Volkswagen Tiguan reviews of owners: all the minuses, disadvantages, pluses
Sturdy suspension, excellent gearbox, great acceleration dynamics when you need to overtake, ergonomics of the torpedo, heated front seats, a high degree of protection in accidents (many airbags), good visibility, comfortable interior even for the rear passengers (not cramped). I like the appearance more than the later models.
The main disadvantage – it eats oil. In later models, with the same engine, this problem seems to have been eliminated.
At 160 km failed oil separator – had to put a new (I think they have such a resource), at 190 miles repaired the turbine (not expensive, for 8000 rubles) – now gives a new.
Tiguan, 2014, 1400cc, Gasoline, Automatic, Front wheel drive, 1.4 TSI BlueMotion DSG Sport&Style
Quick, comfortable in the city, excellent cross-country mobility due to the inter-axle half-axle clutch, cricket-free interior
Small trunk, stiff on 18 wheels, eats oil even at low mileage, hardly pulls a trailer on highway loaded with snowmobile.
Oil separator, bearings (the original put otherwise will be an expendable) , turbine – really cheap, about the chassis makes no sense to write it like everyone else. Nothing special. Mileage of 150,000 km.
Runnable, modern! Reliable I drove it for long distances about 5 tonnes of oil never let me down …
Expenditures, service, torn tube a gearbox, welded and put a rubber tube as a gasket … running gear did change rack lever rocker arms and so the car cool)
It happens something fails, just like every other car. Nothing lasts forever, everything wears out. The main thing in time to fix everything. One warm emotion from the operation.
Little lack of light at night, burns about 1-1.5 liters of oil before replacement, do not like the upholstery material
Engine cooling fan control box at 78k, front arm silent blocks at 50k and at 112k, ignition coil at 105k, haldex clutch booster pump at 110k.
Tiguan, 2013, 1400cc, Gasoline, Automatic, Front wheel drive, 1.4 TSI BlueMotion DSG Sport&Style
Owned it since 2012 but after reading the reviews of this model I realized I would never buy it 
However, here are my impressions. The exterior is a beauty. No dents after the hails. Nice to drive – you have a lot of fun. Maneuverable enough. Keeps the road, is quiet in a rut. Stability on the turns quite, picks up speed well. Passability, well, still higher than the sedan. Visibility in the front hemisphere is good. Rear view mirrors set up and all that I need to see. Heated mirrors – helpful in wet and frosty weather. Parktronic adequate. Design and informative front dashboard, Interior cozy. The seats are fabric, comfortable for your back, especially the front ones – tested by long distances. In niches beneath them fit drawers from IKEA. No crickets. Heating and cooling of the cabin in the front and rear areas is sufficient and fast. Deflectors are comfortable. Battery is still native. Starts up with a bang in the morning and in -28. “Windshield” small pebbles and no more and no knocking with a scraper. Jack handy and reliable, anti-roll bars. Fuel tank 64l. Oil – if daily use (15 t km), before the TO, you need to add 0.5 liters. Brakes – if in time.Lighting and in the cabin.
No hatch (and so sometimes you want to). The deflectors on the back wall of the drawer break at once. Fuel consumption – for 64 km. in the city of 8 liters. The seats are too short. Lack of eyeglasses and USB connector. On the back seat three adults can fit, but cramped. Suspension is a little stiff. Option “Autostop” engine when stopping the car at all is not clear why – on the turbo this is fraught with departure of the turbine, and additional wear and tear.starter At one time from the side of the rear right door during the rain suddenly in the cabin mat began to collect pre-chewing water, but then stopped. Wipers are annoying – left side clean, back smudge. When I open the driver’s door, sometimes the gas tank lock doesn’t work. In winter, after turning off the heater quickly cools down the interior. Through snowdrifts to climb through, as well not really get, and with slippage is again fraught with danger and the turbine and the pocket. In frost in the morning, one and a half or two blocks may not involve the second gear. Then it goes in normal mode. Sometimes the gas tank hatch freezes. Wipers in resting position would not be superfluous. There are areas of bad wiping. Brake pad wear monitoring system does not work. The reversing lights would be more.
I don’t see much sense to write about the parts which are replaced according to the service plan and the parts which are damaged even by me. But so: – front shock absorbers, – rear right hub bearing, – salsalenoblokov, – pump, – left arm with the end of the steering rod (again, after an accident, put Chinese, but he lasted two years) replaced on the original, – right light bulb passing beam, – Rear license plate light bulb. Burns out regularly once a year. Cost 150 ₽. Officials said there was something wrong with the unit itself and offered to replace it for ₽10,000. -suspension rods on the rear suspension -brake pads and brake discs. But this is at what mileage all this – did not write down, so I do not remember.
Volkswagen Tiguan (2007-2016) – all the problems and breakdowns
Debuted in 2007 and produced until 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan – the firstborn of the Volkswagen concern in the class of compact crossovers. We have appeared a year later – since the second half of 2008, they began to collect at a plant in Kaluga, first SKD large-knot technology, and since 2010 – the full cycle of CKD, with welding and painting the body.
The PQ35 Tiguan shares its platform with such cars as the Volkswagen Golf, Audi A3, Skoda Yeti and Octavia. And many elements of the running gear are shared with it by a larger Volkswagen Passat.
There were no atmospheric engines in the range at all. First Tiguan was equipped with gasoline direct injection engines 1.4 TSI (150 hp) and 2.0 TSI (170 hp), as well as a diesel 2.0 TDI (140 hp). In 2011, it underwent a restyling in the course of which the exterior was slightly changed and the engine lineup was expanded. The base has become a 1.4 TSI, downgraded to 122 hp, and the 2-liter gasoline engine, on the contrary, has increased power – up to 180, 200 or 210 hp.
There is also a variety in the transmission – the Tiguan was equipped with both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, with the connection of the rear axle with a multi-disc clutch. And in addition to the manual transmission, there was a classical hydraulic automatic, as well as six- and seven-speed pre-selective robots.
Body
As with most Volkswagen cars, the Tiguan’s body metal has a quality galvanic coating. But also traditionally the paint coating due to not the best adhesion with zinc can peel around chips.
- On the trunk door of older models, you can see the rust coming from the seams along the bottom edge. However, the other elements are not characterized by corrosion.
- The plastic door liners do not hold well and are able to wipe the paint. The “chrome” coating of the exterior trim elements becomes cloudy and frayed. Plastic mirror covers and bumpers often lose paint.
- The paint on the windshield wiper blades will swell over time.
- Rear license plate light and fifth door opener button can fail due to moisture from corroded contacts.
Electrics
The wiring harness between the driver’s door and the body pillar eventually breaks in the bend, which affects the operation of the power window control, central locking, actuators and heated door mirrors. More reliable harness was made only since 2011.
Micro-switches, built into the door locks, are problematic (in this case the control unit “does not see” the opening and closing of the door).
In winter, the plastic hinge of the floor gas pedal can break if a lot of ice is accumulated.
In 60-80 thousand kilometers the motor of climate system’s fan often squeaks with its bearings – the design of this unit was improved in 2012. The versions with automatic climate control Climatronic in 3-5 years may have problems with both actuators of shutters, and with the block itself.
The reason of steering wheel buttons failure is the moving contacts of a steering tube. You mustn’t procrastinate with replacement – otherwise you will not only lose your horn, but also the airbag may not work if necessary.
The gas tank hatch could be blocked with failed electric drive – but you may get access to emergency opening lever through partially disconnected underfender.
Interior
- The trim is generally good quality and durable. Though the leatherette of seats can have signs of wear already in 80-100 thousand km. Besides the steering wheel upholstery the cloth armrests are wearing out quickest. The adjusting mechanism of driver’s seat quite often malfunctions.
- The door seals are distinguished by creaking, and with time – loss of tightness.
- Air vents and their flaps are often the source of extraneous sounds.
Engines
Gasoline engine 1.4 TSI Series EA111 has a life to overhaul 200-300 thousand km. The timing chain drive is formally designed for the same period. But the chain, having stretched and having overcome the resistance of weak tensioner, often jumps over the teeth of drive gears after only 40-60 thousand km. The result is a meeting of valves and pistons with all costly consequences.
Under high load, the case often comes to the burnout of lintels between the rings, and sometimes to the complete destruction of pistons. The reason is both in the unfortunate design of pistons, and in insufficient efficiency of the contaminated heat exchanger of the liquid intercooler system – it gets clogged with oil sludge from the crankcase ventilation.
Since 2011, the engine has been less problematic. The pistons have been strengthened, the design of timing was improved, changing the chain itself, gears and engine cover – as a result the chain began to withstand 100-120 thousand km.
The high pressure fuel pump (cost 15-20 thousand rubles) and direct fuel injection injectors (10-12 thousand rubles) are extremely sensitive to fuel quality. In the supercharger system, the control valve or bypass valve often fails.
After 80-100 thousand km the water pump module of the cooling system can leak (20-25 thousand rubles).
For all engines with direct injection, every 15 thousand km, service recommends using a special branded cleaner, poured into the gas tank (better to do it before a long journey, so that all fuel is once worked out with the composition).
Gasoline engine 1.4 TSI series EA211 in Tiguan less than 2015 instead of the chain in the timing belt drive has a belt and is generally more successful than its predecessor.
First batches of the motor had cylinder heads with defects in the valve guides. In the turbocharger system there are problems with jamming of the internal bypass valve shaft or turbocharger actuator. Piston rings are quickly sagging from poor lubrication.
Gasoline engine 2.0 TSI Series EA888 before the significant upgrade in 2012, noted the excessive, up to one liter per 1000 km, oil appetite – the pistons due to poor design lose mobility rings.
Subsequently modified piston group, finalized the chain and tensioner in the camshaft drive, which previously had teeth sheared off the ratchet after 80-100 thousand km.
Also in 2012, the crankcase ventilation has been upgraded – because of the torn membrane of crankcase ventilation valve or oil separator the upper tube of the turbine is misting heavily, and the crankshaft seals predictably flow from the excess pressure.
The injectors are also extremely sensitive to fuel quality. The bottleneck of a high-pressure fuel pump is its tappet roller and camshaft cam which wear each other out.
After 80-100 thousand km the water pump often leaks and ignition coils fail. After 100-120 000 km the reduction valve of oil pump quite often malfunctions – the warning light of emergency oil pressure in the engine will tell about the problem.
The 2.0 TDI diesel with Common Rail injection system is generally more reliable than gasoline engines.
After the sensational dieselgate in 2016, the control program was changed en masse. In cars from the first years of production in 150-180 thousand km can jam the valve in the intake manifold (12 thousand rubles) due to wear of the plastic pinion of the mechanism of its drive.
Also fuel line cracking has happened with engines older than 2010 due to defective materials. The valve cover seal is prone to leaks.
After 100,000 km may need to replace the injectors seals. However, the most expensive injectors (20-25 thousand rubles) and a high pressure fuel pump (80 thousand rubles) soon fail mainly because of poor-quality fuel.
After 50-60 thousand km in urban conditions often clogs the EGR valve – and the control system goes into emergency mode and the engine loses power. Cleaning the valve does not always help, and a new one costs about 20 thousand rubles. The particulate filter is even more expensive (100 thousand rubles), but it rarely breaks down before 180-200 thousand km.
Transmissions
The six-speed manual transmission is quite reliable. Clutch, as a rule, wears out after 120-150 thousand km. After 70-80 thousand oil leaks can occur due to the fault of the oil seals. From the excessive loads the bearing of differential can turn in a seating place on the housing, and because of the lack of lubrication the satellite may stick to the axle.
The Aisin Warner TF-60/61 six-speed automatic transmission on the two-liter gasoline and diesel versions is quite survivable, but extremely demanding on oil quality and purity. Oil change less than 60 thousand km may eventually lead to the failure of hydroblock (80 thousand rubles).
In crossovers with diesel engines the oil radiator of the box can leak (more often the supply lines). From regular overheating in 60-80 thousand km bearings of a box and hydraulic unit of its control system can suffer.
In cars with this gearbox more often the sealant of inner CV joints is lost – the grease is squeezed out through them, which leads to the replacement of the inner hinge.
3. Seven-speed robotized gearbox DQ200 with two dry clutches on restyled versions with 1.4 TSI engine (150 hp) has not the best reputation. But it has been installed in Tiguan in a significantly upgraded form – with careful operation, clutch and mechatronic are quite capable of withstanding 100-120 thousand km, and the gearbox part – 250-300 thousand km.
Six-and seven-speed DQ250 and DQ500, which also appeared after the restyling in 2011 (on all-wheel drive modifications and with powerful versions of 1.4 and 2.0 engines), have a common oil circuit for clutches, mechatronics and gearbox part – special oil must be renewed at least every 60,000 km. Otherwise the first to suffer hydrolock control (140-160 thousand rubles).
From the heavy loads the satellites get stuck to the differential shaft, the locking pin tears off and the seat in the housing breaks. Also wear out the seats in the housing thrust conical bearings of the shafts.
Transmission
- The 4th generation Haldex clutch is reliable only if the oil is changed every 60,000 km. Otherwise the electric booster pump is the first to fail. To change the clutch with a price of 150 thousand rubles is not necessary – there are much more affordable repair kits.
- Which appeared in 2013, the clutch Haldex fifth generation from the design excluded a complete oil filter – polluting oil is better to change every 20-30 thousand kilometers.
- The driveshaft suspension bearing can wear out after 60-70 thousand km and is officially available only in the assembly with the shaft for 60 thousand rubles.
Suspension
The weak link in the front suspension of MacPherson type – the rear silent lever blocks, usually worn out before 100 thousand km. When badly worn, the silent-block breaks the lever pin. Many services recommend using a more durable part from the Audi A3 when replacing it.
Stabilizer bushings wear out after 70-100 thousand km. Original bushings are supplied complete with a stabilizer (10-12 thousand rubles). It is difficult to save money – attempts to install non-original bushings for glue using homemade bracket to fix them rarely lead to a lasting positive result.
After 100thousand kilometers, firstly the rear, and then the front shock-absorbers, steering lugs, hub bearings, front strut support bearings become worthless. Ball bearings of front arms, being replaced separately, as a rule, are kept till 120 000 km. Springs are sagging after 100-120 000 km, and outer coils can break while driving with high load.
Rear multilever suspension rarely requires attention before 100-140 thousand km. The first to fail are the silent-blocks of short transverse levers, and then – the long main ones.
Steering
The rack and pinion steering mechanism with electric booster, as a rule, fails due to breakage of sensor or power actuator (after water ingress). In older copies, the steering rack wiring suffers if the connectors are not sealed.
Brakes
Rear calipers have a parking brake actuator that seizes up after several years of infrequent use. The optional electric handbrake can fail. Instead of the original for 10 thousand rubles, it is quite possible to find an analogue for 4-6 thousand rubles.
Total
Volkswagen Tiguan first generation with mileage is capable of giving quite a lot of trouble. And the restyled version with a diesel and classical automatic will create the least of them.
Ivan Shirlin, chief specialist of the testing and technical services department, Gazpromneft-Lubricants, Moscow
Ivan Shirlin, chief specialist of the testing and technical services department, Gazpromneft-Lubricants, Moscow
The variety of VW Tiguan crossover modifications suggests a large list of tolerances and compliance with lubricants and operating fluids. In fact, the Tiguan of this generation has six variants of petrol engines and three variants of diesels with different degree of forcing! However, to our delight, the engineers have managed with universal requirements.
The engine oil for petrol engines must have the VW 502/504, SAE 0/5W-30/40 tolerance, for diesels – VW 507, SAE 0/5W-30. The change interval is traditional – every 15 000 km (ideally 7 000-10 000 km, to exclude the negative effect of traffic jams and short mileages). The only difference is the volume – 4-4,7 liters, depending on the engine.
You need a coolant, which contains a package of corrosion inhibitors on the basis of salts of organic acids and silicates (Si-OAT) and does not contain nitrites, amines, phosphates and borates. Of course, it must effectively protect cooling system parts against corrosion and deposit formation. This should be changed every 60,000 km (or every 48 months).
Transmission requires special attention.
Firstly, specialized original transmission oils are used in the units.
Secondly, the rear axle differential and Haldex clutch need to be serviced in all-wheel drive Tiguans.
The oil change interval is 60,000 km. The volume depends on the unit: manual transmission – 2,3 liters, automatic transmission and DSG – 6,9-7,1 liters, Haldex – 0,7-0,85 liters, rear axle PTO and rear differential – 0,9 and 0,95 liters respectively.
