Steering column keeps locking up. I’ve replaced a fuse and it fixed it initially but problem returned. Upon my research apparently this is a common problem in these vehicles.
The worst 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine88
- Electrical40
- Transmission20
- Lights15
- Steering15
- Fuel system14
- Airbags10
- Acceleration8
- Brakes8
- Driver assistance5
- Body4
- Seats4
- Visibility4
- Seat belts1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
Check engine light 27Engine failure 24Headlights 20Stalling 15Won't start 14Fire or smoke 7Power steering loss 7Warning lights 6Grinding brakes 5
Recalls 3
Fuel system, gasoline
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
- 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.
Recall number 14V441000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- If the holder melts, there may be a partial loss of exterior lighting. Reduced vehicle illumination diminishes the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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.
Recall number 13V569000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- An engine surge caused by an unexpected increase in engine RPM may surprise the vehicle operator and can result in a crash without warning.
- 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.
Recall number 08V235000 · Recall details
See all 3 recalls for the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
Defect investigations
Partial Loss of Exterior Lights
Volkswagen Group of America (VW) is conducting a safety recall of approximately 62,155 model year (MY) 2009-2011 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles to address a partial loss of the exterior lighting (see the federal safety agency recall 13V‑569 for more information).These vehicles' exterior lighting system is protected by two separate fuses contained in a fuse box located in the engine compartment.According to VW, high thermal cycling and soft-coated fuse coating material used at the F16 (also referred to as SB16) location causes movement between the fuse blade and socket, resulting in abrasions on the fuse coating material.This increases resistance and results in overheating of the fuse and disruption of electrical current flow to roughly half of the vehicle's exterior lighting circuits. Examples include loss of one of each of the following: low beam headlight, high beam headlight, brake light, and turn signal light involving the front and rear of the vehicle.VW has stated that the subject F16 fuse in the Tiguan model was used in several other Volkswagen models.According to VW, the temperature of the vehicle's engine and the fuse box varies by vehicle model.ODI found that the complaint and warranty rates for the MY 2009-2010 Tiguan are more than four times greater than that of MY 2009-2010 Volkswagen Jetta sedans.ODI is aware of VW's plan to take a service action of some, but not all, of the other vehicle models.The action will cover MY 2009-2010 Jetta sedan and MY 2009 GTI vehicles.ODI will monitor complaints to the federal safety agency on all other Volkswagen models equipped with the same subject fuse and take further action if warranted.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/Searchreference under the following identification numbers: 10362206, 10471503, 10490408, 10501271, 10504495, 10508638, 10512642, 10520573, 10521147, 10522909, 10523748, 10526032, 10534679, 10538004, 10538410, 10543629, 10544805, 10545540, 10547334, 10547530, 10547775, 10549584, 10550140, 10550903, 10551486, 10551503, 10551538, 10551776, 10551816, 10551848, 10551853, 10552153, 10552322, 10552740, 10552811, 10552866, 10553122, 10553299, 10554352, 10554441, 10554443, 10554730, 10554890, 10555047, 10555080, 10555527, 10555540, 10555988, 10556475, 10558014, 10559441, 10559447, 10561642, 10562693.
PE13036
Technical service bulletins for the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan 677
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This supporting FAQ is for the Turbocharger Limited Warranty Extension Class Action Settlement
- Adhesive to bond sensor to Radiator.
- Safety Related Inquiry and Reporting
- Suggested fuel additive
- This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
- Permission to change Daily Order upgraded to RED Order
- Differences between a leak and seepage
- This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during...
- Oil Consumption Measurement and Electronic Oil Consumption Measurement
- Lubricating engine components before reassembly.
2009 Volkswagen Tiguan fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 18-19 | 24-26 | 21 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | 4WD | 18 | 24 | 20 |
What 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
Intermittent AC working issues, air conditioning does not cool or the cooling is weak
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.
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 the federal safety agency 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.
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.
The engine reached 100k miles in the second week of April 2022. After that, I tried to turn on the vehicle, and the engine did not respond. I took my car to the mechanic, and he told me that the car needed an engine replacement. This is very strange since the vehicle had an excellent maintenance schedule, and I usually, this type of car last longer. That engine issue could have caused a severe accident on the road, and fortunately, it never happened. The timing belt might have an issue there, but I had very little information from the engine codes since I did not have an indicator earlier. It just appeared like that. I feel that this type of issue is unfair. After having more than four cars with way more miles, this has never happened, and on average, a Tiguan engine should last at least 150k miles according to the statistics of the vehicle model and year. I feel upset and disappointed with this vehicle model since the cost of replacing the engine cost around 6000$, and I am an international student with no money to do that repair. I feel helpless, and VW told me the only way to get a recall of this car is through a report from the federal safety agency, which would be fair given the circumstances I have been through. The only thing I request is to generate a recall for this vehicle if possible. I hope some reads this, and I appreciate the work you do. Thanks
Problems start with ABS and Steering warning lights with EPIC warning on dash, flickering of lights and radio shut off by loosing power steering and rough acceleration and idling. Has been in to VW dealership 5 times now with repairs "fixing" problem for a few days - a week before returning again. This is a safety issue because this happens very quickly and without warning. Once I was on a highway and had to carefully move to side of the road and limp to a safe area (luckily I was in the right lane already).
The steering wheel light comes on and the steering gets hard and it's dangerous because it's happening while my wife drives it. Please give me some information on what could possibly be happening or if u guys can let me know if there is a recall on it. I know your busy but please get back to me as soon as you can
Air bag light all of a sudden came without bumping - the engine idle were not normal high and low - electrical problem from the steering
Compare the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
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Other model years
200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
Questions about the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
Is the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?
Owners have filed 168 complaints about the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan, 1.2 times a typical Tiguan model year.
What is the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan year score?
The 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan scores 66 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Volkswagen Tiguan: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan?
Engine and cooling, with 88 complaints, typically around 84,092 miles. Next is electrical (40).
How many recalls does the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan have?
3 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline, electrical system and engine and engine cooling.
Was there a recall on the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan engine?
Yes, 1 recall: 08V235000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Volkswagen Tiguan have bad engine?
The Volkswagen Tiguan model years with the most engine complaints are 2022 (120 complaints), 2009 (88 complaints) and 2018 (82 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan get?
Official estimates for the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan range from 20 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 18-19 city and 24-26 highway.
VIN decoder
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