2017 Volkswagen Tiguan Engine Problems

I am filing this complaint to seek a full buyback and debt cancellation for a 2017 VW Tiguan (VIN: [XXX] ) sold to me by Carvana for $40,000. Summary of Deception: Carvana sold this vehicle as "Certified" with a "150-Point Inspection" guarantee. This was a fraudulent misrepresentation. Within six months, the vehicle required 45+ mechanical services, including a full internal teardown that revealed catastrophic wiring corrosion caused by a long-term sunroof leak. These were latent defects present at the time of sale. The vehicle has has 2 Turbos: one recalled (now currently being recalled again) and one replaced 3 months into ownership. The vehicle slowed down on [XXX] traffic and I had to make an emergency exit and take to the dealership. This make and model were completely overhauled engine and externally after my model 2017. 45 mechanical services in 12 months justifies a recall and an exchange, Safety & Financial Hardship: As a high-level executive commuting from [XXX] to [XXX] , I required a reliable vehicle. Instead, this car decelerated dangerously on [XXX] , nearly causing a collision. Despite active steering and turbo recalls, Volkswagen mechanics have deemed the car "unsafe for road use" since January 2025. I am warned that any further driving will void my warranties due to engine damage risk. Bad Faith Negotiations: I have attempted to resolve this with Carvana and Volkswagen Executive Care. Carvana offered a mocking $500 gesture for a $40k total loss, while their supervisors were condescending and dismissive. They have refused to provide the original inspection report. Impact: I have lost tens of thousands in wages, rental costs, and storage fees while my credit and mental health suffer under $19,000 of debt for a "shell. " I am seeking an immediate buyback at their expense to resolve this matter and restore my ability to work safely. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11729125

Incident

Jan 8, 2025

On December 3, 2025, Volkswagen of XXX performed an intake manifold recall repair on our 2017 Tiguan (VIN: [XXX] ) while the vehicle was under factory warranty. Approximately six weeks later the low coolant warning light appeared and the vehicle began actively leaking coolant. No other work had been performed between the recall and the onset of the leak. Our independent mechanic discovered physical damage to the original water pump consistent with a tool strike during the recall procedure. A new OEM water pump was installed but failed immediately due to an underlying pressure issue originating underneath the intake manifold. The vehicle has been at VW of South Charlotte since February 11, 2026 — seven weeks — with no root-cause diagnosis or repair. The dealership falsely documented OEM parts as aftermarket, refused to diagnose the vehicle, and the service manager made his final decision based on text messages rather than any inspection. VW Customer Care opened and closed six separate case numbers on this single unresolved complaint. Safety concern: The vehicle is non-operational and actively leaking coolant. The damage originated during a recall repair and has never been properly diagnosed or repaired. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11728157

Incident

Dec 3, 2025

Timing chain and engine issues and repairs

NHTSA ID

11666091

Incident

Jun 9, 2025

timing chain repairs and replacement

NHTSA ID

11666089

Incident

May 26, 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who serviced the engine, and the check engine warning light was deactivated; however, the failure persisted. No further information was available. The contact stated that the vehicle also experienced excessive oil consumption. An oil consumption test was performed, and the vehicle failed the test. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 30,000.

NHTSA ID

11595738

Incident

Jun 21, 2024

Mileage

30,000 mi

My Tiguan does not have airbags, the tire sensors don’t work, none of the buttons on my steering wheel work. My turbo supercharger started failing and I had to spend $2,500 to fix it, which the car is not worth that plus the payments I make. The dealership says the airbags are on back order but won’t say when they’ll have it and that was over a year ago. It’s been inspected by a dealership and they won’t do anything about it.

NHTSA ID

11590891

Incident

Sep 28, 2022

I was driving and the fuel gauge quit working randomly. I am unsure how much gas is in my vehicle. I have had to get several repairs since purchasing my car from Carmax including my turbo boost, fuel pump and gas line. I financed the car in 2021 from Carmax.

NHTSA ID

11578584

Incident

Mar 19, 2024

The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that after the vehicle had an oil change, oil leaked onto the driveway while the vehicle was parked. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the valve covers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ID

11531517

Incident

Jul 11, 2023

Mileage

70,000 mi

Faulty water pump caused expansive replacement cost aprx $1400.00. Learned from certified mechanic that it was a common problem and a lawsuit is in process against VW USA.

NHTSA ID

11487998

Incident

Jul 31, 2022

I was driving vehicle and it began to stall. I was a block away from home and made it home turned it off. When I tried to turn it on it would not start. I had it towed where I was told that the engine was BLOWN at no fault of my own. At 119000. I am still paying on this vehicle and can’t even use it. Mechanic says it’s not even worth putting a new engine in. The money I would spend on it I might as well get a new vehicle. Replacing the engine would start at 9,000.00. VW NEEDS A RECALL on this. Mechanic says he sees this alot on this vehicle

NHTSA ID

11482976

Incident

Aug 11, 2022

The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was unable restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the fuel pump and the timing chain were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 37,000.

