2010 Volkswagen Tiguan: engine failure

Filed Aug 4, 2023 · Engine · WI

Timing chain/extensioner broke My car suddenly started jerking or jumping when I was idling. I pulled into a parking lot and ended up having to have it towed. It does not run now and I was told it needed a new engine. I was told that there was a known issue and class action lawsuit with the timing chain but that I had passed the extended warranty. My care only has 50,000 miles on it so a timing chain should not fail so soon. I am sure that there extended warranty left a lot of engine failures out.

Filed Jul 10, 2019 · Engine · 100,020 miles · KS

07/05/19, was driving at approx 3:30 pm west on I-90 at the 68 mile marker when the car suddenly and without warning died. The next day I was informed by a aaa mechanic that the timing chain had most likely been the culprit and accordingly to same, destroyed the engine requiring a new engine. I found out later that there had been a class action suit against same that had been settled between vw and the claimants though I had traveled 100,020 miles when this occurred and was entitled to "0". I believe that this occurrence has happened to numerously, and like myself, many would not be apprised of the potential issue since most would not have any reason to think otherwise. However, I was traveling at 70 MPH and in the middle of a four or five lane federal interstate in rush hour traffic - and in the chicago vicinity - had I had less forethought a terrible calamity could have occurred. I believe that vw should recall every engine with this malady - and should do so despite settling with a bunch of lawyers. [see https://timingchainlitigation.com/]. I am out the entirety of my investment and still with 6k left to pay on the car [I bought it used] over the next 2.5 years. Saying that, I am writing to you to urge you to consider taking action against this engine fault and produced by vw. My car is now a big doorstop in a garage in shaumberg ill. I had to pop for two one way tickets for me and my wife to get back home to kansas city. Yes, precious cargo [my wife] was also in the vehicle when it stopped dead going 70 MPH on a federal interstate! Thanks you - [xxx]

Filed May 17, 2019 · Engine · 130,415 miles · MN

I was driving my 2010 tiguan on a minneapolis city street at around 25 MPH when suddenly the vehicle starting running rough and engine light came on. It then proceeded to start blinking. At this point because of the engine light and performance issue, I looked for a safe place to pull over and shut it off. After I safely pulled over and shut down the vehicle, approximately after 1/3 of a mile from the initial warning lights & vehicle failure started. I called the dealership at this point and told them about the incident and my situation. Westside volkswagen, the dealership where I purchased this vehicle, told me not to try and drive the car but get is towed to the dealership. The dealership inspected and found the timing had jumped and cylinders were damaged- recommendation was to replace the engine. Neither the dealership or vw would claim any responsibility for this issue even though it's a documented problem. I had to pay for the repair. Since this was a documented problem, I believe vw/westside vw should compensate me for this repair.

Filed Jul 8, 2018 · Engine, Fuel system · 99,000 miles · NJ

Purchased october 2017 and in january started to hear rattling sounds. Took back to subaru service where purchased and they did not find anything wrong with vehicle. In june 2018 car started to sputter and make sounds while driving and would not adjust rpms when driving. Could not go faster when stepping on the gas pedal on the highway. Three days later, car would start but would not go into gear and had to be towed from a restaurant parking lot. Mechanic gave an estimate of over $6,000 because timing chain broke and engine failed. Engine light had not gone on before that incident. Possible defect by volkswagen when learning about class action lawsuit and my car is same year make and model of ones in lawsuit.

Filed Jun 19, 2018 · Engine · 86,000 miles · IN

My car was driven to a restaurant and parked. Upon returning to the car, the car would not start. It was towed to a mechanic where I was told that the timing chain had broken and ruined the engine by bending parts of the valves. The engine needs replaced and used engines have a starting price around $6000.00.

Filed Dec 20, 2017 · Engine, Transmission · 77,000 miles · CO

Timing chain tensioner failure, causing catastrophic engine failure at 77,000 miles. A newer model of timing belt tensioner has been used since december 2011. Est. $5000 repair bill.

