Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 161 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 48 | 30% |
| Electrical system | 19 | 12% |
| Exterior lighting | 14 | 9% |
| Air bags | 10 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 3% |
| Steering | 5 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 2% |
| Steering | 3 | 2% |
| Engine | 3 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Car only starts when it wants to. Rpms dont go over 4,000. Low idle.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
My 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan was included in the Volkswagen clock spring safety recall. According to Volkswagen’s records, the recall repair was completed in 2016. The same defect has now reoccurred: the steering wheel cont
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the engine stalled. After several attempts, the vehicle started however the vehicle drove slowly. The contact was able to pull
NHTSA complaint: Engine
My Tiguan randomly shuts down or stalls while driving. I have come very close to accidents because It is in the middle of the road where I can't pull over, people coming around a curve behind me that may not have time to
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
This vehicle has already been recalled for faulty clock spring, which renders the airbag inoperable but the clock spring has failed again. This is a common issue VW needs to fix.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
Clock spring in steering column has snapped. Because if a previous recall, this part is covered under warranty. New clock spring is on back order without any ETA when one will be available. Car horn is disabled and airba
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The clock spring is broken in my 2011 VW Tiguan at 114,000 miles. Therefore, the driver airbag on the steering wheel does not work. Therefore, there is a safety issue if one drives the car. The problem is not fixed becau
NHTSA complaint: Steering
Timeing chain skipped a tooth destroyig the engine completely. Yes its available for inspection upon request. The problem has been settled in a class action lawsuit but no recall has been issued for ea888 engines betwee
NHTSA complaint: Engine
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 wou
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 spr
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 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.
| Reliability raw | 61 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 65 | good |
| Maintenance | 66 | good |
| Depreciation | 66 | good |
| Performance | 52 | average |
| Efficiency | 39 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 161 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine is the most reported area with 48 of them (30%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 61/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 65/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2011 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 60/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.