Dead Tiguan AC: Failed Compressor Warning Signs & Costs

Had the same auto AC repair situation on my 2017 Tiguan 2.0 TDI about 6 months ago. The automotive cooling system showed identical symptoms, warm air only, warning light, complete HVAC failure. The diagnosis revealed both a failed AC compressor and a damaged control module. These components often fail together on these models, especially around 130000-150000km. The repair required replacing the compressor, control unit, and recharging the cooling system. This was a serious issue requiring specialized diagnostic equipment and expertise. The job took 2 full days at the shop since accessing the components meant removing several parts of the front end. They also found small metal particles in the system from the failed compressor, requiring a thorough flush of all AC lines. The fix was comprehensive but necessary, driving without addressing it risks more extensive damage to other AC components. If you notice similar symptoms, getting it checked quickly helps prevent additional issues with the vehicle HVAC system. Suggest finding a shop with specific VW experience, as the diagnostic process for these units can be complex.

Thanks for sharing your experience. My compressor also failed last year on my 2018 Tiguan and it sounds very similar. A refrigerant leak test confirmed the diagnosis, then the shop found metal fragments just like in your case. Would you mind sharing what the total repair cost was for your car air conditioning fix? Also curious if youve had any other AC unit issues since the repair? Mine has been running fine for about 8 months now but I keep a close eye on the cooling performance just in case.

Good news on the repair front. After taking it to a VW specialist, they fixed the refrigerant compressor failure and the complete job came to 980€. This included replacing the defective air conditioning control unit, which was causing the system shutdown. The car air conditioning has worked flawlessly since the repair, no weak cooling, no odd noises, and no warning lights. Regular checks show the vehicle HVAC system maintaining proper pressure and temperatures. Been running perfectly for over 18 months now. The thorough system flush they did to remove all metal particles seems to have prevented any follow-up issues. The shop also added a new filter drier and did a full refrigerant recharge as preventive measures. Would definitely recommend getting suspicious AC performance checked early, catching these problems before complete failure can save money on additional component damage.

I finally took it to get fixed last week after dealing with the AC issues. The mechanic at the specialist shop diagnosed a refrigerant leak along with the compressor problem. Just like in your case, they found metal fragments throughout the system. The total auto AC repair bill came to 1150€, which covered the new compressor, control module, system flush, and full refrigerant recharge. A bit more than I hoped but worth it to have proper cooling again. The vehicle HVAC system is working perfectly now, cold air blows strong and no warning lights. The shop did a great job explaining everything and showed me the damaged parts. They mentioned these car air conditioning failures are pretty common on our model around this mileage. Really glad I got it fixed before summer. The whole process took about 2 days but at least I wont have to worry about AC problems for a while. Thanks again for sharing your experience, it helped confirm I was on the right track with the diagnosis.