Timing belt tensioner failure without notice happened while driving from parking lot chain skipped because of chain tensioner failed causing chain to skip a tooth making the timing issues. Towed to mechanic

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

Our Tiguan started shaking and making a horrible noise when our 20 year old daughter attempted to start driving. She noticed the check engine light on and the car suddenly stopped in the middle of a city road- presenting a danger to her as she could not move the car and was not in a safe neighborhood. She had to wait for a tow truck. At the repair shop, it was determined that the timing chain and tensioner were bad so they were replaced. After this repair the car still would not run so it was towed to a Volkswagen dealership. They tore down the engine and determined that it needed to be replaced. The cost at the first repair shop was nearly $1600 and the cost to replace the engine is nearly $9000.

- Overland Park, KS, USA

Car had 90,000 miles and started having ticking engine noises. VW dealership service technicians diagnosed the issue as a turbo waste gate noise ("nothing to worry about at this time"). two days later the engine starts to act like it's misfiring almost bucking then within minutes the engine goes(won't start, trying to start engine just 'spins'). towed back to service. Internal inspection from their technicians confirmed bent parts, etc - $8,000 to replace engine. My research indicates the problem was with the 2.0T tsi timing chain tensioner failure as listed in NHTSA service bulletin #TB-15-12-01 NHTSA item number 10045560. Certainly the results indicate that was the actual problem. According to the tsb it seems like this is a known issue across many VW models/years. Why owners are not notified of this potential issue and given a chance to take action to fix it before something catastrophic happens is disheartening.

- Raymond, NH, USA

Timing chain failed causing complete engine failure. Engine started losing power when driving home. Tiguan would not restart once parked and turned off.

- Hingham, MA, USA

The timing chain skipped or broke which caused a failure. It could not be determined if the timing chain was the first to fail or if something else (tensioner failure) caused the timing chain to break as a result. This resulted in the vehicle being towed to the dealer since it was not safe to drive. I was lucky this occurred when the vehicle was idling in a turn lane. While idling, the vehicle started shaking rather violently fore/aft. I immediately pulled of the road and turned off the vehicle.

- Commerce Twp, MI, USA

From mechanic at VW roseville. Chain tensioner failed causing slack in timing chains, which caused chains to jump time and caused upper cylinder head damage. Car has 87,702 miles

- Rocklin, CA, USA

On 6/3/17. Out of the blue while driving in the neighborhood, the car seemed to " hesitate" - wanting to turn off - lasted about 20 seconds then it was fine until I arrived to my destination, parked the car.. 4 hrs later ready to go back home, the car didn't start. Called aaa, checked battery- fine, possibly alternator. Although aaa guy said the "craking "noise when trying 2 start the car; didn't think was alternator either. He was prepping up the car 2 B towed; the lights on dashboard starting flashing, started with brake light; later all the lights were flashing for seconds & car went completely dead. Today, 6/5/17 the mechanic told me didn't find any compresion in engine. Would have 2 tear down 2 see what exactly failed. Said timing chain could have jumped time. This is a car with only 88.000 miles. I bought it last year- may2016- exactly 3 mo. Later I had 2 replace entire brake system; couple months after that I had to get a new entire flush system. Also I had to spend on getting a key lock kit to replace breaks a rotate tires.,alignment- car wasnt alignt & other minor expenses. What are my options with this car" I have a loan on a vehicle that requires a new engine and doesn't even have 90 000 miles. "please help.

- Bexley, OH, USA

It seems to be a recurring problem with 2010, 2011, and 2012 Tiguans. Gas on the sparkplugs. The timing chain sensor goes. Then your engine is like a home run in baseball. Its going going gone!!!!! thats exactly what happened to my car I went halfway across the state at 5 a.M. got home at 11 a.M. an hour later the car died permanently. There is four pages of this happening. On arfc.org. The Volkswagen dealership that gave my car its last rites said this was a big problem for those 3 years and was wondering why no recalls. My car had 115,00 miles on it. The other cars seemed to have only 66-85,000 miles on them.

- Southington, CT, USA

Vehicle was driven home with no indication of an issue but vehicle would not start the next day. Battery was checked by aaa and was deemed charged and not the problem. Vehicle was towed by aaa to stone's german garage in seattle wa. And sgg told me the next day that the timing chain(s) had slipped and the repair invoice is attached.

- Seattle, WA, USA

On 6/23/16 (77000 estimated miles) vehicle signaled "oil pressure low" it immediately stalled while in motion on the expressway during traffic hour during our vacation while it was on and we were driving. Miraculously we were able to push the stalled vehicle to safety and there were no injuries. It has to be towed to our hometown. VW dealership advised us that it would require an engine replacement. That the timing belt had taken out the engine. Estimated costs of repairs $7800. Owner's manual states that the timing belt is a lifetime part, it does not suggest maintenance or repair of it at any point. Our private mechanic repaired it for $3800. Spoke to VW stated that they would not repair or cover the costs. Case #161500844 with VW.

