Volkswagen Tiguan Complaints (2011)

162 consumer complaints on file.

#11768456October 2, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
The brakes will completely fail. The peddle goes just about all the way to the floor when pressed. There still is a small amount of braking and the vehicle slows down but nothing like when the brakes work right. Now this happens at the most random times. It won’t do it for months then start doing it out of the blue. When we bought it used it was doing this all the time. Our mechanic said it needed the brake sensors replaced and it could use pads and rotors. I visually inspected them and he was right so we said do it all. We got the vehicle back and it was great. We couldn’t believe how great it went down the road and stopped. Then a month later it had one of its brake spasms again. Lasted a day. Then nothing. Happened yesterday all day then fine today. I wish VW had an answer for it. You would think after 15 years they would have it fixed by now
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11763008September 9, 2026
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Car only starts when it wants to. Rpms dont go over 4,000. Low idle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11712684January 22, 2026
AIR BAGS
My 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan was included in the Volkswagen clock spring safety recall. According to Volkswagen’s records, the recall repair was completed in 2016. The same defect has now reoccurred: the steering wheel controls, horn, and driver airbag are disabled again due to a failed clock spring. This is a reoccurring safety defect that directly affects the airbag system. The airbag warning light is on, and the driver airbag is currently non‑functional. I contacted Volkswagen corporate, and they confirmed that my VIN was included in the original recall and that the repair was performed. However, they are refusing to repair the defect again, stating that the recall is “closed” and the warranty extension has expired, even though the original recall remedy has failed and the safety defect has returned. Volkswagen also declined to provide a written denial. I am reporting this because the recall remedy appears to be inadequate, and the safety defect has not been resolved. The vehicle is unsafe to drive with the airbag disabled. The clock spring failure disables the airbag, horn, and steering‑wheel controls. The defect matches the symptoms described in the original recall. The failure occurred without any modification or damage to the steering wheel area. Volkswagen refuses to authorize a second repair despite the safety risk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11632723December 27, 2024
ENGINE
⁠The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the engine stalled. After several attempts, the vehicle started however the vehicle drove slowly. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and then towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine failed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the fuel pump was previously repaired. The vehicle was towed back to the residence and was not repaired. The contact mentioned that the horn and the instrument panel failed to function. The failure mileage was unknown. 137,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11604747July 26, 2024
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My Tiguan randomly shuts down or stalls while driving. I have come very close to accidents because It is in the middle of the road where I can't pull over, people coming around a curve behind me that may not have time to brake, specifically RV's and Semi-trucks. It is terrifying. I have maintained my vehicle meticulously and payed thousands in repairs only to be told by dealerships and VW corporate offices that there is nothing they will or can do and that there are no recalls and out of warranty. However...There WAS one in 2014 citing DANGEROUS to drive because of stalling. According to KBB. I don't know what else to do and I am not able to get a new vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11488240October 6, 2022
AIR BAGS
This vehicle has already been recalled for faulty clock spring, which renders the airbag inoperable but the clock spring has failed again. This is a common issue VW needs to fix.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11464124May 10, 2022
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE
Clock spring in steering column has snapped. Because if a previous recall, this part is covered under warranty. New clock spring is on back order without any ETA when one will be available. Car horn is disabled and airbags will not deploy if an accident does occur. State safety inspection can not/will not pass as a result of this broken part. I do not have the luxury of renting a car until this part comes in to the US. Per various forums, possibly 6000-8000 clock springs on back order
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11463294May 3, 2022
AIR BAGS, STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The clock spring is broken in my 2011 VW Tiguan at 114,000 miles. Therefore, the driver airbag on the steering wheel does not work. Therefore, there is a safety issue if one drives the car. The problem is not fixed because there are no parts to fix it. Apparently there is a chip in the clock spring and there are no chips available to manufacture replacement springs. I was told that the part has been on back order since October 2021. I was told that the part may be available in July 2022, but there are no guarantees. Until a replacement part is available, the vehicle is potentially unsafe to drive.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11433271September 16, 2021
ENGINE
Timeing chain skipped a tooth destroyig the engine completely. Yes its available for inspection upon request. The problem has been settled in a class action lawsuit but no recall has been issued for ea888 engines between 2008 and 2013
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11430373August 24, 2021
SUSPENSION
The driver side rear coil spring snapped at 103,000 miles. We just returned from a road trip and are lucky it occurred in the driveway. There was a loud bang when it occurred. The car had to be towed for replacement of both coil springs.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11377267December 1, 2020
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11365158October 19, 2020
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE LATCH FROM THE TRUNK STOPPED WORKING AND THE TRUNK DOESN'T CLOSE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11330670June 24, 2020
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE LIGHTS ON THE CAR START FLASING ,WHEN YOU TURN OF THE CAR , EVERY LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD & THE STERRING WHEEL HAVE A NOISE SOUND LIKE THE CLOCK RING HAS SOME DUST IN SIDE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11327455June 5, 2020
AIR BAGS, SERVICE BRAKES, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE CLOCK SPRING SOUND A LOT, WHEN YOU DO A TURN , AND IT SOUND A LOT , MOVING THE WHEEL, THE BRAKES HAVE A SOUND WHEN YOU ARE GO IN DOWN THE HILL , SEEMS LIKE THE CAR WANT TO STOP ,LIKE SOME BODY IS PUSHING THE BRAKES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11326601May 30, 2020
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING AND THE CAR STAR FLASHING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11326096May 26, 2020
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
F16 FUSE BOX MELTING AND FUSE BURNT BUT NOT TRIPPED IN HOOD. ALL EXTERIOR LIGHTS WERE LOST WHILE DRIVING AND WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED AT HIGH SPEEDS ON HIGHWAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11317708March 12, 2020
ENGINE
ENGINE WATER PUMP FAILURE DURING A STOP @ RED LIGHT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11317710March 12, 2020
ENGINE
TIMING CHAIN FAILURE, BROKEN. STARTED ENGINE ON 3-10-2020, ENGINE SPUTTERED, STALLED. SHOP MECHANIC CALLED 3-12-2020 TO NOTIFY ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN SNAPPED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11308824February 12, 2020
ENGINE
TIMING CHAIN FAILED WHICH CAUSED CAR TO DIE AND DAMAGED ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS HAPPENED. TRAFFIC WAS NOT HEAVY AND VEHICLE WAS ON CITY STREET SO WAS ABLE TO STOP AND PULL OVER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11291136December 24, 2019
AIR BAGS
VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER RECALL 15V483000 ON 5/2015. HOWEVER, THE REPAIRED/REPLACED PART APPEARS TO HAVE FAILED AGAIN (CLICKING NOISE WHEN TURNING WHEEL, AIR BAG LIGHT ON, COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER IN STEERING WHEEL). AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AFTER STARTING THE CAR WHILE PARKED ON SIDE OF CITY STREET AND MERGING INTO TRAFFIC AT LOW SPEED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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