Timing Tensioner Problems of Volkswagen Tiguan - part 1

Vw Tiguan 09 purchased as new. Only 50k miles on it when check engine light was encountered. Soon after (last week, Nov 25 2019), engine stalled while accelerating out of second gear and was seized. Independent mechanic said it would cost 5,800 to rebuild engine. While doing my own independent research, discovered the complaints here detailing precisely the same issue (timing chain tensioner failure) that was described to me by my mechanic. Then discovered that there is a class action settlement reimbursement (https://timingchainlitigation. Com/) for this issue that I am no longer eligible for because Jan 25 2019 filing deadline was not met - keep in mind that my engine failed one week ago (11/25/2019) with only 50k miles on it. I too, never received a class action notice in the mail. After calling the class action hotline, I was told to send an email to the lawsuit settlement administrator requesting a filing deadline exception. Unlikely that any of this will work in my favor. But I too, like many others have been unnecessarily burdened by Volkswagen's negligent handling of this major defect. It's unfortunate that customers like myself are now saddled with this complete loss.

See all problems of the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan 🔎.

Car stopped and would not start due to timing chain tensioner fualt with code p0016. Caused complete engine failure and the need to completely rebuild the top end of the engine. This was verified after a complete loss of compression due to the valves being destroyed on the engine.

On engine start up, the check engine light came on. After driving it a short while, the car would not start again. Had it towed to a qualified mechanic who diagnosed that the timing chain tensioner failed and the engine jumped time, causing catastrophic damage to the cylinder head and pistons. Mechanic estimated a repair cost of approximately $6000. 00 to replace the engine with a used one. The car had less than 100k miles but the repair would have cost more than it was worth. Volkswagen will not pay for the repair, even through a class-action lawsuit was settled against them for this issue, since the deadline for applying was 6 months prior to this incident.

Belt tensioner noise /morning startup rough idle and misfiring.

See all problems of the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan 🔎.

I bought my car July 6th, 2018, got the oil changed in August 2018, and everything was fine until October 1,2018 when the epc light came on and about 1minute later the engine light came on. I was turning onto my street in my neighborhood when it happened and immediately called the auto shop where I'd recently gotten my oil changed. They told me to bring it the next day but I looked in the users manual and it said to drive to my nearest dealership. So I called the dealership and they said to bring it at 8:15 on October 3rd. I took it and dropped it off. I called before they closed to get an update on the diagnosis and they told me they suggested a 100k maintenance service and new battery. They said the battery caused the slow start and they checked the codes and it said fault in timing correlation� which was caused by low oil pressure and they didn't see oil on the dipstick. So, I asked if the suggested maintenance would fix the issues and if that's why the service lights came on and she told me yes! I then went to the dealership to get final clarification of what was going on and she told me after the maintenance everything was fine and he just needed to test drive it and I could come back in an hour. So she called after an hour and said they finished and I could get my car. I paid them and she told me there were no problems and I would probably need rear tires and brakes and an oil change and the 110k mile service in a year or 10k miles- whichever comes first. I got in the car and before I left the dealership the epc light came on. I got out, went back inside and told her and she told me they needed to pull it back around and I left with my mom and she called hours later and said I needed a timing chain and tensioner. I asked why they didn't see that before and she said they hadn't looked at it closely enough. Then said she'll call back tomorrow.

See all problems of the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan 🔎.

The car stalled, it was difficult to started again and then ran poorly. The engine light came on and I had it towed to the garage. The timing chain slipped, causing a misfire in all four cylinders. Mechanic found it was due to a faulty timing chain tensioner. Vw replaced this tensioner in new cars as of July of 2012, my car was built in June of 2012. As the result of a lawsuit, vw extended the warranty on models through 2012, but did not include 2013 even though it is the same faulty part number. Car is still in the garage 10 days later, but I was told it would be $1,500-$2,000 repair.

See all problems of the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan 🔎.

Tensioner and crank shaft sprocket failure. I believe there are some class action lawsuits on this and am expecting it to go to recall.

Timing tensioner chain blew and shredded our engine at 65,000 miles. Metal pieces were found in the oil pan. This happened in a parking lot when the car failed to start - thankfully not while the vehicle was in motion. Vw service tried to insinuate that we may not have changed the oil often enough, which is low considering we have all records showing we changed the oil exactly when prescribed by vw, as the service guy later admitted. The real issue is the tensioner chain is susceptible to failure. This is not only dangerous (I. E. If the engine failed while on a highway with young children in the back) but expensive, and it is infuriating that vw did not recommend a simple replacement when they became aware of the problem.

