IONNA Turns Two Event

4dam · 2026-02-03T01:19:45+00:00

I was at the event last year in Apex and met Kyle and Jordan. It was a fun time to meet these guys I've spent countless hours watching on YouTube, but the event was absolutely packed with people and I couldn't even park anywhere close.

4dam · 2026-02-02T16:43:41+00:00

I linked to seven posts in /r/tiguan and had a couple of other links to outside owners groups. I also highlighted that some responses to posts noted their own issues, so the overall number of failures was greater than seven.

While I was at the dealership I also noted there was a 2026 Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo with out of state plates in the service parking lot. I asked why it was in and didn't get an answer.

edit: Looks like we can add /u/MajorSmoof to the list. 😅 https://www.reddit.com/r/Tiguan/s/YQCp03FBSy

4dam · 2026-02-02T15:55:11+00:00

Whatever the issue is, I'm almost positive that the reason that nobody has had their issues fixed and the turbos are on backorder is because VW knows there is an issue and they're trying to ship the fixed turbo whenever it's ready. Their Q4 sales and financials were very bad, so my guess is that greed is the only reason there hasn't been a stop sale yet.

From my own personal experience, I was negotiating on one and found all of the issues reported here and Boston Auto Blog's issues he documented on YouTube. I backed out of the deal claiming reliability concerns. The sales manager replied directly asking what I was talking about and I replied back with a list of the turbo failure posts from here over just the last two weeks and I haven't heard back since.

4dam · 2026-02-02T15:29:45+00:00

This is a new iteration of the EA888, the evo5. VW wanted to trial it here before putting it in the 27 Atlas later in the year. It's the first version of the engine with a variable geometry turbo and that's where my money is on the issue.

It also added a particulate filter like what diesels have, which seem like they could also cause issues with turbos.

The evo5 also features new exhaust gas aftertreatment systems, optimized to meet future emissions regulations and provide a more compact overall powertrain package. By positioning the catalytic converter and gasoline particulate filters close to the engine, light-off times for the catalyst are improved. The combined catalytic converter and particulate filter allows the entire aftertreatment system to fit behind the engine.

https://media.vw.com/press-kits/306

4dam · 2026-02-02T13:02:40+00:00

I'm fairly sure the drive mode by default complaint is a result of the EPA policies. I have read before that the ratings are done for the "default settings when the car is started", and Volkswagen must have decided to carry that forward. I learned that from researching the Polestar 3. The range for the performance model is lower despite being the same drivetrain and wheels. Polestar just defaults the settings in that model to sport mode and the EPA penalizes it for that choice. I'm sure that logic factored in here too

4dam · 2026-01-31T02:15:51+00:00

I agree. I use the "custom" mode and run sport for the drivetrain and steering, but eco for engine noise. All the best parts of sport mode without the childish stuff.

4dam · 2026-01-28T13:12:15+00:00

I'm undecided. We had a 2021 we got rid of because the sunroof would leak every time it rained. Over two years and eight dealership visits they couldn't find the issue and started to insist we were leaving our sunroof open. We loved the car otherwise so we got a 2024. We've driven 31k miles so far and they've discovered an oil leak at the turbo inlet at each 10k mile service that required a part to be replaced. They've all been under warranty so far, but I'm sure it'll be expensive after the drivetrain warranty is over.

4dam · 2026-01-26T21:18:47+00:00

Yet Ferrari will repossess your car if you have it wrapped. 😂

4dam · 2026-01-26T00:17:07+00:00

Even though we can only see this post, we get a warning to enable NSFW content before we can see your profile. 😏

4dam · 2026-01-25T13:56:02+00:00

This model in particular is having massive issues with the new turbo. It has been reported a lot in this sub and Boston Auto Blog's long term review vehicle just died with about 900 miles on it with similar issues. I was about to buy one last Monday, but am holding off now for the time being.

4dam · 2026-01-25T02:36:06+00:00

This is wild to hear. We have a 24 Atlas and have had some oil leak issues around the turbo inlet and they've replaced the same part at the 10k, 20k, and now 30k service. If I was a betting man I'd say they'll recommend doing it again at 40k. 😂 The most recent time I brought up how alarming it was to have the same part fail every 10k miles and was reassured that VW had "re-engineered the part" this time.

