2011 Volkswagen Tiguan problems and complaints

Owners have filed 161 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan. The most-reported areas: Engine (63), Electrical System (47), Exterior Lighting (39).

Key takeaways

  • 161 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 4 involve a crash, 2 a fire, 1 reported injury.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine6339%
Electrical System4729%
Exterior Lighting3924%
Air Bags3019%
Steering149%
Unknown Or Other127%
Fuel/Propulsion System85%
Power Train85%
Service Brakes42%
Vehicle Speed Control42%
Fuel System32%
Gasoline32%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2011 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWDNot ratedNot ratedNot rated4/5
2011 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV FWDNot ratedNot ratedNot rated4/5

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Electrical System,unknown Or Other,engine - filed 2026-09-09

Car only starts when it wants to. Rpms dont go over 4,000. Low idle.

Air Bags - filed 2026-01-22

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 reoccurrin...

Engine - filed 2024-12-27

⁠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 indep...

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More for the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.