See all problems of the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan 🔎.

At 90k miles the rear main seal has failed. This comes just 4k miles after having the engine cylinder head repaired and all timing components replaced from the timing tensioner failure.

Vehicles timing chain tensioner failed causing the engine to stop running. Timing gain tensioner failed causing severe engine damage. While merging onto freeway engine lost all propulsion causing vehicle to lose acceleration due to issue. Almost caused an accident with a semi truck as vehicle was only moving at 20 mph onto a freeway where speed limit is seventy. Was able to move vehicle to the shoulder but would not restart due to engine damage. Volkswagen has acknowledged the issue but has offered zero assistance.

When attempting to start my car, it would not 'catch' and start running. I took it to the local Volkswagen shop and was told that the timing chain tensioner failed. The result was a slipped timing chain that rendered the engine useless. I will need a whole new engine. I understand now that this is a common problem with this make and model of engine from Volkswagen. The car currently has 82,000+ miles and in my humble opinion, is too early for this type of failure.

I have a 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan during the time of failure the vehicle was at 96,872 miles on it. I was driving down the street in my neighborhood, fairly close to my house. I had just got off work and was coming down a slight hill. Once I let of the throttle peddle the vehicle jared and began running terribly until the engine stalled. I was able to slow the vehicle and park in front of someones house. I tried to start the car and it would crank but no start. I got the vehicle to my house and tested everything I could until I did a compression test, nothing. The timing chain tensioner failed and my timing chain jumped causeing catastrophic failure. I was lucky to not be going vary fast and no kids out playing in the street. Well just like all the other reports, vw offered no assistance with the repairs. I really hope a recall comes out on this issue due to the amount of occurrences, before someone gets seriously injured or killed. Thank you for your time and consideration. Somebody needs to worry about vehicle safety because we all know vw doesn't. . Its all about the $$$ to them.

Timing chain tensioner failed (common issue with vw tsi engine) and caused an interference which resulted in a catastrophic failure of the engine during a regular engine start-up. This issue happened at about 115,000 miles and resulted in an engine replacement. The car was stationary and was working properly earlier in the day. The car was up to date with all recommended maintenance/ service tasks. Upon searching the web, it was noted this was a common issue to a point that there are several sites that offer "kits" to repair the engine (just search "timing chain tensioner issue + vw tsi" on google). . Read more...

Car was driven home with no engine noise or smoking and parked by the storm drainage. No signs or anything prior that the car needed servicing. About 5 minutes later went outside to move the car up from the drainage about 5 feet to in front of the center of the house in front of the door. Opened car door and placed key in to turn the engine on. Engine just turned but would not ignite or come on. On 12/26/17 contacted the dealer and stated the issue. Quick thought was the fuel pump or module went out. Had the vehicle towed to the dealer. After diagnosis and research. Found out the engine had "jumped timing" or tensioner had crashed the engine. Car has 63k miles and now to fix it will cost 7000. 00. Dealer stated with a 10% discount the cost will be lowered 6,1000. 00 plus taxes. Total rip off the car has a warranty of 36k when purchased but now has past the mileage timeframe but the (tensioner) is not to go out or have problems until the vehicle reaches around 120k .

Timing chain tensioner failure, causing catastrophic engine failure at 77,000 miles. A newer model of timing belt tensioner has been used since December 2011. Est. $5000 repair bill.

See all problems of the 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan 🔎.

On December 7 2017 the engine started miss-firing, on next restart the engine destroyed itself, caused by 'jumped timing' do too a defective chain tensioner.

Another example of the well known, well documented, and prone to failure timing chain tensioner.

Timing chain tensioner broke and caused catastrophic engine damage. Vw quoted me more than $8,000 to fix and vw America accepts no responsibility. This car was impeccably maintained and replacing/servicing the timing chain is not on their maintenance schedule. The check engine light went on while driving home from work at 121,000 miles and was driven to the mechanic, as we already had an oil changed scheduled. When the mechanic went to start the car to replace the cam sensor (what the computer/engine indicated was the problem), the car wouldn't start. I then had to have the car towed to local vw dealer, where they tried to get me to buy a new car. When I called vw America, they refuse to acknowledge the fact that the tensioner has a faulty design and only say that they cannot help with the cost of the repair since the car is outside its warranty.

