8.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$6,000
Average Mileage:
17,000 miles
Total Complaints:
6 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (5 reports)
  2. replace (1 reports)
2016 Volkswagen Tiguan engine problems

engine problem

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2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Owner Comments

problem #6

Sep 022020

Tiguan SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I kept car well maintained. One day I was on the freeway, red oil light came on and it said to shut down the engine. By the time that I had pulled off to the side of the road it went into low power mode, and then shut off. This was all in under a minute and a half. When I took it into the dealer they said I must not have been changing the oil because the oil is black and has metal in it, and it would not start. Had to get a new engine. Researching this, I think it is a timing chain issue, which can be catastrophic, and have been known to happen in VW. The only reason I had it repaired was that I still owe money on it.

- Vanessa R., Phoenix, AZ, US

problem #5

Aug 272016

Tiguan SE 2.0L Fsi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 300 miles

FIRST OCCURANCE: I purchased my 2016 Tiguan SE on 8/24, and days later (300 miles on the dot), the EPC light comes on, throttle shuts off, and I complete come to a halt on the freeway. The vehicle starts back up, and the check engine light goes away. Dealer looked at codes and it mentioned "Fuel Pump". Dealer told me to "Keep an eye on it" as they couldn't find anything wrong with it.

- Logan S., Cincinnati, OH, US

problem #4

Oct 262016

Tiguan SE 2.0L Fsi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,005 miles

THIRD OCCURRENCE (see 1st, and 2nd in complaint page): Literally picking the 2016 Tiguan SE up from the dealer after they replaced the fuel pump, I get 3 miles from the dealer and it completely shuts down AGAIN... this time I am not able to get out of the road as I come to a halt in the middle of a 4-land road, again, at rush hour. 1-800 VW roadside picks the vehicle back up, and dealer comes and gets me. They then realize the vehicle's "high-pressure" fuel pump was the one to go (or, so they thought). They replace it (5 day turn around), and I'm back on my way. For the third time, I am emotionally drained every time I press the start button... it's ridiculous to think that my vehicle with 3,000 miles may not make it home.

- Logan S., Cincinnati, OH, US

problem #3

Nov 232016

Tiguan SE 2.0L Fsi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,800 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

FOURTH OCCURRENCE (see 1st, 2nd, 3rd): Driving my 2016 Tiguan SE from Cincinnati to Indianapolis... changing highways around a loop at 35mph... I could feel the throttle shutting off AGAIN, so I luckily have time to safely stop on the side of the interchange. I turn the vehicle off, turn it back on. EPC light comes on, but turns off quickly. At this point, the vehicle has nearly 4,000 miles on the clock, and is a hundred miles from home... decide to continue forward and risk it, and luckily got home with no EPC shutoff. Report to dealer, but they do not see any lights or codes coming up. I can't even get 100 miles out without rolling the dice of an EPC shutoff...

- Logan S., Cincinnati, OH, US

problem #2

Jan 052017

Tiguan SE 2.0L Fsi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,600 miles

FIFTH OCCURRENCE (see 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th): This is where it really sets me over the edge... after four times in 3 months... I shouldn't expect anything less than an EPC engine shutdown in the middle of rush hour traffic, risking my life and those around me. 1.5.17, rush hour traffic in Cincinnati while snowing. 2016 Tiguan SE shuts down again at approximately 35mph to a halt in the middle of a turn lane on a busy intersection. Co-Workers behind me have to push me out of the way and into a gas station. 1-800 VW roadside picks me up, and takes me back to the dealer.

Here's where it gets interesting... VW will allow me to "trade" vehicle and gives me assistance money to buy another, but will refuse to buy vehicle back although same problem has been fixed three times (Ohio Lemon Law?). They argue that the fuel pump has three individual pieces that were replaced, meaning by Ohio Lemon Law standards, the vehicle needs to be in for 8 different problems and needs "more downtime" at dealer. This fix lasted 7 days, and they put on nearly 200 miles on the vehicle to "test" the fuel pump. How much more will I take? How can a $33,000 Tiguan break down 5 times within 5 months of ownership? When is enough enough? I know the dealer has been absolutely excellent to work with... but what happened to VW of America? Their solution does not fix my problem. If it breaks down again, I will have no choice but to rid the vehicle... I own a Tiguan and a Jetta... why would this problem - and "solution" ever inspire me to buy a VW again?

- Logan S., Cincinnati, OH, US

problem #1

Oct 262016

Tiguan SE 2.0L Fsi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,000 miles

SECOND OCCURRENCE: 2016 Tiguan SE... this time at 3,000 miles, at 35mph, the vehicle shuts down a second time (see "first occurrence") DURING RUSH HOUR. Luckily I was able to pull into an emergency lane. This time, EPC + Battery light come on, not able to restart. 1-800 VW roadside sent vehicle to dealer. Dealer replaced main fuel pump... to completely shut off in the middle of rush hour while driving is a scary situation. I couldn't imagine if wife, family, or friends were in the vehicle with me.

- Logan S., Cincinnati, OH, US

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