2011 Volkswagen Tiguan: check engine light

Filed Dec 1, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 75,278 miles · FL

The vehicle started sputtering check engine light came on. Took it to volkswagen and they told me to put gas treatment in see if that fixes problem. It seemed to help a bit for a week but check engine light still on. Then one morning I got up and tired to start car it hesitated to start almost died and started. I was in the process of taking it to volkswagen again and the vehicle died while I was driving. Thank god I was just down the road from my house. It could have been very dangerous if it died on highway. One of the recalls on this model is describing what happened to my vehicle. But when I look it up the score tells me the recalls were fixed. Which I know this is not true. My mother tried to get volkswagen to fix the airbag recall they just dismissed her saying your vehicle is not one on recall. Now they want me to pay to fix vehicle this is very expensive and unacceptable! Not a happy customer.

Filed Dec 4, 2019 · Steering · 60,000 miles · CT

I own a 2011 vw tiguan and is the worst car I've ever owned. 1. Initially I had a bad turbo at 60,000 miles. Check engine light showed and ended up a bad turbo. 2. A bad oil leak from one of the engine gasket only happened when driving 3. A bad coolant leak. I was driving and I saw the overheating light on I pulled over and added coolant 5 minutes later was empty again. 4. Bad power steering pump I was turning and heads something making noise on the steering and had to replace before something major happened. And next I'm getting rid of it. To bad very bad experience owning one of this. And I only have 80,000 miles on it.

Filed Aug 22, 2017 · Engine, Fuel system · 99,200 miles · GA

Tl* 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.

Filed May 7, 2017 · Engine · 86,500 miles · PA

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.

Filed Sep 13, 2016 · Engine · 57,836 miles · IL

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.

Filed Aug 3, 2016 · Engine · 69,000 miles · AL

Tl* 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.

Filed Jul 22, 2016 · Driver assistance, Engine · 50,000 miles · NY

My tiguan only running 50k miles broke down in the middle of the highway. The engine light went on and the car stopped accelerating. When I towed it to the mechanic, I was told the timing chain tensioner and crankshaft sensor were bad. The timing chain tensioner defect caused complete engine failure. I now do not have an engine. After looking into this issue and talking to some lawyers all over the us, it seems like many people with vw tiguans (2.0l engines) have this issue and there are a few class action law suits in the us regarding this matter. I spoke to vw of america and they said there was no recall issued, although they are aware of this defect. Vw dealership now tells me the estimated cost to repair the engine and timing chain tensioner is around $10,000. If the timing chain tensioner was not defective, my engine would have never failed. I showed them proof of oil changes over the last 3 years in which were all done in a timely manner. I am now fighting with vw of america about this issue. There should be a recall on these vehicles. My car immediately broke down on the highway and I was very lucky that no one crashed into me. This is a very dangerous problem.

Filed Jul 14, 2016 · Engine · 50,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 volkswagen tiguan. While driving various speeds, the check engine warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. Shortly after, the vehicle failed to accelerate any further. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the crankshaft sensor and timing chain tensioner failed and needed to be replaced. While the vehicle was at the dealer, the technician had the vehicle running with the timing chain tensioner failure, which caused the engine to fail. The engine would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000. ..updated 10/26/16 *bf the vehicle was repaired under warranty.

Filed Jul 12, 2016 · Engine · 64,700 miles · NY

After an oil check and replacement, within 4 weeks the check engine light came on and car has exaggerated sounds after shut down (told this is the fan cooling down car) . The symbol appearing on the dash as indicated in the manual, states there may be a problem with the catalytic converter, but when taken to the dealer was told it was the turbo bypass valve $359.11 + tax and cooling fans $949.00+tax , plus the need for a software update $129.50 +tax and may be the turbo has to be replaced $2233.16 + tax, after they do the initial repairs. Now the car is over heating when in traffic and on hot days. Please note we were told that a new engine was put in the car in 2014, because they could not find out what was wrong with the car while it was under warranty after it stalled and would not turn back on. Since the repairs are so expensive for these latest issues we have not done the repairs. Wrestling with keeping the car, since it has had multiple issues. Just before it stalled previously there was a epc light and a catalytic converter light. Took it to the dealer and it remained there for a few days and was told problem was resolved. About a month later the epc light came back on. This time the car stayed with the dealer for over a month and eventually we were told a 2014 engine would be placed in the car. They could not find out what the exact problem was. We were told it may be due to slug in the engine. Despite this the cost for the engine was covered under the warranty. Later the catalytic converter light came on and it was changed and for a while no problems until now. Now we have a very expensive fan and turbo problem with no warranty to cover the cost. This car has had too many issues, most occurring within just 5 years of the purchase. We usually just leave it at home and use our son's car for long distances.

Filed Feb 22, 2016 · Engine · 87,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 volkswagen tiguan. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle decelerated and the engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the manifold was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who stated that the crank case breather valves needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 87,000.

Filed Feb 12, 2016 · Engine · 62,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 volkswagen tiguan. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was previously repaired under an unknown manufacturer recall, which was directly related to the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the turbo charger needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 62,000.

Filed Oct 7, 2015 · Engine · 40,407 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 volkswagen tiguan. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the engine stalled. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that two of the ignition coils were not firing well. The technician replaced the coils. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,407.