2011 Volkswagen Tiguan problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (53) · Exterior Lighting (35) · Steering (13)
🧭 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
139 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Air Bags:frontal 2015-08-04 · campaign 15V483000 · 415,825 vehicles
Defect: 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
Risk: A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
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 (858)
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 858 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-02 · Service Brakes“the brakes will completely fail. the peddle goes just about all the way to the floor when pressed. there still is a small amount of braking and the vehicle slows down but nothing like when the brakes work right. now this happens at the most random times. it won’t do it for months then start doing it out of the blue. when we bought it used it was do…”
2026-09-09 · Unknown Or Other“car only starts when it wants to. rpms dont go over 4,000. low idle.…”
2026-01-22 · Air Bags“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 …”
2024-12-27 · Engine · 137,000 mi“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 d…”
2024-07-26 · Fuel/Propulsion System“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 rep…”
2022-10-06 · Air Bags“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.…”
2022-05-10 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Clockspring/Spiral Cassette“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 …”
2022-05-03 · Steering“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 re…”
2021-09-16 · Engine“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…”
2021-08-24 · Suspension“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.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.