8.8

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$640
Average Mileage:
101,050 miles
Total Complaints:
5 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (3 reports)
  2. replace pcv valve and oil separator (2 reports)
2009 Volkswagen Tiguan engine problems

engine problem

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2009 Volkswagen Tiguan Owner Comments

problem #5

Nov 252016

Tiguan 2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Just one of the many problems! Every six months something goes wrong with this Tiguan.

- Tyrone And Tyna T., Omaha, US

problem #4

Oct 282016

Tiguan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 105,633 miles

timing chain malfunction The first indication was the epc indicator light came on. The car seemed a pause sometime. Thought we had gotten bad gas. The problem seemed to go away then returned . It would slow down and had no power or it would just stop altogether. Took to the dealer, who has serviced the car since it was new. I am the second owner . They said there was a problem with the timing chain, quoted us a price of $1,200.00 to fix. We booked the car in for the following week as they where all booked that week. I was told that I could drive it that it would not hurt it. Left the dealer ship didn't get more than four kilometers when the car die in heavy traffic, if my husband had not been following me in our pickup I would have been rear ended. The Car was to go back to be fixed, I didn't dare drive it in, so call CAA and had it towed. THE THING IS THAT IT HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR OVER A MONTH, WAITING TO BE FIXED. THEIR EXCUSE IS THAT THEY ARE WAITING THE PART FROM GERMANY. In the meantime, dealership has never really contacted me. Had to get nasty to get a courtesy car to drive in meantime. Then the dealer tells me to CALL VW Canada and tell them my problem. This TO is me is wrong, they are the ones who should call and complain their heads off because it is their ass that is on the line. Then I find this site of yours and see I AM NOT ALONE. I find out that there is an on going lawsuite re timing chain tensioner, alleges defects caused engine damage and failure. It is unclear why we where not told this in the first place. I cannot understand a dealer who would sell a car that they new was going to breakdown soon and that no parts where available. IN THE MEANTIME I AM MAKING PAYMENT TO VW ON THIS HUNK OF SH*T. MY NEXT STEP IS TO PUT A STOP PAYMENT ON THE CAR. I FEEL THE DEALERSHIP VW SHOULD GIVE ME BACK MY MONEY THAT I HAVE ALREADY PAID AGAINST THE CAR AND LET ME GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. THIS IS DEFINETELY MY LAST PURCHASE OF A VOLKS WAGON

Update from Jan 3, 2017: Here I am again, it is now jan 3,2017, my car is still at the garage at the dealership. I have not been updated on its status. This to me is unacceptable. How could any person sell a car that they know is a basket case. (1) main seal oil leak - had it - paid for it (2) cooling system overheating - had it - thought it was fixed but not (3) timing chain and tensioner - still waiting- this is going into 3rd month - still making payments I am completely baffled by the length of time is taking to fix.

- marilyn914, Powassan, ON, Canada

problem #3

Jan 022016

Tiguan S 2.0L

  • Manual transmission
  • 94,000 miles

I first noticed it while I was driving south on I-35 from Dallas to San Antonio, EPC light came on, Cruise Control was disabled and lost power. I panicked since I was in the middle of nowhere, so I stopped and checked everything that I could. Turn the car or and it was working fine again. While in San Antonio it happened 7 more times. I called VW and they couldn't tell me anything over the phone.

I came back to Dallas and it's been doing the same, but now it was also the engine light on. That last time it happened the engine actually stopped working. The technicians at the dealership seem to have no idea to fix the problem.

I'm very disappointed with VW. For some people it is very expensive since every time you take it to the dealership for diagnosis you have to spend around $150.00 and some times they can't even offer a solution, you bring it back and pay another diagnosis and no solution.

- Melchor S., Fort Worth, US

problem #2

Sep 182015

Tiguan TY

  • Automatic transmission
  • 135,459 miles

I just bought it on Saturday and this is Friday. The EPC light came on and the car started sputtering I pulled over shut it off and then turned on again engine light turns on as well as the EPC light.. I accelerate sputtering goes away lights stay on .. as I begin to slow down to get off highway starts sputtering again.. I am not sure I will be able to drive home. Guy I bought it from says engine was completely rebuilt??

Do you think it is spark plugs?

- claraw, Oshawa, ON, Canada

problem #1

Jul 012013

Tiguan 2.0t

  • Manual transmission
  • 80,000 miles

I have taken this car in three times already to fix this problem, spent LOTS of money, and it returns every summer, the most recent being this June. It can happen on the expressway, at a light, or in slow traffic. It starts out with the EPC light coming on, then the engine light shortly after, and then accelerating is difficult, causing me to shift faster than I normally would to keep going. Eventually, it doesn't allow me to accelerate at all. If I pull over, turn it off and restart it, it drives fine for a while. Eventually it always comes back. If I could trade it in, I would, because the repairs are too costly. Unfortunately, I'm stuck with this car. I'd love to take it back to the dealership AGAIN, but between the costs and the fact that I don't believe they will ever fix it makes me insane. There is obviously a design flaw. Has ANYONE been able to correct this problem?????

- swolf, Saint Clair Shores, MI, US

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