Engine And Engine Cooling Problems of Volkswagen Tiguan - part 2

While driving on the highway in my 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan (approximately 70,068 miles), the epc warning light and oil warning light illuminated and the vehicle began to stall/lose power. I exited the highway immediately and shut the vehicle down safely. A substantial amount of engine oil leaked from underneath the vehicle after stopping. The vehicle was towed to a Volkswagen dealership. Dealer diagnosis included: * cracked oil pan, * oil separator failure, * and timing chain cover leak. The dealership advised there was no metal contamination found in the oil or filter and no confirmed catastrophic internal engine failure at this time, though the long-term condition of the engine cannot be guaranteed after the oil-loss event. I am submitting this report because the sudden oil-loss event and stalling condition occurred while driving on the highway and created a potential safety hazard.

See all problems of the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan 🔎.

Vehicle was just turned on and put into reverse. Dash and infotainment center lights flashed and shut off. Vehicle rolled backwards uncontrollably down a sloped driveway. Steering and brakes were not properly functioning. Vehicle came to a stop when it struck a parked vehicle in its path.

See all problems of the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan 🔎.

When it is really hot outside 90 and above my car does messes up. As I'm driving my car will throw the code pull over and check starter system. Everything turns off, and then it takes minutes from my car to restart. It has happened multiple times when I'm in traffic at a stop light or driving and it throws the code as my car is moving. I have taken it to shops and still no auto shop can figure out the fix. Happened for the first time a year ago, and now its happening constantly.

See all problems of the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan 🔎.

The vehicle logged code p0491 due to a clogged cylinder head internal port at 28,000 miles (26,000 at the time vehicle was inspected. ) Volkswagen's official repair protocol requires a complete engine cylinder head replacement. The vehicle's onboard computer has disabled the factory-installed remote start system as a result of this engine fault.

See all problems of the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan 🔎.

The vehicle experiences sudden loss of motive power during acceleration. Between 30–60 mph, the transmission fails to upshift correctly, causing the engine rpms to spike to 5000 while the vehicle fails to gain speed. This creates a severe safety hazard when merging into high-speed traffic. Additionally, the infotainment system frequently blackouts and reboots while driving, and there are intermittent malfunctions with the power windows and door locks. Authorized dealerships have been unable to resolve these persistent safety defects after multiple repair attempts.

See all problems of the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan 🔎.

Car is burning an excessive amount of oil.

My 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan (VIN: [xxx] ) is experiencing excessive engine oil consumption. The vehicle requires oil replenishment every less than 1,000 miles, which is far beyond what any reasonable consumer would expect from a properly functioning engine. I reported this issue to the Volkswagen dealership while the vehicle was still under the manufacturer’s warranty. The dealership stated that this level of oil consumption is “normal” and only added oil without performing any diagnostic testing or repairs. No repair order documenting a defect was issued, and no corrective action was taken. This problem is consistent with the known defect in the ea888 2. 0l tsi engine, specifically the defective piston rings that fail to create a proper seal, allowing oil to leak into the combustion chamber and burn off during operation. A class action lawsuit has been filed against Volkswagen regarding this exact defect in 2022–2023 Tiguan models. The excessive oil consumption poses a serious safety risk. If oil levels drop critically low without warning, the engine could suffer catastrophic failure, stall unexpectedly, or overheat while driving — all of which significantly increase the risk of a crash. Despite this being a warranty-covered vehicle and a known manufacturing defect, Volkswagen and its authorized dealership have refused to repair the issue or acknowledge it as a defect. I am requesting that NHTSA open a formal investigation into this matter and consider a safety recall for all affected 2022–2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The vehicle's engine oil warning light repeatedly illuminates between scheduled maintenance intervals due to excessive oil consumption. The vehicle is burning engine oil at an accelerated rate, requiring frequent manual top-offs to remain safe to drive. This represents an active, known defect in the Volkswagen ea888 engine components (piston rings/valve guides). Dealership service departments are actively refusing to provide complete historical service invoices or log the oil light visits properly, creating an immediate safety risk of engine stalling or catastrophic mechanical failure at highway speeds.

The light appears on my dash indicating low oil level frequently between oil changes. I have to add oil to my car every 2-3 weeks. An abundant amount of white smoke comes from the exhaust pipes. I’ve been told it’s burning oil. This could ruin my engine or become catastrophic by fire. I was told it could be something to do with the pistons or cylinder head. Mechanic shops don’t want to/have the ability to work on Volkswagens. The dealership says this is normal. I’m afraid for my children and my safety. This is a major safety issue that needs to be corrected. This is potentially life threatening.

