Volkswagen Tiguan knocking problems

Filed Oct 20, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · OH

Engine light on at around 50K - dealership said it was just an "issue with the warning lights" don't worry unless it blinks. At 74K I found out the turbo boost was the reason for this and I should have been told when the car was still under warranty. Realized in December of 2020 the car was soaking wet inside. Front and Back carpet was soaked like a sponge. Thought it was from driving in slush - turns out it's the moonroof drains. Repaired by VW dealership - all carpet and padding was ripped out and had to dry and then be reinstalled. Dealership ripped the interior moonroof headline while installing and didn't tell me. Huge fight with insurance - finally got fixed. Was told Cam cover leaking, and needed manifolds cleaned because of direct injection engine. Car has no power anymore. Car towed multiple times for jerking and flashing engine light. 2 engine coils replaced within 6 months. Even with moonroof drains cleaned yearly - car still gets wet inside and visible moisture on dashboard. Both back coil springs broke Aug 2026. Didn't realize until I saw the 2nd one laying in the driveway. $800 to repair those. Known recall issue with 2015 coil springs breaking by VW. But did include 2013 models. Dangerous to drive not knowing they have broken. No light indicator. Engine light always on because of Turbo boost. Now constantly needing coolant. Washer fluid, tire air pressure lights & gas cap light always on even when full of fluid. Broken tether to gas cap. Not even 90K miles and this car is constantly being towed to the shop. ABS brakes slightly jumpy at very low speed. Knocking sound in engine. Constant fear when driving this vehicle

Filed Sep 22, 2026 · Engine · FL

At 58,218 miles, the engine on this 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan failed after excessive oil consumption progressed to engine knocking. The vehicle was brought to Volkswagen of Orange Park on July 24, 2025, for excessive oil consumption. The dealer performed a second oil-consumption test. During the test, the engine was heard knocking. The dealer removed the oil pan and found excessive metal. Volkswagen replaced the engine under warranty. The repair invoice was dated August 31, 2025. This created a safety concern because an engine failure can cause loss of propulsion or stalling while driving. The dealer confirmed and repaired the condition.

Filed Aug 28, 2026 · Engine · FL

I own a 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan with approximately 72,441 miles. While traveling on the interstate, the vehicle displayed a “Check Oil Level” warning. I stopped and checked the engine oil dipstick, which came out completely dry. The vehicle’s previous oil change had been performed by Walmart, and the service sticker stated that the next oil change was due at 72,240 miles, meaning I was only approximately 201 miles beyond the recommended service mileage when this occurred. Because I was traveling and the vehicle was low on oil, I purchased one quart of 0W-20 full synthetic engine oil and added the entire quart. I then drove approximately six miles to a Walmart Auto Care Center. Walmart performed another oil change and advised me that oil appeared to be seeping underneath the vehicle, but they could not determine the source. They advised me to carry additional oil, check the oil level at fuel stops, and have the vehicle inspected by a repair facility. After leaving Walmart, I drove only approximately 10 additional miles before the “Check Oil Level” warning illuminated again. I immediately stopped and checked the dipstick. It was once again completely dry despite the vehicle having just received an oil change. At that point, I determined that continuing to operate the vehicle was unsafe and had the vehicle towed to a repair facility. During these incidents, I did not receive a red oil-pressure warning and did not hear abnormal knocking or other unusual engine noises. However, the rapid and unexplained loss of engine oil creates a serious safety concern because continued operation with insufficient lubrication could result in sudden engine damage or engine failure while the vehicle is being driven. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate whether 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles may have an engine oil consumption or oil-loss defect, particularly because similar excessive oil-consumption allegations have been raised regarding earlier Volkswagen Tiguan model years.

Filed Jul 24, 2025 · Engine · GA

I purchased this vehicle [XXX] and mileage was 78,921 at Hoover Volkswagen in Georgia. The carfax showed it had an oil change since the dealer had it in inventory. I drove the carfax showed about 2000 miles to 81,000 odometer miles and heard ticking noise so I checked the oil. It was 2 quarts low, I added 2 after calling the dealer and saying it’s my responsibility to top off the oil. I checked it again at appx 83,000 again it was 2 quarts low, I checked it at 85,000, 87,000, 89,000 and 90,000 each time it was 2 quarts low. I finally took it into the Hoover Volkswagen Dealership at appx 90,500 miles and traded it in for the oil consumption issue and lost $7000 because of tradein value of the oil consuming vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 17, 2022 · Engine · OH

My daughter has a 2014 VW Tiguan which had the Check Engine light come on at the end of July 2022. We took vehicle to the local VW Dealer who informed us that they found Code p0328 knock sensor 1 circuit high. Oil level said to be fine. Timing angle difference of camshafts said to be at a value of -5.76 degrees. Advised replacement of timing chain. Vehicle is 8 years old with 106,000 miles, but timing chain replacement is merely estimated at a least 10years and 125,000. The VW/Audi 2.0 engines have a known and recalled problem with timing chains and tensioners that I believe involved (2007-2013) and extended warranty to 100K miles. Here we are just outside the box and get no help and no assistance and a estimated $2200 repair bill. Have to wonder if these 2014 Tiguans also have an issue but simply weren't extended into the recall or the recall wasn't comprehensive enough? I would love to have an analysis as to when our vehicle was assembled to see if its parts were of the same specification to those recalled. Would ultimately like some assistance in the cost of the repair. Have reached out to VW Customer Care and basically got no help.

Filed Feb 5, 2022 · Engine · MI

At 77k miles the engine's timing chain jumped a tooth or two at startup. This seems to have destroyed the engine. Prior to that: no problems. My DTC scanner said the cam timing was off. VW wanted $25k to fix it after having it towed in. It sounded like rocks in a coffee can. It had just come from Chicago to visit and my son was stranded. I had to put him on a train home. I now am putting in a used engine for $9500 & it is going to take several weeks. When I looked on the internet I see this has been described as "a ticking time bomb". (REF Jalopnik.com). There was a class action law suit, but I guess --- since we had not had an issue--- redress was over. Still... 77k miles.

Filed Jun 24, 2019 · Transmission · 1,625 miles · NY

Transmission has loud knocking and whining sounds when accelerating. Slow to respond to power during passing, changing lanes or entering highways. Dangerous while crossing a highway from a stop sign. Told by several vw technicians that this is "normal". Have discovered that vw had issued a technical service bulletin to all its dealers to tell customers who complain about the transmission that "this is a normal condition". Have heard the same response from 3 dealers. This is a cover up to avoid a recall of this unpredictable transmission.

Filed Aug 9, 2018 · Body · 3,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2018 volkswagen tiguan. While driving unknown speeds on rough terrain, there was an abnormal ticking, rattling, and knocking noise emerging from the frame. The vehicle was taken to hamilton volkswagen (2200 nj-33 hamilton, nj 08690, 844‑858‑4565) where it was diagnosed that the b pillar needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified and provided case number: 181087619. The failure mileage was 3,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Jul 23, 2018 · Seat belts · AL

It's a slight ticking. The rattle happens over the smallest bump.

Filed Jul 9, 2018 · Body · 500 miles · DC

Ticking noise/rattling from the b-pillar on both the driver and passenger side.