2009 Volkswagen Tiguan: engine failure

Filed Aug 12, 2022 · Engine · 189,000 miles · NY

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.

Filed Apr 22, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · IN

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

Filed Dec 6, 2019 · Engine · 50,000 miles · NJ

Vw tiguan 09 purchased as new. Only 50k miles on it when check engine light was encountered. Soon after (last week, nov 25 2019), engine stalled while accelerating out of second gear and was seized. Independent mechanic said it would cost 5,800 to rebuild engine. While doing my own independent research, discovered the complaints here detailing precisely the same issue (timing chain tensioner failure) that was described to me by my mechanic. Then discovered that there is a class action settlement reimbursement (https://timingchainlitigation.com/) for this issue that I am no longer eligible for because jan 25 2019 filing deadline was not met - keep in mind that my engine failed one week ago (11/25/2019) with only 50k miles on it. I too, never received a class action notice in the mail. After calling the class action hotline, I was told to send an email to the lawsuit settlement administrator requesting a filing deadline exception. Unlikely that any of this will work in my favor. But I too, like many others have been unnecessarily burdened by volkswagen's negligent handling of this major defect. It's unfortunate that customers like myself are now saddled with this complete loss.

Filed Oct 2, 2019 · Acceleration, Engine · 114,000 miles · VA

Car stopped and would not start due to timing chain tensioner fualt with code p0016. Caused complete engine failure and the need to completely rebuild the top end of the engine. This was verified after a complete loss of compression due to the valves being destroyed on the engine.

Filed Aug 26, 2019 · Engine · 113,000 miles · MO

My 2009 vw tiguan engine failed as I was driving to work 35 MPH, in heavy traffic, out of nowhere my car engine made scary crumbly noise and suddenly died in the middle of the traffic; completely dead. I was scared to death and if I didn't react fast to put emergency lights on, I could have been plowed by a big truck behind me. There were cars parked on each side of the street, and no place to pull over. I was close to work but was stranded on the street with high traffic because I couldn't move the car. I tried to turn it on but again same rumbling sound and dead again. I called a friend to help me push the car to my employer's parking lot so I could be safe. After work I called aaa for assistance and they couldn't start the car so it was then towed to the place I live. They also concluded that the engine is the problem. That is when I started researching about it and found out there was a settlement for timing chain that I was never informed about and my VIN got matched. I bought this car on 07/31/2018, it was well maintained since then and no issues prior to this. This is a serious issue since I had no prior warning and could have killed someone or someone could have killed me in the accident. I am asking you to help me figure this out and help fix the engine problem on my vehicle. I can't stress enough how scared and concerned I am since then especially because I have two children that I drive in this same car and I thought this car is safe for them and myself and everyone around me when I'm in traffic. I love this car but now neither I can drive it nor I feel safe any longer in it. This car is everything to me and without it I can't go to work and make money or go to pick up groceries. I'm a single mom and no family around and I entirely depend on this car to make the life for my children as stable as possible.

Filed Jul 26, 2019 · Engine · 99,760 miles · IA

On engine start up, the check engine light came on. After driving it a short while, the car would not start again. Had it towed to a qualified mechanic who diagnosed that the timing chain tensioner failed and the engine jumped time, causing catastrophic damage to the cylinder head and pistons. Mechanic estimated a repair cost of approximately $6000.00 to replace the engine with a used one. The car had less than 100k miles but the repair would have cost more than it was worth. Volkswagen will not pay for the repair, even through a class-action lawsuit was settled against them for this issue, since the deadline for applying was 6 months prior to this incident.

Filed Aug 23, 2018 · Engine · 117,000 miles · MN

Engine seized at just over 117,000 miles. Replaced the engine with a new used one and it seized again not even 4 months after the new used engine was replaced.

Filed Mar 14, 2018 · Engine · 203,766 miles · MD

I started having issues with the epc light coming on in my car back in 2017. I was told that I needed "carbon cleaning" which I had done in july 2017 to the tune of $950+. After the repairs were done, my car seemed fine until I was out driving up a long hill near home and my car could not pick up speed. The epc warning light came back on. I pulled over and the light went off and I was able to drive again. Weird, but no problems until november 2018 and the same thing started to happen. For personal reasons, I could get to my garage, but just before I was able to take it in to have the problem checked out and for routine maintenance, I'd come out of the grocery store friday, march 9, and my car would not work. Had it towed to the garage I frequent and was told that my timing chain tension had failed and I would be looking at a bill of $3,100. Please keep in mind that this is the second engine on this car. I replaced the original engine after it died in 2012. I paid $7,000 for a new engine only to end up back in the spot where I'm having to pay loads of money to have this "new" engine repaired. The first time my engine died in 2012, I begged and pleaded with vw to own up to this and to pay for the repair. They only offered me 10% off of a new car.

Filed Sep 6, 2017 · Engine · 93,500 miles · MN

Timing belt tensioner failure, causing catastrophic engine failure at just over 93,000 miles. This seems to be an all too common problem with this vehicle. A newer model of timing belt tensioner has been used since december 2011. Mine has the old style. Vehicle was in motion when engine light popped on, indicating the issue.

Filed Jul 23, 2017 · Airbags, Engine · 90,000 miles · OH

The timing chain tensioner in this vehicle is known to fail and destroy engines. They have issued technical service bulletins on the issue, but have done nothing to resolve the issue for owners. My wife and child were in the car and the tensioner failed and the engine stopped in the middle of a busy freeway causing them to almost get rear ended by a semi truck. You can find the technical service bulletins here: http://www.carcomplaints.com/volkswagen/tiguan/2009/tsbs/. I had to replace the engine due to a known issue. A recall is truly needed on this issue. Many others have had the same issue happen to them. Also my driver's side airbag failed and vw refuses to address this safety issue.

Filed Jul 21, 2017 · Airbags, Electrical · 28,000 miles · PA

2009 tiguan 2.0 tsi all wheel drive in 2012 I discovered some wetness in the tiguan floor mat. (less then 3 years old car) I took it to vw dealership, they found a malfunction of the roof drain hose. The estimate was so high $700 that I figure well, I can live with a little wetness when it rains hard. 2012 to 2015 the car was at pizza ardmore vw several times (the same dealership) due to an ongoing red and orange warning lights on the dashboard. "check engine"including malfunction of the airbag. In may 2015 the engine completely stopped running. "you need a new engine" I was told, without providing me with any explanation in spite of my request. How come 25,000 mile engine brakes? Nearly $8,000 for a new engine on a six year old tiguan. Two year later, the car stopped running again, the engine will not start, all electric are shot, no radio, no light, no airbags, no power, all gone. Back to piazza ardmore vw, the car was then declared total loss, it was too expensive to fix. It all happened for two reasons. The vw manufacturer production defect of the drain hose. And lousy piazza vw dealership neglected to detect and fix the problem twice before it was declared a total loss.

Filed May 6, 2017 · Engine, Transmission · 80,600 miles · CO

I was in downtown denver, colorado on 2/14/2017. I started the car, pulled into traffic and the car started jumping, all warning lights went on and I turned off the engine. It wouldn't start, was towed to a garage where the mechanic reported that the timing mechanism had slipped and damaged the engine. When he examined it further he realized it was beyond repair and that I needed a new engine.