Filed Aug 16, 2017 · Engine · 76,000 miles · PA

I purchased my 2010 vw tiguan a year ago. At 10k miles as requested I did the oil change. A month later or so oil started to leak. One day I drove my car to a store and left the engine running because I was only there for a few mins. Came back and my engine died. My mechanic diagnosed it and stated it was the timing belt that went. A lot of of people has been complaining about oil leak in general with this vehicle. Wish I knew sooner I would have never bought this car.

Filed Jul 14, 2017 · Engine · KS

Our tiguan started shaking and making a horrible noise when our 20 year old daughter attempted to start driving. She noticed the check engine light on and the car suddenly stopped in the middle of a city road- presenting a danger to her as she could not move the car and was not in a safe neighborhood. She had to wait for a tow truck. At the repair shop, it was determined that the timing chain and tensioner were bad so they were replaced. After this repair the car still would not run so it was towed to a volkswagen dealership. They tore down the engine and determined that it needed to be replaced. The cost at the first repair shop was nearly $1600 and the cost to replace the engine is nearly $9000.

Filed Jul 7, 2017 · Engine · 90,000 miles · NH

Car had 90,000 miles and started having ticking engine noises. Vw dealership service technicians diagnosed the issue as a turbo waste gate noise ("nothing to worry about at this time"). Two days later the engine starts to act like it's misfiring almost bucking then within minutes the engine goes(won't start, trying to start engine just 'spins'). Towed back to service. Internal inspection from their technicians confirmed bent parts, etc - $8,000 to replace engine. My research indicates the problem was with the 2.0t tsi timing chain tensioner failure as listed in the federal safety agency service bulletin #tb-15-12-01 the federal safety agency item number 10045560. Certainly the results indicate that was the actual problem. According to the tsb it seems like this is a known issue across many vw models/years. Why owners are not notified of this potential issue and given a chance to take action to fix it before something catastrophic happens is disheartening.

Filed Jun 28, 2017 · Engine · 64,000 miles · MA

Timing chain failed causing complete engine failure. Engine started losing power when driving home. Tiguan would not restart once parked and turned off.

Filed Jun 5, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 88,485 miles · OH

On 6/3/17. Out of the blue while driving in the neighborhood, the car seemed to " hesitate" - wanting to turn off - lasted about 20 seconds then it was fine until I arrived to my destination, parked the car.. 4 hrs later ready to go back home, the car didn't start. Called aaa, checked battery- fine, possibly alternator. Although aaa guy said the "craking "noise when trying 2 start the car; didn't think was alternator either. He was prepping up the car 2 b towed; the lights on dashboard starting flashing, started with brake light; later all the lights were flashing for seconds & car went completely dead. Today, 6/5/17 the mechanic told me didn't find any compresion in engine. Would have 2 tear down 2 see what exactly failed. Said timing chain could have jumped time . This is a car with only 88.000 miles. I bought it last year- may2016- exactly 3 mo. Later I had 2 replace entire brake system; couple months after that I had to get a new entire flush system. Also I had to spend on getting a key lock kit to replace breaks a rotate tires.,alignment- car wasnt alignt & other minor expenses . What are my options with this car? I have a loan on a vehicle that requires a new engine and doesn't even have 90 000 miles. ?please help.

Filed Sep 23, 2016 · Engine · 77,000 miles · TX

On 6/23/16 (77000 estimated miles) vehicle signaled "oil pressure low" it immediately stalled while in motion on the expressway during traffic hour during our vacation while it was on and we were driving. Miraculously we were able to push the stalled vehicle to safety and there were no injuries. It has to be towed to our hometown. Vw dealership advised us that it would require an engine replacement. That the timing belt had taken out the engine. Estimated costs of repairs $7800. Owner's manual states that the timing belt is a lifetime part, it does not suggest maintenance or repair of it at any point. Our private mechanic repaired it for $3800. Spoke to vw stated that they would not repair or cover the costs. Case #161500844 with vw.