Vehicle report

2011 Volkswagen Tiguan

Free recalls, owner complaints, and NHTSA safety ratings for the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan, plus how to check this specific vehicle before you buy.

The 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan has 3 NHTSA recalls on record and 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Its overall NHTSA crash-test rating is not rated. Below is the full breakdown, plus how to check this specific vehicle by VIN before you buy in Alberta.

3

Open recalls

15

Complaints

Not Rated

Overall safety

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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. 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 bag.

    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. 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

    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. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24AV/2W.

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

    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.

2011 Volkswagen Tiguan safety ratings

Not Rated

Overall

Not Rated

Front

Not Rated

Side

4

Rollover

Source: NHTSA NCAP ratings.

2011 Volkswagen Tiguan owner complaints (15)

  • 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 affects the airbag system. The airbag warning light is on, and the driver airbag is currently non‑functional. I contacted Volkswagen corporate, and they confirmed that my VIN was included in the original recall and that the repair was performed. However, they are refusing to repair the defect again, stating that the recall is “closed” and the warranty extension has expired, even though the original recall remedy has failed and the safety defect has returned. Volkswagen also declined to provide a written denial. I am reporting this because the recall remedy appears to be inadequate, and the safety defect has not been resolved. The vehicle is unsafe to drive with the airbag disabled. The clock spring failure disables the airbag, horn, and steering‑wheel controls. The defect matches the symptoms described in the original recall. The failure occurred without any modification or damage to the steering wheel area. Volkswagen refuses to authorize a second repair despite the safety risk.

  • ENGINE

    ⁠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.

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,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 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.

  • 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.

  • AIR BAGS

    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 not have the luxury of renting a car until this part comes in to the US. Per various forums, possibly 6000-8000 clock springs on back order

  • STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS

    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.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

    THE VEHICLE STARTED SPUTTERING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO VOLKSWAGEN AND THEY TOLD ME TO PUT GAS TREATMENT IN SEE IF THAT FIXES PROBLEM. IT SEEMED TO HELP A BIT FOR A WEEK BUT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON. THEN ONE MORNING I GOT UP AND TIRED TO START CAR IT HESITATED TO START ALMOST DIED AND STARTED. I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING IT TO VOLKSWAGEN AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THANK GOD I WAS JUST DOWN THE ROAD FROM MY HOUSE. IT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS IF IT DIED ON HIGHWAY. ONE OF THE RECALLS ON THIS MODEL IS DESCRIBING WHAT HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE. BUT WHEN I LOOK IT UP THE SCORE TELLS ME THE RECALLS WERE FIXED. WHICH I KNOW THIS IS NOT TRUE. MY MOTHER TRIED TO GET VOLKSWAGEN TO FIX THE AIRBAG RECALL THEY JUST DISMISSED HER SAYING YOUR VEHICLE IS NOT ONE ON RECALL. NOW THEY WANT ME TO PAY TO FIX VEHICLE THIS IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND UNACCEPTABLE! NOT A HAPPY CUSTOMER.

  • STRUCTURE

    THE LATCH FROM THE TRUNK STOPPED WORKING AND THE TRUNK DOESN'T CLOSE

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS

    THE LIGHTS ON THE CAR START FLASING ,WHEN YOU TURN OF THE CAR , EVERY LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD & THE STERRING WHEEL HAVE A NOISE SOUND LIKE THE CLOCK RING HAS SOME DUST IN SIDE. *TR

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES

    THE CLOCK SPRING SOUND A LOT, WHEN YOU DO A TURN , AND IT SOUND A LOT , MOVING THE WHEEL, THE BRAKES HAVE A SOUND WHEN YOU ARE GO IN DOWN THE HILL , SEEMS LIKE THE CAR WANT TO STOP ,LIKE SOME BODY IS PUSHING THE BRAKES. *TR

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS

    AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING AND THE CAR STAR FLASHING. *TR

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    F16 FUSE BOX MELTING AND FUSE BURNT BUT NOT TRIPPED IN HOOD. ALL EXTERIOR LIGHTS WERE LOST WHILE DRIVING AND WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED AT HIGH SPEEDS ON HIGHWAY. *TR

  • ENGINE

    ENGINE WATER PUMP FAILURE DURING A STOP @ RED LIGHT

Checking a used Volkswagen Tiguan before you buy

The recall, complaint, and safety data above describes the 2011 Tiguan in general. To know the condition and history of the specific vehicle you're looking at, check it by VIN. A VIN check shows whether this particular Tiguan's recalls are still outstanding, and a full history report adds accident, title, and ownership records the data above can't show.

Before you buy a 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan in Alberta:

See other model years of the Volkswagen Tiguan, or browse more Volkswagen models.

2011 Volkswagen Tiguan — questions and answers

Does the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan have any recalls?+

Our check found 3 NHTSA recalls associated with the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan. Check the specific vehicle by VIN to see which remain outstanding, since some may already have been repaired. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.

How many complaints does the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan have?+

NHTSA lists 15 owner complaints for the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan in our results. Complaints are problems reported by owners and don't always lead to a recall, but a pattern of similar complaints is worth weighing before you buy.

Is the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan safe?+

The 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan has an overall NHTSA crash-test rating of not rated. Review the front-crash, side-crash, and rollover ratings above, and pair safety ratings with a mechanical inspection of the specific vehicle.

How do I check a 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan VIN?+

Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN into our free VIN check to see recalls, complaints, and safety ratings for that exact vehicle, then run an Alberta Personal Property Registry (PPR) lien search before you pay.

Are recall repairs on a Volkswagen free?+

Yes. Safety recall repairs are performed at no cost by a franchised Volkswagen dealer, even for a used vehicle and even if you're not the original owner. Confirm the required parts are in stock before relying on the fix.

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