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2011 Volkswagen Tiguan: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 162 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan[1]. Engine problems lead the list with 63 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups in the stories we read, biggest first.
- Engine. 63 complaints[2]. Owners describe the car stalling at lights and in traffic, oil leaking from the engine, rough running with warning lights, and a timing part failing.
- Electrical System. 47 complaints[5]. Owners describe lights that flicker or cut out, warning messages that come and go, and a melted fuse box that took several lights down at once.
- Exterior Lighting. 39 complaints[6]. Owners describe headlights, turn signals and brake lights failing on and off, often tied to the same fuse box trouble.
- Air Bags. 30 complaints[7]. Owners describe the air bag warning light coming on, along with a dead horn and dead steering wheel buttons. Some say a repair did not last.
- Steering. 14 complaints[8].
- Unknown Or Other. 12 complaints[9].
- Power Train. 8 complaints[10].
- Fuel/Propulsion System. 8 complaints[11].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2011 Tiguan is necessarily included.
- Air Bags › Frontal (15V483), August 2015. About 415,825 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[12]
- Fuel System, Gasoline (14V441), July 2014. About 151,389 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Exterior Lighting (13V569), November 2013. About 62,155 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced visibility. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Tiguan, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive[4] | 20 / 25 / 22 | $3,750 |
| Tiguan, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive[15] | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,900 |
| Tiguan 4motion, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Premium, All-Wheel Drive[16] | 19 / 25 / 21 | $3,900 |
Safety ratings
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
| Engine | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan with 2.0L 4-cylinder[19] | 200 hp |
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
How 2011 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 168 | 3 |
| 2010 | 110 | 2 |
| 2011 | 162 | 3 |
| 2012 | 153 | 3 |
| 2013 | 140 | 3 |
| 2014 | 84 | 3 |
| 2015 | 62 | 4 |
| 2016 | 97 | 2 |
| 2017 | 76 | 4 |
| 2018 | 292 | 14 |
| 2019 | 193 | 5 |
| 2020 | 141 | 3 |
| 2021 | 143 | 5 |
| 2022 | 272 | 5 |
| 2023 | 70 | 1 |
| 2024 | 76 | 2 |
| 2025 | 53 | 3 |
| 2026 | 37 | 0 |
NHTSA's counts for the Tiguan show 162 complaints and 3 recalls for 2011[3]. Among the 19 model years listed, 14 have fewer complaints than 2011 and 4 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (0) and the most are for 2018 (292)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2011 Tiguan?
The complaint record for this Tiguan is spread over a few areas. Engine, electrical and lighting reports make up the largest groups[2][5][6]. Air bag complaints add another 30[7]. Recalls exist for this year, and the page lists them above[3]. These are unverified owner reports, so treat them as a guide and not a verdict.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan?
- Engine complaints lead with 63[2], followed by electrical system with 47[5] and exterior lighting with 39[6].
- Does the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan have recalls?
- Yes. The by-year count shows 3 recalls[3]. The Recalls section on this page lists them.
- Are there air bag problems on the 2011 Tiguan?
- Owners filed 30 air bag complaints[7]. They describe a warning light and steering wheel controls that stop working.
- Is the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?
- NHTSA has 162 owner complaints for this year[1]. See the problems section above and the by-year comparison on this page.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2011 Tiguan?
- See the fuel economy section on this page.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Volkswagen Tiguan
Compare all model years of the Volkswagen Tiguan
Other Volkswagen models from 2011
Similar cars from 2011: suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 162 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan (4 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 1 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 63 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 76,158). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Volkswagen Tiguan model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Tiguan, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 25 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 47 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,034). NHTSA vehicle records
- 39 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 43,800). NHTSA vehicle records
- 30 complaints name the air bags component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 82,300). NHTSA vehicle records
- 14 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 78,650). NHTSA vehicle records
- 12 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 8 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 53,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 8 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 54,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 15V483, filed August 4, 2015: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 14V441, filed July 21, 2014: Fuel System, Gasoline. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 13V569, filed November 22, 2013: Exterior Lighting. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Tiguan, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Tiguan 4motion, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 18.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 200 hp. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TIGUAN 2.0 TSI 4MOTION 4DR AWD SUV: length 176 in, width 71 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 102 in, curb weight 3,631 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TIGUAN 2.0 TSI FWD 4DR FWD SUV: length 176 in, width 71 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 102 in, curb weight 3,400 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov