VW Tiguan DPF Failure: Common Symptoms & Fixes

Had exactly the same symptoms on my 2012 VW Passat diesel last winter. My knowledge level is moderate, I do basic maintenance myself but leave complex repairs to professionals. The low pressure readings from the DPF sensor turned out to be caused by a faulty exhaust back pressure sensor. The workshop first ran complete diagnostics to verify the DPF condition and check if a DPF regeneration would solve it. When regeneration failed to fix the issue, they identified the actual problem was the sensor itself, not the particulate filter. Total repair cost was 245€ including diagnostics and the new sensor. Since the fix, no more warning lights or power issues. The dark smoke and diesel smell also disappeared completely. To help diagnose your case more precisely, could you share: Current mileage on your Tiguan, How long the symptoms have been present, Whether DPF regeneration has been attempted already, Any recent changes in driving patterns (lots of short trips vs highway), Full error codes if you have them These details would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced or might be something different in the DPF system.

Thank you for sharing your experience. My Tiguan has 16068km on the odometer since the last time I had it serviced. I tried forcing a DPF regeneration cycle by driving at constant highway speeds, but the emission control system still shows errors. The exhaust system problems started about 2 weeks ago, right after a period of mostly short city drives. The diesel engine feels very sluggish, especially when cold. My workshop suggested checking both the DPF issues and the exhaust pressure sensor, but I wanted to confirm if this matches others experiences before approving expensive diagnostic work. Will share the exact error codes once I get them scanned tomorrow.

Thanks for the additional details. That driving pattern matches my experience exactly, my Passat also developed DPF issues after several weeks of short trips. The reduced power and sluggish cold start response are classic signs of exhaust back pressure problems. Since you mentioned forcing regeneration didnt resolve it, and given the low pressure readings combined with the strong exhaust smell, it sounds identical to my sensor failure. When the pressure sensor fails, the DPF system cant properly monitor or control regeneration cycles. The workshop approach they suggested, checking both the particulate filter and sensor, is the right diagnostic sequence. In my case, the full sensor diagnostic and replacement was far cheaper than a complete DPF service would have been. The error codes will help confirm, but based on your description and similar driving conditions, I suspect youll find its the pressure sensor like mine was. Once replaced, the system should properly manage DPF regeneration again and restore normal power. Would be interested to hear what the scan reveals. If the error codes match what I had, you might be looking at a similar straightforward sensor fix rather than extensive exhaust system work.

Thanks for sharing those findings, that definitely helps align with what I was seeing. I should have the error codes by tomorrow afternoon after the diagnostic scan. Based on your experience, I feel more confident about the repair path, especially since the symptoms match so closely, the reduced power after city driving, failed regeneration attempts, and that strong diesel smell. My biggest concern was facing a complete DPF replacement, but knowing a faulty pressure sensor could cause all these same problems is reassuring. The particulate filter itself might still be fine once the sensor is working properly and can manage regeneration cycles correctly. Will update once I have the scan results and know whether the diagnostic approach confirms the same sensor issue you experienced. Really appreciate the detailed breakdown of your repair experience, helps me have a more informed discussion with the workshop.