2011 Volkswagen Tiguan Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
44/100
#10 most-complained of 17 Tiguan years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan has a complaint index of 44, ranking 10th of 17 model years, and earns a Good verdict relative to other Tiguan years. NHTSA lists 161 complaints and 3 recalls, with engine (41%) and electrical system (40%) issues topping the list.
- Complaints
- 161
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 4 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 19 city / 25 hwy
Top 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine66 (41%)
- Electrical System64 (40%)
- Airbags30 (19%)
- Steering14 (9%)
- Other12 (7%)
- Fuel System11 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain8 (5%)
- Brakes7 (4%)
- Structure & Body3 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (1%)
What owners report
- Headlights, brake lights, and turn signals intermittently fail together, sometimes traced to a melted fuse in the fuse box.
- Multiple exterior lighting warnings flash in sequence on the dash while driving, including headlamp, fog light, and brake light alerts.
- Owners describe complete brake failure where the pedal goes to the floor with no braking response, then catches again after release.
- Airbags failed to deploy in a rear-end collision at 40 mph.
- The engine surged unexpectedly with the gas pedal stuck, causing the vehicle to jump a curb.
- A driver's seat heater produced a burning smell and electrical short sensation, raising fire concerns.
2011 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V483000Aug 4, 2015Airbags415,825 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
Risk: A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.
- 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.
2011 Volkswagen Tiguan fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 25 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.
2011 compared with other Tiguan years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?
- Compared to other Tiguan model years, the 2011 rates Good, ranking 10th of 17 years with a complaint index of 44. NHTSA lists 161 complaints and 3 recalls for this year.
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Tiguan?
- Engine issues make up 41% of complaints and electrical system issues make up 40%, with airbag complaints at 19%. Median mileage at failure across all issues was 60,000.
- Does the 2011 Tiguan have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2011 Tiguan: an airbag steering wheel clock spring cover, a fuel system software update for winterized fuel, and an exterior lighting fuse replacement.
- How does the 2011 Tiguan compare to other years?
- The 2011 Tiguan (complaint index 44) is safer than 2009 (75, Avoid) and 2012 (50, Caution) but not as clean as 2014-2017, which all earned Best verdicts with indexes under 20.
- Were there any fires reported in the 2011 Tiguan?
- NHTSA lists 2 fires among the 161 complaints, both tied to the electrical system, including melted fuses and a reported burning smell from a seat heater.