Model year guide

2009 Volkswagen Tiguan

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 82 on record.

2009 Volkswagen Tiguan — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2009 Volkswagen Tiguan at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints167
Combined21 mpg
Typical price$8,578

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2009 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls 3

Fuel System, Gasoline NHTSA Campaign #14V441000 · 21/07/2014

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.

Fix: 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.

Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers NHTSA Campaign #13V569000 · 22/11/2013

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.

Fix: 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.

Engine And Engine Cooling NHTSA Campaign #08V235000 · 28/05/2008

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.

Fix: 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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2009 Volkswagen Tiguan common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 167 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.

2009 Volkswagen Tiguan MPG & running costs

Combined21 mpg
City19 mpg
Highway25 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,600

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan worth?

Low
$5,600
Typical price
$8,578
High
$11,500

From 81 comparable 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$18,000
Fuel only$18,000
Per mile$0.24

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2009 Volkswagen Tiguan trims & engines on record

Trims
SE · S · SE 4Motion · SEL · 4Motion
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl 200 hp

2009 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles on record

Other Volkswagen Tiguan model years

2009 Volkswagen Tiguan — frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan?

Based on 167 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine, steering, electrical system.

What gas mileage does the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan at about 21 mpg combined (19 city / 25 highway).

How much is a 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan worth?

Comparable 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan listings run roughly $5,600–$11,500, typically around $8,578 (from 81 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.