Volkswagen Tiguan Engine Problems
Owners have filed 698 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the Volkswagen Tiguan across 18 model years. The 2022 model year has the most (112). The words owners use most often: “timing chain” (16% of reports).
- 698engine complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 7mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- $4,800typical repair cost reported by owners
- 34%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Timing chain: mentioned in 110 of 698 complaints (16%)
- Oil consumption: mentioned in 70 of 698 complaints (10%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine repair on the Volkswagen Tiguan at $4,800, and half of them between $2,350 and $8,950.
Based on 47 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2014–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 334 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 698 complaints, 7 mention a crash, 8 a fire, 2 an injury.
Volkswagen Tiguan engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Tiguan | 14 | 41% | 2,809 |
| 2025 Tiguan | 10 | 19% | 7,500 |
| 2024 Tiguan | 18 | 24% | — |
| 2023 Tiguan | 24 | 35% | 66,000 |
| 2022 Tiguan | 112 | 41% | 47,000 |
| 2021 Tiguan | 54 | 38% | 50,000 |
| 2020 Tiguan | 26 | 18% | 31,070 |
| 2019 Tiguan | 41 | 21% | 1,200 |
| 2018 Tiguan | 82 | 29% | 8,198 |
| 2017 Tiguan | 15 | 20% | 33,500 |
| 2016 Tiguan | 10 | 10% | 80,800 |
| 2015 Tiguan | 9 | 15% | 63,000 |
| 2014 Tiguan | 11 | 13% | 11,000 |
| 2013 Tiguan | 29 | 21% | 32,550 |
| 2012 Tiguan | 50 | 33% | 50,000 |
| 2011 Tiguan | 63 | 39% | 76,159 |
| 2010 Tiguan | 50 | 45% | 86,000 |
| 2009 Tiguan | 80 | 48% | 88,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Engine
Model years: 2018
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. The engine support bolts on these vehicles may not have been properly tightened.
Risk: If the engine support bolts were not properly tightened, an unexpected engine breakdown or loss of engine power may occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace engine support bolts, free of charge. The recall began March 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 10F7.
Engine and engine cooling
Model years: 2009
Problem: Volkswagen is recalling 4,079 my 2008 passat and 2,500 my 2009 tiguan passenger vehicles equipped with 2.0t fsi ulev ii engines. These vehicles have an engine control module (ecm) containing software that may not properly control engine idle with the air conditioning turned on. In rare cases, the ecm may unexpectedly increase engine rpm.
Risk: An engine surge caused by an unexpected increase in engine rpm may surprise the vehicle operator and can result in a crash without warning.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and update the ecm software free of charge. The recall began on may 30, 2008. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-893-5298.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Within 6 months of purchasing car CPO from dealer, car went into limp mode. Was less than 35k miles, still having same issues at 85k miles. Took to dealer, they said nothing was wrong with car. Car began to have ECU light come on frequently in the middle of driving, took back to dealer. They…
Driving on Massachusetts interstate 93 at 65mph with my three children, the vehicles engine and computer system shut off after the dash showed the word âgoodbyeâ. After the cars engine shut completely off it then applied automatic braking and almost caused a certain fatal accident at high speed…
While driving my 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan (equipped with approximately 39,000 miles), the vehicle suffered a sudden and catastrophic total engine failure without prior warning, resulting in an immediate loss of power and propulsion while in motion. This sudden stall on an active roadway created a…
The high pressure fuel pump has failed within 40,000 miles and now again at 110,000 miles. It causes the vehicle to randomly turn in drive and while idle. It has had oil consumption issues and oil leak issues that constantly occur. The dealer has replaced the high pressure fuel pump under warranty…
The cat has been leaking oil and has gotten worse this past month. The plastic plug has been changed but it keeps leaking.
Frequently asked questions
Do all Volkswagen Tiguans have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 698 owner complaints about engine for the Volkswagen Tiguan. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Volkswagen Tiguan engine?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix engine problems on the Volkswagen Tiguan?
Owners report a typical cost of $4,800 (half paid between $2,350 and $8,950), from 47 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine problems on the Volkswagen Tiguan?
The most frequent phrase is “timing chain”, in 110 of 698 complaints, followed by “oil consumption” (70).
Other Volkswagen Tiguan problems
See all Volkswagen Tiguan problems.