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2010 Volkswagen Tiguan engine complaints

Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 54, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan engine problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

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 Jun 13, 2018 · Engine, Fuel system · 115,000 miles · OH

Dealership informed us timing chain needed to be replaced and manifold would be replaced under warranty. After replacing timing chain, they notified us manifold was already replaced on vehicle and it also needed new valves due to being bent from bad timing chain. Many other vw owners have experienced timing chain issues. These issues started while the vehicle was in motion and while driving LED to extreme shaking and noise at low speeds. Vehicle felt very unsafe to drive and was promptly taken to dealer.

Filed Mar 3, 2018 · Engine · 40,000 miles · MN

At 37,500 miles the water pump on my vehicle cracked and resulted in loss of coolant requiring tow for replacement of fuel pump on 04/19/17. On 2/28/18 at 42,770 miles a broken manifold plug clip resulted in displacement of coolant temp sensor, again with loss of coolant and tow for repair. Both of these episodes were noted after parking the vehicle following a short city drive.

Filed Feb 14, 2018 · Engine · 92,000 miles · LA

When driving car engine shut down, had to coast to a stop brakes would not engage. After having it towed to dealer found out motor was blow due to timing belt issue

Filed Jan 26, 2018 · Engine · 75,000 miles · GA

Engine light remains on

Filed Jan 10, 2018 · Engine · 107,057 miles · PA

On december 7 2017 the engine started miss-firing, on next restart the engine destroyed itself, caused by 'jumped timing' do too a defective chain tensioner.

Filed Dec 26, 2017 · Driver assistance, Engine · 102,000 miles · MD

Tl-contact owns a 2010 volkswagon ruatuan ----vehicle does have recall but contact stated volkswagon stated VIN number is not included in recall... Contact called dealership and dealership stated even though vehicle has same problems there is nothing they can do ... Engine turns off with key in ignition and ignition becomes loose key turns to off position and car shuts off while driving..contact given number to volkswagon. Cb .0recallsassociated with this VIN

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 Oct 16, 2017 · Engine · 98,000 miles · KS

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 volkswagen tiguan. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled. Prior to the vehicle stalling, there was an abnormal vibration while driving. The contact stated that the failure occurred while driving to the dealer (molle volkswagen, 808 w 103rd st, kansas city, mo 64114, (816) 941-9500) for diagnostic testing. The contact was informed that the timing belt fractured, which caused the engine and turbo charger to be destroyed. The contact was informed that the engine was irreparably damaged. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.

Filed Sep 23, 2017 · Engine · 130,000 miles · PA

Another example of the well known, well documented, and prone to failure timing chain tensioner

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 27, 2017 · Engine · 105,000 miles · AZ

Timing belt tensioner failure without notice happened while driving from parking lot chain skipped because of chain tensioner failed causing chain to skip a tooth making the timing issues. Towed to mechanic

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 26, 2017 · Engine · 112,000 miles · MI

The timing chain skipped or broke which caused a failure. It could not be determined if the timing chain was the first to fail or if something else (tensioner failure) caused the timing chain to break as a result. This resulted in the vehicle being towed to the dealer since it was not safe to drive. I was lucky this occurred when the vehicle was idling in a turn lane. While idling, the vehicle started shaking rather violently fore/aft. I immediately pulled of the road and turned off the vehicle.

Filed Jun 20, 2017 · Engine, Transmission · 87,000 miles · CA

From mechanic at vw roseville. Chain tensioner failed causing slack in timing chains, which caused chains to jump time and caused upper cylinder head damage. Car has 87,702 miles

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 Mar 27, 2017 · Engine · 115,000 miles · CT

It seems to be a recurring problem with 2010, 2011, and 2012 tiguans. Gas on the sparkplugs. The timing chain sensor goes. Then your engine is like a home run in baseball. Its going going gone!!!!! Thats exactly what happened to my car I went halfway across the state at 5 a.m. Got home at 11 a.m. An hour later the car died permanently. There is four pages of this happening. On arfc.org. The volkswagen dealership that gave my car its last rites said this was a big problem for those 3 years and was wondering why no recalls. My car had 115,00 miles on it. The other cars seemed to have only 66-85,000 miles on them.

