We were driving the car and the engine seized and shut down completely as we were in motion. Unable to start engine again. At 52,000 miles, the VW mohegan lake motors told us that the engine needed to be replaced for $8K. Research indicates it had been a known problem with VW issuing technical sheets about the engine in these models and having the same issue. They refused to pay because no longer under warranty which had ended a month beforehand.

- Bedford, NY, USA

Car was driven home with no engine noise or smoking and parked by the storm drainage. No signs or anything prior that the car needed servicing. About 5 minutes later went outside to move the car up from the drainage about 5 feet to in front of the center of the house in front of the door. Opened car door and placed key in to turn the engine on. Engine just turned but would not ignite or come on. On 12/26/17 contacted the dealer and stated the issue. Quick thought was the fuel pump or module went out. Had the vehicle towed to the dealer. After diagnosis and research. Found out the engine had "jumped timing" or tensioner had crashed the engine. Car has 63K miles and now to fix it will cost $7000. Dealer stated with a 10% discount the cost will be lowered $6,1000 plus taxes. Total rip off the car has a warranty of 36K when purchased but now has past the mileage timeframe but the (tensioner) is not to go out or have problems until the vehicle reaches around 120K.

- Addison, TX, USA

The gearbox fused to the transmission and needs to be completely replaced.

- Beverly, MA, USA

On August 15, 2017 I attempted to start my vehicle after sitting in my driveway for 24 hrs. The engine would not turn over. The vehicle was towed to my local dealership for diagnosis. The mechanic diagnosed catastrophic internal top-end damage due to a failed timing chain tensioner. Quoted $6,600 to repair. Volkswagen has refused to pay for the repair. Vehicle has 64,000 miles and all factory recommended services have been completed at the dealership(s). VW does not recommend any service or inspection be done to the timing chain tensioner or affiliated components at or even near the mileage that my vehicle has recorded. Due to the number of complaints registered, lawsuits filed and VW, S acknowledgement of this problem I believe this not to be an isolated event. There appears to be a systemic problem with the tensioner that VW is aware of yet refuses to properly address or provide remedy.

- North Bend, WA, USA

Takata recall: On August 7, 2017, my car was on stationary mode and when I tried to turn it on but failed to do so, I thought then that the problem could be with the starter. I had the car towed to the dealership on Friday, August 18, 2017 for diagnostics. On Monday, August 21st, I get a call back from the dealership saying that the issue is with the timing chain tensioning system. The chain tensioning system has a major defect that can cause the chain to lose tension when the vehicle is off, which can allow the chain to 'jump a tooth' in the car's camshaft and cause serious damage to the vehicle's engine. This is very upsetting and catastrophic for me since I have no fault with this $7000 to $10,000 defect. I truly believe that Volkswagen violated consumer protection, federal warranty, and anti-fraud laws. If I new that the Tiguan had such a defect, I wouldn't have bought it in the first place!

- Fairfield, CT, USA

Car started losing power in fast lane I35 75mph. We waited for a clearing and jerked car hard right to get to shoulder/grass. Engine completely shut off on shoulder. Towed to repair. Said camshaft bridge filter is faulty and malfunction has destroyed whole engine. Luikart's waco said has seen numerous exact problems w this engine type with same problem. He expects a class action to emerge in the future. VW denied any problem with this issue. Mechanic says VW is tracking all vins when new camshaft is ordered.

- Waco, TX, USA

Timing chain tensioner failed causing complete engine destruction. 67,000 miles. VW North America said they are aware of the complaints and lawsuits about the tensioner but since the warranty is only for 60,000 miles they were not going to cover it. $8,000 repair bill from the dealer.

- Minnetonka, MN, USA

Timing chain - driving on the highway and the engine made a clicking wining noise and came to a stop. It was the timing chain. The oil breather/rear main seal is also leaking.

- Beverly, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving at 10 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a malfunctioning fuel pump module, that needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer or local Volkswagen dealer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,200.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

Turbo failure, water pump failure, and rear main seal failure. All right after hitting 100K miles. Nearly 5K in total repair costs. I've experienced reduced performance because of the trurbo issues. Issues pulling out on to streets, or on ramps. I opted out of the repair at the time due to VW wanting 2.2K to replace the turbo, which should be almost a lifetime part. I then took it back 2 weeks later for the water pump which was leaking fluid everywhere, they replaced the water pump but failed to mention that the rear main seal will need replaced as well. Rear main seal is common, and could result in a fire if enough oil leaks on to the exhaust.