NHTSA ID

11473741

Incident

Jul 13, 2022

Mileage

37,000 mi

I think theu should buy my wolkswagon back I been having issue with it

NHTSA ID

11434382

Incident

Sep 26, 2021

The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact pumped the brake pedal several times before the vehicle would start up. The speedometer started to fluctuate, and the vehicle would shudder or hesitate. Occasionally the vehicle would stall and shut-off. The contact stated that they were no longer able to operate the vehicle. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000.

NHTSA ID

11430333

Incident

May 1, 2021

Mileage

58,000 mi

UNDER THE HOOD FIRE PROTECTION MATERIALS COMING OFF WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE. NOTIFY PORT CHARLOTTE VOLKSWAGON FOR THEM TO DIRECTLY SEE. AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD GONE BAD . ASK WHY WAS THERE NOT A WAY TO CRANK THE CAR WITH A KEY IF THE KEYLESS BUTTON GOES OUT. THEY SAID CALL A TOW TRUCK. I SAID WHAT IF A WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHERE IN DANGER AND CAN NOT GET A HOLD OF A TOW TRUCK. ANSWERS WE CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT THAT. NOW THAT IS SCHOOLING.

NHTSA ID

11301916

Incident

Jan 9, 2020

WHILE DRIVING AT A CONSTANT SPEED OR DECELERATING THE ENGINE WILL STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE RUNS SO QUIETLY THE ONLY INDICATION THAT IT HAS STALLED IS THERE IS NO POWER AND THE STEERING BECOMES MORE DIFFICULT AS THE VEHICLE GETS SLOWER. IT DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER YOUR SPEED, IT WILL JUST STALL AND THIS CAN BE INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS. ORIGINALLY HAPPENED IN 2017 AND TOOK TO THE VW DEALERSHIP BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN TODAY AND EARLIER THIS WEEK 8/19/2018

NHTSA ID

11120926

Incident

Aug 19, 2018

Mileage

28,000 mi

MY 2017 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN HAS 19,000 MILES ON IT. I JUST BOUGHT IT FROM A HONDA DEALERSHIP (SINGLE OWNER, LEASED) BODY IS IN LIKE NEW SHAPE. THE CAR HAS STALLED ON WHILE DRIVING 6 TIMES TOTAL, ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING. THE ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING (STALLED OUT) WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING OVER 40MPH AND AN EPC LIGHT CAME ON. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, AND LEFT MY FAMILY IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ON THE HIGHWAY. A CAR ENGINE SHOULD NEVER SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AND NOW HAS ME FEELING VERY UNSAFE WHEN DRIVING IT. IT HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP FOR 3 WEEKS. THIS CAR IS ONLY A YEAR OLD AND HAS LESS THAN 20,000 MILES ON IT. IT SHOULD NOT BE STALLING OUT WITHOUT WARNING AND LEAVING MY FAMILY IN SEVERELY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. THERE IS NO INDICATION BEFORE HAND THAT THE CAR IS GOING TO STALL. AFTER IT STALLS OUT IT CAN TAKE UP TO 5 MINUTES TO START AGAIN. HOLDING THE START BUTTON (WHILE PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL BECAUSE IT STALLED OUT WHILE DRIVING) TO HOPEFULLY GET IT TO START AGAIN ON A DANGEROUS HIGHWAY IN MOTION IN TRAFFIC WITH NOTHING BUT A PRAYER TO HELP US. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED. I WOULD RATHER HAVE MY FAMILY SAFE AND MY CAR ENGINE DESTROY ITSELF, RATHER THAN THE CURRENT PROCESS OF MY CAR ENGINE "SHUTTING ITSELF DOWN WITHOUT WARNING TO SAVE ITSELF" WHILE LEAVING MY FAMILY IN DANGEROUSLY UNSAFE SITUATIONS WHILE DRIVING WITH A CAR THAT TURNS ITSELF OFF AS IT PLEASES POTENTIALLY CREATING A SITUATION IN WHICH MY FAMILY COULD BE INJURED OR WORSE (AS IT SHUTS ITSELF DOWN WITH A MIND OF ITS OWN WHEN IT THINKS THERE IS A PROBLEM). THIS CAR IS NEW AND HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP LONGER THAN IN MY DRIVEWAY. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE LETTING MY FAMILY DRIVE IT. I LOST CONFIDENCE IN THIS CAR AND HAVE GREAT DOUBT IN ITS FUTURE AFFORDABILITY AND SAFETY, RELIABILITY. I AM VERY, VERY CONCERNED.

NHTSA ID

11096358

Incident

May 8, 2018

Mileage

18,500 mi