CarComplaints.com Notes: VW gave the Tiguan a facelift with new headlights, a fancier grille, and improved performance. Unfortunately they didn't address what gave most 2010 owners headaches --- engine problems.

2.8

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
52,238 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Volkswagen Tiguan drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2011 Volkswagen Tiguan Owner Comments

problem #8

May 222019

Tiguan

  • 90,000 miles

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

Belt tensioner noise /morning startup rough idle and misfiring.

- Huntington, NY, USA

problem #7

Jun 082018

Tiguan

  • 9,900 miles
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.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #6

Aug 252017

Tiguan

  • 89,000 miles
Faulty PCV led to blown rear main seal, timing chain cover, and oil separator. Co said 2011 Tiguans are covered under an extended warranty but claimed my VIN was not included despite being a 2011 Tiguan.

- Fairfield, CT, USA

problem #5

Jul 032016

Tiguan

  • 50,000 miles

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

My Tiguan only running 50K miles broke down in the middle of the highway. The engine light went on and the car stopped accelerating. When I towed it to the mechanic, I was told the timing chain tensioner and crankshaft sensor were bad. The timing chain tensioner defect caused complete engine failure. I now do not have an engine. After looking into this issue and talking to some lawyers all over the us, it seems like many people with VW Tiguans (2.0L engines) have this issue and there are a few class action law suits in the us regarding this matter. I spoke to VW of America and they said there was no recall issued, although they are aware of this defect. VW dealership now tells me the estimated cost to repair the engine and timing chain tensioner is around $10,000. If the timing chain tensioner was not defective, my engine would have never failed. I showed them proof of oil changes over the last 3 years in which were all done in a timely manner. I am now fighting with VW of America about this issue. There should be a recall on these vehicles. My car immediately broke down on the highway and I was very lucky that no one crashed into me. This is a very dangerous problem.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #4

Aug 052015

Tiguan

  • 56,000 miles
When I am at a traffic light, my transmission tends to bump like it is going into another gear. This happens when my vehicle is stopped and my foot is on the brake.

- Loganville, GA, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #3

Dec 242014

Tiguan 4-cyl

  • 28,000 miles
Vehicle shifted to a lower gear (it is automatic), almost killing our family on the highway.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

problem #2

Feb 052014

Tiguan

  • 58,000 miles
The engines rear main oil seal started leaking. Brought it to Volkswagen dealer where the car was bought and stated that there was thought to be an oil leak and while the oil change was done if they could take a look it would be greatly appreciated. Now at 65000 miles and 5000 over the factory warranty they finally acknowledge the problem and are wanting over $1500 to fix it. The whole underside of the car is soaked in oil and my once nice driveway looks like a truck stop. Volkswagen refuses to work with us. I find it absolutely ridiculous that such a new car should have such an expensive issue with so little miles. My work truck has 300K miles and has yet to drip even a drop of oil in my driveway... and its over 10 years old. The biggest kicker is the dealers lack to acknowledge the problem till well after the warranty was passed.

- Joliet, IL, USA

problem #1

Apr 232013

Tiguan

  • 37,000 miles
The parking brake sets itself whenever the vehicle is in park. Also, when you depress the brakes and come to a stop, it will not roll forward or move until the gas is pressed. The necessity of pressing the gas to move at all is also the case in reverse.

- Garland, TX, USA

Not what you are looking for?