2009 Volkswagen Tiguan: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 167 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (41% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 167 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The car keeps throwing sensors (camshaft, crank sensors, throttle body etc) and the ECM needs to be updated. It keeps turning over. I checked the recall list of VINs and mine is within the range, however there aren't any recalls listed.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Feb 2024
“Power steering goes out randomly after cold weather, even while driving. There is no warning before the power steering goes out. I have almost crashed into another car several times because of this. Many people have had this exact problem with this make and model.”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2023
“The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated while driving at 45 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond and seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V235000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 189,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“Problems start with ABS and Steering warning lights with EPIC warning on dash, flickering of lights and radio shut off by loosing power steering and rough acceleration and idling. Has been in to VW dealership 5 times now with repairs "fixing" problem for a few days - a week before returning again. This is a safety issue because this happens very quickly and without warning. Once I was on a highway and had to carefully move to side of the road and limp to a safe area (luckily I was in the right lane already).”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2021
“The steering wheel light comes on and the steering gets hard and it's dangerous because it's happening while my wife drives it. Please give me some information on what could possibly be happening or if u guys can let me know if there is a recall on it. I know your busy but please get back to me as soon as you can”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2020
“Air bag light all of a sudden came without bumping - the engine idle were not normal high and low - electrical problem from the steering”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2020
“I was approaching my driveway in my 09 vw tiguan when the red power steering assist warning light came and steering wheel locked. I could not turn the car. Fortunately, I was not driving fast or I could have been in and accident or worse. There was no warning of the yellow light, the red came on and that was it. This is a very unsafe feature on the volkswagen that can kill someone. I have the vehicle in my driveway, waiting to be towed and repaired.”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2020
“The turbo blew causing the car to stop in the middle of traffic. The blown turbo caused metal to go into my fuel system and oil. The air bag sensors are faulty. They cannot sense someone in the seats. The car had to be towed to a auto shop. Due to the blown turbo, it will cost $5,500 to fix.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2020
“My vehicle has been having electrical problems with the throttle body system as well as the coolant hose which had to be replaced my radio goes blank to where I can't see my back up camera ! This vehicle has to many electrical issues! *tr”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2020
“I crashed due to brake failure on 10.31.2019. I made a right turn from a light. Traffic came to a stop. I pushed the break and it did not hold. It felt bumpy. Breaks did not hold even when I pushed it all the way to the floor. I ended up rear ending the car infront of me going 15mph. What's going on there? Something needs to be done about that asap.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tiguan vehicles manufactured July 2007 through June 2011. Due to a problem with the fuse for the exterior lights, the holder for the fuse that controls the vehicle's exterior lights circuit may melt.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuse, free of charge. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's recall number is 97Z9/2V.
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.
Remedy: 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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Tiguan vehicles manufactured July 2007 to June 2014. When using winterized fuel, in certain conditions bubbles may form in the fuel system which could result in the vehicle stalling.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle's software to increase the fuel pump pressure, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin August 19, 2014. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24AV/2W.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2009 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Tiguan by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?
NHTSA has 167 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan. The most complained-about area is engine (41% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 70,849 miles or less.
Does the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.