YearToAvoid

2009 Volkswagen Tiguan Engine Problems

NHTSA has 93 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan, 55% of all 168 complaints for this model year. That is #2 highest engine complaint count among 17 Tiguan model years. These complaints report 1 crash, 4 fires, and 1 injury. Median mileage at failure: 82,541 miles.

Engine complaints
93
55% of 168
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
82,541 mi
Related recalls
1

When 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 4, 2010, latest Sep 9, 2024.

2009 Volkswagen Tiguan engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter72010 Q12012 Q12013 Q42015 Q12016 Q22017 Q32018 Q42020 Q2
93 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2010 Q1 to 2024 Q3; peak 2017 Q1 (7).

Engine recalls for the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan

  1. 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.

Engine complaints by Tiguan model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200993 (55%)
  2. 201056 (51%)
  3. 201166 (41%)
  4. 201253 (35%)
  5. 201333 (24%)
  6. 201412 (14%)
  7. 20159 (15%)
  8. 201614 (15%)
  9. 201716 (21%)
  10. 201890 (32%)
  11. 201952 (27%)
  12. 202030 (21%)
  13. 202160 (43%)
  14. 2022126 (47%)
  15. 202329 (44%)
  16. 202420 (29%)
  17. 202511 (23%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan have engine problems?
NHTSA has 93 owner complaints about the engine in the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan, 55% of all complaints for this model year, including 1 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 82,541 miles.
Which Volkswagen Tiguan year has the most engine complaints?
The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan has the most engine complaints (126), compared with 93 for the 2009.
Is there a engine recall for the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan concerns the engine: 08V235000.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.