Volkswagen Tiguan jerking 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 21, 2026 · Engine · 100 miles · LA

The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving and accelerating, the vehicle hesitated while moving forward. The vehicle jerked while accelerating. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised that the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100.

Filed Aug 23, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · AZ

I brought my vehicle to the dealership because it was shifting itself into Park while I was driving. I have brought the car in four times. During the last two visits, the dealership performed a system update called **VW 47DM Collision Vehicle Software Update for Travel Assist/Emergency Assist**. Immediately after leaving the dealership following these updates, my vehicle developed additional and more serious problems. The infotainment system stops working for several minutes at a time before turning back on. The vehicle is also now displaying a “Front Assist Not Available” warning. In addition, the vehicle jerks violently while driving forward or accelerating, and the front end is making a grinding noise. This software update has made my vehicle worse than it was before. I have contacted Volkswagen Customer Care multiple times, but I have been denied assistance because there is reportedly no diagnostic code in the system. However, I have video evidence of these issues occurring while driving. Volkswagen has refused to repair the vehicle or take it back despite these ongoing problems. A vehicle shifting into Park while driving, jerking during acceleration, displaying a Front Assist warning, and experiencing other system failures presents a serious safety hazard to me, my passengers, and others on the road.

Filed Aug 6, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · CA

The vehicle has experienced multiple intermittent electrical and safety-related malfunctions that have become more frequent over time. The most serious issue involves the Automatic Emergency Braking system activating unexpectedly while the vehicle is slowly reversing out of a residential driveway. The brakes suddenly apply with significant force even when there is no visible obstacle behind the vehicle. This causes the vehicle to stop abruptly, jerks all occupants forward, and creates a risk of being struck by other vehicles because the sudden stop is unexpected. The vehicle has also experienced an intermittent engine shutdown while stopped in traffic. While waiting at a stoplight or waiting for another vehicle to reverse, the engine will unexpectedly shut off and a message appears instructing the driver to place the vehicle in Park. This creates a safety hazard because the vehicle cannot continue moving until it is restarted. Additional intermittent electrical issues include the infotainment/navigation screen freezing or glitching, the air conditioning unexpectedly blowing warm or hot humid air instead of cold air, and the horn failing to operate properly. The horn will sometimes not sound at all or will be much quieter than normal, reducing the driver’s ability to warn other motorists or pedestrians in an emergency. These problems occur intermittently and without warning. There are no consistent warning lights prior to the failures other than the message instructing the driver to place the vehicle in Park when the engine shuts off. The unexpected braking, engine shutdown, and horn malfunction create significant safety concerns for the driver, passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists. The cause of these issues is UNKNOWN.

Filed Jul 14, 2026 · Transmission · 51,960 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving downhill at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost automotive power. The vehicle was coasted into a driveway and restarted. Upon restarting the vehicle, the electronic power control (EPC) warning light and the yellow triangle for the central warning light illuminated. The vehicle was idling roughly and jerking while driving to the dealer. The vehicle was previously serviced at 50,500 miles due to an EPC fault, and dealer replaced an electronic actuator. Additionally, the battery was replaced at 50,500 miles, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 51,960.

Filed Dec 11, 2025 · Airbags, Driver assistance · FL

One time the car Just Lost power on the freeway and the e-card engine light came on and the cat Ran rugh and stalled and jerked hard almost causing me to cause a serious accident...I took it to vw and explained the severity and they bypassed that And installed a new water pump..2months later the same thing happened exactly to where I was very lucky and very upset...and took it to them once again and explained more issues where I'm urging . As to the front warning light and motion has came into play a few times witch was shocking...also the car would be on slow mo mode....and constant warning lights would come on the dashboard as well as the car would feel so unstable and Feel as if it were On gear 1/L while in the drive position...also the Eco turn of feature would playout ..and stall from time to time..then the car would get stuck on speed when foot would come off the accelerator to brake before a stop sign or red light intersection witch just started to concern me and I again took these concerns to Rick case vw and They thought I was inventing this story..then the car leaked coolant..and it rusted out the whole bottom of my car ..hoses...and they replaced the thermostat this time around and now the car has misfired..could not start ..idle was ver rough and just vibrated dramatically and damaged coils and spakplugs and blew out fuel inject #2 and can't hold pressure past 30 ..changed out the spak plugs and coils and the car is just crippled and its a safety hazard and in many occasions has almost caused me to cause a serious accident...

