Volkswagen Tiguan problems, reliability and years to avoid

One owner each, in their own words rewritten as a line, and not counted in our risk scoring. A fault joins the list above once a second report or an editorial source backs it.

• Gearbox and clutch · July 2022A 2016 Tiguan with DSG 4Motion experienced a complete gearbox failure, requiring repair.
• Bodywork · January 2020A 2008 Tiguan with a sunroof had a wet roof lining, leading to mould and an unpleasant smell inside the cabin.
• Gearbox and clutch · October 2019A 2013 Tiguan 2.0 TDI 4WD with 46,000 miles required a replacement propshaft, incurring a £1500 bill.
• Gearbox and clutch · June 2019The mechatronics unit of a 2014 Tiguan 2.0 TDI 140 4Motion's 7-speed DQ500 DSG transmission failed at 34,000 miles.
• Interior · June 2019The air conditioning compressor on a 2015 Tiguan sheared off its fixings at 30,000 miles, costing £836 to replace.
• Suspension and steering · April 2019A 2012 Tiguan 2.0 TDI failed its MoT at 91,000 miles, needing new brake discs, pads, and front suspension bushes; a rear coil spring then failed.
• Bodywork · December 2018A 2009 Tiguan with a factory-fitted sunroof developed a leak, initially flooding the footwell behind the driver, then all four.
• Gearbox and clutch · November 2018The dual mass flywheel on a 2012 Tiguan 2.0TDi 140 DSG 4Motion BlueMotion failed when the car had covered 55,000 miles.
• Bodywork · September 2018A 2012 Tiguan SE R-Line TDI with a panoramic sunroof developed a leak on the driver's side, with water seeping into the footwell.
• Engine · January 2018A 2012 Tiguan experienced repeated issues with lumpy running and the engine management light after an emissions fix, due to sooted-up components.
• Engine · October 2017A 2013 Tiguan TDI experienced repeated EGR valve failures after a NOx emissions fix; one repair cost.
• Gearbox and clutch · September 2017The clutch slave cylinder on a 2011 VW Tiguan failed at 23,000 miles, with the dealer quoting £900 for replacement.
• Electrics · August 2017A 2013 VW Tiguan 2.0TDI went into limp mode with dashboard lights illuminated after an emissions fix, traced to a wiring loom issue.
• Engine · August 2017A VW Tiguan EA189 TDI lost power and went into limp home mode after an emissions fix, requiring an EGR replacement.
• Exhaust · August 2017A VW Tiguan EA189 TDI returned to the dealer three times after an emissions fix because the catalytic converter light kept illuminating.
• Engine · May 2017A 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan experienced a coolant leak, then dashboard warning lights, leading to a full engine replacement, followed by further power loss.
• Engine · March 2017A 2010 VW Tiguan 1.4TSI suffered loss of compression at 65,000 miles, requiring a new engine after an initial misdiagnosis.
• Fuel system · February 2017A 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0TDI experienced increased fuel consumption after an emissions fix, possibly due to more frequent DPF regeneration.
• Engine · February 2017A 2014 VW Tiguan 2.0TDI had reduced mpg, juddering, and EGR failure after an emissions fix, with the EGR replaced under warranty.
• Suspension and steering · January 2017The rear nearside coil spring of a 56,000 mile 2011 VW Tiguan 2.0TDI auto 4WD shattered while parked, also needing front suspension bushes.
• Gearbox and clutch · December 2016A 2011 Tiguan with 49,000 miles had clutch slipping and an oil leak from the transmission shortly after an emissions remap.
• Engine · December 2016A 2009 Tiguan 2.0TSI experienced intermittent power reduction and warning lights, leading to an inlet manifold replacement for £840.
• Engine · December 2016A 2012 Tiguan 2.0TDI 4Motion with 39,500 miles seized its engine after an emissions fix, following tapping and squealing noises.
• Engine · November 2016A 2011 2.0TDI Tiguan 4Motion developed a growling engine noise, especially under load, after an emissions remap.
• Gearbox and clutch · November 2016A 2014 VW Tiguan had a 'klunk' from the front driveshaft when reversing with full left-hand lock since new, which was never rectified.
• Gearbox and clutch · November 2016A 2012 VW Tiguan 2.0TDI 4-Motion felt sluggish and noisy with increased fuel consumption after an emissions update; a clutch pump malfunction was found.
• Engine · October 2016A 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0TSI experienced misfiring and juddering, requiring engine work costing £3,755.46 after no fault codes were found.
• Engine · October 2016A 2013 Tiguan 2.0TDI developed an engine rattle, similar to 'pinking', after receiving the emissions software update.
• Engine · October 2016A 2012 Tiguan 2.0 TDI 140 Bluemotion 4m developed a rattling engine noise after an emissions update, which became generally noisier over time.
• Engine · September 2016A 2013 Tiguan 2.0TDI 4Motion BMT DSG with 21,500 miles developed a significant 'clatter' under load and loss of low-end power after a software update.
• Engine · September 2016A Tiguan 2.0TDI 4Motion DSG experienced engine knock at low revs, power loss, and vibrations after two emissions software updates.
• Engine · September 2016A 2012 Tiguan Sport 2.0 dci 4 Motion Automatic with under 30,000 miles developed an unacceptable 'pinking' engine noise after a software update.
• Engine · September 2016A 2012 Tiguan experienced a noticeable reduction in engine power after receiving the emissions fix.
• Engine · August 2016A 2014 Tiguan 2.0 TDI started rattling on the drive home after the EA189 emissions fix, despite performing perfectly beforehand.
• Engine · August 2016A 31,000 mile 2012 Tiguan 2.0 TDI became a noisy, unresponsive machine after an emissions modification, completely changing its driving experience.
• Engine · August 2016A 2013 Tiguan 2.0TDI developed a knocking noise from its engine after the EA189 emissions software fix.
• Engine · August 2016A 2012 Tiguan TDI developed a horrible engine rattle when changing up between second and fourth gears.
• Fuel system · July 2016The high-pressure diesel injection pump of a Tiguan 2.0TDI 4WD failed at 50,000 miles, sending metal shards into the injectors.
• Engine · July 2016A 2014 Tiguan 2.0TDI 140 DSG developed a noticeable engine noise under acceleration at lower speeds after a NOx software update.

