DecodedCars2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2009 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 21 combined · 19 city / 26 hwy
- Length
- 175.6 in
- Curb weight
- 3,400 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 26 similar 2009 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan is a SUV - offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 176 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 102-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,400 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 21 MPG combined (19 city / 26 highway), 8% better than the 2009 SUV - average of 19.5 MPG, for an estimated $3,900 a year in fuel.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 95 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV | 175.6 in | 71.3 in | 66.5 in | 102.4 in | 61 / 60.6 in | 3,400 lb | 57/43 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiguan | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 21 | +8% | $3,900 | 423 |
| Tiguan | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 24 / 21 | +8% | $3,900 | 423 |
| Tiguan 4motion | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 24 / 20 | +13% | $4,100 | 444 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2009 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2009 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan (this car) | 21 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2009 Toyota RAV4 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 14 |
| 2009 Honda CR-V | 23 MPG | Not rated | 12 |
| 2009 Hyundai Tucson | 22 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2009 Subaru Forester | 22 MPG | Not rated | 16 |
| 2009 Kia Sportage | 22 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe | 20 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
Recalls (2)
Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 21, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V441000 · 151,389 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- 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.
Exterior Lighting · Nov 22, 2013
NHTSA campaign 13V569000 · 62,155 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- 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.
Not every 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 64 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Power Train — 13 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Electrical System — 12 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 90,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Tiguan years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Tiguan | 29 | 184.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Tiguan | 29 | 184.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 37 |
| 2025 Tiguan | 29 | 184.3 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 56 |
| 2024 Tiguan | 27 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 76 |
| 2023 Tiguan | 27 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 70 |
| 2022 Tiguan | 26 | 185.8 in | Not rated | 5 | 273 |
| 2021 Tiguan | 25 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 144 |
| 2020 Tiguan | 25 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 141 |
| 2019 Tiguan | 25 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 195 |
| 2018 Tiguan | 24 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 14 | 294 |
| 2017 Tiguan | 22 | 174.4 in | Not rated | 4 | 76 |
| 2016 Tiguan | 23 | 174.4 in | Not rated | 2 | 97 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volkswagen. How we calculate this →