Volkswagen Tiguan I 2.0 TSI (EA888) common problems.

Engine / equipment

1.8 / 2.0 TSI-TFSI EA888, 2nd generation

Period mentioned

Approx. 2009–2015

Symptoms

Very high oil consumption (over 1 litre per 1,000 km), low oil warning, bluish smoke, oil-fouled spark plugs.

Possible cause described

Piston rings that are too thin carbon up and lose tension, letting oil into the combustion chamber. The crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve can also contribute.

Check for the garage

Controlled oil consumption test over 1,000 km, compression or leak-down test and a PCV valve check.

Cost cited in the source

€3,000–5,000 (new pistons and rings)A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

1.8 / 2.0 TSI-TFSI EA888, 1st and 2nd generation

Period mentioned

Approx. 2008–2015

Symptoms

Metallic rattle for a few seconds on a cold start, engine light for camshaft/crankshaft correlation; in the worst case the engine won't start after a loud noise.

Possible cause described

The hydraulic chain tensioner (old design) loses pressure on cold starts, the chain goes slack and can jump teeth, causing valves to hit pistons.

Check for the garage

An inspection plug on the lower timing cover shows the tensioner position. Listen to a cold start.

Cost cited in the source

€1,500–4,000 (chain, guides and tensioner)A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

DQ250 6-speed wet-clutch DSG (2.0 TDI, 2.0 TSI and other powerful engines in the Golf, Passat, Tiguan, A3, TT, Octavia, Superb, Leon…)

Period mentioned

2003–2020

Symptoms

Jerking or shudder when pulling away and at low speed, harsh shifts, gearbox warning or limp mode; codes P17BF, P189C, P0841, P0871 or P0717.

Possible cause described

In most cases the cause is the mechatronic unit (the electro-hydraulic control unit), not the clutches. The oil shares a circuit with the clutches and degrades, carrying debris that damages the valves; the pan can also rust and leak. Volkswagen specifies an oil and filter change every 60,000 km.

Check for the garage

Read codes with ODIS or VCDS, check the oil change history, inspect the pan for rust or leaks and the clutch adaptation values. Replacing the mechatronic control board is often enough.

Cost cited in the source

Oil and filter change: maintenance every 60,000 km; control board or mechatronic: expensive repairA rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Mileage cited in the database: from 60,000 km. This is not a maintenance interval and does not predict a failure.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

Air conditioning with clutchless compressor and N280 regulating valve (combustion VW, Audi, Seat, Cupra and Skoda from 2006)

Period mentioned

2006–2026

Symptoms

The air does not cool or cools intermittently (for example only at motorway speed), and sometimes the compressor rattles with the A/C on. Codes 01232 (N280 valve), P2612 or 00898.

Possible cause described

The compressor regulates its output with the N280 solenoid valve, its most common failure point. Audi issued technical bulletins over a manufacturing fault in this valve on Sanden compressors. Its connector can also become brittle and corrode (especially without the engine undertray), or the wiring fails.

Check for the garage

Read the codes and N280 control current with VCDS or ODIS, measure its resistance (about 10 ohms) and check the connector and wiring before replacing parts. If the valve or compressor is replaced, the whole circuit must be flushed.

Cost cited in the source

N280 valve: a cheap part (about 30 dollars) where sold separately; new compressor with circuit flush: considerably moreA rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

4th and 5th generation Haldex coupling in transverse-engine VAG all-wheel-drive cars: VW 4Motion, A3/TT/Q3 quattro, Skoda 4x4 and Seat/Cupra 4Drive

Period mentioned

2007–2020

Symptoms

All-wheel-drive warning or a pump error in diagnostics, the car behaves like front-wheel drive (wheelspin in the wet or on gravel) and sometimes no cluster warning even with stored codes.

Possible cause described

The electric pump that pressurises the coupling loses flow because the filter (4th generation) and the pump strainer clog with wear debris; dirty oil raises its current draw and burns it out. According to forum owners, dealer services often change the oil but not the filter or strainer, and a new pump fails again if this is skipped.

Check for the garage

Read the all-wheel-drive module with VCDS, OBDeleven or ODIS (ODIS shows the pump current) and check in the history when the oil was changed and whether the filter was replaced and the strainer cleaned. After servicing, an adaptation with diagnostic equipment is recommended on generations 4 and 5.

Cost cited in the source

Oil, filter and strainer cleaning: maintenance. If the clutch plates are destroyed, an S3 owner quotes about £4,000 to replace the whole unit.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

Tiguan I 2.0 TSI

Period mentioned

2010–2014

Symptoms

The air conditioning suddenly stops cooling and blows warm air, even though it was recharged recently.

Possible cause described

With engine vibration, the refrigerant line between the compressor and the condenser rubs against the compressor pulley until it is holed and the gas escapes. Volkswagen describes it in bulletin 87 14 04 (June 2014) for 2010–2014 Tiguans and replaces the line with a double retainer.

Check for the garage

Before recharging the gas again, ask the garage to look for the leak on the line next to the compressor pulley.

Cost cited in the source

No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

Volkswagen Tiguan I (in the US, 2.0 TSI)

Period mentioned

2010–2014 in the US bulletin (fixed in production from November–December 2013)

Symptoms

The air conditioning stops cooling and blows warm air; the climate control unit stores code B10ABF0 (refrigerant pressure below the lower limit).

Possible cause described

Because of engine vibration, the refrigerant line from the condenser to the compressor can touch the compressor pulley, wear through and let the gas escape. In production it was replaced by a new line, a new upper coolant hose and a double clip.

Check for the garage

With the engine off and cold, the garage inspects the line between the condenser and the compressor: if it is chafed or out of its clip, it is replaced with the new line, hose and double clip and the system is recharged. If the line is fine, this bulletin does not apply and the leak must be looked for elsewhere.

Cost cited in the source

No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database