2010 Volkswagen Tiguan Owner Complaints

We own a 2010 VW Tiguan and it has many problems, but the biggest one is that the Steering Wheel just randomly will turn off and loose all power steering, I believe these models use electric power steering (EPS) system, which don't use like a traditional power steering hydraulic pump but uses electricity and maybe magnets... to induce the steering. the steering wheel is a big deal and should not just randomly stop working and there is tons of these models and others have have this problems, I seen people on youtube have the same problem with the 2017 models Tiguan and this part is consistently out of stock, because so many of them break.. this should be a nationwide recall and a major safety recall as well.

NHTSA ID

11680243

Incident

Aug 10, 2025

Vehicle sometimes displays red check engine light on dash with alarm sounding. Check engine light goes away after the vehicle is stopped briefly and restarted. Oil level is normal. Mechanic found no diagnostic codes when scanned with OBD scanner. Mechanic changed oil pressure sensor, replaced oil, checked oil pan. There is no leaking. But the check engine light still comes on with alarm. It does not seem to be related to miles driven, speed driven, road conditions, or external temperature. Consumer is afraid to drive the car, or sell car. Mileage is 61,000, one owner.

NHTSA ID

11616682

Incident

Aug 1, 2024

Reversing out drive way and coil rear suspension spring snaped

NHTSA ID

11602420

Incident

Jul 11, 2024

The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the forward momentum allowed her to pull off the roadway. The contact stated that the steering wheel started shaking violently. The contact stated an unknown red warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was turned off and restarted and the power steering functionality returned. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent, however the failure had reoccurred several times. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the power steering assist, and rack and pinion gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,068.

NHTSA ID

11541882

Incident

Jul 30, 2023

Mileage

125,068 mi

Timing chain/extensioner broke My car suddenly started jerking or jumping when I was idling. I pulled into a parking lot and ended up having to have it towed. It does not run now and I was told it needed a new engine. I was told that there was a known issue and class action lawsuit with the timing chain but that I had passed the extended warranty. My care only has 50,000 miles on it so a timing chain should not fail so soon. I am sure that there extended warranty left a lot of engine failures out.

NHTSA ID

11536564

Incident

Jul 30, 2023

Timing chain tensioner broke. Loss of power

NHTSA ID

11533954

Incident

Jul 12, 2023

While driving down the road the steering wheel began to wobble and shake really bad and the power steering light came on and then power steering locked up, I was barely able to get out of the way of oncoming traffic which was very difficult for me because I have Lupus and not very much strength in my arms. Had to turn car off and restart several times before getting the light to stay off long enough to get home but it was still wobbling, this was a very scary situation for me.

NHTSA ID

11516141

Incident

Apr 7, 2023

The contact's mother owns a 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle made a loud popping sound coming from the passenger’s side engine compartment. Additionally, the service engine warning light became illuminated. The vehicle was veered to the side of the road and failed to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle had exceeded the recall remedy timeframe. The failure mileage was 180,000.

NHTSA ID

11515567

Incident

Oct 8, 2022

Mileage

180,000 mi

The fusebox that was included in the NHTSA recall #13V569000 for lighting defects was never resolved correctly on this car and many other VW Tiquans like this. I am a 45 year ASE licensed professional automotive technician. I am an ASE Master tech with current L1-L9 licensing. I am also an ex GM mastertech as well. Part time automotive instructor too. I've seen the multiple cases filed with the NHTSA regarding this melting fuse box that causes multiple issues whether they be with lighting, causes the engine & whole electrical system to shut down, same with several computers. I've scanned the system using VAG-COM and have two different sets of scan data to show clearly the issue. The car will load a multitude of erroneous codes because the central electrical, ABS, engine computer & other modules lose power causing a VERY dangerous situation for the operator of the vehicle. Not to mention a fire danger. I have pictures of the before and after repair I did on this vehicle. It still needs the fuse box replaced. I replaced the melted #6 wire that attaches to the fuse box (VW part# 1K0 937 125D) which was included in the original NHTSA recall I mentioned at the beginning of this essay. The vehicle & component is available for inspection at any time. This vehicle stalled & left my wife & kids stranded several times making it incredibly unsafe to drive. The car has been ok now for 2 weeks after my temporary repair. Prior NHTSA complaints from other owners with similar issues were 10551509, 10552308, 10553122, 10553811, & 10776567.