Filed Sep 28, 2016 · Engine · 52,040 miles · WA

Vehicle was driven home with no indication of an issue but vehicle would not start the next day. Battery was checked by aaa and was deemed charged and not the problem. Vehicle was towed by aaa to stone's german garage in seattle wa. And sgg told me the next day that the timing chain(s) had slipped and the repair invoice is attached.

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.

Filed Aug 24, 2016 · Engine · 83,900 miles · MA

Turbo failure due to internal mechanical failure. Vw would not pay any of the repair cost of $2697 due to year/mileage of vehicle. Dealership diagnosed check engine light and said that it was unsafe to drive off the lot because driving without a functioning turbo will destroy the engine.

Filed Aug 8, 2016 · Engine · 68,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 volkswagen tiguan. While starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was immediately towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the timing chain skipped and destroyed the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,000.

Filed Jun 3, 2016 · Engine · IL

One night I parked my tiguan everything was ok, in the middle of the night my wife was getting ready to go to work couldn't get the car started. Next morning I rented an obd2 scaner and read the codes. Had the car towed to the dealer ship. Next day they called me and told be because of the timing chain tensioner failing my motor basically grenaded and they needed $7216 to repair. The car had 62k miles and it was 6 months passed warranty. I contacted customer care and they only agreed to cover 50% which leaves me with 3k bill that I couldn't have avoided. I never knew the tiguan had a 10k mile oil change service so I always changed at 3k. How could have I avoided this failure.

Filed Mar 7, 2016 · Engine, Fuel system · 75,000 miles · PA

The motor started to run rough. It was ideling from 1500 to 2000 RPM. I was told it is the pressure control valve. I changed the diaphram in the p.c.v. It was torn . It also caused my rear main motor seal to start to leak oil. Problem only got worse as now I have a fuel injector stuck shut. I drive city only . Car has 76000 miles on it . Rear main seal blew because of the faulty p.c.v. It controls engine and oil preassure. Estimated repair is 1500.00to 2200.00 . I have read this has happened to some other vw tiguan owners. Thalk you [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Feb 3, 2016 · Engine · 83,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 volkswagon tiguan. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle became unresponsive and the engine would not operate as normal. The check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the timing chain tensioner belt failed and the engine would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 83,000.

Filed Nov 8, 2015 · Engine · 125,000 miles · ME

While driving 25-30 MPH on a city street, vehicle stopped accelerating (much like running out of gas...) dealer states timing chain tensioner failed destroying engine-I understand vw has a tsb out on this for years and though I serviced my vehicle at dealer, never knew of this potential problem

Filed Sep 26, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 66,539 miles · VA

Emailed to to vw customer care on 9/26/15, one could argue these are safety related, the fuse box was melted. The engine timing chain slipped & caused engine damage that would have been more expensive to repair than the cost of a new engine. To customer care: we've had significant problems with our 2010 tiguan - does vw offer any financial help with these (factory defects?) - replace fuse box: $550, 8/16/2013 parts & labor, odometer was not stated on invoice - new engine: $6,866.16, 05/13/2015 parts and labor, odometer 66,539 miles the dealer offered no warranty coverage & their price was high so we went elesewhere - do not plan to buy or recommend vw in the future considering these large issues I have the receipts, will scan & e-mail if that helps - service location: volks & rings, 13669 warwick blvd, newport news, va 23602 - volks & rings phone: 757‑874‑0018 [xxx] [xxx] yorktown, va 23693 cell: [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).'

Filed Jul 11, 2015 · Engine · 81,704 miles · OH

Rear main seal gushing oil due to defective seal, timing cover seal leaking, recirculation valve leaking, crankcase valve leaking. Regular maintainance on car, otherwise in perfect condition. No reason for this to happen with such low miles..

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