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Owner report · 2010 model year

2010 Volkswagen Tiguan

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2010 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: 54 of 110 complaints (49%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Body, Seats & Latches include more fire reports (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.

Complaints filed fell from 168 in 2009 to 110 in 2010.

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

At a glance

NHTSA complaints
110
Recall campaigns
2
EPA fuel cost per year
$3,700–$3,850
Combined MPG
20–21

Complaints by model year

  1. 1682009
  2. 1102010
  3. 1622011
  4. 1532012

Where owners report problems

  1. Engine54 (49%)
  2. Electrical31 (28%)
  3. Visibility & Lighting21 (19%)
  4. Steering13 (12%)
  5. Fuel System8 (7%)
  6. Body, Seats & Latches7 (6%)
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 4 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.Also cataloged for 2010: 1 configuration(s) of a different vehicle class, excluded from the comparison bar only (but included in the figures above).
Category2009201020112012vs. 2010 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Annual fuel cost ($)3,700–3,8503,700–3,8503,500–3,7003,200–3,700
Combined MPG20–2120–2121–2221–24
City / Highway MPG18–19 / 24–2618–19 / 24–2618–20 / 25–2618–22 / 26
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)423–444423–444404–423370–423
Complaints filed168110162153Not compared
Recalls issued3233Not compared
Crash-involved complaints55410Not compared
Fire-involved complaints6420Not compared
Injuries reported4516Not compared
Deaths reported0000Not compared
Configurations compared2222

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 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan have?

2 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 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan?

Engine: 54 of 110 NHTSA complaints (49%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan get?

EPA rates it 20–21 MPG combined.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2010 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)42.0LAll-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
Engine540100
Transmission & Drivetrain61000
Fuel System80000
Electrical311100
Brakes72010
Steering131000
Suspension, Wheels & Tires20000
Airbags & Restraints32020
Driver Assistance & Speed Control40000
Body, Seats & Latches70220
Visibility & Lighting210100
Other10000

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 (2)

  • 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.