NHTSA ID

11431695

Incident

Aug 20, 2021

Terrible odor in the vehicle , when I checked on vehicle forums it seems like it’s happens in Volkswagen vehicles where an animal can get caught in the engine and dies and causes an odor . This is something that happens in Volkswagen vehicles only

NHTSA ID

11423724

Incident

Jul 1, 2021

The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated while reversing out of the driveway at approximately 3 mph, the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the timing chain failed causing the engine to seize and valves to bend. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the manufacturer had extended the warranty on the vehicle however, the warranty had expired in April 2020. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the vehicle extended warranty expired and the vehicle was not eligible for a free repair. The contact was referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 90,666.

NHTSA ID

11420012

Incident

May 28, 2021

Mileage

90,666 mi

the power steering light has gone on several times, and I then would turn off the car, which would make the light go off. Last night, however, it went on along w the entire wheel violently shaking from side to side. I had to drive the short distance back home to my house w no power steering and the emergency lights on.

NHTSA ID

11418774

Incident

May 26, 2021

POWERSTEERING FAILS INTERMITTENTLY, STEERING WHEEL WOBBLES WITHOUT USER INTERVENTION OCCASIONALLY (AT RED LIGHT). ISSUE SEEMS RELEASED TO ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING RACK OR CONTROL BOX, BUT VW DOES NOT SEEM TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS IS A FREQUENTLY REPORTED PROBLEM. WHEN DOES IT HAPPEN: 1. AFTER PARKING CAR, POWER STEERING IS COMPLETELY OFF, SLOWLY DRIVING FOR 20-30 SEC SO FAR BROUGHT IT BACK. HOWEVER, STEERING IS NOT ACCURATE (SOMETIMES VERY LIGHT AND WOBBLE STARTS). AFTER OVERNIGHT PARKING THINGS SEEM FINE 2. ON HIGHWAY, AFTER 20 MINS DRIVE STEERING BECAME RATHER ERRATIC WITH DIFFICULTIES TO KEEP CAR ON THE LANE, AFTER EXIT AND STOP ENGINE AND RESTART THINGS WERE FINE AGAIN. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. CAN SEND VIDEO SHOWING WOBBLING OF STEERING WHEEL...

