17 problems related to engine and engine cooling have been reported for the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan based on all problems reported for the 2013 Tiguan.
As of Aug 2025, my car keeps having issues of stalling/ bucking, even though my mechanic has changed the points/plugs twice now. Now the overheat light comes on ,off and on. . Sometimes clears up once the car is shut off and then turned back on. . Some times has to sit for a while, then clears up.
My engine shut off my battery as I was driving. This forced my car to stop in the middle of the road. There wasn’t a battery sign or engine light on until after the event. This could’ve caused a wreck, especially if it would’ve happened on the highway. I also have a problem with my gas not registering. It doesn’t show how much gas I have left in my tank. I have had other electrical issues, and problems when starting my car.
After filling up one day I was heading home and started to smell gas from my ac vents when I turned it on I didn’t pay much attention until I got nauseous and a huge headache. Later that day my boyfriend tried to get to work and the car said “engine off” and turned off on the side of the highway if wouldn’t start. We figured maybe a battery l got it towed home afterwards and just let it sit for a day bought a new battery it didn’t start then noticed there was no gas in it suddenly I just had a full tank the day prior. When I cranked it up the next morning after going to get more gasoline it all just started spraying from under the engine and it smelled like gas. I’m to scared to move it far and it blows up or something.
1 of the 2 water pumps has been repaired twice. On this 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan between the years of 2022-2024. Upon the last repair of water pumps the vehicle just cut off while driving. No overheating indication notice was alarmed or visual indication of smoke / overheating from radiator. The vehicle failed to restart after putting approximate solution /liquid in the radiator/ engine coolant resvior. The vehicle has been out of commission and mobility of the vehicle to inspect or have repaired is impossible due to being locked up will not even go into neutral. The immediate loss of power and inability to maneuver any steering options posed an immediate danger n risk to health and safety. There have been no notices sent to us about recalls on this vehicle only a class action lawsuit settlement that we should know about concerning the turbocharger. We have had car checked and repairs for engine oil leaks as well. No repairs done have remied the improvement or functionality of this vehicle. On a separate incident the front two front tires wore down tread all the way across in less than 6 months( brand new tires) resulting in the repurchase of two more tires and no mechanical explanation or fix could explain this occurrence. We had vehicle alignment assessment performed and nothing indicated a reason or explanation.
The turbo cracked with low mileage and regular maintenance destroying many engine components and causing the car to stop while driving. This is the 3rd instance my shop had seen with a Tiguan’s turbocharger cracking and destroying the engine for no clear reason.
The coolant pump started to leak then there were heating issues that still have not been fixed after that the engine ran out of oil from combusting it. While I was driving at the engine started shaking the vehicle did not want to move I took it to a mechanic to put oil in it so I could get it off of the road and in my driveway I have taken it to multiple mechanics and they have all said the engine failed and it's burning oil and shooting the gas and oil up through the engine cylinders. I've had to get multiple spark plugs replaced because they keep being burnt.
The engine light went on due to a timing chain failure and then a leak on the water pump. Coolant leaked and needed to be refilled to keep the coolant light from blinking and beeping. Mechanic both needed to be replaced for ~$4000. Mileage at ~66,000.
Loss of power created by stuck waste gate actuator arm attached to the turbo. Lack of boost limited the vehicle's power while on the interstate which caused panic, but I was able to pull over and there was not an accident. Check engine light illuminated and the dealer informed me the turbo would need to be rebuilt and the price for that service is just above $3,000.
Engine boost stopped working around 40,000 miles. No recalls, no repair under vehicle warrantee. Check engine light is on.
No power while driving on city street had to have the turbocharger put in car only has 65600 miles.
3 years ago the vehicle has problems with sensors, this year the engine light is on, the auto repair shop worker checked the car and described that turbocharger is leaking air, they offer me to it replace for $3000. The car was in motion in city street when the light pump up. Except of the light the car is driving as usually.
After dealer repaair airbag twice oil pressure come on and off.
The car loses power when accelerating and epc lights and oil pressure lights illuminate and disappear seems very dangerous and I am not the only person who this is happening to.
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan. While driving, the vehicle lost power unexpectedly and the battery warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 71,500.
After turning motor on, and backing up, the car is unresponsive when shifted into drive,. On 4 occasions now I have had to restart the car and try again. The accelerator seems progressively unresponsive. Yesterday, the car stayed in gear, and on long enough for me to pull into traffic and then died. I had to restart while vehicles drove around me. Thankfully it was a residential street. I'm very worried now to drive the car as it could happen in a busier environment and result in an accident. Checking online, this seems to have occurred to other Volkswagen Tiguan owners over the past 3 years, but dealership service departments were unable to determine the problem or changed out the fuel pump. After gm recall I am very concerned.
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving 15 mph and making a right turn, the vehicle lost power. The contact restarted that vehicle and the vehicle functioned properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that they could not diagnose the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 4,600.
Vehicle cut out, and engine died. Sometimes the epc light is illuminated, other times it is simply a loss of power and then engine cut off. Has happened multiple times. Often during acceleration into traffic.