T-Cross Engine Stalling and Smoking Points to MAF Issue

I experienced nearly identical symptoms with my 2016 VW Tiguan TSI. The engine stalling at idle and increased fuel consumption were clear indicators of MAF sensor issues. The check engine light triggered due to faulty readings from the mass air flow sensor, which was causing the engine to receive incorrect air-fuel mixture calculations. A dirty or failing MAF sensor often leads to the symptoms you describe, especially the excess smoke during acceleration. The repair itself is straightforward. The MAF sensor connects to the air intake system and can be replaced within 1-2 hours by a competent mechanic. In my case, before complete replacement, the shop first cleaned the sensor to rule out simple contamination. When cleaning didnt resolve the issue, they installed a new OEM sensor. This is a relatively common issue but should be addressed promptly since a faulty MAF sensor can lead to catalytic converter damage if left unrepaired. The irregular air-fuel mixture can also cause long-term engine performance issues. For quality assurance, make sure they use diagnostic equipment to confirm the MAF sensor is the actual problem before proceeding with replacement. Any reputable shop should include pre and post-repair sensor readings in their service report.

Thanks for sharing your Tiguan experience. Almost relieved to hear Im not alone with these symptoms. Good point about checking the sensor before full replacement. Since your case sounds so similar to mine, do you remember roughly how much you paid for the repair? Also curious if youve had any related issues pop up since the fix, especially interested if the fuel economy went back to normal.

Had the same issue fixed last week. The mechanic confirmed the mass air flow sensor failure through diagnostics and replaced it, total cost was 365€ including labor. The repair took about an hour and a half. Since the fix, fuel economy has completely returned to normal levels. The air-fuel ratio is now properly regulated, and the engine runs smoothly without any stalling. The excess smoke during acceleration is gone too. The repair definitely solved all the initial symptoms. There have been zero related issues since the MAF sensor replacement. The air intake system is working perfectly, and the check engine light hasnt come back on. Its clear the irregular readings from the faulty sensor were causing all the problems. Just make sure your mechanic uses proper diagnostic tools to verify the mass air flow sensor is actually the culprit. In my case, they showed me the before and after readings to confirm the repair was successful.

Thanks for the input. Took my car to the shop yesterday after reading these replies. They did exactly what was suggested, first ran diagnostics which confirmed the MAF sensor issue. The mechanic offered to clean it first, saving me money if that worked. But the cleaning didnt fix it, so they installed a new sensor. Total bill came to 340€ with parts and labor, pretty close to what others paid. The whole thing took about 2 hours. Really glad I went in informed about the likely issue and usual costs, helped me feel confident they werent trying to upsell unnecessary work. Already noticed the engine runs much smoother. No more stalling at idle and the smoke is gone. Fuel economy seems to be improving too, though Ill know better after a full tank. The check engine light is off and staying off. Definitely feels good having this sorted. Having similar experiences shared here helped me avoid getting overcharged or letting the problem get worse. Would have hated damaging the catalytic converter by waiting too long.

T5.1 Mass or Volume Air flow circ./range - Had MAF sensor replaced but fault still present. Once cleared it’s ok for a few days and then within 48 hours the engine light will be back on again. Also has issues starting up sometimes but recently noticed this only happens when fuel is low, possibly relatable?

Since you've already replaced the MAF sensor and the issue persists, consider checking for vacuum leaks in the intake system, as they can cause similar symptoms and trigger the check engine light. Additionally, inspect the fuel system, especially the fuel pump and filter, as low fuel levels might be affecting fuel pressure and causing starting issues. If the problem continues, it might be beneficial to have a mechanic perform a more comprehensive diagnostic to pinpoint the exact cause. Let me know how it goes or if you have any further questions!