Timing belt tensioner failure, causing catastrophic engine failure at just over 93,000 miles. This seems to be an all too common problem with this vehicle. A newer model of timing belt tensioner has been used since December 2011. Mine has the old style. Vehicle was in motion when engine light popped on, indicating the issue.

My check engine light came on, indicating code p0341. I took the car into the shop and they replaced the camshaft position sensor in an attempt to fix the problem. The car was returned to me with the check engine light off. Two drives later the check engine light was back on, and while driving the epc light would intermittently light when a nasty rattle became audible. This typically happened upon acceleration, near 2k rpm. I have not driven it over 30 mph since this issue started, only accelerating very gingerly. I took the car back into the mechanic, at which point they informed me the cam chain tensioner and guides had failed or were in the process of failing. They informed me that repairing the timing chain components would cost $4000, but that the engine is also burning oil. They recommended a total engine replacement for $5400. I purchased the Tiguan used from larson vw in tacoma, wa November 2015 (just under 2 years ago) with 59000 miles on it. It currently has ~89000 miles.

Timing chain tensioner failed causing complete engine destruction. 67,000 miles. Vw north America said they are aware of the complaints and lawsuits about the tensioner but since the warranty is only for 60,000 miles they were not going to cover it. $8,000 repair bill from the dealer.

On August 15, 2017 I attempted to start my vehicle after sitting in my driveway for 24 hrs. The engine would not turn over. The vehicle was towed to my local dealership for diagnosis. The mechanic diagnosed catastrophic internal top-end damage due to a failed timing chain tensioner. Quoted $6,600. 00 to repair. Volkswagen has refused to pay for the repair. Vehicle has 64,000 miles and all factory recommended services have been completed at the dealership(s). Vw does not recommend any service or inspection be done to the timing chain tensioner or affiliated components at or even near the mileage that my vehicle has recorded. Due to the number of complaints registered, lawsuits filed and vw,s acknowledgement of this problem I believe this not to be an isolated event. There appears to be a systemic problem with the tensioner that vw is aware of yet refuses to properly address or provide remedy.

Timing belt tensioner failure without notice happened while driving from parking lot chain skipped because of chain tensioner failed causing chain to skip a tooth making the timing issues. Towed to mechanic.

The timing chain tensioner in this vehicle is known to fail and destroy engines. They have issued technical service bulletins on the issue, but have done nothing to resolve the issue for owners. My wife and child were in the car and the tensioner failed and the engine stopped in the middle of a busy freeway causing them to almost get rear ended by a semi truck. . Read more...

I purchased my Tiguan three years ago as a certified preowned car. It was working great until a few days ago I went to go start it while it was in my driveway and it wouldn't start. I had it towed to first a mechanic where I was told that the valves were bent and no compression was in any of my cylinders. I had it towed to the dealer where they confirmed that my timing chain tensioner had failed causing massive engine damage. No warnings. No indicators. But a bill for over $6,000 which Volkswagen has only told me to "keep receipts and proof should they issue a recall in the future. " vw is ignoring a massive fault in their engines that makes their tensioners fail unexpectedly and prematurely and ruin engines without the driver needing to have move the vehicle and they're doing nothing to warn consumers of this issue.

From mechanic at vw roseville. Chain tensioner failed causing slack in timing chains, which caused chains to jump time and caused upper cylinder head damage. Car has 87,702 miles.

Car had 90,000 miles and started having ticking engine noises. Vw dealership service technicians diagnosed the issue as a turbo waste gate noise ("nothing to worry about at this time"). Two days later the engine starts to act like it's misfiring almost bucking then within minutes the engine goes(won't start, trying to start engine just 'spins'). Towed back to service. Internal inspection from their technicians confirmed bent parts, etc - $8,000 to replace engine. My research indicates the problem was with the 2. 0t tsi timing chain tensioner failure as listed in NHTSA service bulletin #tb-15-12-01 NHTSA item number 10045560. Certainly the results indicate that was the actual problem. According to the TSB it seems like this is a known issue across many vw models/years. Why owners are not notified of this potential issue and given a chance to take action to fix it before something catastrophic happens is disheartening.

