I CAREFULLY DROVE THE CAR TO THE VW DEALERSHIP IN FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA. THE MECHANIC LIFTED UP THE CAR AND TOOK DOWN THE BURNED LOWER ENGINE COVER, AND FIGURED THAT IT WAS BECAUSE MANY DRIED LEAVES STUCK NEAR THE ENGINE AND THE HIGH HEAT NEAR THE ENGINE CAUSING THE LEAVES TO FIRE UP AND BURN THE LOWER ENGINE COVER. I'VE SAVED THIS LOWER ENGINE COVER IN MY TRUNK, AND HAVE REPORTED THIS SAFETY INCIDENT TO THE VW CUSTOMER SERVICE. THE CASE WAS DOCUMENTED AND A CASE # [XXX] WAS ASSIGNED. I REPORT THIS INCIDENT TO NHTSA FOR THE SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE THIS NON-FIRE-RESISTANT MATERIAL CAN CAUSE THE LIFE OF THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
electrical system,seatsfire
NHTSA #10556142
SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. PASSENGER NOTICED THEIR SEAT WAS HOT. DISCOVERED BURN SPOTS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. *TR
engine and engine coolingfire
NHTSA #10453740
I WENT TO TAKE MY CHILD TO GYMNASTICS IN THE MORNING. WHEN I TURNED ON TO THE STREET THAT THE GYM IS OFF OF, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. LESS THEN 10TH OF A MILE LATER I PARKED. WE WERE EARLY SO I CALLED THE LOCAL VW DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THIS CHECKED OUT AND GET IN A LITTLE EARLY FOR MY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. WE THEN GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND ENTERED THE GYM. WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF BEING INSIDE THE GYM, A MAN CAME IN THE BUILDING AND STARTED ASKING WHO'S SUV WAS OUTSIDE BECAUSE IT SMOKING. I RAN OUT SIDE TO SEE MY VEHICLE ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO COME TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. ITS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. *TR
electrical system,vehicle speed controlfire
NHTSA #10449758
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. WHILE TRAVELING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PROPERLY ACCELERATE AND BEGUN TO SURGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF BY THE CONTACT AND WOULD NOT RESTART. PRIOR TO THE SURGING, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE CONTACT WAS NOT INFORMED WHAT CAUSED THE ENGINE FAILURE. TWO MONTHS AFTER THE REPAIR, THE CONTACT WAS EXAMINING THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE MAIN FUSE BOX WAS MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FUSE BOX WAS REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. K
seatsfire
NHTSA #10371897
I HAVE A 2009 VW TIGUAN. THE FRONT SEATS ARE HEATED CLOTH. YESTERDAY, THE PASSENGER SEAT MALFUNCTIONED AND BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT. I AM TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 12/22/10. *TR
service brakescrash
NHTSA #11321360
I CRASHED DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE ON 10.31.2019. I MADE A RIGHT TURN FROM A LIGHT. TRAFFIC CAME TO A STOP. I PUSHED THE BREAK AND IT DID NOT HOLD. IT FELT BUMPY. BREAKS DID NOT HOLD EVEN WHEN I PUSHED IT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I ENDED UP REAR ENDING THE CAR INFRONT OF ME GOING 15MPH. WHAT'S GOING ON THERE? SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THAT ASAP.
steering,structure,service brakescrash
NHTSA #10490709
FIRST, THIS EXACT SAME SCENARIO ALSO HAPPENED IN OCTOBER 2010. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, AND NOW THIS TIME, WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. BOTH OF US, EACH HAVE 30+ YEARS OF DRIVING EXPERIENCE AND NEITHER OF US HAVE EVER BEEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH OR EXPERIENCED THIS TYPE OF LOSS OF CONTROL IN A VEHICLE, EVER. BOTH INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHILE TURNING A CORNER AT APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 15 MPH IN APPROXIMATELY 1- 3 INCHES OF NEW SNOW. THE CAR SLID WITH TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES, SMASHING INTO THE CURB, BREAKING THE AXLE, CONTROL ARM, STEERING KNUCKLE, ETC... THERE WAS NO CONTROL WHATSOVER. THIS WAS NOT ICE. THIS HAS NEVER EVER HAPPENED BEFORE WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE WE HAVE EVER DRIVEN. THE CAR DID NOT CORRECT ITSELF EVEN WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS RELEASED. WE BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFICIENCY IN THE ESP MONITORING SYSTEM. THE ESP SYSTEM TOTALLY FAILED WHILE TURNING. THE ESP SENSORS DID NOT DETECT THE SITUATION AND DID NOT REACT AT ALL INDEPENDENT OF THE DRIVER. THE ESP SYSTEM DID NOT USE THE VEHICLE'S BRAKING SYSTEM TO "STEER" THE VEHICLE BACK ON TRACK. THE ESP DID NOT INITIATE ANY BRAKING INTERVENTION AT ALL. IT WAS LIKE ALL SYSTEMS JUST TOTALLY MALFUNCTIONED. HORRIBLE. SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE SERIOUSLY HURT. I AM THANKFUL ANOTHER VEHICLE OR PERSON WAS IN THE AREA. *TR
enginecrash
NHTSA #10475282