NHTSA ID

11318121

Incident

Mar 13, 2020

Mileage

120,000 mi

BACKGROUND: 2015 (70,733 MI), ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON & I BROUGHT IT TO VWHARTFORD. THEY FOUND FAULT FOR SYSTEM TO LEAN FOUND REAR MAIN SELA IS LEAKING OIL WHICH IS CAUSING FUEL TRIM FAULTS. OIL CAP IS LEAKING OIL & THE UPPER TIME CHAIN COVER IS LEAKING OIL BUT THE MAIN OIL LEAK IS COMING FROM THE REAR SEAL. THEY REMOVED THE TRANS & REPLACED THE MAIN SEAL & OIL CAP ($877). IN 2016 (94,999 MI), CAR FAILED EMISSIONS DUE TO INTAKE MANIFOLD. VW REPLACED THIS AND IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. SUGGESTION - TO GET A CARBON CLEANING FOR THE VALVES DUE TO BUILD UP ($290). JUNE '18 (118,239 MI): MY COOLANT LIGHT WENT ON. VW SAID MY COOLANT WAS NOT LOW - WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING. THEY RESEALED VALVE COVER & UPPER TIMING CHAIN DUE TO OIL LEAKS. THEY R AND R VALVE COVER CLEANING & RESEALED, INSTALLED UPPER TIMING CHAIN SEALS AND SIDE OF ENGINE BLOCK OF OIL & INSTALLED NEW WATER PUMP. I ASKED IF THIS WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY OR PREVIOUS WORK & WAS TOLD NO. I ASKED IF THIS WOULD PROLONG THE LONGEVITY & WAS TOLD YES ($1800). 8/19/19 (133,449 MI): ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON - COULD NOT LOOK AT FOR A COUPLE DAYS, BUT OK TO DRIVE AS LONG AS THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS NOT BLINKING. RESULT: SYSTEM LEAN AT IDLE, BREATHER IS LEAKING AIR CAUSING HESITATION. THEY INSTALLED NEW BREATHER. ASKED IF IT WAS COVERED THEY SAID NO. ASKED IF IT WOULD IMPROVE THE LONGEVITY OF MY CAR, I WAS TOLD YES ($480). ISSUE 9/4/19: ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. THIS WAS AFTER TRAVELING FOR LABOR DAY (360 MILES). ON MAIN ST. IN WHART, THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE & BOUNCE AT 2 STOP LIGHTS. WENT 2 BLOCKS HOME. TOWED IT - WAS TOLD TIMING CHAIN WENT & IT'S NOT COVERED UNDER THE TC RECALL. QUOTE - USED ENGINE $6500+. TOLD IT WAS WORTHLESS & NOT WORTH FIXING ($125 FOR DIAG) TOWED THE CAR TO ANOTHER PLACE - THEY FIXED IT FOR LESS THAN $3400. I HAVE TOLD VW AND VWHART THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL, BUT I AM IGNORED.

NHTSA ID

11258827

Incident

Sep 4, 2019

Mileage

1 mi

WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY THE CAR DIED THANKFULLY I WASN'T GOING MORE THAN 25 MPH. ICOASTED TO THE SHOULDER AND HAD THE TIGUAN TOWED TO THE VOLKESWAGEN DEALERSHIP. THE TIMING GOING CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE HEADS AND VALVES ON THE MOTOR. VOLKESWAGEN DEALSHIP REDID THE MOTOR. AT THE COST OF $5700.00

NHTSA ID

11234272

Incident

May 29, 2019

Mileage

101,000 mi

07/05/19, WAS DRIVING AT APPROX 3:30 PM WEST ON I-90 AT THE 68 MILE MARKER WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING DIED. THE NEXT DAY I WAS INFORMED BY A AAA MECHANIC THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD MOST LIKELY BEEN THE CULPRIT AND ACCORDINGLY TO SAME, DESTROYED THE ENGINE REQUIRING A NEW ENGINE. I FOUND OUT LATER THAT THERE HAD BEEN A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST SAME THAT HAD BEEN SETTLED BETWEEN VW AND THE CLAIMANTS THOUGH I HAD TRAVELED 100,020 MILES WHEN THIS OCCURRED AND WAS ENTITLED TO "0". I BELIEVE THAT THIS OCCURRENCE HAS HAPPENED TO NUMEROUSLY, AND LIKE MYSELF, MANY WOULD NOT BE APPRISED OF THE POTENTIAL ISSUE SINCE MOST WOULD NOT HAVE ANY REASON TO THINK OTHERWISE. HOWEVER, I WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MPH AND IN THE MIDDLE OF A FOUR OR FIVE LANE FEDERAL INTERSTATE IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC - AND IN THE CHICAGO VICINITY - HAD I HAD LESS FORETHOUGHT A TERRIBLE CALAMITY COULD HAVE OCCURRED. I BELIEVE THAT VW SHOULD RECALL EVERY ENGINE WITH THIS MALADY - AND SHOULD DO SO DESPITE SETTLING WITH A BUNCH OF LAWYERS. [SEE HTTPS://TIMINGCHAINLITIGATION.COM/]. I AM OUT THE ENTIRETY OF MY INVESTMENT AND STILL WITH 6K LEFT TO PAY ON THE CAR [I BOUGHT IT USED] OVER THE NEXT 2.5 YEARS. SAYING THAT, I AM WRITING TO YOU TO URGE YOU TO CONSIDER TAKING ACTION AGAINST THIS ENGINE FAULT AND PRODUCED BY VW. MY CAR IS NOW A BIG DOORSTOP IN A GARAGE IN SHAUMBERG ILL. I HAD TO POP FOR TWO ONE WAY TICKETS FOR ME AND MY WIFE TO GET BACK HOME TO KANSAS CITY. YES, PRECIOUS CARGO [MY WIFE] WAS ALSO IN THE VEHICLE WHEN IT STOPPED DEAD GOING 70 MPH ON A FEDERAL INTERSTATE! THANKS YOU - [XXX]