The timing chain skipped or broke which caused a failure. It could not be determined if the timing chain was the first to fail or if something else (tensioner failure) caused the timing chain to break as a result. This resulted in the vehicle being towed to the dealer since it was not safe to drive. I was lucky this occurred when the vehicle was idling in a turn lane. While idling, the vehicle started shaking rather violently fore/aft. I immediately pulled of the road and turned off the vehicle.

Our Tiguan started shaking and making a horrible noise when our 20 year old daughter attempted to start driving. She noticed the check engine light on and the car suddenly stopped in the middle of a city road- presenting a danger to her as she could not move the car and was not in a safe neighborhood. She had to wait for a tow truck. At the repair shop, it was determined that the timing chain and tensioner were bad so they were replaced. After this repair the car still would not run so it was towed to a Volkswagen dealership. They tore down the engine and determined that it needed to be replaced. The cost at the first repair shop was nearly $1600 and the cost to replace the engine is nearly $9000.

The timing chain tensioner failed causing catastrophic damage to the engine. The cost to repair my engine is $8,000. I was lucky that I was parked, it happened when I started the car. Others have failed while driving causing loss of control of the vehicle. The vehicle cannot be driven after the failure. Volkwagen is aware of the issue. They currently are producing the 4th version of the part. The current part number is 06k-109-467-k.

My car suddenly started having problems accelerating in freeway traffic. I took it to a garage and got a part repaired. Afterwards I was alerted to excessive oil consumption in the car (having to fill oil every week) at no point is there a warning about the oil burning or check engine light. Then without warning again while driving on a city street, my tensioner belt slips causing massive engine damage, rendering the car undriveable and the engine now needs replaced on a 5 year old car. There are numerous lawsuits currently pending against Volkswagen due to this exact issue and yet there is no recall and no safety warning being issued. Individuals are at risk both safety-wise and financially.

67,000 miles on an 8 year old Tiguan major failure of the rear main oil seal, followed 3 days later by the failure of the timing chain and tensioner. Both the seal and the tensioner are noted points of failure and vwoa is not standing behind the known issue and or quality issues regarding these parts. Rear main seal broke during a highway drive, no check engineer light appeared, oil was almost completely drained from the car and no low oil pressure light came on. The only indication of the failure was the pool of oil under the car when the car was parked. After repair of the rear main seal, car ran fine for 3 day and then the timing chain slipped causing sever engine shake. Car was station are when this occurred and car was immediately towed to the deal for diagnostic. Failure of the tensioner on the timing chain was the contributing factor and low oil pressure can cause the failure according to research of this particular issue. The failure of the rear main seal could have caused engine failure at a high rate of speed and with no waring lights or check engine lights the drive is unaware of the condition. In discussion with vwoa they are not interested in standing behind the quality of the engine and offer not assistance to help cover the cost of the defective, internal parts, that a consumer would have no understanding of how to check or confirm condition without either the manufacturer or the dealer making a point to check during normal service intervals. The tensioner has an existing TSB noting the propensity of the timing chain to slip and the tensioner to fail.

The timing tensioner went bad and cause damage to the engine which now needs replaced at around $7k-$8k. This was a known issue by vw and there are class action lawsuits out there. I called vw of America and they refused to even help with this issue due to the fact the warranty was expired and there are no recalls on the vehicle. How could there be no recalls on a car that they knowingly had issues with the timing tensioner? I cannot find anything on the NHTSA site though on some forums others have stated a file number for the same issue. I just think vw should stand up and take care of a problem they knew about a long time ago.

Timing chain tensioner is defected. The timing chain lost tension while vehicle was on allowing the chain to jump one tooth causing detrimental effects to the engine.

While driving the rear oil seal failed causing sudden loss of oil pressure that required an immediate trip to the mechanic. No warning lights ever came on to indicate a problem. Had our vehicle stalled or engine failed due to loss of oil while we were driving at high speed we could have caused an accident. Almost a year later while parked the engine failed to turn over and had to be towed to mechanic. Timing tensioner had failed causing damage to engine requiring replacement. There was no indication that there was a problem leading up to this incident. Had we been driving and the timing chain failed we could have caused an accident. These are both known problems by vw yet they have done nothing to repair or make their customers whole due to these defects. Now I have an $7,000 paper weight because I have to replace a blown engine in a car that has 90,000 miles and is 7 years old.