2009 Volkswagen Tiguan problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (53) · Power Train (15) · Steering (14)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Volkswagen Tiguan model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
149 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Fuel System, Gasoline 2014-07-21 · campaign 14V441000 · 151,389 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Exterior Lighting 2013-11-22 · campaign 13V569000 · 62,155 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: If the holder melts, there may be a partial loss of exterior lighting. Reduced vehicle illumination diminishes the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (675)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-09-17 · V0116152014815_20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
suggested fuel additive
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-09 · SM 39-2026 · Other
this special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-06 · TT 00-13-04_7 · Other
permission to change daily order upgraded to red order
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-04 · V0026012081638_2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
differences between a leak and seepage
Electrical System 2026-07-15 · VOS-26-42 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a notice for software changes with the odis diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: a software fix is needed to correct the issue: da 0019 - hotfix 12-v battery test(s) – no battery diagnosis - inconclusive test result.
Engine 2026-07-09 · V1718062017813_24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
oil consumption measurement and electronic oil consumption measurement
Showing the 6 most recent of 675 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-22 · Steering“steering column keeps locking up. i’ve replaced a fuse and it fixed it initially but problem returned. upon my research apparently this is a common problem in these vehicles. …”
2024-09-09 · Unknown Or Other“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.…”
2024-08-26 · Unknown Or Other“intermittent ac working issues, air conditioning does not cool or the cooling is weak…”
2023-02-14 · Steering“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. …”
2022-08-12 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 189,000 mi“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.…”
2022-08-09 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:oil/Lubrication:pressure/Temperature Sensor · 84,092 mi“the contact owns a 2009 volkswagen tiguan. the contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the oil pressure warning light illuminated and a message to stop the vehicle immediately was displayed. aaa arrived on the scene and diagnosed the vehicle with oil sensor failure. the vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic an…”
2022-04-22 · Power Train“the engine reached 100k miles in the second week of april 2022. after that, i tried to turn on the vehicle, and the engine did not respond. i took my car to the mechanic, and he told me that the car needed an engine replacement. this is very strange since the vehicle had an excellent maintenance schedule, and i usually, this type of car last longer…”
2021-10-28 · Engine“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 qu…”
2020-09-19 · Steering“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…”
2020-06-28 · Steering · 97,000 mi“air bag light all of a sudden came without bumping - the engine idle were not normal high and low - electrical problem from the steering…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.