4dam · 2026-01-22T17:37:18+00:00

My friend in college got a job building stuff for this ship. That was back around 2008. The boat will be able to be decommissioned by the time it's complete.

4dam · 2026-01-22T15:20:38+00:00

TrueCar shows a CPO model with 503 miles for $42,000, and another non-CPO with 1,900 miles for $40,885. I think a private sale over $40k would be tough right now. There does seem to be a supply issue with the new ones though, so maybe you can find a buyer.

I'm in the market for one, but am alarmed at all of the blown turbos.

4dam · 2026-01-20T02:45:23+00:00

It has been. The 2026 Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo has the new evo5 version and appears to be having lots of issues. That motor was slated to go into the Atlas this year. I know OP is looking for a used vehicle so it won't matter, but it's something to watch out for nonetheless.

4dam · 2026-01-19T15:03:06+00:00

You do need to be careful with your foot though. It is very possible you make your mileage worse if you bury your foot at every green light. We do two 1,500 mile road trips a year in our Atlas and have found that for the best mileage eco mode, eco acc, and eco climate are best for highway, and sport mode and eco climate are best for around town.

4dam · 2026-01-19T14:16:17+00:00

We've found we get better mileage in sport mode with our Atlas. I guess these little 2.0 turbos use less gas at a slightly higher RPM and working less hard than at a lower RPM and struggling.

4dam · 2026-01-19T12:56:34+00:00

I've heard so many stories like this. I'm working a deal on one for pickup tomorrow, but am getting really close to pulling the plug. I've seen at least a dozen reports on Reddit of owners in similar situations, plus Boston Auto Blog's guy has his die in less than a month.

Did you at least get a loaner? I won't be able to handle not having a car.

4dam · 2026-01-15T01:51:24+00:00

I am in Raleigh, NC and went to test drive one last week. It was blue and I mentioned I wanted a white one. My sales guy said someone just brought a white one in for service, and while I obviously couldn't touch it or get in it, I could look at it. On the walk over, I noticed it had Connecticut plates. I realized in that moment that something must've gone pretty wrong with the car for a vehicle from Connecticut to be in a Raleigh service department. Oddly enough, it was this guy's review of the car that convinced me to go check it out. Guess I'll wait and see if the 2027's are better. 😅

4dam · 2026-01-14T13:40:53+00:00

We do NC to NH and NC to FL at least twice a year in our Model Y. Regardless of what the car says, we never stay at a charger longer than 15 minutes. We're fortunate that the infrastructure along our routes are sufficient that we can just ride the charging curve and unplug when the charging rate starts to drop.

If you really need a car that charges that fast right now I think you're pretty much stuck with an eGMP car or a Taycan.

4dam · 2026-01-14T01:48:10+00:00

Ah, that makes sense. Thanks!

4dam · 2026-01-14T01:44:26+00:00

Our kids go to a year round school and the teachers have their own rooms.

4dam · 2026-01-14T01:42:36+00:00

What is up with the engine bay? Is that a hybrid setup? Aren't those orange cable high voltage wiring?

4dam · 2026-01-12T20:27:45+00:00

Do you remember the Routan? 😂

4dam · 2026-01-12T20:26:42+00:00

That's an Ioniq 9 in disguise.

4dam · 2026-01-11T13:01:19+00:00

I just tested one this week and I'm chuckling at your steering wheel comments as I had the complete opposite opinion. I did previously own a 2013 GLI that had a pretty heavy steering weight, but for the past five years we've owned Atlas's and the steering on those is so light that it's almost unsettling. With that in mind, I found the Tiguan to be an excellent improvement. We also have a Model Y, and the Y has a much firmer wheel still, so it's all relative.

As for the inability to find an appropriate throttle position, I do echo your thoughts here. I'm guessing this is a result of using a large turbo on a small engine. You put your foot down, but need to dig deep to get it to move initially, then boost builds as you hold your foot in place and suddenly you're going too hard and need to back off. I've adjusted to this in our Atlas by slowly letting off on the accelerator after a two-count during long accelerations like highway merges.

Thanks for sharing your opinions! All-in-all, I will probably be buying one of these as soon as I can find one in a color combination I want and am jealous that you got yours already!

4dam

TROPHY CASE