2012 Volkswagen Tiguan: sudden loss of power

Filed Sep 26, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 89,000 miles · TN

While riding on the expressway with my wife driving, everything on the dashboard as well as the radio started flickering on and off then we lost power steering. Just about every code lite up from the engine light, brake light and got a message saying epc & ABS failure.

Filed Mar 28, 2019 · Fuel system · 80,000 miles · MA

For almost two years, intermittently but consistently, the car will lose power after a warm start. Ignition turns over appropriately and starts, but after pulling out of parking spot in a lot or into traffic, the car just loses power. Battery light goes on and you have to put car back in park and start it again. The second time it starts it struggles but restarts and typically does not lose power or stall again. Sometimes the car will start to lose power and as you prepare for it to stall it regains power and shoots forward regardless of how lightly you're gassing it. I have gone for service multiple times. They ruled out battery, connections, alternator, etc. And say they can not replicate the problem even after keeping the car for days and driving it around, yet it has literally happened when I have been leaving the dealer. Sometimes the epc light goes on after this occurs but never the check engine light. This happens more often when the weather is mild and when the car has already been running for some time. Never hesitates on a cold start.

Filed Sep 20, 2018 · Engine · 130,000 miles · GA

My vehicle lost power in the middle of an intersection. Later it was determined that my timing chain has "broken time" and needs to be replaced

Filed Feb 7, 2018 · Airbags · TX

Air bar click spring failed on vehicle on or about 12/6/17. Recall (15v483000- clock spring) included 2010-14 tiguans but was told by vw of america that our 2012 vehicle did not qualify for the recall. Vw service agent at the dealership said that the recall 'expired'. Vehicle was outside of 'bumper to bumper' and power train warranty. Dealership charged $669 plus tax to replace the defective clock spring. The spring failed from routine, normal driving conditions. The spring failure caused a loss of power to the driver's side air bag and the vehicle's horn thus comprising the safety of the vehicle. Clock spring failure has been an ongoing issue for vw. Vw has been reluctant to recall all vehicles involved or provide customers with any compensation for the hefty repair bill to replace this defective part.

Filed Dec 29, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 49,000 miles · AZ

We recently (12-23-2014) brought the car in for the august 11th 2014 recall of the tiguan ECM/air bubble issue related to the fuel pump in the cars. Our car was not experiencing any issues relating to the recall and described, but due to potential issues decided to bring it in to have it applied anyways. Upon leaving the dealership, the car was accelerating funny, and we noticed gas mileage had gone down. Due to ECM being reflashed as a part of the recall, we chalked it up as the computer needing to re-"learn" driving habits, shift points, etc.. About 25 miles later we were on the way home from an event about a few miles from home. We were on a very busy 6 lane highway when the car lost all engine power. It put us in an extremely dangerous position, 4 adults in a car on a busy 6 lane highway. We managed to coast over to the shoulder and to an offramp. The car restarted and the epc and check engine lights came on. The car was able to run, but only in limp mode, enough to get us the final couple miles home. Took the car to the dealership the following monday. Issue was a failed high pressure fuel pump, needs to be replaced. It apparently is a very common part to fail, and at low mileage on cars, in any condition. It failed after the "new car warranty" but was replaced under the extended warranty provided by vw. Due to it's high failure rate at low vehicle mileage, and the impact it can have on safety, the fuel pump recall from august 11th should be expanded to cover the fuel pump replacement and extend the warranty of the part.