Most common 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan problems
Share of the 162 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volkswagen Tiguan complaints by model year
Best Tiguan years: 2015, 2014, 2017. Years to avoid: 2022, 2018, 2025, 2024, 2019. Compare all years →
2011 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls (3)
Air bags › Frontal
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.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off.
Fuel system, gasoline
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.
Remedy: 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.
Exterior lighting
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 4 possible defects involving the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan:
Air Bag Clockspring Failure
In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure of the clockspring in 2010-2014 Model Year (MY) CC, Passat, Eos, Golf, GTI, Tiguan, Jetta and Jetta…
Air Bag Clockspring Failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of steering wheel clock spring/steering column control module (SCCM) failures in model year (MY) 2012 Volkswagen Passat and CC models.The SCCM is a module within the steering column that incorporates a spiral conductor (a ribbon cable) to electrically connect the steering wheel to the vehicle's electrical system while…
Partial Loss of Exterior Lights
Volkswagen Group of America (VW) is conducting a safety recall of approximately 62,155 model year (MY) 2009-2011 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles to address a partial loss of the exterior lighting (see NHTSA recall 13V-569 for more information).These vehicles' exterior lighting system is protected by two separate fuses contained in a fuse box located in the engine compartment.According to VW, high thermal cycling and…
Air Bag Clockspring Failure
In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure of the clockspring in 2010-2014 Model Year (MY) CC, Passat, Eos, Golf, GTI, Tiguan, Jetta and Jetta…
What 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan owners say
Engine & cooling all 63 →
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 diagnosed that the engine failed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the fuel pump was previously repaired. The vehicle was towed back to the residence and was not repaired. The contact mentioned that the horn and the instrument panel failed to function. The failure mileage was unknown. 137,000.
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 repairs only to be told by dealerships and VW corporate offices that there is nothing they will or can do and that there are no recalls and out of warranty. However...There WAS one in 2014 citing DANGEROUS to drive because of stalling. According to KBB. I don't know what else to do and I am not able to get a new vehicle.
Electrical system all 47 →
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 repairs only to be told by dealerships and VW corporate offices that there is nothing they will or can do and that there are no recalls and out of warranty. However...There WAS one in 2014 citing DANGEROUS to drive because of stalling. According to KBB. I don't know what else to do and I am not able to get a new vehicle.
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 replacement springs. I was told that the part has been on back order since October 2021. I was told that the part may be available in July 2022, but there are no guarantees. Until a replacement part is available, the vehicle is potentially unsafe to drive.
Lights all 39 →
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 13V569000(exterior lighting). The contact took the vehicle to leith Volkswagen of cary (2300 autopark blvd, cary, nc 27511, [phone]) for the recall repair. While driving 55 MPH, the exterior lighting failed and turned off without warning. After the lighting failure, several error messages appeared on the instrument panel. The contact took the vehicle back to the same dealer and was informed that the fuse box needed to be replaced, which was not covered in the initial recall. The contact was informed that he would have to pay out of pocket to have the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and was informed that they could not assist because the vehicle had previously been serviced per the recall. The vehicle has been repaired. …
On four separate occasions the car has lost power while in drive on city streets. First occasion April 23 2014 the coolant/water pump failed as did fuse. May 23 fuel pump failed and fuel pump panel. July 28 car died while driving due to faulty fuel injector. Yesterday aug 15 2016 car again lost power while driving on city streets and had to be towed (fourth time with less than 50K miles) to dealer. I am awaiting diagnosis but no longer feel safe in the vehicle. Twice I was fortunate that police officers showed up and were able to push my car out of traffic and to safety but at this point I believe vw should take action to replace the car as it has clearly proven a safety hazard for myself and others on the road. Respectfully submitted, [redacted] .
2011 Volkswagen Tiguan engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 25 / 22 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | FWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 19 / 25 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan a good car?
Based on 162 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Tiguan rates use caution: 1.6× as many complaints as a typical year of the Tiguan at the same age. It is one of the Tiguan years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan?
The engine & cooling — 63 complaints, 39% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (47) and lights (39).
How many recalls does the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan, the most recent from August 4, 2015 (frontal). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Volkswagen Tiguan?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2015, 2014 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2022, 2018, 2025, 2024 and 2019. See the full Volkswagen Tiguan years comparison.
At what mileage do 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 60,000 miles; 34% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.