NHTSA ID

11230871

Incident

Jul 5, 2019

Mileage

100,020 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND PROCEEDING TO MAKE A TURN, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. IN ADDITION, WHILE MAKING THE RIGHT TURN, FIRE WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND WITHIN MINUTES THE HOOD OPENED RAPIDLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE LOST OF POWER. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE FIRE REACHED THE BATTERY WAS WHEN SHE WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE ALTHOUGH IT WAS STILL IN MOTION. WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP THE FIRE BURNED ALL OF THE TIRES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A POLICE LOT AND THEN TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ID

11220837

Incident

May 31, 2019

Mileage

90,000 mi

I DROVE TO A FRIENDS HOUSE AND ABOUT TWO HOURS LATER GOT IN THE CAR AND STARTED TO DRIVE THEN 10 OF MY EXTERIOR LIGHTS ALL WENT OUT THE SAME TIME. MY FOOTWELL LIGHTS I CANNOT DIM OR BRIGHTEN THROUGH THE CONTROLS AND BACK UP SENSOR STOPPED WORKING. I HAD NO HEADLIGHTS WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT AT AROUND 11PM. ALL THIS HAPPENED AT ONCE AT THE SAME TIME. ALL OF THE BULBS WERE FINE. I REPLACED THEM. THEY WEREN'T EVEN BLOWN. FUSES WERE FINE. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY HAZARD AND CAN LEAD TO CRASH IF NOT LOOKED INTO.

NHTSA ID

11209420

Incident

May 18, 2019

Mileage

111,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING MY 2010 TIGUAN ON A MINNEAPOLIS CITY STREET AT AROUND 25 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE STARTING RUNNING ROUGH AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IT THEN PROCEEDED TO START BLINKING. AT THIS POINT BECAUSE OF THE ENGINE LIGHT AND PERFORMANCE ISSUE, I LOOKED FOR A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER AND SHUT IT OFF. AFTER I SAFELY PULLED OVER AND SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE, APPROXIMATELY AFTER 1/3 OF A MILE FROM THE INITIAL WARNING LIGHTS & VEHICLE FAILURE STARTED. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AT THIS POINT AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE INCIDENT AND MY SITUATION. WESTSIDE VOLKSWAGEN, THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, TOLD ME NOT TO TRY AND DRIVE THE CAR BUT GET IS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED AND FOUND THE TIMING HAD JUMPED AND CYLINDERS WERE DAMAGED- RECOMMENDATION WAS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. NEITHER THE DEALERSHIP OR VW WOULD CLAIM ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE EVEN THOUGH IT'S A DOCUMENTED PROBLEM. I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. SINCE THIS WAS A DOCUMENTED PROBLEM, I BELIEVE VW/WESTSIDE VW SHOULD COMPENSATE ME FOR THIS REPAIR.

NHTSA ID

11208268

Incident

Oct 6, 2018

Mileage

130,415 mi

THIS MODEL HAS A PUSH TO ACTIVATE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WILL ENGAGE WITHOUT TOUCHING IT WHENEVER IT WANTS. IT HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES WHILE I WAS GOING IN REVERSE WITH NO NOTICE NOR DOES THE LIGHT INDICATOR GO ON. I HAVE TOOK IT TO MOHEGAN VW DEALER AND THEY DID FIND ANY PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE . I TRIED TO EXPLAIN TO THEM THAT IT ENGAGES AT ANY GIVEN TIME BUT THEY INFORMED ME THAT WITHOUT A BRAKE INDICATOR ON THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I NEED HELP WITH THIS ISSUE BEFORE IT ENGAGES WHILE I'M DRIVING AND KILLS ME OR ANYONE ON THE ROAD.

