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Volkswagen Tiguan 1.4 TSI 150hp BlueMotion T. Comf. & Des. common faults.

2007–2011, SUV, petrol, 150 HP.

The fault list covers: CAVA engine, MQ250 transmission.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

5 fault write-ups. All are important. 3 recalls.

If you know the year, pick it. Faults for other years drop out of the list.

Before you buy

Known faults

5 important faults

critical1

1.2 / 1.4 TSI (EA111): timing chain and chain tensioner

critical

A few seconds of chain rattle on a cold start, later a permanent noise; the chain stretches and the tensioner does not hold it. If the chain jumps, the engine is badly damaged inside, and the repair is a rebuild. The tensioner is driven by oil pressure, so it does not hold with the engine stopped: a car left rolling in gear is the typical trigger for the chain jumping.

between 65,000 and 100,000 km

What to check

  • Start it cold, and in the first 2 to 3 seconds watch for the rattle from the chain side
  • Ask whether the chain and the tensioner have been replaced, and ask for the invoice
  • Check the oil change history in the service book: stretched intervals speed up the wear
1 more steps in the write-up

expensive4

MQ200 / MQ250 manual gearbox: differential bearing and synchros

expensive

The light, magnesium cased MQ200 and the MQ250, sized for higher torque, are the most widespread manual gearboxes in the transverse engine VAG models. Both have the same two weak points, and both depend on use.

Show the rest

The first is the differential bearing: as it wears you first get a droning, then a whine from the thrust bearings of the output shaft. Left alone, the planetary shaft can fail and in extreme cases punch through the gearbox casing: from then on it is not a repair but a replacement.

The second is the synchros: they can start crunching at around 50,000 km with aggressive driving. This type does not like dumping the clutch or slipping it, and on a used car that is exactly what you have to listen for.

above 50,000 km

What to check

  • On the test drive with the window down, listen to the gearbox both off and on the throttle: droning or whining is suspect
  • Shift up and down quickly, especially into 2nd and 3rd: crunching means synchro wear
  • Try engaging 1st and reverse when cold: resistance here means wear
2 more steps in the write-up

I: above average wear of the front suspension

expensive

The springs, dampers and control arm bushes wear far earlier than average. In the roadworthiness test the suspension failure rate on this model is many times the average: the TUV statistics have shown this for years. Symptoms: knocking on uneven roads, less confident cornering, uneven tyre wear. A broken spring also occurs, typically on overloaded cars.

What to check

  • On an uneven road with the window open, listen for knocking from the front suspension
  • Look at the inner and outer edges of the tyres: uneven wear indicates a suspension fault
  • Push the car down at each corner: if it rebounds several times, the damper is tired
2 more steps in the write-up

I: the brake discs warp early

expensive

Waves and grooves appear on the surface of the brake discs under 30,000 km, accompanied by pulsing felt through the steering wheel and the brake pedal when braking. The phenomenon is not a question of driving style: it is traced back to faulty production batches. VW sometimes contributed to the cost as a goodwill gesture, but rejected many claims. A full brake overhaul is a substantial item.

What to check

  • On the test drive brake from 80 with moderate force: pulsing felt through the steering wheel is the sign of a warped disc
  • Look at the disc surface through the wheel: the grooves and the lip around the edge are visible to the eye
  • Ask when and how many times the discs were replaced: a repeat replacement within a short time points to wavy discs
1 more steps in the write-up

Tiguan I: the panoramic roof water channel cracks

expensive

The water channel around the roof is plastic and the support frame is steel; the two expand differently, and a stress crack forms where they meet. Add to that a rear drain squashed during assembly. The water gets onto the headlining, and from there into the cabin and the electronics. The repair is often not durable: the workshop seals it or cleans a drain, and months later it comes back.

What to check

  • Feel along the headlining all around the roof, especially at the rear corners
  • Open the roof and look at the channel running around it for cracks
  • Pour a little water into the four corners of the channel, and see whether it drains out underneath
2 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

Volkswagen Tiguan 1.4 TSI 150hp BlueMotion T. Comf. & Des.

First what you would check on any car. Then the faults of this model.

Before you buy

Checklist

The printed sheet starts with what you would check on any car. What you tick stays on this device only.

On every car

Ask the owner

Faults of this model

vinkodex.com · Before you buy it, see what can go wrong.

Official recall3 recallsShow

The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done.

Most recent: 21 July 2014

14V441000FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE21 July 2014 · NHTSA (USA)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Tiguan vehicles manufactured July 2007 to June 2014. When using winterized fuel, in certain conditions bubbles may form in the fuel system which could result in the vehicle stalling.

Risk: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle's software to increase the fuel pump pressure, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin August 19, 2014. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24AV/2W.

The authority's notice

13V569000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERSELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS22 November 2013 · NHTSA (USA)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tiguan vehicles manufactured July 2007 through June 2011. Due to a problem with the fuse for the exterior lights, the holder for the fuse that controls the vehicle's exterior lights circuit may melt.

Risk: If the holder melts, there may be a partial loss of exterior lighting. Reduced vehicle illumination diminishes the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuse, free of charge. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's recall number is 97Z9/2V.

The authority's notice

08V235000ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING28 May 2008 · NHTSA (USA)

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 4,079 MY 2008 PASSAT AND 2,500 MY 2009 TIGUAN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.0T FSI ULEV II ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) CONTAINING SOFTWARE THAT MAY NOT PROPERLY CONTROL ENGINE IDLE WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING TURNED ON. IN RARE CASES, THE ECM MAY UNEXPECTEDLY INCREASE ENGINE RPM.

Risk: AN ENGINE SURGE CAUSED BY AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN ENGINE RPM MAY SURPRISE THE VEHICLE OPERATOR AND CAN RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND UPDATE THE ECM SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-893-5298.

The authority's notice

Engine and transmission

CAVA · 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Technology

110 kW (150 HP) · petrol

MQ250 · 5- or 6-speed manual

manual · 5–6 speed

Torque limit250 Nm
MakerVolkswagen

We built the code from the model and the gear count. The factory sheet does not state it.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
. Comf. & Des.
Body
SUV
Fuel
petrol
Transmission
manual
Engine size
1390 cc
Power
110 kW (150 HP)
Drive
FWD
Production
2007–2011

Factory service interval

The manufacturer specifies this for this version. Of the mileage and the time, the one that comes first is the one that counts.

  • Air filter

    • 60,000 km or 4 years

  • Cabin (pollen) filter

    • 30,000 km or 2 years

  • Engine oil and oil filter

    • LongLife30,000 km or 2 years(valid only with LongLife-approved oil)
    • 15,000 km or 1 year

  • Brake fluid change

    • first: 3 years, then 2 years(first change at 3 years, then every two years)

  • Coolant (antifreeze) change

    • first: 193,000 km or 10 years, then 97,000 km or 5 years(G13 / G12++: first change at 120,000 miles or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles or 5 years)

  • Spark plugs, petrol

    • 60,000 km or 6 years
All I versions

Information, not an expert opinion

We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.

  • A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
  • A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
  • You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.
Details in the terms