- Beaver Falls, PA, USA

I purchased my Tiguan three years ago as a certified preowned car. It was working great until a few days ago I went to go start it while it was in my driveway and it wouldn't start. I had it towed to first a mechanic where I was told that the valves were bent and no compression was in any of my cylinders. I had it towed to the dealer where they confirmed that my timing chain tensioner had failed causing massive engine damage. No warnings. No indicators. But a bill for over $6,000 which Volkswagen has only told me to "keep receipts and proof should they issue a recall in the future." VW is ignoring a massive fault in their engines that makes their tensioners fail unexpectedly and prematurely and ruin engines without the driver needing to have move the vehicle and they're doing nothing to warn consumers of this issue.

- Tonawanda, NY, USA

Carbon buildup in engine at 65K miles, vehicle was maintained as recommended by VW. PCV valve complete failure at 88K miles which resulted in failure of the rear main seal which requires removal of transmission (roughly $2,000 of repairs). This is a known issue by dealers and service centers due to insufficient or improper application of sealant.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

Turbocharger leaks oil

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

The timing chain failed causing massive engine damage, despite routine maintenance. The failure happened without warning and caused massive damage to the engine.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

Engine shudders as if it will stall but does not. Happens after cold start, goes away with slowly revving engine in park. Triggers engine light to come on. Oil being pushed out of cylinders and leaking under engine. Also happens occasionally when coming to a stop.

- Bangor, PA, USA

The car had an extreme misfire at idle and very rough running. I took the car for an inspection at the VW dealership. They told me the problem was that the chain had stretched because they were unable get a stable timing. After dissembling and opening up the house covering the timing chain they informed me that the cam screen had come loose and liking caused the chain to stretch. VW told me it would be wise to have the cam replaced in case the screen caused any damage it to it as well. After the repair was completed I asked them directly if the tensioner had failed and they then admitted that the engine failure was the result of bad tensioner not a stretched chain. The VW manager told me he was aware of the tbs on the tensioner failures. The manager choose to make up an unbelievable story to cover the true problem. The chain was not stretched and there was no damage to the cam shaft. I directly complain to VW and they told me in a letter the "tsbs don't indicate trends among our vehicles, as they are issued to out dealerships for instructional purposes only." This is a carefully constructed statement to obfuscate the truth. Initial failure occurred on the highway at 65 mph. The mileage was 77300. The failure on this engine appears to have spared damage to the valve but a more serious failure could have shut down the car in the middle of a 4 lane highway.

- Altadena, CA, USA

The car had an extreme misfire at idle and very rough running. I took the car for an inspection at the VW dealership. They told me the problem was that the chain had stretch because they were unable get an stable timing. After dissembling the opening up the house covering the timing chain they informed me that the cam screen had come loose and liking caused the chain to stretch. VW told me it would be wise to have the cam replaced in case the screen caused any damage it to it as well. After the repair was completed I asked them directly if the tensioner had failed and they then admitted that the engine failure was the result of bad tensioner not a stretched chain. The VW manager told me he was aware of the tbs on the tensioner failures. The manager choose to make up an unbelievable story to cover the true problem. The chain was not stretched and there was no damage to the cam shaft. I directly complain to VW and they told me in a letter the "tsbs don't indicate trends among our vehicles, as they are issued to out dealerships for instructional purposes only." This is a carefully constructed statement to obfuscate the truth. Initial failure occurred on the highway at 65 mph. The mileage was 77300. The failure on this engine appears to have spared damage to the valve but a more serious failure could have shut down the car in the middle of a 4 lane highway.

- Altadena, CA, USA

Check engine light appeared 09/11/16. Vehicle was stationary at the time the light engaged. Dropped off at dealer who informed me that the tensioner had failed and the following had to be replaced: Tensioner, timing case, sealent, gasket, bracket, valve, and rail needed to be replaced. He stated that the problem was caught early enough that upon inspection of the engine they found no damage to the engine. There is no maintenance schedule in the manual for the tensioner. He also stated that due to the tensioner failing, the timing chain was skipping links which would have lead to engine failure. There were no dash board messages indicating why the check engine light was triggered. Please see enclosed invoice as attached.

- Oswego, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle shook and the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine failed due to the timing change tensioner and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 69,000.

- Mobile, AL, USA

Reference tsb 15-12-01 (NHTSA 10045560) and tsb 15-11-04 (NHTSA 10043276) where the timing chain sensor fails prematurely resulting in timing chain slippage and catostrophic engine damage. See VW complaint case # 160737061 whereby VW denies financial responsibility due to vehicle mileage. This is a known and recurring issue to a vehicle component that is designed to last the life of the vehicle by the oem's admission. VW needs to extend warranty coversage for damages related to timing chain slippage to a reasonable vehicle life expectancy and not a convenient life expectancy.

- Chagrin Falls, OH, USA