NHTSA ID

11207141

Incident

Apr 15, 2019

Mileage

84,000 mi

I HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS TRUCK FOR 13 MONTHS NOW I HAVE MORE THAN 20 PAYMENTS STILL TO MAKE ON THIS TRUCK EVERY TIME IT RAINS THE TRUCK GETS FILLED WITH WATER IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FILLS MORE THAN 5 GALLONS OF WATER DEPENDING ON HOW BAD IT RAINS MY HEATED SEATS DON'T WORK AM ASSUMING IT'S DUE TO THE WATER DAMAGE AND MY BACK LIGHTS CONTINUE TO BLOW OUT I AM ACTUALLY FIGHTING A TICKET DUE TO THIS MATTER THERE IS WATER DAMAGE ON TOP OF THE ROOF TOP AND FEEL I GOT RIP OFF WITH THIS JUNK

NHTSA ID

11205175

Incident

Apr 16, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING GEAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

NHTSA ID

11202984

Incident

Apr 11, 2019

Mileage

101,000 mi

EARLY MONDAY MORNING ON 12/17/18 WHILE DRIVING FROM ORLANDO,FL TO CLEARWATER,FL ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY MY WIFE HAD TURNED ON THE PASSENGER SEAT HEATER. NOTHING WAS OUT OF THE ORDINARY UNTIL WE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, THINKING IT WAS PROBABLY COMING FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE SMELL DIDN'T GO AWAY SO WE TURNED OFF THE A/C AND BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT HEATER UNTIL THE SMELL OF SMOKE WHEN AWAY. WE LEFT THE SEAT HEATERS OFF AND LEFT ON THE AC. WHEN WE GOT HOME WE STILL DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING UNTIL LATER ON IN THE MORNING WHEN MY SWEATER HAD A BLACK BURN MARK. I WENT OUT TO THE CAR AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT HAD A BURN HOLE CLOSE TO THE BACK. WHEN I TURNED ON THE CAR AND TURNED THE PASSENGER SEAT HEATER ON I NOTICED SMOKE COMING UP AND THEN A SPARK AS IF IT WHERE A LIGHTER.

NHTSA ID

11162367

Incident

Dec 17, 2018

Mileage

104,000 mi

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND I SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT TURNED ON THE HEATED SEATING AND AFTER ABOUT 2 MIN I STARTED TO SMELL PLASTIC BURNING MY LEG WAS BURNING AND WE SEEN SMOKE IN THE CAR AND PULLED OVER. WHEN I GOT OUT THE CAR MY SEAT HAD A HOLE IN IT WITH SMOKE BILLOWING OUT.

NHTSA ID

11154363

Incident

Nov 24, 2018

Mileage

82,000 mi

THE SUNROOF OF THE CAR LEAKS WHEN IT RAINS OR SNOWS. ANY PRECIPITATION WILL GET INTO THE VEHICLE. THE DRAINS ARE CLEARED AND VOLKSWAGEN HAS SAID THE SUNROOF DRAIN TUBS DETERIORATE AND WATER DOES NOT MAKE IT OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. INSTEAD, ALL THE WATER LEAKS INTO THE FOOT WELL OF THE VEHICLE AND HAS CAUSED MOLD AND OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THE DEALERSHIP QUOTED US $3,650 TO FIX THE ISSUE OF PUTTING IN NEW TUBES AND REPLACING THE CARPETS. HOWEVER, NOT THE ENTIRE CAR HAS MOLD AND NEEDS THE SEATS REPLACED AS WELL.

NHTSA ID

11112931

Incident

Apr 3, 2018

Mileage

78,000 mi