VehicleVerdict

2009 Volkswagen Tiguan problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan sits mid-pack among Tiguan years: 247 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 167, with 3 recalls and one closed investigation.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 90 reports (36% of the total).

247

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

9

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other Tiguan years?

Tiguan NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted446 complaints2009: 247 complaints2010: 158 complaints2011: 238 complaints2012: 214 complaints2013: 227 complaints2014: 127 complaints2015: 106 complaints2016: 145 complaints2017: 101 complaints2018: 446 complaints2019: 282 complaints2020: 199 complaints2021: 175 complaints2022: 432 complaints2023: 84 complaints2024: 88 complaints2025: 65 complaints2026: 33 complaints
Tiguan NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Tiguan years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine9036%
Electrical System4518%
Transmission208%
Lighting156%
Steering146%
Fuel System146%
Other104%
Airbags104%
Brakes83%
Speed Control83%
Visibility & Wipers42%
Seats42%
Body & Structure42%
Seat Belts10%

Does the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14V441000Fuel SystemJuly 21, 2014 · 151,389 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

13V569000LightingNovember 22, 2013 · 62,155 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

08V235000EngineMay 28, 2008 · 6,579 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I WENT TO TAKE MY CHILD TO GYMNASTICS IN THE MORNING. WHEN I TURNED ON TO THE STREET THAT THE GYM IS OFF OF, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. LESS THEN 10TH OF A MILE LATER I PARKED. WE WERE EARLY SO I CALLED THE LOCAL VW DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THIS CHECKED OUT AND GET IN A LITTLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 31, 2012 · fire

“I OWN A 2009 VW TIGUAN. THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES THIS MORNING AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON WHILE MY PREGNANT WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR THIS MORNING. THE CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY VW AND HAD ROUGHLY 22,000 MILES ON IT. I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM EVANSTON AUTOBARN VW IN 2010 AND SERVICED IT AT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 10, 2011 · fire

“ON JUNE 13, 2008 I WAS TRAVELING WEST BOUND ON A TYPICAL SOUTH FLORIDA DAY, VERY HOT AND HUMID CLEAR DAY. JUST THEN A PICK-UP TRUCK PUT OUT VERY FAST IN FRONT OF ME. I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES WITH PLENTY OF TIME TO STOP, BUT JUST BEFORE I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE ENGINE ROARED AND I HIT THE TRUCK…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 13, 2008 · crash

“A 30 AMP FUSE MELTED INSIDE THE FUSE BOX, CAUSING MY RIGHT SIDE HIGH AND LOW BEAM, FOG LIGHT, AND TURN SIGNAL, ALONG WITH THE RIGHT HALF OF ALL MY TAIL AND BRAKE LIGHTS TO STOP WORKING. *TR UPDATED 09/17/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUSE BOX WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FUSE WAS REPLACED AND WAS BEING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · June 21, 2013

“FIRST, THIS EXACT SAME SCENARIO ALSO HAPPENED IN OCTOBER 2010. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, AND NOW THIS TIME, WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. BOTH OF US, EACH HAVE 30+ YEARS OF DRIVING EXPERIENCE AND NEITHER OF US HAVE EVER BEEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH OR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · December 29, 2012 · crash

2009 Volkswagen Tiguan — common questions

Is the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?

It is close to typical for the Tiguan: 247 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2009 Tiguan problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (90 complaints), electrical system (45 complaints), transmission (20 complaints).

Does the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Volkswagen Tiguan years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Tiguan years to avoid are 2018, 2022, 2019, 2011, 2013, 2012, 2010, 2016, 2014. The cleanest record among Tiguan years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.