2. 0 liter engines suffer from excessive oil consumption due to defective piston rings which can lead to engine failure. This is a class action lawsuit in other states. We now need a new engine at the cost of $6,500.

The vehicle will randomly shut off while driving. A message will appear stating "check the starting system" attempts to restart the engine are unsuccessful. The engine will start, stall after about 2 seconds and the message "check starting system" will display. The first time it happened, I was turning a corner at a rather dangerous intersection and the vehicle stalled. It took about three attempts before the engine would remain running. When the engine would stall the dash would go dark and the engine would not remain running this happened about a month ago in hot weather. It occurred again on April 25th, 2026 way worse this time. The temperature in the area reached 91 degrees fahrenheit. My vehicle was sitting outside in the heat for at least 5 hours, same issue, the vehicle would then proceed to stall in the middle of the freeway, I was able to coast to the breakdown lane where the vehicle would remain unable to start and the message "check starter system" would display. Looking on NHTSA webpage before filing a complaint, it seems that this is a rather common issue. Vw had a recall for other models (campaign 28h7) for models such as the jetta, golf and other like models. This is a really dangerous issue and could end up getting someone seriously injured or worse killed in a collision if my vehicle stalls like this. The vehicle is scheduled for a service appointment in the near future (local vw dealer is at least 2 weeks out before they can even look at my vehicle) after viewing this information, I can't help but believe it is possible the 28h7 recall is affecting more models than anticipated.

My 2014 Tiguan, VIN [xxx], has been serviced at an authorized vw dealer since I purchased it. From 2014 to December 2025, the vehicle was serviced at a vw dealer and March 2026 to present at a service facility that only works on vws and is owned and operated by a prior vw certified technician who only works on vws. My vehicle has been serviced at all the vw recommended maintenance mileage. Looking back at the maintenance records, I can see that in March and August 2025, my vehicle experienced a check engine light issue that resulted in evap system small leak fault and vibration at start up caused by misfire cylinder. In April 2026, June 2026 and July 2026, I had to take my Tiguan in because I felt the engine shake, check engine light came on and power decrease. The vw technican replaced some components related to the turbocharger system in April and the check engine light turned off. The check engine light turned back on in June in June and July 2026. The technician stated the issue was likely a airflow flap within the turbocharger causing the issue and the entire turbocharger would have to be replaced to remedy the issue. I discovered the recent class action settlement on this same issue and shared it with my mechanic. His professional opinion was that the issues I was having were exactly what was covered in the settlement covering my vehicle but I had 94k miles and had to have less than 85k miles. So, I was not covered because of the mileage. But I believe the issues the vehicle had going back to March 2025, were all turbocharger issues. In any case, my mechanic reached out to vw to get assistance because of the mounting repair costs for me and for all of his other vw owners experiencing turbocharger defects. It is my hope that others have shared similar complaints in search of relief from NHTSA investigating the defective vw turbocharges. Vw has a negative track record on it's turbochargers. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

See all problems of the 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan 🔎.

On April 19, 2026 at approximately 9:40 pm, I was driving my leased 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan southbound on [xxx] [xxx] . I had three minor passengers with me — my daughters ages [xxx] and [xxx] , and their stepsister age [xxx] . We were returning home to [xxx] from a family trip to walt disney world. Without any warning — no dashboard lights, no sounds, no hesitation — the engine completely lost all power at highway speed. I pressed the gas pedal repeatedly with full force and there was absolutely no response. The car decelerated uncontrollably in active nighttime highway traffic. We were stranded on the highway shoulder for approximately one hour before the car restarted. I drove home on side roads. This is a recurring defect. In December 2025, I brought the vehicle to gunther Volkswagen of [xxx] , where it was documented on official repair order ro#xxx that the vehicle ‘shuts off at low speeds. ’ the dealer replaced the evap canister and n80 purge valve under warranty. The defect was not resolved. In may 2026, an independent professional diagnostic by 4 rings european using an autel maxisys ultra scanner (report xxx) found 30 stored fault codes across 19 vehicle systems, including fault code p253200 (ignition switch run position circuit high) — directly consistent with the sudden engine cutout — plus active cylinder misfires on cylinders 2 and 3, three active evap system fault codes confirming the December 2025 repair failed, and a compromised airbag system (u140000 — function restriction due to low voltage). The vehicle was subsequently taken to gunther Volkswagen of coconut creek again in may 2026, where the dealer diagnosed low voltage faults and replaced the battery under warranty. This is the second warranty repair attempt for recurring defects on this vehicle. I have filed a formal evidence preservation demand with Volkswagen group of America’s general counsel. I have also filed a bbb auto line arbitration information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

When I’m stopped, the car sometimes shuts off. The horn works intermittently. When I start the car, it feels like it’s going to stall. At times, all of the dashboard warning lights come on. Also, when I’m backing out of my driveway with nothing behind me, the car will sometimes automatically brake hard.