Filed Nov 16, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · MN

I’ve had my Volkswagen Tiguen since 2021 fresh off the lot. I have been the only owner of the car at about 30,000 miles my head gasket blew, causing the engine to go into default after weeks in the dealer. They replaced the head gasket and stitched it up, the head gasket blew again at this point I was still under warranty so they agreed to replace the engine. It drove fine after the engine was replaced this year 2025. I started to have a whole host of problems. It began to jerk and hesitate at acceleration. My engine light came on with continuous jerking upon acceleration for weeks until I started to lose power in my engine. I couldn’t go over 50 60 mph. I would always pull the car over power it off and power it back on just to see if it would change and it didn’t do much I had a local mechanic add oil to each tire also drain the engine, which had shards of metal in it. And basically stitch the car back together until we can figure out the bigger issues. It’s only been a day since the oil was added to each tire. I had a very violent jerk of the engine, which made it feel and sound like I blew a tire I got out to look at the tire and it was just fine. It was the backfire of the engine going into the exhaust that caused such the violent jerk. Happy that no one was on the road. If somebody was behind me it would’ve easily been an accident. Most of these dealerships know exactly what’s going on and have been avoiding the big conversation of what to do next they rather just replace and Band-Aid these things into the consumer just gives up. I have two small children and this is the only means of transportation. I’m fearful that I’ll be stuck with a car note for a car. I can’t drive.

Filed Oct 26, 2025 · Steering · NC

I’ll be driving for 2-10 minutes and power steering cuts out. Wheel will jerk a little and alarm will sound with the alert light remaining red through remainder of drive. Sometimes it will not work at all while driving, but I’ve found the it usually works for the first few minutes until I speed up a little more.

Filed Sep 22, 2025 · Fuel system, Transmission · CA

My 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan (purchased used) has a recurring and unsafe issue related to acceleration and the automatic start/stop feature. When accelerating from a stop or while maintaining slight pressure on the gas pedal, the vehicle lurches forward as if aggressively accelerating, even though my foot pressure has not changed. Additionally, when the start/stop feature re-engages after idling, the vehicle sometimes lunges forward despite my foot being firmly on the brake pedal. This behavior has occurred multiple times, creating near-miss situations that could have resulted in accidents. Service History: The issue was replicated by one Volkswagen technician during an overnight test drive but was not accurately reflected in the official service notes. A different technician (shop foreman) later claimed the concern could not be replicated and dismissed it as a “normal vehicle characteristic,” despite my report. The dealership performed a factory reset but the problem persists. Safety Concern: This is a serious safety risk that poses a danger to myself, my passengers, and others on the road. I am especially concerned because my teenage daughter is about to begin driving this vehicle, and I do not feel it is safe for her. Manufacturer Response: Volkswagen of America has declined my buyback request, stating that the situation “does not merit an offer.” I strongly disagree, as the vehicle’s behavior is not normal or acceptable, and could result in unintended acceleration accidents. Request: I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate whether this issue is a defect in the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan and whether other vehicles may be experiencing the same unsafe condition.

Filed Jul 18, 2025 · Acceleration · NY

When trying to accelerate from a full stop the car is not accelerating when pressing the gas pedal. It happened at a stop light, I pressed the gas, the car went nowhere, pressed the gas harder until gas pedal was floored and then the car accelerates forward very quickly. Also happened when i was making a left turn crossing 2 lanes of traffic. Stepped off the gas to make a left turn, car begins to roll forward but when i press the gas nothing happens, I am now in both lanes of traffic flooring my gas pedal, nothing happens for about 5 seconds and the car lurches forward quickly. There are no lights illuminated on the dashboard. Brought car to VW delearship, they say they went over the entire car and found nothing wrong. When investigating online it seems others are also having the same issue and getting the same response from VW.