2010 Volkswagen Tiguan Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan has a complaint index of 38 and ranks 11th out of 17 model years, earning a Good verdict relative to other Tiguan years. It carries 110 complaints, 2 recalls, and no deaths reported.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 38/100
- #11 of 17 Tiguan years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 110
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine56 (51%)
- Electrical System33 (30%)
- Steering13 (12%)
- Fuel System8 (7%)
- Brakes7 (6%)
- Structure & Body7 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (5%)
- Airbags3 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (2%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brakes reportedly failed intermittently, including a case where the car crashed into the vehicle ahead after brake failure at a stop light.
- Owners describe airbags not deploying during moderate-speed crashes around 30 to 45 mph, resulting in injuries.
- Electrical failures caused exterior lights (headlights, turn signals, brake lights) to stop working, linked to an overheating fuse box tied to recall 13v569000.
- Some drivers report sudden loss of engine power while turning, in one case followed by a fire from under the hood.
- Seat heaters reportedly overheated, in one instance burning the driver's skin and a coat, and in another producing smoke while driving on a highway.
- Steering reportedly jerked violently side to side after a minor evasive maneuver, making the vehicle hard to control.
2010 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls
2 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.
2010 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.
2010 compared with other Tiguan years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?
- Relative to other Tiguan model years, the 2010 rates Good, with a complaint index of 38 and rank 11 of 17 years tracked. It has fewer complaints than the 2009 model (168) but more than several later Best-rated years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2010 Tiguan?
- Engine complaints lead at 56 (51% of all complaints, median mileage 83,000), followed by Electrical System issues at 33 (30%, median mileage 51,000) and Steering at 13 (12%, median mileage 93,175.5).
- Does the 2010 Tiguan have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2010 Tiguan: one for a fuel system issue where winterized fuel could form bubbles (campaign 14V441000), and one for an exterior lighting fuse holder problem (campaign 13V569000).
- How does the 2010 Tiguan compare to nearby years like 2009 and 2011?
- The 2009 Tiguan rates Avoid with a complaint index of 75, while the 2011 rates Good at 44. The 2010's complaint index of 38 is lower than both, putting it in a relatively better position among early Tiguan years.
- Were there any crashes or injuries reported for the 2010 Tiguan?
- NHTSA data lists 5 crashes, 4 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 deaths tied to 2010 Tiguan complaints.