Noticed large amount of oil on driveway. Check engine light came on. Took it to the vw dealer. They advised that there is a recurring problem with 2022 Tiguan, where a premature head gasket failure causes engine and coolant leaks. Requires a cylinder head replacement. Since a large number is affected, there is a 8-10 back order of the part. Also, I was told that vw is repairing the defect under service bulletin TSB 15-23-01 or TSB /action 2071245, however they would not honor it in my case since the vehicle has 90000 miles.

Engine has excessive oil consumption. Low oil indicator light will come on and engine oil needs to be topped and added about every 2500 miles sometimes more often depending on driving conditions.

Parking brake violently engaging with every stop.

Check engine light illuminated, code: p2402 #07e8 evap system leak detection pump control circuit high. Checked online and same year, same model have recall for same issue.

Oil consumption issue. The vehicle is experiencing blue / white smoke from tailpipe when starting also lost of oil due to a valve seal issue with engine that requires dealers to remove head and service it.

2022 Volkswagen Tiguan se, ~70,000 miles. The vehicle experienced a cylinder head failure in the ea888 2. 0l tsi engine, causing the check-engine light to illuminate. The cylinder head developed internal cracks, resulting in excessive oil consumption over a period of more than one year prior to the current repair. During multiple service visits to the authorized vw dealership over the past year or more, I reported abnormal oil consumption and expressed concern about a possible engine problem. On each occasion I was told no fault was found. On at least one visit I was discouraged from requesting a deeper diagnostic by being told it would require a significant out-of-pocket fee, despite the vehicle being under the manufacturer's warranty. The vehicle was dropped off for the current repair on [date] after the check-engine light came on. The dealership confirmed the cylinder head failure is covered under Volkswagen's new vehicle limited warranty. However, the required cylinder head part has been on backorder for over 60 days with no confirmed eta. No loaner or rental vehicle has been provided despite the extraordinary duration of the repair. The dealership's own service advisor stated that in the state of texas alone, approximately 7,000 cylinder heads are currently pending replacement across Volkswagen vehicles — indicating this is a widespread, systemic defect actively being managed within the dealer network, not an isolated incident. The dealership has also proposed that I bear 50% of the repair cost, despite the vehicle being under warranty and having a complete and consistent maintenance record. This cost-sharing proposal was framed as a courtesy, which I do not accept. I own a second 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan se with the same engine and model year, which I am also concerned may be affected by the same defect. Public records, owner forums, NHTSA complaint databases, and ongoing class action filings confirm this is a known, widespread issue affecting numerous 2022.

I am filing this complaint because my Volkswagen Tiguan has a serious and ongoing engine issue involving excessive oil consumption and a faulty cylinder head. The vehicle burns through an abnormal amount of oil between changes, requiring constant top?offs, sometimes as frequently as every few hundred miles. Despite regularly adding oil and following all manufacturer?recommended maintenance, the issue continues to worsen. The dealership has confirmed that the cylinder head is defective, which is causing the engine to consume oil at an extremely accelerated rate. However, I have been told the replacement cylinder head is on national backorder, and there is currently no estimated timeframe for when the part will be available. This means I am forced to continue driving a vehicle with a known, documented engine defect that can: lead to engine stalling create loss of power while driving increase the risk of engine seizure potentially cause a safety hazard on the road additionally, being required to constantly add oil just to keep the vehicle operable is not only unsafe but financially unreasonable. The problem remains unresolved despite multiple service visits, documentation, and repeated oil consumption tests. This is a safety issue, not just a maintenance concern, because the engine can fail unexpectedly if the oil drops too quickly. I believe this is a significant defect affecting multiple Volkswagen vehicles and should be investigated by NHTSA. I request that NHTSA open a formal investigation into the excessive oil consumption and cylinder head defects on Volkswagen Tiguans, as owners should not be left with unsafe vehicles due to known manufacturing issues and unavailable critical engine components.

