Timing chain “extended” during driving resulting in the car to start to shudder and shake violently during movement. Had to force the vehicle off the side of the road. Car is 66k miles, timing chain is rated at 120k+. Engine block is now totaled. Dealership will not pursue any actions and has charged 7K to fix. Car is only worth 8/9k. VW was contacted and they said there was no action they could…
2014 volkswagen Tiguan engine problems
moderate 7 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100
Complaints
7
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
The check Engine light on my car comes up anytime I drive the car. The car has 72350 miles driven. The dealership said it is a known timing belt issue with VW Tiguans . It is going to cost me upto $3000. They also advised me not to drive the car as the engine may stall. When I contacted VW they said they cannot help and there is no recall on this. However there has been court cases for the same…
MY VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE TENSION ON THE TIMING CHAIN IS OUTSIDE SAFE PARAMETERS AND CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO FAIL. MY TIGUAN IS ONLY A 2014 AND ONLY HAS ABOUT 80,000 MILES. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT TIMING CHAINS ARE SUPPOSED TO LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE AND IT'S ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. THIS SEEMS TO ME TO BE A FACTORY DEFECT.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2014 volkswagen Tiguan?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 7 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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