10.0

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
41,250 miles
Total Complaints:
2 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. ignition coils replaced (1 reports)
  2. not sure (1 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Volkswagen dealer.

problem #2

Jul 032016

Tiguan SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

defective timing chain tensioner caused engine failure

My Tiguan only running 50k miles broke down in the middle of the highway. The engine light went on and the car stopped accelerating. When I towed it to the mechanic, I was told the timing chain tensioner and crankshaft sensor were bad. The timing chain tensioner defect caused complete engine failure. I now do not have an engine. After looking into this issue and talking to some lawyers all over the US, it seems like many people with VW tiguans (2.0L engines) have this issue and there are a few class action law suits in the US regarding this matter. I spoke to VW of America and they said there was no recall issued, although they ARE aware of this defect. VW dealership now tells me the estimated cost to repair the engine and timing chain tensioner is around $10,000. If the Timing chain tensioner was not defective, my engine would have never failed. I showed them proof of oil changes over the last 3 years in which were all done in a timely manner. I am now fighting with VW of America about this issue. There should be a recall on these vehicles. My car immediately broke down on the highway and I was very lucky that no one crashed into me. This is a very dangerous problem.

- Gehan A., Brooklyn, NY, US

problem #1

May 152014

Tiguan SE 2.0t

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,407 miles

We bought the car 2011 VW Tiguan SE in May 2011, and this notorious ignition-coil issue happened twice to us already. Below is the timeline & details. On 4/19/2014, we finished the last manufacturer-covered-service at a dealership (3 years/36K miles), and we were told our car is in very good condition. On 5/15/2014, the car's engine light came on and the car cannot increase its speed. On 5/16/2014, the staff of the same dealership as above checked the car & told us #1 & #2 ignition coils were dead. After they replaced them, the issue has gone. On 9/13/2014, we finished the recall service for the car regarding to the fuel bubbles issue. According to the staff of the same dealership as above, the software related to the issue has been corrected, and everything else checked was OK. On 9/15/2014, the car's engine light came on and the car cannot increase its speed again! It behaved exactly the same way as it did in May. We have to tow the car to the same dealership as above. On 9/16/2014, the staff of the dealership checked the car & told us #4 ignition coil was dead. I asked them to replace both #3 and #4 ignition coils this time. After they replaced them, the issue has gone. I also asked the staff, "Is it normal to have this ignition coil so often for a 3 year old car? How frequently we have to replace the ignition coil? I don't want my wife and baby stuck in traffic like this time.". However, no answer or suggestion was given since the staff claimed he's not a mechanics. This time, we have to pay for the towing service, parts, and the labor cost (1.5 hours?!). The staff suggested us to save the receipt for future just in case there would be a recall related to this issue. I searched the VW ignition coil issue online and found this website and other resources to file the complaints. Then I realized this notorious ignition coil issue has been there for a while with VW cars.

Now I think I should ask the manufacturer, Volkswagen, the same questions: 1. How could this ignition coil issue happen twice in just 4 months? And for an only 3 years old car? 2. From what time, the ignition coils become consumables like braking pads and tires? And the ignition coils are even not as reliable as the braking pads and tires? 3. Why during the coverage of the warranty period and when services are performed, the ignition coil is not included in the checking list? Please suggest how frequently we have to check/replace the ignition coil, since nobody wants their families to stuck in early morning heavy traffic. 4. We were customers trusting VW cars' quality. However, after all these things happened, we decided not to purchase any VW car in the future, unless VW could answer "what will VW do to re-gain or earn customers' trust?"

- taishaww, Hauppauge, NY, US