My car has started using oil. I was driving home and the low engine oil light came on. I pulled over and checked the oil, the dipstick showed low but not out. I drove it home and put 3 quarts in. I made an appointment to get it checked. It should not be low on oil. I was not due for an oil change or any maintenance. They kept my car for 3 days and did an oil change. Said to bring back after 1000 miles. This makes no sense to me. Why not do an oil consumption test?!!!? I have had multiple issues with this car. This is just the newest issue. I'm concerned that my regime engine is going to fail. I'm reading about multiple issues with the 2020-current models of this car burning through oil.

Check engine light came on, related to the thermostat and faulty water pump. My car’s make and model was part of a settlement for this issue but vw corporate will not cover costs to repair.

The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low oil warning light unexpectedly illuminated. The failure persisted even after the vehicle had received several oil changes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that an oil change was completed; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the valve stem seal had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 72,061.

My 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan has repeatedly experienced a complete loss of motive power while driving in active traffic. The engine stalls without warning, forcing me to perform a manual reset in the middle of the road. The vehicle also has a severe defect where it independently engages the electronic parking brake or shifts itself into park during low-speed or turning maneuvers. This happens without any driver input and results in the car "slamming" to a violent stop. My safety and my baby’s safety are put at risk every time I start this car. The engine has stalled multiple times while I was in the middle of busy traffic, leaving us a "sitting duck" for a rear-end collision. There is no warning; the power just cuts out, and I’m left stranded trying to restart the car while other drivers swerve around us. When the car slams on the brakes or shifts itself into park while I’m moving, it feels like the car is fighting me for control. I can’t trust the vehicle to stay moving when it’s supposed to or stay in gear when I’m merging. It is a life-threatening defect that makes the car completely undrivable. Yes, the vehicle has been inspected twice by the authorized manufacturer dealership, pacific Volkswagen. They have documented the safety issues on repair orders #[xxx] and #[xxx]. During these inspections, the service department confirmed that the vehicle is unsafe to drive, yet they stated they could not find a diagnostic "code" to provide a permanent fix. No warning lamps or error messages appeared prior to the engine stalling in traffic. The loss of power is sudden and total. The only symptom that appeared was during parking maneuvers, where the dashboard would occasionally display "sensor restricted" followed by the car independently shifting into park or slamming on the brakes. These symptoms first appeared in March 2026, within the first 970 miles of operation. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

On March 12 warning message came on saying emergency drive system not available and then numerous warning lights came on and the car started to shake violently and went into limp mode. I pulled into a parking lot and called roadside assistance. It was towed to the dealership and has been there since. I was told it showed a misfire on cylinder 4 and has a faulty injector.

The cylinder head has passages that collect carbon build up that build up outside of general maintenance that clog the cylinder head and can eventually lead to combustion failure. This car has been taken to an independent, reputable mechanic in the area, as well as now the dealer. Dealer has confirmed they have at least 4 other vehicles currently with the same issue in just this one location, and parts replacement to remedy the issue (new cylinder heads) are on back order (over 2500 on order in us). This car has been caught early, before this engine failure, as the check engine light first came up and multiple rounds of mechanic checking and trying to fix have lead to this conclusion. Car at this time has not failed in a safety situation, but has the potential to if not remedied, by engine failing while driving. Engine has been inspected by mechanic, and is currently being inspected by manufacturer. Error code was presented once reading the module, and check engine light is visible to prompt servicing the car (code for emissions).

Started having issues immediately after purchase with turbo issues. Which force the car into am rpm limited limp mode. Made 3 trips to dealer with no resolution. The car has very limited power and is unsafe to drive. We have been asking for a loaner for a couple weeks and are finally being granted one. There seems to be no time for a resolution. The vehicle has basically not functioned correctly since buying it.

While driving at road speed, the vehicle unexpectedly shifted itself into neutral (n) without driver input. The engine continued running, but the vehicle lost drive power. Simultaneously, the dashboard displayed multiple warning indicators including: “exhaust system malfunction” warning semi-automated driving assistance warning sos / emergency system warning the driver safely pulled to the roadside and turned the vehicle off. Upon first restart, the vehicle would not shift into drive. After turning the vehicle off again and waiting approximately 30 seconds, it restarted and allowed drive engagement. The “exhaust system malfunction” warning remained illuminated for the remainder of the trip. The vehicle was taken to a Volkswagen dealer. The dealer was unable to duplicate the condition after a 50-mile drive. Dealer reported only a rear radar fault code and stated no other diagnostic trouble codes were stored. Warning lights had cleared by the time of inspection. This was an unintended transmission disengagement event while in motion. The loss of drive power at speed presents a safety hazard. The vehicle is a 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan built mid-2025 and currently has approximately 1000 miles.

