VW Tiguan Throttle Issues, Fix & Diagnosis Guide

I had a similar issue with my VW T-Roc 2020. The symptoms you describe match exactly what I experienced, poor fuel efficiency and unstable engine idle. After about a week of these issues, the engine management light came on. Being somewhat experienced with VW engines, I initially thought it was just a dirty throttle position sensor, but it turned out to be more complex. My trusted workshop diagnosed a defective accelerator pedal module, which was causing inconsistent throttle control signals. The repair involved replacing the complete pedal module assembly. Total cost was 205€ including diagnostics and installation. The improvement in performance was immediate, smooth engine idle, better throttle response, and fuel consumption returned to normal. Before you proceed with repairs, could you share: Does your check engine light come on? Are there any error codes showing? Does the throttle feel sticky or unresponsive? Have you noticed any sudden changes in engine throttle response? This information would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced or if it might be something else entirely. A proper diagnostic scan would be the best first step, as throttle-related issues can sometimes mimic other problems in modern VWs.

Latest service was at 98000km. The engine check light flickers occasionally but does not stay on permanently. The car throttle response feels delayed and jerky, especially when accelerating from a stop. Using an OBD scanner showed P0121 and P0122 codes related to throttle position sensor circuit problems. The engine idle gets particularly rough after the car sits for a few hours, and the issue seems worse during cold starts. Fuel efficiency has dropped noticeably, getting about 2L/100km more than usual. Before booking a workshop appointment, I tried cleaning the throttle body myself with proper cleaner, but it only helped temporarily. The control valve still seems to be struggling, especially during the first few minutes of operation. Would a complete throttle body replacement be overkill for these symptoms? The fuel consumption increase is becoming a real concern.

Thanks for providing those details. Your symptoms strongly point to throttle valve issues, very similar to what I experienced. After my pedal module replacement, I also discovered the throttle body itself needed attention. Those error codes you mentioned are classic indicators of throttle position sensor problems. When my T-Roc showed similar codes, cleaning helped temporarily just like in your case, but the issues kept returning. This pattern often means the throttle body electronic components are failing, not just dirty. In my case, I ended up needing a complete throttle body replacement because the internal sensors were deteriorating. The total repair cost was around 450€, including parts and labor. While it seems expensive, it resolved all symptoms, the unstable engine idle, poor throttle response, and high fuel consumption all improved significantly. The air intake system was also cleaned during the repair, which helped optimize the overall engine performance. Given your mileage and symptoms, especially the persistent issues after cleaning, a full throttle body replacement might be the most cost-effective long-term solution rather than continuing with temporary fixes. Consider getting the throttle cleaning done professionally first, but be prepared that you might need the complete unit replaced if the electronic components are indeed failing.

Thanks for the detailed information. After reviewing everyone's feedback about my throttle issues, I believe I'll proceed with a full inspection at a certified workshop. The similar experiences shared, especially regarding temporary fixes not lasting, have convinced me that professional diagnosis is the best next step. The fuel efficiency problems and unstable engine idle are too significant to ignore, and based on the responses, it seems my initial suspicion about the throttle body was on track. Those P0121 and P0122 codes combined with the symptoms clearly point to more than just a dirty throttle body issue. I will schedule an appointment next week and request both a thorough air intake system inspection and throttle diagnostics. The 450€ cost mentioned for a complete replacement seems reasonable if it resolves all these issues, especially considering how much extra fuel I am currently burning. Thanks for helping me understand that while throttle cleaning might be tempting as a quick fix, the electronic nature of these problems likely requires more comprehensive repair work. Will update once I get the official diagnosis and repair completed.