Every 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Air Bags · NHTSA 15V483000
Apr 8, 2015Air Bags:Frontal
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 15V483000 →Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA 14V441000
Jul 21, 2014Fuel System, Gasoline
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 14V441000 →Electrical System · NHTSA 13V569000
Nov 22, 2013Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses and Circuit Breakers
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 13V569000 →
2011 Volkswagen Tiguan complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 162 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan, reporting 4 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries. Volkswagen has issued at least 858 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Engine63
- Electrical System48
- Exterior Lighting39
- Air Bags30
- Steering14
- Unknown Or Other12
Service bulletins by component
- Equipment (307)
- Electrical System (172)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (151)
- Engine (92)
- Fuel System, Gasoline (61)
- Visibility (45)
Read Volkswagen Tiguan owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in 4 investigations. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
- Air Bag Clockspring Failure
EA18003Opened Apr 18, 2018Open
- Air Bag Clockspring Failure
RQ17009Opened Nov 13, 2017Closed May 4, 2018
- Air Bag Clockspring Failure
PE15010Opened Mar 24, 2015Closed Sep 28, 2015
- Partial Loss of Exterior Lights
PE13036Opened Nov 4, 2013Closed Feb 28, 2014
What people reported
Owners have filed 162 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Crash
“IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT. AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD, GAS PEDAL STUCK. PROCEEDED TO JUMP THE CURB, RAN OVER A SIGN, AND THEN INTO A LARGE FLOWER POT. ALL THE WHILE MOTOR RUNNING AT HIGH RPM'S, UNTIL THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF.”
2011 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUANSep 16, 2019
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11255769
Injury reportedCrash
“THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, WHEN APPROXIMATING A GREEN LIGHT, THE VEHICLE IN FRONT MADE A SUDDEN COMPLETE STOP CAUSING THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASH INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.”
2011 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUANMay 10, 2019
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11206831
Fire
“LAST WEEK MY WIFE TOLD ME THAT SHE COULD SMELL AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AND FEEL A BURNING SENSATION COMING FROM HER VW DRIVER?S SEAT WHILE SHE HAD HER SEAT WARMER ON. I IMMEDIATELY HAD HER TAKE IT IN TO THE LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER FOR DIAGNOSIS.”
2011 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUANJan 24, 2015
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 10678667
Fire
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD LIGHTS, BRAKE, AND TURN SIGNALS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FAIL.”
2011 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUANNov 12, 2013
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 10551953
Crash
“I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHIN THE LIMITED SPEED. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SUDDENLY OUT OF MY CONTROL. THE CAR MOVED LEFT AND RIGHT, BUT I COULDN'T CONTROL IT. I HIT THE BRAKE AND EVENTUALLY STOPPED BY HIT THE GUARDRAIL AFTER TURNING 180 DEGREE ON THE HIGHWAY.”
2011 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUANNov 7, 2012
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 10483563
Check your Tiguan by VIN
Not every 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Volkswagen dealer.
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