One owner each, in their own words rewritten as a line, and not counted in our risk scoring. A fault joins the list above once a second report or an editorial source backs it.

• Electrics · March 2023A Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace experienced several software faults, including dash display changes, cruise control speed jumps, and volume control issues.
• Gearbox and clutch · October 2021A 2017 Tiguan experienced a gearbox control unit failure, with the owner quoted £1100 for the necessary repair.
• Electrics · May 2021A 2021 Tiguan 1.5TSI 150 Elegance DSG7 had its adaptive cruise control display and navigation switch to European speed limits.
• Electrics · August 2020The infotainment system on a 2016 Tiguan failed, with the dealer offering only 10% towards the £1950 repair cost.
• Electrics · February 2020The touchscreen function of the media infotainment system on a 2016 VW Tiguan failed at 37,000 miles, freezing or switching functions randomly.
• Gearbox and clutch · December 2019A 2018 VW Tiguan TDI needed its gearbox dropped to fix an oil leak from a loose bolt, repaired under warranty.
• Gearbox and clutch · November 2019A 2019 Tiguan 1.5TSI with a DQ381 7-speed wet clutch DSG gearbox displayed hesitation and jerky acceleration at 1,800 miles.
• Brakes · September 2019The auto braking system of a 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan was spuriously triggered on multiple occasions.
• Engine · September 2019A 2018 Tiguan 2.0 TDi 150 4Motion occasionally failed to start, with the engine turning over but not igniting.
• Electrics · August 2019A current model VW Tiguan had poor headlights, with the specific type of headlights not mentioned.
• Engine · July 2019A July 2019 VW Tiguan 1.5TSI pulled unevenly ('kangarooing') from a cold start, with a software update failing to resolve the issue.
• Electrics · June 2019A 2016 VW Tiguan SEL had inadequate satnav updates, with map details and speed information being incorrect and outdated.
• Brakes · May 2019A June 2017 VW Tiguan developed corroded and scored rear brake discs, first noticed at its initial service.
• Electrics · April 2019A 2018 VW Tiguan's stop/start system failed to restart the car due to a known software issue, leaving the car at the dealer for weeks.
• Engine · March 2019A new VW Tiguan 1.5TSI Evo 150 stalled numerous times, feeling unresponsive when pulling away and jerky in lower gears.
• Bodywork · February 2019A 2018 VW Tiguan's sunroof was found to be leaking, with water collecting around the edge and entering through the passenger side sun visor.
• Gearbox and clutch · January 2019The clutch and dual mass flywheel of a leased VW Tiguan completely failed at 17,257 miles, with the dealer quoting £2240 for replacement.
• General · November 2018A VW Tiguan purchased new in September 2018 was returned to the dealer twice for unspecified faults.
• Brakes · September 2018A new 2018 VW Tiguan diesel manual had its 'brake hold' system stick on, causing holdups in traffic.
• Engine · July 2018A 2017 VW Tiguan 1.4TSI 150 produced a high-pitched metallic rattling noise from its engine, which the dealer deemed acceptable.
• Brakes · January 2018A November 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan experienced several involuntary, sudden applications of its Autonomous Emergency Braking System for no apparent reason.
• Electrics · January 2018A 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan DSG felt sluggish on acceleration, and a computer module failure affected the blind spot indicator.
• Gearbox and clutch · December 2017A new 2017 VW Tiguan 2.0TDI with a DQ500 7-speed wet clutch DSG transmission exhibited a metallic grating noise at low speed.
• Electrics · November 2017A new 2017 Tiguan's satnav would not boot from the SD card, and map data jumped or showed incorrect directions.
• Electrics · November 2017A 2016 Tiguan's infotainment system and auto sensor functions for headlights and wipers failed after a routine oil service.
• Gearbox and clutch · October 2017A 2017 Tiguan 4Motion developed a horrendous metallic grating noise from the drivetrain from new, which the dealer stated was a characteristic.
• Gearbox and clutch · August 2017A new 2017 Tiguan 2.0 TDI 4Motion with a DQ500 DSG transmission had an audible mechanical grating noise when changing down gears.
• Gearbox and clutch · June 2017A new 2017 Tiguan 2.0 TDI 2WD with a DQ500 DSG transmission developed a clonking noise after 1,500 miles, leading to a gearbox replacement.
• Electrics · October 2016A new 2016 Tiguan had several issues including a crunching door mirror, a motor sound in the dash, a non-working front air blower, and an airbag warning.
• Suspension and steering · September 2016The optional Dynamic Chassis Control system fitted to a new Tiguan did not appear to be functioning correctly.