RoadVitals

2011 Volkswagen Tiguan Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
160
Latest Jan 22, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
13
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
6

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

62
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

⁠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.

NHTSA ID 11632723 · filed Dec 27, 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.

NHTSA ID 11604747 · filed Jul 26, 2024
All 62 reports naming engine

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

46
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 11604747 · filed Jul 26, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID 11463294 · filed May 3, 2022
All 46 reports naming electrical

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

39
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE LIGHTS ON THE CAR START FLASING ,WHEN YOU TURN OF THE CAR , EVERY LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD & THE STERRING WHEEL HAVE A NOISE SOUND LIKE THE CLOCK RING HAS SOME DUST IN SIDE. *TR

NHTSA ID 11330670 · filed Jun 24, 2020

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

NHTSA ID 11327455 · filed Jun 5, 2020
All 39 reports naming exterior lighting

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

30
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

My 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan was included in the Volkswagen clock spring safety recall. According to Volkswagen’s records, the recall repair was completed in 2016. The same defect has now reoccurred: the steering wheel controls, horn, and driver airbag are disabled again due to a failed clock spring. This is a reoccurring safety defect that directly affects the airbag system. The airbag warning light is on, and the driver airbag is currently non‑functional. I contacted Volkswagen corporate, and they confirmed that my VIN was included in the original recall and that the repair was performed. However, they are refusing to repair the defect again, stating that the recall is “closed” and the warranty extension has expired, even though the original recall remedy has failed and the safety defect has returned. Volkswagen also declined to provide a written denial. I am reporting this because the recall remedy appears to be inadequate, and the safety defect has not been resolved. The vehicle is unsafe to drive with the airbag disabled. The clock spring failure disables the airbag, horn, and steering‑wheel controls. The defect matches the symptoms described in the original recall. The failure occurred without any modification or damage to the steering wheel area. Volkswagen refuses to authorize a second repair despite the safety risk.

NHTSA ID 11712684 · filed Jan 22, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID 11488240 · filed Oct 6, 2022
All 30 reports naming airbags

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

14
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 11463294 · filed May 3, 2022

I OWN A 2011 VW TIGUAN AND IS THE WORST CAR I'VE EVER OWNED. 1. INITIALLY I HAD A BAD TURBO AT 60,000 MILES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SHOWED AND ENDED UP A BAD TURBO. 2. A BAD OIL LEAK FROM ONE OF THE ENGINE GASKET ONLY HAPPENED WHEN DRIVING 3. A BAD COOLANT LEAK. I WAS DRIVING AND I SAW THE OVERHEATING LIGHT ON I PULLED OVER AND ADDED COOLANT 5 MINUTES LATER WAS EMPTY AGAIN. 4. BAD POWER STEERING PUMP I WAS TURNING AND HEADS SOMETHING MAKING NOISE ON THE STEERING AND HAD TO REPLACE BEFORE SOMETHING MAJOR HAPPENED. AND NEXT I'M GETTING RID OF IT. TO BAD VERY BAD EXPERIENCE OWNING ONE OF THIS. AND I ONLY HAVE 80,000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ID 11286988 · filed Dec 4, 2019
All 14 reports naming steering

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

11
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 11604747 · filed Jul 26, 2024

THE VEHICLE STARTED SPUTTERING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO VOLKSWAGEN AND THEY TOLD ME TO PUT GAS TREATMENT IN SEE IF THAT FIXES PROBLEM. IT SEEMED TO HELP A BIT FOR A WEEK BUT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON. THEN ONE MORNING I GOT UP AND TIRED TO START CAR IT HESITATED TO START ALMOST DIED AND STARTED. I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING IT TO VOLKSWAGEN AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THANK GOD I WAS JUST DOWN THE ROAD FROM MY HOUSE. IT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS IF IT DIED ON HIGHWAY. ONE OF THE RECALLS ON THIS MODEL IS DESCRIBING WHAT HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE. BUT WHEN I LOOK IT UP THE SCORE TELLS ME THE RECALLS WERE FIXED. WHICH I KNOW THIS IS NOT TRUE. MY MOTHER TRIED TO GET VOLKSWAGEN TO FIX THE AIRBAG RECALL THEY JUST DISMISSED HER SAYING YOUR VEHICLE IS NOT ONE ON RECALL. NOW THEY WANT ME TO PAY TO FIX VEHICLE THIS IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND UNACCEPTABLE! NOT A HAPPY CUSTOMER.

