I am filing this complaint to seek a full buyback and debt cancellation for a 2017 VW Tiguan (VIN: [XXX] ) sold to me by Carvana for $40,000. Summary of Deception: Carvana sold this vehicle as "Certified" with a "150-Point Inspection" guarantee. This was a fraudulent misrepresentation. Within six months, the vehicle required 45+ mechanical services, including a full internal teardown that revealed catastrophic wiring corrosion caused by a long-term sunroof leak. These were latent defects present at the time of sale. The vehicle has has 2 Turbos: one recalled (now currently being recalled again) and one replaced 3 months into ownership. The vehicle slowed down on [XXX] traffic and I had to make an emergency exit and take to the dealership. This make and model were completely overhauled engine and externally after my model 2017. 45 mechanical services in 12 months justifies a recall and an exchange, Safety & Financial Hardship: As a high-level executive commuting from [XXX] to [XXX] , I required a reliable vehicle. Instead, this car decelerated dangerously on [XXX] , nearly causing a collision. Despite active steering and turbo recalls, Volkswagen mechanics have deemed the car "unsafe for road use" since January 2025. I am warned that any further driving will void my warranties due to engine damage risk. Bad Faith Negotiations: I have attempted to resolve this with Carvana and Volkswagen Executive Care. Carvana offered a mocking $500 gesture for a $40k total loss, while their supervisors were condescending and dismissive. They have refused to provide the original inspection report. Impact: I have lost tens of thousands in wages, rental costs, and storage fees while my credit and mental health suffer under $19,000 of debt for a "shell. " I am seeking an immediate buyback at their expense to resolve this matter and restore my ability to work safely. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2017 Volkswagen Tiguan engine problems
16 complaints (21% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 37,000.
- owner complaints
- 16
- of this car's complaints
- 21%
- typical mileage
- 37,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Volkswagen Tiguan engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
On December 3, 2025, Volkswagen of XXX performed an intake manifold recall repair on our 2017 Tiguan (VIN: [XXX] ) while the vehicle was under factory warranty. Approximately six weeks later the low coolant warning light appeared and the vehicle began actively leaking coolant. No other work had been performed between the recall and the onset of the leak. Our independent mechanic discovered physical damage to the original water pump consistent with a tool strike during the recall procedure. A new OEM water pump was installed but failed immediately due to an underlying pressure issue originating underneath the intake manifold. The vehicle has been at VW of South Charlotte since February 11, 2026 — seven weeks — with no root-cause diagnosis or repair. The dealership falsely documented OEM parts as aftermarket, refused to diagnose the vehicle, and the service manager made his final decision based on text messages rather than any inspection. VW Customer Care opened and closed six separate case numbers on this single unresolved complaint. Safety concern: The vehicle is non-operational and actively leaking coolant. The damage originated during a recall repair and has never been properly diagnosed or repaired. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Timing chain and engine issues and repairs
timing chain repairs and replacement
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who serviced the engine, and the check engine warning light was deactivated; however, the failure persisted. No further information was available. The contact stated that the vehicle also experienced excessive oil consumption. An oil consumption test was performed, and the vehicle failed the test. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 30,000.
My Tiguan does not have airbags, the tire sensors don’t work, none of the buttons on my steering wheel work. My turbo supercharger started failing and I had to spend $2,500 to fix it, which the car is not worth that plus the payments I make. The dealership says the airbags are on back order but won’t say when they’ll have it and that was over a year ago. It’s been inspected by a dealership and they won’t do anything about it.
I was driving and the fuel gauge quit working randomly. I am unsure how much gas is in my vehicle. I have had to get several repairs since purchasing my car from Carmax including my turbo boost, fuel pump and gas line. I financed the car in 2021 from Carmax.
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that after the vehicle had an oil change, oil leaked onto the driveway while the vehicle was parked. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the valve covers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Faulty water pump caused expansive replacement cost aprx $1400.00. Learned from certified mechanic that it was a common problem and a lawsuit is in process against VW USA.
I was driving vehicle and it began to stall. I was a block away from home and made it home turned it off. When I tried to turn it on it would not start. I had it towed where I was told that the engine was BLOWN at no fault of my own. At 119000. I am still paying on this vehicle and can’t even use it. Mechanic says it’s not even worth putting a new engine in. The money I would spend on it I might as well get a new vehicle. Replacing the engine would start at 9,000.00. VW NEEDS A RECALL on this. Mechanic says he sees this alot on this vehicle
Questions about the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan engine
Does the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan have engine problems?
Owners have filed 16 complaints about the engine of the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan, 21% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 37,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan engine?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Volkswagen Tiguan have bad engine?
The Volkswagen Tiguan model years with the most engine complaints are 2022 (120 complaints), 2009 (88 complaints) and 2018 (82 complaints).
Other 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan problems
Airbags 30Steering 14Electrical 12Fuel system 8Transmission 5Body 4Brakes 3Driver assistance 1Lights 1Seat belts 1Tires 1Visibility 1
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