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2011 Volkswagen Tiguan

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 Tiguan.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan is a sport‑utility vehicle that comes equipped with an automatic (S6) transmission and an EPA‑rated fuel economy of 20/25/22 mpg. Its engine is defined by a 4.2‑quart oil capacity and recommended viscosities of 0W‑40, 5W‑30 or 5W‑40. Owner‑complaint records show 160 total complaints, with the engine as the primary concern and three safety recalls logged, situating the 2011 model early in a complaint timeline that reached a peak of 274 complaints in 2018 and has since declined to 20 complaints by 2026, reflecting a gradual improvement in reliability over the model’s production run.

Model year2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2017 2011

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type0W-40 / 5W-30 / 5W-40OEM · verified

Lug nut torque88 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy20/25/22 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 540 CCA battery, OE oil filter 06J115403Q. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 47 · 540 CCAOEM · verified

Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified

Tire size235-55R17OEM · verified

Wheel / rimN/A inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	06J115403Q
Engine air filter	1K0129620G
Spark plug	06H905601A
Battery	000915089E alt 000915089F
Front wiper blades	5N1998002 alt 3C8955425B
Serpentine belt	06J260849D
Thermostat	06J121113A alt 06H121113B
Cabin air filter	1K1819669 alt 1K0819644B

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	175.6 in
Overall width	71.3 in
Overall height	66.5 in
Wheelbase	102.4 in
Curb weight	3631 lb
Track (front / rear)	61 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	20 / 25 / 22 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Premium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Tiguan of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.1–9.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.10 sec — 2010 SE

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2010	SE 2.0L Turbo I-4	7.10 sec	15.50 sec	200 hp	FWD
2012	SE 2.0L Turbo I-4	7.80 sec	16.20 sec	200 hp	FWD
2012	SEL 4MOTION 2.0L Turbo I-4	7.80 sec	16.00 sec	200 hp	AWD
2012	SE 2.0L Turbo I-4	8.00 sec	16.30 sec	200 hp	FWD
2009	S 2.0L Turbo I-4	7.30 sec	15.50 sec	200 hp	FWD
2009	SEL 2.0L Turbo I-4	7.70 sec	15.90 sec	200 hp	FWD
2009	SEL 4MOTION 2.0L Turbo I-4	7.70 sec	16.00 sec	200 hp	AWD
2009	SEL 4MOTION 2.0L Turbo I-4	8.20 sec	16.20 sec	200 hp	AWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 0W-40 / 5W-30 / 5W-40 engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 88 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	7.5
Brake Fluid	DOT 4
Engine Coolant	USE G012ABG-A1 COOLANT
Engine Oil	0W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity	4.2 qt
Manual Transmission Fluid	Synthetic · 75W-85 · GL-4
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity	4.0-5.50

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	88 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	11.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	Bevel box: 44.0, Haldex Clutch: 22.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	720 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	80 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	VW
Spark Plug Gap	0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	18 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.40-1.50 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Standard BCI Group Number	47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	540 cca
Optional BCI Group Number	47
Optional BCI Cranking Performance	640 cca

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	58.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum	101.0 psi
Residual Pressure	43.5 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	1.4
Engine Compression	159

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	22 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	148 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.984 in / 0.472 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	0.984 in / 0.472 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.866 in / 0.394 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

6 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

6 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	30 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees.	90 degrees
3	90 degrees.	90 degrees
4	Front bolts	6 ft. lbs
5	90 degrees.; Do not re-use old bolts.	90 degrees

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

44 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

44 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 9,300 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

Every 9,300 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 10,000 mi	Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Headlamp Washer Nozzle (inspect) · Headlamp Washer System (inspect fluid level) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Windshield Washer System (inspect)
Every 20,000 mi	Battery (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Suspension Shock or Strut (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 40,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Door Hinge (lubricate) · Drive Axle Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection)
Every 60,000 mi	Air Intake Hose Debris Screen (clean) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean) · Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2011 model year registers 160 complaints, representing a rebound from 2010's 109 filings while aligning with 2009's volume of 166, and marks the peak investigation count (4) within the early segment of the federal record before complaint volumes trended downward to 82 by 2014. With three recalls matching the frequency of most surrounding years and Technical Service Bulletins climbing steadily from 669 in 2009 to 852 in 2011, the data suggests intensifying manufacturer service activity as the vehicle aged, though specific defect causes remain unspecified. Engine-related complaints dominated the 2011 dataset with 48 filings, substantially exceeding electrical and lighting concerns, alongside 4 crash-related and 2 fire-related incidents. Positioned at a high point for regulatory scrutiny within a declining early-generation trend, the 2011 Tiguan carries a moderately elevated risk profile relative to 2012-2014 models, making comprehensive pre-purchase mechanical inspection essential despite its functional parity with adjacent model years.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

852

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

160

Owner complaints

4 involved a crash · 2 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’09 ’10’11’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 160 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine48

Electrical System,Exterior Lighting19

Exterior Lighting14

Air Bags10

Electrical System5

Steering,Air Bags5

Electrical System,Engine5

Electrical System,Air Bags4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

15V483000Air Bags:FrontalReported 04/08/2015

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the… Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the…

14V441000Fuel System, GasolineReported 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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 852 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
TT 10-18-02_2	2026-06-18	Engine	Lubricating engine components before reassembly.
TT 13-20-01_3	2026-06-18	Engine	Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
V6919012010479_17	2026-06-11	Air Bags	Inquiries
V1719012012855_81	2026-06-04	Engine	Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards
VOS-26-21	2026-03-27	Engine	This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Tiguan. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 47 battery Vehicles taking 4.2 qt Engine oil filter 06J115403Q Engine air filter 1K0129620G Spark plug 06H905601A Battery 000915089E

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2011 Tiguan take?

4.2 qt of 0W-40, 5W-30 OR 5W-40 MEETING VW SPECIFICATION 502.00, per the factory manual.

Does the 2011 Tiguan have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Tiguan get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 25 highway / 22 combined mpg.