NHTSA vehicle safety data

2009 Volkswagen Tiguan Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 167 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Volkswagen dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2009 Volkswagen Tiguan owner complaints

Owners have filed 167 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan, describing incidents dated June 11, 2008 to August 22, 2024.

Most-cited components

Engine 88 complaints
Electrical System 40 complaints
Power Train 20 complaints
Exterior Lighting 15 complaints
Steering 15 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 14 complaints

Of the 167 complaints on file, 4 report a crash and 6 a fire; across all 167 complaints, owners report 3 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11766042 · Filed September 22, 2026
Steering column keeps locking up. I’ve replaced a fuse and it fixed it initially but problem returned. Upon my research apparently this is a common problem in these vehicles.
ODI #11613596 · Filed September 9, 2024
The car keeps throwing sensors (camshaft, crank sensors, throttle body etc) and the ECM needs to be updated. It keeps turning over. I checked the recall list of VINs and mine is within the range, however there aren't any recalls listed.
ODI #11610892 · Filed August 26, 2024
Intermittent AC working issues, air conditioning does not cool or the cooling is weak

Read all 167 complaints

Owner-reported

2009 Volkswagen Tiguan mileage at failure

149 of the 167 complaints on file for the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Engine	Median 85,000 miles	Middle half 65,000–100,000 miles	Based on 75 complaints
Electrical System	Median 55,000 miles	Middle half 40,000–75,000 miles	Based on 38 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE13-036: Partial Loss of Exterior Lights
Closed February 28, 2014
- Recall 13V-569

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Bubbles in Fuel may Result in Engine Stall

NHTSA #14V441000 · Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA notice

Reported July 21, 2014 · Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 151,389 vehicles

Repair completion: 89.97% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Volkswagen campaign 24AV/2W · Owners notified August 19, 2014 · Vehicles built July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2014 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Partial Loss of Exterior Lights

NHTSA #13V569000 · Electrical System — Wiring — Fuses and Circuit Breakers · NHTSA notice

Reported November 22, 2013 · Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 62,155 vehicles

Repair completion: 88.11% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Volkswagen campaign 97Z9/2V · Owners notified January 3, 2014 · Vehicles built July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2011 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) SOFTWARE UPDATE

NHTSA #08V235000 · Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA notice

Reported May 28, 2008 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

Potentially affected: 6,579 vehicles

Volkswagen campaign 24M9/R7 · Owners notified May 30, 2008 · Vehicles built December 28, 2007 – April 17, 2008 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

VOLKSWAGEN RECALL NO. 24M9/R7.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

2009 Volkswagen Tiguan 4-Dr. w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

17% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

1 investigation

167 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan.

Steering

ODI #11766042

Incident: September 1, 2021 · Filed: September 22, 2026

Steering column keeps locking up. I’ve replaced a fuse and it fixed it initially but problem returned. Upon my research apparently this is a common problem in these vehicles.

Unknown or Other; Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11613596

Incident: February 20, 2024 · Filed: September 9, 2024

The car keeps throwing sensors (camshaft, crank sensors, throttle body etc) and the ECM needs to be updated. It keeps turning over. I checked the recall list of VINs and mine is within the range, however there aren't any recalls listed.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11610892

Incident: August 22, 2024 · Filed: August 26, 2024

Intermittent AC working issues, air conditioning does not cool or the cooling is weak

Steering

ODI #11507267

Incident: January 30, 2023 · Filed: February 14, 2023

Power steering goes out randomly after cold weather, even while driving. There is no warning before the power steering goes out. I have almost crashed into another car several times because of this. Many people have had this exact problem with this make and model.

Engine and Engine Cooling; Engine

ODI #11478989

Incident: July 31, 2022 · Filed: August 12, 2022

The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated while driving at 45 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond and seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V235000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 189,000.

Engine; Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #11478431

Incident: July 10, 2022 · Filed: August 9, 2022

The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the oil pressure warning light illuminated and a message to stop the vehicle immediately was displayed. AAA arrived on the scene and diagnosed the vehicle with oil sensor failure. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic and the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was vibrating while driving back to the residence. The vehicle stalled upon arrival at the residence in the driveway. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer and diagnosed with timing chain and timing sensor failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 84,092. The contact stated that VW of America was notified of the failure. The vehicle was taken to another dealer for a second opinion and all of the issues were confirmed. It was strongly recommended that the engine be replaced as well.

Power Train; Engine

ODI #11461842

Incident: April 17, 2022 · Filed: April 22, 2022

The engine reached 100k miles in the second week of April 2022. After that, I tried to turn on the vehicle, and the engine did not respond. I took my car to the mechanic, and he told me that the car needed an engine replacement. This is very strange since the vehicle had an excellent maintenance schedule, and I usually, this type of car last longer. That engine issue could have caused a severe accident on the road, and fortunately, it never happened. The timing belt might have an issue there, but I had very little information from the engine codes since I did not have an indicator earlier. It just appeared like that. I feel that this type of issue is unfair. After having more than four cars with way more miles, this has never happened, and on average, a Tiguan engine should last at least 150k miles according to the statistics of the vehicle model and year. I feel upset and disappointed with this vehicle model since the cost of replacing the engine cost around 6000$, and I am an international student with no money to do that repair. I feel helpless, and VW told me the only way to get a recall of this car is through a report from the NHTSA, which would be fair given the circumstances I have been through. The only thing I request is to generate a recall for this vehicle if possible. I hope some reads this, and I appreciate the work you do. Thanks

Electrical System; Engine

ODI #11438506

Incident: March 5, 2021 · Filed: October 28, 2021

Problems start with ABS and Steering warning lights with EPIC warning on dash, flickering of lights and radio shut off by loosing power steering and rough acceleration and idling. Has been in to VW dealership 5 times now with repairs "fixing" problem for a few days - a week before returning again. This is a safety issue because this happens very quickly and without warning. Once I was on a highway and had to carefully move to side of the road and limp to a safe area (luckily I was in the right lane already).

Steering

ODI #11359994

Incident: August 17, 2020 · Filed: September 19, 2020

THE STEERING WHEEL LIGHT COMES ON AND THE STEERING GETS HARD AND IT'S DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT'S HAPPENING WHILE MY WIFE DRIVES IT. PLEASE GIVE ME SOME INFORMATION ON WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE HAPPENING OR IF U GUYS CAN LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL ON IT. I KNOW YOUR BUSY BUT PLEASE GET BACK TO ME AS SOON AS YOU CAN

Steering; Air Bags; Engine

ODI #11331329

Incident: June 27, 2020 · Filed: June 28, 2020

AIR BAG LIGHT ALL OF A SUDDEN CAME WITHOUT BUMPING - THE ENGINE IDLE WERE NOT NORMAL HIGH AND LOW - ELECTRICAL PROBLEM FROM THE STEERING

Other Volkswagen Tiguan model years

Check your 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Volkswagen Tiguan at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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