Volkswagen / Tiguan / 2009
2009 Volkswagen Tiguan problems
Owners have filed 247 complaints about the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan with NHTSA. Engine accounts for 32.4% of them — the clear leader, ahead of electrical system at 16.2%.
Complaints247
Crashes8
Fires9
Injuries7
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Engine 32.4% · 80
Electrical system 16.2% · 40
Power train 8.1% · 20
Exterior lighting 6.1% · 15
Steering 5.7% · 14
Fuel/propulsion system 4.5% · 11
Air bags 4.0% · 10
Engine and engine cooling 4.0% · 10
Severity
Of those complaints, 8 describe a crash, 9 describe a fire and 7 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 14 model years of the Volkswagen Tiguan in this data, 2009 sits 4th by complaint volume. 2022 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 11 in the last three years against 34 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 70,798 miles.
In owners' own words
The coil, the fuel pump and the rear seal are defective. They are covered for repair under an extended warranty. The issue is that this is the 3rd engine failure this year, another in the past. If you google 2009 Tiguan rear seal, you will find many many vw owners experiencing this same issue at this early and early mileage on this vehicle. There is an apparent manufacturers defect that is being overlooked. Engine · reported at 97,100 miles
I was in downtown denver, colorado on 2/14/2017. I started the car, pulled into traffic and the car started jumping, all warning lights went on and I turned off the engine. It wouldn't start, was towed to a garage where the mechanic reported that the timing mechanism had slipped and damaged the engine. When he examined it further he realized it was beyond repair and that I needed a new engine. Engine · reported at 80,600 miles
Timing belt tensioner failure, causing catastrophic engine failure at just over 93,000 miles. This seems to be an all too common problem with this vehicle. A newer model of timing belt tensioner has been used since december 2011. Mine has the old style. Vehicle was in motion when engine light popped on, indicating the issue. Engine · reported at 93,500 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…