- Brownsville, TX, USA

Turbo failure due to internal mechanical failure. VW would not pay any of the repair cost of $2697 due to year/mileage of vehicle. Dealership diagnosed check engine light and said that it was unsafe to drive off the lot because driving without a functioning turbo will destroy the engine.

- Worcester, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan. While starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was immediately towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the timing chain skipped and destroyed the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,000.

- Pleasant Prairie, WI, USA

One night I parked my Tiguan everything was ok, in the middle of the night my wife was getting ready to go to work couldn't get the car started. Next morning I rented an obd2 scaner and read the codes. Had the car towed to the dealer ship. Next day they called me and told be because of the timing chain tensioner failing my motor basically grenaded and they needed $7216 to repair. The car had 62K miles and it was 6 months passed warranty. I contacted customer care and they only agreed to cover 50% which leaves me with 3K bill that I couldn't have avoided. I never knew the Tiguan had a 10K mile oil change service so I always changed at 3K. How could have I avoided this failure.

- Carol Stream, IL, USA

The motor started to run rough. It was ideling from 1500 to 2000 RPM. I was told it is the pressure control valve. I changed the diaphram in the P.C.V. it was torn. It also caused my rear main motor seal to start to leak oil. Problem only got worse as now I have a fuel injector stuck shut. I drive city only. Car has 76000 miles on it. Rear main seal blew because of the faulty P.C.V. it controls engine and oil preassure. Estimated repair is 1500.00to $2200. I have read this has happened to some other VW Tiguan owners. Thalk you [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Clarks-Summit, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2010 volkswagon Tiguan. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle became unresponsive and the engine would not operate as normal. The check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the timing chain tensioner belt failed and the engine would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 83,000.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

While driving 25-30 mph on a city street, vehicle stopped accelerating (much like running out of gas...) dealer states timing chain tensioner failed destroying engine-I understand VW has a tsb out on this for years and though I serviced my vehicle at dealer, never knew of this potential problem

- Portland, ME, USA

Emailed to to VW customer care on 9/26/15, one could argue these are safety related, the fuse box was melted. The engine timing chain slipped & caused engine damage that would have been more expensive to repair than the cost of a new engine. To customer care: We've had significant problems with our 2010 Tiguan - does VW offer any financial help with these (factory defects?) - replace fuse box: $550, 8/16/2013 parts & labor, odometer was not stated on invoice - new engine: $6,866.16, 05/13/2015 parts and labor, odometer 66,539 miles the dealer offered no warranty coverage & their price was high so we went elesewhere - do not plan to buy or recommend VW in the future considering these large issues I have the receipts, will scan & E-mail if that helps - service location: Volks & rings, 13669 warwick blvd, newport news, va 23602 - volks & rings phone: 757-874-0018 [xxx] [xxx] yorktown, va 23693 cell: [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

- Yorktown, VA, USA

Rear main seal gushing oil due to defective seal, timing cover seal leaking, recirculation valve leaking, crankcase valve leaking. Regular maintainance on car, otherwise in perfect condition. No reason for this to happen with such low miles..

- Kingston, OH, USA

In February 2014, my Tiguan began stalling when I would slow down to enter an off or on ramp. I would slow down, but when I attempted to speed back up, the car would begin stalling out, at times stalling out completely. I changed fuel, thinking that might be the problem, but it wasn't. my neighbor, who had just bought a 2014 Tiguan, told me he had received a recall notice regarding stalling issues involving the fuel pump in all Tiguans from 2009-2014. I googled the recall, and then made an appointment regarding this issue, taking my car in on May 5, 2014 at hallmark volkswagon, bakers bridge rd in franklin, tn. The service department, according to my paperwork, states they "replaced transfer pump in tank on driver side then test drove. Found fuel pressure still low. Replaced in tank fuel pump (passenger side) then rechecked. Fuel pressures ok and no longer stalls." Since that service date, my Tiguan has been back to be serviced several times, for continued stalling issues, and to date, has not been resolved. The stalling now occurs at different times and more frequently. The "safety issue" regarding the stalling is a serious one, in that when my Tiguan begins stalling out, my foot is on the gas pedal and not the brake, resulting in the driver behind me not knowing that I am either slowing down or coming to a stop. I have come very close to being rear-ended on numerous occasions due to this issue, and it is only a matter of time, before I do get rear-ended, and the likelihood of it being on a highway by a semi truck is very good, as I drive to cincinnati often to see my cardiologist for heart issues. I leave again in 2 days for heart surgery in cincinnati...I have 3 things to fear: 1) getting there safely 2) surviving heart surgery 3) getting back safely...the stress of driving a car that may, or may not, stall out, is not good for my heart!

- Franklin, TN, USA

2010 VW Tiguan would not start, had vehicle towed into VW dealer said timing chain had skipped estimated repair cost $2,300. Two weeks later dealership calls and says it looks as though we have a bent valve. Estimated repair would be additional 2,500 dollars or I could get an engine replacement $7,500. This car has had oil changes and maintenance done on a routine basis. Driven very conservatively over duration of ownership. Car was purchased brand new in June 2010. Very disappointed in vehicle would never recommend anyone buying a Tiguan

- Summerville, SC, USA