See all problems of the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan 🔎.

* purchase date: January 23, 2016 * current mileage: approximately 71,500 miles for the past several months, my vehicle has experienced continuous engine oil loss. The oil level drops approximately one gallon every two months, and the engine oil warning light has illuminated on multiple occasions. Because of this recurring problem, I brought my vehicle to Volkswagen glendale on April 23, 2026. After inspecting the vehicle at the glendale dealership, I was informed that loose oil pan bolts were the cause of the oil loss. Based on this diagnosis, I took the vehicle to three different local auto repair shops for additional inspections. All three repair shops independently diagnosed the issue as being related to the engine and stated that if the engine is not replaced, the engine oil loss problem will not be resolved. I returned to Volkswagen glendale on June 27, 2026. During this second visit, I was informed that the oil leak was coming from the oil pan area and that components including the oil pan, bolts, sealant, oil level sensor, and gaskets required repair. The technicians raised the vehicle and carefully inspected the entire underside. They reported that there was no visible engine oil leak and no evidence of oil escaping from the oil pan. I took the picture that there is no visible engine oil leak at the repair shop. I am deeply concerned that: * I am concerned about having to continuously add engine oil (1 gallon every two months) because the vehicle keeps losing oil. *I am concerned that the engine may seize due to low oil levels, which could cause the vehicle to break down while I am driving. Specifically, I request: due to this engine problem and the ongoing engine oil loss issue, I respectfully request that the engine be replaced to resolve the problem and prevent potential safety risks. After reviewing the information above, could you please provide me with the claim number? I would appreciate your assistance. Thank you.

See all problems of the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan 🔎.

Since buying the car in August 2025, I've had multiple issues. Ive had a noise coming from the front passenger side of the vehicle, brought it in and they could not identify the issue or fix it, to this day I still have this noise coming from the front passenger side. Furthermore, I've had numerous hazard lights come on the dash, lasting 2-4 days and then disappearing and reappearing later on. These lights include the check engine light, oil leaks, and not allowing the car to drive over a certain limit due to engine issues. I've also brought these issues to the service center so they can diagnose and fix the issue. They are unable to find anything wrong. Most dangerous event is the car completely shut down on me while driving. This is extremely dangerous to not only myself but others around me. I brought this concern to the service center and they could not figure out why this happened. This car is unsafe to drive.

I brought my vehicle to the dealership because it was shifting itself into park while I was driving. I have brought the car in four times. During the last two visits, the dealership performed a system update called * 47dm collision vehicle software update for travel assist/emergency assist**. Immediately after leaving the dealership following these updates, my vehicle developed additional and more serious problems. The infotainment system stops working for several minutes at a time before turning back on. The vehicle is also now displaying a “front assist not available” warning. In addition, the vehicle jerks violently while driving forward or accelerating, and the front end is making a grinding noise. This software update has made my vehicle worse than it was before. I have contacted Volkswagen customer care multiple times, but I have been denied assistance because there is reportedly no diagnostic code in the system. However, I have video evidence of these issues occurring while driving. Volkswagen has refused to repair the vehicle or take it back despite these ongoing problems. A vehicle shifting into park while driving, jerking during acceleration, displaying a front assist warning, and experiencing other system failures presents a serious safety hazard to me, my passengers, and others on the road.

2026 Tiguan sel turbo r-line goes into limp mode. Volkswagen originally diagnosed this as a software issue. A software fix was finally released (after two months of waiting) but the 'fix' does not solve the problem. I had the software patch applied at my dealership last week but found the car to be exhibiting the same problem this morning. Car shakes and shudders and goes into 'limp mode'. Due to significantly reduced power, it is not safe to drive.

My backup camera stopped functioning not too long after the warranty was expired. It began by not coming on sometimes and then it went completely out. The entire unit is no longer functioning which prevents me from being able to use my backup camera and that is a safety issue.

Turbocharger failed. This new car was one week old and had approximately one hundred miles on it. There are numerous reports of this condition online. The car can no longer be driven and the part is on national backorder.