2013 Volkswagen Tiguan Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 30about this part
- Share
- 21%of 140 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 32,550miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the engine of the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan, 21% of the 140 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 32,550 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving on a highway when my engine failed. My year, make and model number is listed in the vw timing chain settlement, but my VIN # is not in their database, so they will not help me. The extended warranty that I purchased with the car, which was used, on 5/12/17, expires at 121,000 miles. I am over the mileage by approx. 7,800 miles, so they will not honor it.”
NHTSA complaint #11173529, filed 2019-02, 128,800 miles“I was one the high way 1, and I drove about 10 minutes. All of a sudden, my car shut off while driving. The battery light came on and car died. The wheel was even locked. Basically, I was stocked on the highway! Then, I restarted my car on the high way 1, and it worked again. The dealer can not find any issue, and the same issues happened to me twice with two months. Now, I have to report this in order to protect myself.”
NHTSA complaint #10865373, filed 2016-05, 10 miles“Car stalled in the middle of bumper to bumper traffic with me and a two year old strapped in her seat. Most horrifying experience in my whole 48 years of life. Your dealer did nothing and said it's all in my head. Car was at the dealership multiple times ever since for stalling while me driving! Will start class action suit through an orlando law firm of debaubien, knight, manzaris, simmons and neal unless car is replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10621184, filed 2014-08, 4,890 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10568738, filed 2014-03, 13,570 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11129879, filed 2018-09, 96,687 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11038146Sep 17, 2026Suggested fuel additive
- 11035762Jul 9, 2026Oil Consumption Measurement and Electronic Oil Consumption Measurement
- 11034614Jun 18, 2026Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
- 11034613Jun 18, 2026Lubricating engine components before reassembly.
- 11034617Jun 4, 2026Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards
- 11030847Mar 27, 2026This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the…
- 11025437Oct 14, 2025G12Evo can now be mixed with previous coolants.
- 11025430Oct 14, 2025Engine misfire diagnostic aid.
- 11025436Oct 9, 2025How to measure engine oil consumption.
- 11025431Oct 6, 2025A list of suggested fuel stations
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 15 | 39% |
| 2025 | 13 | 23% |
| 2024 | 20 | 26% |
| 2023 | 25 | 35% |
| 2022 | 113 | 41% |
| 2021 | 54 | 38% |
| 2020 | 26 | 18% |
| 2019 | 44 | 22% |
| 2018 | 82 | 28% |
| 2017 | 15 | 20% |
| 2016 | 10 | 10% |
| 2015 | 9 | 15% |
| 2014 | 11 | 13% |
| 2013 | 30 | 21% |
| 2012 | 50 | 33% |
| 2011 | 63 | 39% |
| 2010 | 50 | 45% |
| 2009 | 80 | 48% |
Other parts of the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan
63 complaintsElectrical system
36 complaintsSteering
27 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology