VW Tiguan I 5N (2007-2016): known problems and buying guide

Built: 2011–2016
Median price: €10,490
Listings: 2,271
Running cost per month: €448–€549
Power: 110–184 PS (81–135 kW)
Reliability: 2/5
DIY: 2/5

Check the 1.4 TSI timing chain history and the DSG oil records before you buy.

Updated 24 October 2026

All versions

Variant	Running cost per month	Median price	Listings	Fuel	Engine codes	Gearbox	Production years
2.0 TDI, 140 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive Research	€488	€10,700	288	Diesel	CFF	Automatic (dual-clutch) (7)	2011–2015
1.4 TSI, 122 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€462	€8,890	281	Petrol	CAX	Manual (6)	2011–2015
2.0 TDI, 140 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€452	€9,350	281	Diesel	CFF	Manual (6)	2011–2015
2.0 TDI, 140 PS, 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive Research	€475	€9,350	281	Diesel	CFF	Manual (6)	2011–2015
1.4 TSI, 160 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€470	€8,950	241	Petrol	CTH	Manual (6)	2011–2015
1.4 TSI, 160 PS, 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive Research	€503	€8,950	241	Petrol	CTH	Manual (6)	2011–2015
2.0 TDI, 177 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive Research	€493	€11,999	174	Diesel	CFG	Automatic (dual-clutch) (7)	2012–2015
2.0 TDI, 110 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€448	€9,777	149	Diesel	CUV	Manual (6)	2011–2016
2.0 TDI, 150 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive Research	€485	€14,990	117	Diesel	CUV	Automatic (dual-clutch) (7)	2015–2016
2.0 TDI, 150 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€449	€12,990	103	Diesel	CUV	Manual (6)	2015–2016
2.0 TDI, 150 PS, 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive Research	€464	€12,990	103	Diesel	CUV	Manual (6)	2015–2016
2.0 TSI, 180 PS, 6-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research	€536	€11,100	98	Petrol	CCZ	Automatic (6)	2011–2012
2.0 TSI, 180 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive Research	€549	€11,100	98	Petrol	CCZ	Automatic (dual-clutch) (7)	2011–2015
1.4 TSI, 125 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€459	€10,990	83	Petrol	CZD	Manual (6)	2015–2016
1.4 TSI, 160 PS, 6-speed dual-clutch Research	€489	€11,999	76	Petrol	CTH	Automatic (dual-clutch) (6)	2013–2015
2.0 TDI, 184 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive Research	€494	€13,500	63	Diesel	CUW	Automatic (dual-clutch) (7)	2015–2016

Show all 16 variants

At a glance

Years: 2007 to 2016. Facelift in 2011.
Reliability: 2/5. Timing chains, the DSG gearbox and petrol oil use are the main known faults.
DIY: 2/5. Timing and gearbox faults are garage jobs.
Biggest risk: timing chain wear on the 1.4 TSI, which can jump and damage the engine.
Prefer: a car with proof of timing chain work and DSG oil changes every 60,000 km. Avoid: a 1.4 TSI with no proof the chain was done.

Engines and gearboxes

1.4 TSI, EA111 (turbo, and twincharger with turbo plus supercharger): see the 1.2/1.4 TSI guide. Timing chain wear is a known fault.
2.0 TSI, EA888: timing chain wear and high oil use are known faults.
2.0 TDI common rail, EA189: see the 2.0 TDI guide. The EGR valve and DPF are the known faults.
6-speed manual: no common fault confirmed.
6-speed Aisin automatic: keep the fluid changed every 40,000 to 60,000 km.
7-speed DSG DQ500, wet clutch: mechatronic and shifting faults.
4MOTION Haldex coupling: pump and oil faults, see below.

Known issues

Issue	Affects	Typical km	Repair cost
Timing chain on 1.4 TSI	1.4 TSI (EA111), up to model year 2015	Not stated	No confirmed price
Timing chain on 2.0 TSI	2.0 TSI (EA888)	Not stated	No confirmed price
Oil consumption on 2.0 TSI	2.0 TSI petrol	Not stated	No confirmed price
EGR valve and DPF on 2.0 TDI	2.0 TDI (EA189)	Not stated	No confirmed price
DSG jerky shifts and clutch wear	DSG gearboxes	Not stated	No confirmed price
DSG mechatronic failure	7-speed DSG DQ500	Not stated	No confirmed price
Haldex pump and coupling oil	4MOTION cars	Not stated	No confirmed price
Rear bushes and brake discs	All cars	50,000 to 100,000 km (rear bushes)	No confirmed price

Before you buy

Ask for the DSG oil change records, every 60,000 km. Bad result: no records. Missed oil changes raise the risk of a mechatronic (gearbox control unit) failure.
Ask for proof that the 1.4 TSI timing chain was done. Bad result: no record, or a rattle at start-up. A stretched chain can jump and damage the engine.
Ask for the timing chain record on the 2.0 TSI. Bad result: no record.
Check the oil level on a warm engine and ask for top-up records. Bad result: the level falls between changes.
Check for black smoke, judder, rough idle or lost power on the diesel, and read the fault codes. Bad result: any of these.
Ask how the diesel was driven. Bad result: short trips only, and a DPF warning light. A motorway run of at least 30 minutes a month helps the DPF clean itself.
On a DSG car, test drive from cold, through traffic. Bad result: jerky shifts or judder on pull-away.
On a 4MOTION car, ask for Haldex service records every 60,000 km. Bad result: no records, or the front wheels spin while the rear wheels do not pull.
Lift the car and check the rear bushes and shock absorbers. Bad result: knocks over bumps. Bushes typically wear at 50,000 to 100,000 km.

Running costs

Operational	€200
Workshop	€132
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)	€152
Total per month	€484
New-car depreciation (not included)	€80

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

Market

Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.

Find offers on mobile.de

Listings: 2,271
25th percentile: €8,690
Median price: €10,490
75th percentile: €12,499
Median mileage: 149,365 km
Median first registration: 2014
Dealer share: 59.6%
Price at 100,000 km: €12,507

To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.

In detail

Timing chain on 1.4 TSI

The timing chain on the 1.4 TSI (EA111) stretches, even at low mileage. Cars up to model year 2015 are most at risk. A worn chain can rattle at start-up or warm-up. A stretched chain can jump, so the valves can hit the pistons and cause major engine damage. No typical mileage or repair price is confirmed. Engine detail is in the 1.2/1.4 TSI guide.

Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, Kfz-Meisterbetrieb Dietrich, ADAC, T-J

Timing chain on 2.0 TSI

The 2.0 TSI (EA888) also has a timing chain, and it wears too. Ask for the chain record and listen for a rattle at start-up. No typical mileage or repair price is confirmed.

Sources: Repareo, Gebrauchtwagenberater, Auto.ru, Kolesa

Oil consumption on 2.0 TSI

The 2.0 TSI can burn a lot of oil, up to about 1 to 1.5 litres per 1,000 km on the first-generation EA888. Worn piston rings are the usual cause. Check the oil level on the test drive and ask for top-up records. No typical mileage or repair price is confirmed.

Sources: ADAC, Gebrauchtwagenberater, T-J, Auto.ru

EGR valve and DPF on 2.0 TDI

The EGR valve on the EA189 gets clogged with soot. Symptoms are black smoke, judder, rough idle, power loss and higher fuel use. Fault codes for the EGR valve are a sign of this fault. Software updates can make the valve work harder and wear faster. The DPF (diesel particulate filter) can fail to regenerate when back-pressure rises above 120 mbar. A motorway run of at least 30 minutes once a month helps. No typical mileage or repair price is confirmed.

Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, Kfz-Meisterbetrieb Dietrich, T-online

DSG jerky shifts and clutch wear

The DSG dual-clutch gearbox was immature at launch. Symptoms are jerky shifts at city speed, judder when pulling away, and high clutch wear in city traffic and when towing. No typical mileage or repair price is confirmed.

Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, ADAC, ZR

DSG mechatronic failure

The mechatronic is the control unit of the DSG, part electronics and part hydraulics. On the 7-speed DQ500 it can fail. Changing the gearbox oil every 60,000 km reduces the risk. No typical mileage or repair price is confirmed.

Sources: Kolesa, ZR, Auto.ru

Haldex pump and coupling oil

On 4MOTION cars, the Haldex coupling sends drive to the rear wheels. Oil sludge can disable its pre-charge pump, and the front wheels then spin. The pump intake sieve clogs and must be cleaned by hand, not just with an oil change. With frequent off-road use the pump can fail, and the car is left front-wheel drive. Service every 60,000 km. No typical mileage or repair price is confirmed.

Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, Kfz-Meisterbetrieb Dietrich, ZR

Rear bushes and brake discs

Rear suspension bushes (silent blocks) wear and cause knocks. This usually starts at about 50,000 to 100,000 km. Suspension and brake discs are common weak points in breakdown and TÜV data; the discs wear fast when servicing is skipped. No repair price is confirmed.

Sources: ADAC, T-online, Kolesa, Auto.ru

Recalls

Country	Code	Years	What is done
Germany	not given	2.0 TDI built July 2007 to February 2008	Auxiliary heater earth cable: retighten screws, about 30 minutes

Maintenance

Change the DSG gearbox oil every 60,000 km.
Have the Haldex coupling serviced every 60,000 km.
Change the Aisin automatic fluid every 40,000 to 60,000 km.
Diesel timing belt: the interval is 150,000 to 210,000 km, depending on the engine. Follow the schedule for your engine.