VEHICLE COMPLETELY STOPPED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. I WAS IN THE FAR LEFT LANE, AND THE ENGINE FAILED AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. I PUT MY HAZARDS ON AND CALLED FOR ASSISTANCE. WHILE ON THE PHONE IT WAS CLEAR THAT I WAS NOT IN A SAFE POSITION, SO MYSELF AND MY PASSENGER EXITED THE VEHICLE WHEN THERE WAS A BREAK IN TRAFFIC. WE WERE ABLE TO GET ACROSS TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD, BEHIND A GUARDRAIL. WHILE ON THE PHONE WITH 911 SOMEONE SLAMMED INTO THE BACK OF MY CAR, CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED, AND NO OTHER CARS WERE AFFECTED. BOTH VEHICLES WERE INOPERABLE AND HAD TO BE TOWED FROM THE SCENE. I WAS TOLD BY THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP THAT AN ENGINE COIL BROKE OFF, AND BACKFED INTO THE HARNESS, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO FAIL. IN ADDITION, I HAD JUST BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE THAT MORNING, AND HAD DRIVEN 8 MILES WHEN THE INCIDENT HAPPENED. THE DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO RELATIONSHIP, AND THAT ENGINE PARTS FAILED. I AM CONCERNED THAT THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THIS PART, AS I HAVE VERY LOW MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. THIS INCIDENT PUT ME IN AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE SITUATION, AND I WANT TO REPORT THIS IN ORDER TO FIND OUT IF THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PIECE, SO THAT THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE. *TR
unknown or other,engine,fuel/propulsion system
NHTSA #11613596
The car keeps throwing sensors (camshaft, crank sensors, throttle body etc) and the ECM needs to be updated. It keeps turning over. I checked the recall list of VINs and mine is within the range, however there aren't any recalls listed.
unknown or other
NHTSA #11610892
Intermittent AC working issues, air conditioning does not cool or the cooling is weak
steering
NHTSA #11507267
Power steering goes out randomly after cold weather, even while driving. There is no warning before the power steering goes out. I have almost crashed into another car several times because of this. Many people have had this exact problem with this make and model.
engine and engine cooling,engine
NHTSA #11478989
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated while driving at 45 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond and seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V235000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 189,000.
engine,engine and engine cooling
NHTSA #11478431
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the oil pressure warning light illuminated and a message to stop the vehicle immediately was displayed. AAA arrived on the scene and diagnosed the vehicle with oil sensor failure. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic and the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was vibrating while driving back to the residence. The vehicle stalled upon arrival at the residence in the driveway. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer and diagnosed with timing chain and timing sensor failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 84,092. The contact stated that VW of America was notified of the failure. The vehicle was taken to another dealer for a second opinion and all of the issues were confirmed. It was strongly recommended that the engine be replaced as well.
Filed by owners of this model year and unverified by NHTSA — one person’s account, not an established fact.
Recalls for this model year
3 recalls on record
14V441000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
Remedy: 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.
13V569000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
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.
Remedy: 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.
08V235000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
Remedy: 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.
Published by model year, not by VIN — may not apply to this vehicle, or may already have been done. Confirm with a dealer.
EU recalls for this model
6 Safety Gate alerts name this model· 6 classed as serious risk
VW Tiguan AllspaceSerious riskInjuries
Parts of the inflator may detach when the airbag is deployed, which can lead to injuries for vehicle's occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Built: 25.11.2018 - 18.02.2019Recall 69F0Reported by GermanySafety Gate alert
VW Tiguan, TouranSerious riskInjuries
Individual bolted connections on the front or rear seating may not have been tightened to the correct torque. Incorrectly fitted bolted connections can affect the seats’ ability to restrain passengers in the event of an accident. This increases the risk of injury. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Built: 09.08.2023 - 13.06.2024Recall 72N8Reported by GermanySafety Gate alert
VW TiguanSerious riskInjuries
Due to defective protective felt on the seat height adjustment lever, the front seat belts may be torn in the event of a frontal crash. This can lead the seat belt to be pulled between the seat cladding and the lever and to damage the seat belt, impairing its restraining performance. This increases the risk of injuries in the event of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Built: 13.05.2024 - 17.06.2024Recall 72DVReported by GermanySafety Gate alert
The propellant in the driver airbag may deteriorate over time. If the airbags deploy, it can result in fragments from the inflator injuring the vehicle's occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
The rear wheel bearing housing can break, affecting the stability of the vehicle, creating a risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Built: 17.5.2021 - 1.8.2021Recall 42L7Reported by GermanySafety Gate alert
VW TiguanSerious riskInjuries
Parts of the inflator may become detached when the head airbag is deployed, which could cause injury to the occupants of the vehicle. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Built: 8.12.2018 to 18.2.2019Recall 69FVReported by GermanySafety Gate alert
Matched on brand and model name — Safety Gate publishes no VIN. Check the production dates, and quote the recall code to a dealer.