NHTSA ID 11377267 · filed Dec 1, 2020
All 11 reports naming fuel system

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

BELT TENSIONER NOISE /MORNING STARTUP ROUGH IDLE AND MISFIRING.

NHTSA ID 11217991 · filed Jun 5, 2019

I'M NOT SURE WHY THIS ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED BUT THERE'S PLENTY ON THIS THAT PEOPLE ARE EVEN GOING TO THE TV NEWS STATIONS FOR HELP.THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG ,NO LIGHTS,NO WARNING LIGHTS PRIOR AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY ENGINE MOTOR STOPS WORKING. I SPOKE WITH THE WARRANTY COMPANY ,THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY AS WELL AS VOLKSWAGEN... NOT ONE OF THEM WILL COVER THE ISSUE NOR HELP WITH THE ISSUE AT ALL. THE CAR WAS IN GREAT SHAPE AND ONLY JUST TURNED A MONTH AGO TO ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND MILES. I CAN'T AFFORD ALMOST 8 THOUSAND FOR NEW ENGINE AS WELL AS LABOR COSTS. THE CAR IS NOT VERY OLD FOR IT NOT TO B RUNNING AND MOTOR COMPLETELY STOP.I HAD TWO PAY THREE DIFFERENT DIAGNOSTIC COSTS AND TWO DIFFERENT TOWS. I NEED HELP,I WOULD ADVISE PEOPLE TO LOOK AT COMPLAINTS FROM 2009-2013 ON THIS VEHICLE WITH MOTOR WITH LOW MILES HAVING THIS ISSUE .IM THINKING OF CONTACTING A LAWYER TO HELP WITH THE ISSUE AS WELL AS THE VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR COSTS.PRIOR TO THIS I OWNED THE DISEL PASSAT AND HAD TO TURN THAT IN WITH VOLKSWAGEN LYING ON EMISSIONS.DO NOT BUY A VOLKSWAGEN ,NOT WORTH IT.

NHTSA ID 11104111 · filed Jun 26, 2018
All 8 reports naming powertrain (other)

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT. AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD, GAS PEDAL STUCK. PROCEEDED TO JUMP THE CURB, RAN OVER A SIGN, AND THEN INTO A LARGE FLOWER POT. ALL THE WHILE MOTOR RUNNING AT HIGH RPM'S, UNTIL THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS DAMAGED.

NHTSA ID 11255769 · filed Sep 16, 2019

MY AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON IN THE CAR IT IS MY DASHBOARD I HAVE HAD IT RESET AND IT STILL KEEPS COMING ON AND IT SAYS AIRBAG ERROR WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS

NHTSA ID 11067263 · filed Feb 6, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 11327455 · filed Jun 5, 2020

WAS DRIVING AIR BAG NEVER CAME OUT THE IMPACT WAS FRONT.

NHTSA ID 11131769 · filed Sep 26, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY PANORAMIC SUN SHADE IS SAGGING COST A LOT OF MONEY TO REPAIR...1500 AND UP ... MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH SOMEHOW IT'S A POOR DESIGN

NHTSA ID 11191727 · filed Mar 26, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RAISE THE PASSENGER SEAT FROM THE RECLINED POSITION BUT THE SEAT WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT WAS INFORMED THE SEATS WERE DESIGNED NOT TO RAISE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN UNLESS THE DRIVER PHYSICALLY LIFTED THE SEAT FOR THE PASSENGER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ALSO STATED THE SEAT WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ID 10534023 · filed Aug 7, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

ALUMINUM WHEEL HAS CRACK IN IT WITH NO DAMAGE TO TIRE OR AXLE. TIRE WENT FLAT. ONE SERVICE PERSON SAYS DEFECTIVE. ONE WEEK LATER ANOTHER SAID "YOU MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING", WHICH WE DIDN'T. I HAVE PICTURES. I HAVE ESCALATED AT VW. THEY DON'T WANT TO PAY FOR IT. NUMBER ON WHEEL IS: KBA 46696. *TR

NHTSA ID 10682051 · filed Feb 9, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE LATCH FROM THE TRUNK STOPPED WORKING AND THE TRUNK DOESN'T CLOSE

NHTSA ID 11365158 · filed Oct 19, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 11430373 · filed Aug 24, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .