2011 Volkswagen Tiguan: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 160 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (35% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 160 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“â 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.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2024
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2024
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2022
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2022
“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”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2021
“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.”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2021
“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”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jun 2020
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2020
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2020
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - 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 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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2011 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 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?
NHTSA has 160 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan. The most complained-about area is engine (35% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 60,000 miles or less.
Does the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers. 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.