Timing chain tensioner on the engine broke caused damage and could not recover engine, so it had engine failure. This is pretty typical on vw engine in this time period, it was a design flaw. Spoke to VW mechanics and they see it all the time for this engine year from 2010 to 2012, when I was at their shop a VW golf was in the shop for same reason. It's only a matter of time before it breaks.
At 92,000 miles, the timing chain failed and destroyed the motor, and we had just had a rear crankshaft seal put in. And in the last 2 years, 2 water pumps have been replaced. And I had just put new cooling fans on the Tiguan too. This is 2.0 motor and it seems from all we read, that 90,000 miles is about the life of the motor, but our 1.8 Jetta has 180,000 miles and running strong and we maintain services every 300 miles too-so not short on any engine services-THANKS! Jim
Update from Sep 17, 2021: Just waiting to see if VW will help us at all with the expenses of repairing the engine? We sent in the first water pump failure and they said they would help, BUT NO VIN was on the repair invoice, so we went back to the German Repair Shop and he added the VIN, but NO contact since? THANKS! Jim
And we have a beautiful car sitting with NO motor now!
I had just picked up the car from the dealer, after a supposed 100 point inspection and certification, only to discover a serious oil leak from the rear seal. This scuttled a trip I had been planning, and laid the car up for a week or more. I have absolutely no faith in this certified used car BS, this car has been a LEMON, and has needed major repairs nonstop since I got it. At the moment it has failed entirely and all I got out of it was less than 4 years driving. I WILL NEVER BUY A VW AGAIN, and I would never advise anyone else to buy one either.
Before I could even pick up the car from the last two major failures, I was informed that the timing chain had slipped, or was in danger of breaking and destroying the engine. Another $2500 CDN, and I understand this one is the subject of a class action lawsuit.
I WILL NEVER BUY A VW AGAIN.
- Rob P.,
Niagara, ON, Canada
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
On the way home from getting the Turbo replaced to the tune of $3500 CDN, the engine light came on, so back to the dealer it went. I was told the engine was misfiring due to carbon buildup, which is a common problem on these Direct Injection engines. Before I could even pick it up, there was another serious issue, which leads me to the next complaint.....I would NEVER buy a VW again.
I parked my car to grab a bite to eat. When I came out and started the car, it was sounding funny. The ECP light was on so I pulled out the manual and read that the problem had to do with the engine and it was recommended to tow the car to a dealership or repair shop. I had the car towed to a repair shop and received a call with the diagnosis. The engine needed to be replaced because the car had jumped time. I was more than surprised because there was no warning at all.
I'd had the oil changed at the dealership and there was no mention of the car having any issues whatsoever. I was not due for another oil change for at least another 1,500 miles.
I am pissed off that I now have to buy an engine for my car or another new car altogether. VW needs to do something about this.
I did receive a letter from an attorney but due to illness, etc it go misplaced and do not know where to go from here. I could not afford to replace the engine at $6,000.00, so it is just taking up space right now.
Purchased 2010 VW Tiguan Nov. 2016 with 93.2k miles, miles now 95.8k. Babied car for wife's Dr. visits and grow shop, we've put very few miles on car. Had 42 year experienced mechanic look at it, he said engine is seized. Became aware this morning of a class action lawsuit against VW for timing chain malfunction, which causes engines to fail. Scheduled maintenance to be serviced @ 120k. New engine about $6500. How can I find out more about lawsuit, I feel I got screwed. Please help, this the only car I have. Both me and my wife only have SSR for income. $2550 per month. I paid cash for car $8000.00. I had extended warranty for a year about $200.00 per month, ran out in Dec. 2017, dealer dropped without notifying me. Do I have to go to VW. for help or consumer protection?
I started researching VW Tiguan Engine failures after my service manager at my dealership gave me the bad news about having to replace the engine. He gave me 2 options. one to search for a used engine or have a new engine installed at the rate of 9,470.00 plus labor and miscellaneous expenses which he said to amount to a total of 11,000.00!!
I am so distressed over this since the blue book resale value on the car is around 7900.00! How can I spend 11,000 to fix a problem that VW knew about all along! That is the highest degree of irresponsibility, corruption and greed!
This car was taken care of and perfectly maintained and still has only 58K miles on it. It should technically be good for the next 10 years. I refuse to take on this huge cost since I kept my end of the bargain by taking care of my car. Will VW own up to the deceit?
I purchased my Tiguan new in 2010 and I have loyally taken it back to the dealer (18 miles away) for all oil changes, maintenance, and recalls. About 4 weeks ago it was time for an oil change and I took it to a service shop closer to home. First in order to change the oil, they had to replace the oil pan because the previous service tech (at the dealership ) stripped the oil plug that cost me approximately $500.
I picked up the car, drove it a few days, and had to return because I kept smelling burning oil. They told me that oil gaskets needed to be replaced, that cost me $2037. The next day, I went to get on the freeway to go to work, the check engine light came on, I immediately pulled over on the berm, and called a tow truck $105 (and called off at work), they said it was a fitting on the turbo, they tighten it and I took the car home.
The next day, on my way home from work, just a few blocks from the service station, the check oil light came on then quickly went out, then came on again just before I pulled into the service station. This time they said it needed a new oil pump and it was going to be around $1500 but, 2 weeks later I got a call, and now there is a problem with the timing chain,etc. and bottom line is, it needs a new engine for approximately $5000!
The service station towed it to a nearby Volkswagen dealership to get another opinion and they are say the same thing. I still don't know what the final bill will be, I told the service guy when he said it needed a new engine, that I wasn't putting any more money into it but, I still haven't gotten a call to pick it up and the final bill.
From what I understand there should have been a recall on the timing mechanism of this engine but Volkswagen won't owe up to it.
