2009 Volkswagen Tiguan Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan ranks 5th worst out of 17 model years, with a complaint index of 75 and an Avoid verdict. Engine problems dominate, making up 55% of its 168 complaints, alongside 3 recalls covering fuel system, electrical, and engine control module issues.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 75/100
- #5 of 17 Tiguan years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 168
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 6
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine93 (55%)
- Electrical System42 (25%)
- Transmission & Powertrain20 (12%)
- Steering15 (9%)
- Fuel System14 (8%)
- Brakes13 (8%)
- Airbags10 (6%)
- Other10 (6%)
- Structure & Body8 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers4 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine stalls or fails to accelerate suddenly while driving, sometimes with the check engine light on beforehand.
- Some owners report engine compartment fires starting shortly after the check engine light illuminated.
- Heated front seats have overheated and burned holes in the cloth, in some cases producing smoke or fire.
- Brakes have failed to hold even when pressed to the floor, leading to rear-end collisions.
- An AWD axle came loose while driving at low speed, damaging the axle and underbody heat shields.
2009 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 14V441000Jul 21, 2014Fuel System151,389 vehicles
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.
Risk: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
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.
- NHTSA 13V569000Nov 22, 2013Electrical System62,155 vehicles
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.
Risk: If the holder melts, there may be a partial loss of exterior lighting. Reduced vehicle illumination diminishes the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 08V235000May 28, 2008Engine6,579 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling
Volkswagen is recalling 4,079 my 2008 passat and 2,500 my 2009 tiguan passenger vehicles equipped with 2.0t fsi ulev ii engines. These vehicles have an engine control module (ECM) containing software that may not properly control engine idle with the air conditioning turned on. In rare cases, the ECM may unexpectedly increase engine rpm.
Risk: An engine surge caused by an unexpected increase in engine rpm may surprise the vehicle operator and can result in a crash without warning.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and update the ECM software free of charge. The recall began on may 30, 2008. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-893-5298.
2009 Volkswagen Tiguan fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2009 compared with other Tiguan years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 Tiguan ranks 5th worst of 17 model years with a complaint index of 75 and an Avoid verdict. Engine problems account for 55% of its 168 complaints.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2009 Tiguan?
- The engine is the top problem area, with 93 complaints (55% share), 4 fires, and a median failure mileage of 82,541 miles.
- Does the 2009 Tiguan have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls: a 2014 fuel system recall for winterized fuel bubble formation, a 2013 electrical fuse recall for exterior lights, and a 2008 engine control module software recall.
- How does the 2009 Tiguan compare to other Tiguan years?
- Its complaint index of 75 is worse than 2010 (38), 2011 (44), 2012 (50), and 2013 (25), but better than 2018 (94) and 2022 (100), which are also rated Avoid.