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Owner report · 2009 model year

2009 Volkswagen Tiguan

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2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
Crash-test image: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), U.S. Department of Transportation.

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Engine

Engine leads by volume: 88 of 168 complaints (52%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Brakes include more crash reports (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

At a glance

NHTSA complaints
168
Recall campaigns
3
EPA fuel cost per year
$3,700–$3,850
Combined MPG
20–21

Complaints by model year

  1. 1682009
  2. 1102010
  3. 1622011

Where owners report problems

  1. Engine88 (52%)
  2. Electrical40 (24%)
  3. Transmission & Drivetrain20 (12%)
  4. Visibility & Lighting19 (11%)
  5. Steering15 (9%)
  6. Fuel System14 (8%)
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 3 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.Also cataloged for 2009: 1 configuration(s) of a different vehicle class, excluded from the comparison bar only (but included in the figures above).
Category200920102011vs. 2009 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Annual fuel cost ($)3,700–3,8503,700–3,8503,500–3,700
Combined MPG20–2120–2121–22
City / Highway MPG18–19 / 24–2618–19 / 24–2618–20 / 25–26
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)423–444423–444404–423
Complaints filed168110162Not compared
Recalls issued323Not compared
Crash-involved complaints554Not compared
Fire-involved complaints642Not compared
Injuries reported451Not compared
Deaths reported000Not compared
Configurations compared222

Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.

Common questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan have?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan?

Engine: 88 of 168 NHTSA complaints (52%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan get?

EPA rates it 20–21 MPG combined.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan?

EPA estimates $3,700–$3,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

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EPA-Rated Configurations (3)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Manual 6-spd42.0LFront-Wheel DrivePremiumSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD19 mpg (high)26 mpg (high)21 mpg (high)$3,700 (low)423 g/mi (low)
Configuration 2Automatic (S6)42.0LFront-Wheel DrivePremiumSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD18 mpg (low)24 mpg (low)21 mpg (high)$3,700 (low)423 g/mi (low)
Configuration 3Automatic (S6)42.0L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DrivePremiumSport Utility Vehicle - 4WD18 mpg (low)24 mpg (low)20 mpg (low)$3,850 (high)444 g/mi (high)

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine881310
Transmission & Drivetrain201020
Fuel System140000
Electrical400310
Brakes133020
Steering151000
Suspension, Wheels & Tires00000
Airbags & Restraints100000
Driver Assistance & Speed Control80100
Body, Seats & Latches81200
Visibility & Lighting190000
Other101010

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (3)

  • FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

    Campaign 14V441000 · Jul 21, 2014

    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.

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING

    Campaign 13V569000 · Nov 22, 2013

    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.

  • ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

    Campaign 08V235000 · May 28, 2008

    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.