My advice, if you have any Volkswagen with this engine, sell it before it's too late! I learned the hard way, all that money for repairs on a car I'm going to have to salvage, and I had to buy a new car.
Took the car into the VW Service center (Kansas City, MO) because while driving the car, it would shake badly. When I arrived I parked the car and went into the office. It never started again. They said they didn't know what the problem could be, and they would run diagnostics.
I received a call later that day saying that my car had "jumped time". There were issues with the tensioner and timing belt. They told me they could take it apart and investigate the engine for $800 dollars. At that time, they said they would see if they could fix it for a total of $4,000 or let me know if the engine was irreparable.
They kept my car for over 2 weeks. Then let us know that the engine was irreparable and I would have to drop a new engine and turbo in the car (upwards of $10,000). That obviously wasn't an option. So now we have a shell of a car with no trade in value.
My main issue is that this is a known problem and defect within Volkswagen. I met a previous manager of a Volkswagen dealership, and his mechanic told him way in advance to replace these parts before they go out. We also called a Salvage Yard and the guy said that he has picked up multiple Tiguans with the same issue as mine. I find it hard to believe that my service department where I initially took my car into had "no idea" what the issue could be. I suspect that they played that game just so I would agree to the $800 dollar fee to investigate the engine.
I hope that there is a lawsuit to help the cost of these repairs.
Even under the extended warranty it still cost me weeks without a car, paying a rental, and $1500.00. The warranty company fought every charge, dragged their feet costing me more in rental fees, and only covered like 4 days car rental. I'm still having issues with this car!!!! Don't buy!
Bought the car new, expected it to last a long time because VW has a good reputation. Very disappointed, depending on the cost of repair it might be scrap.
Went to lunch on 8/19 with no problem. Left work at 5pm and car would not start. Had it towed to the dealership. Received an email on Monday, 8/22, that said, "Your 2010 Volkswagen is still in the shop but an inspection has been completed. Your Tiguan is still in good condition, however, our technician did find a few items that we need to bring to your attention. Our report and estimate are attached."
The report? Under Recommended Services: Replace Engine (Engine is damaged and needs to be replaced due to timing chain failure.) Cost $8600.00 - with tax and shop supplies - $9301.18.
Note in his email it says my car is in "good condition"... Seriously?
Spoke to one of the representatives of one of the Law Firms in the Class Action suit yesterday. Still early in the stages. Complaint has been filed, however VW still has more time to respond. Can only get added as an additional Plaintiff if Complaint gets amended...
So, it's sits in my driveway - I'm still making $453/month payments... No way can I come up with $ for replacement.
1st LOVE VW. Had 4 of them. This 2010 VW Tiguan is a great car - drive & engineered well. Maintenance followed to VW requirements.
After 5 years, I suffered 3 catastrophic failures .. where car left me stranded ... Had to pay cost car rental waiting for repairs .. a) Timing Chain Failure ($4.5 Cdn) b) Engine compression lost ($1k Cdn) c) Crankcase sensor failure ($5k Cdn) ... Total of $10.5k Canadian Dollars in repairs. I financed the car with payments still not finished .. I had to sell it at a lost. Shameful. Reading Google / YouTube search .. I am not alone .. bread & butter 2.0 T engine shared by VW & Audi is most unreliable.
VW could be a world class German Car that could beat Mercedes / BMW in value, engineering & cost but not reliability. I am seasoned IT Manager in ITSM & Informatics .. Give me a job, authority & I would begin by taking the service failure metrics & wake up the Engineers / Builder / Suppliers .. if they can't ELIMINATE these failures permanently ... consider their JOBS eliminated PERMANENTLY. In 3 years.. VW becomes the next German auto high water mark at 1/2 the cost. It can be done! Look at Hyundai/Genesis.. They got Mr. Schryer (x-Audi) and they're belly-laughing out LOUD!
So I bought this Certified Pre-owned 2010 Tiguan last Tuesday ( July 5 2016 ).... the following Sat ( 9 July 2016 ) the thing just SHUT OFF while driving approx. 40 mph. No warning signs at all. No lights, no vibrations, no sounds, just.....DEAD. And now we are told the timing chain "slipped" and has destroyed the engine. Needless to say... PISSED!!!!! Ill add to this as the repair progresses......
VW dealer where we purchased the 2010 Tiguan has had the car for over 2 weeks and nothing. I called a couple of times, I was told the service manager that took the car in is not there anymore, the new manager will not be in until next Tuesday, which was yesterday and he needs release from us to take engine apart to find out exactly what caused it to lockup. Tuesday came and went, nothing!
There's a lawsuit filed: "Volkswagen and Audi timing chain tensioner lawsuit alleges defects cause engine damage and failure. By David A. Wood, CarComplaints.com Posted in News" - May 23, 2016 — A Volkswagen timing chain tensioner lawsuit alleges numerous VW and Audi vehicles have defects in the timing chain tensioning systems that cause complete engine failure. The proposed class-action lawsuit includes many VW and Audi vehicles.
There is apparently an issue with the Timing Chain Tensioner for Volkswagen Tiguans and other VW models that is leading to engine failure. I see several complaints on the web and have talked to a mechanic who says he has seen several cars come in with the same problem. Volkswagen is apparently aware, but is not offering any solutions. We have been given a quote of at least $5k to fix my daughter's Tiguan that we have had for 3 years. What suggestions do you have?
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Timing chain tensioner on the engine broke caused damage and could not recover engine, so it had engine failure. This is pretty typical on vw engine in this time period, it was a design flaw. Spoke to VW mechanics and they see it all the time for this engine year from 2010 to 2012, when I was at their shop a VW golf was in the shop for same reason. It's only a matter of time before it breaks.
- Michelle B., Coquitlam, BC, Canada