VW Touareg Performance Issues, Throttle Valve Fix Needed

Had almost the exact same symptoms with a 2014 Tiguan 2.0 TSI. The car would struggle with cold starts and the throttle response was really inconsistent, which made the fuel efficiency terrible. After checking the throttle body and cleaning it, the issue remained. My mechanic found that the accelerator pedal module was faulty, causing erratic signals to the throttle control valve. The repair involved replacing the complete pedal module assembly, which cost 205€ including labor. The symptoms disappeared completely after the fix, and fuel efficiency returned to normal. The unstable idle issue was also resolved since the throttle valve was getting proper signals again. Could you share: Does your check engine light come on? Have you noticed any delayed throttle response when pressing the gas pedal? Did your mechanic run a diagnostic scan? These details would help confirm if your issue matches what I experienced. Sometimes throttle body issues can show similar symptoms, but the underlying cause might be different.

Facing the exact same issues after 145636km. First tried throttle cleaning which helped temporarily, but problems came back within a week. The air intake system was also inspected during my last service but showed no issues. For reference, the check engine light flickers intermittently, particularly during cold starts. Throttle response definitely feels delayed, especially when accelerating from a stop. My diagnostic scan showed error codes related to the throttle valve position sensor. Thanks for sharing your experience with the pedal module. Will have my mechanic check this component as well during the next inspection.

Thanks for those additional details, your symptoms match my Tiguan case even closer than I initially thought. The intermittent check engine light and throttle position sensor codes are telltale signs. Like yours, my initial throttle body cleaning only provided temporary relief. The engine throttle position sensor issues often get misdiagnosed because the symptoms can mimic a dirty throttle body or air intake problems. When my mechanic dug deeper into the diagnostic codes, he found the throttle position readings were erratic due to the faulty pedal module sending incorrect signals. A quick test you can try: When at a complete stop with the engine running, slowly press the accelerator and notice if the engine idle fluctuates unevenly. In my case, the engine would surge out of nowhere even with steady pedal pressure, confirming the pedal module was the culprit. Based on the similar symptoms, error codes, and mileage point where the issues appeared, I strongly suspect you are dealing with the same pedal module failure. The part itself is not extremely expensive (around 150€), and replacement takes about an hour of labor. The most convincing sign that we diagnosed correctly was that all issues, the cold starts, inconsistent throttle response, and poor fuel economy, were resolved simultaneously after the pedal module replacement.

I appreciate all the detailed feedback about the pedal module issue. After having my mechanic perform more extensive testing with the throttle position sensor readings, he confirmed erratic signal patterns matching what you described. During the idle test you suggested, I noticed the exact same unusual engine surging despite steady throttle input. The air intake and throttle body path were completely clean, ruling out debris as the cause of my throttle control problems. Just had the accelerator pedal module replaced yesterday for 165€ parts and labor. The throttle response is now perfectly smooth, cold starts are normal again, and the engine maintains a stable idle. Fuel efficiency has also improved noticeably after just a few days of driving. For anyone else experiencing similar symptoms, definitely have your mechanic check the pedal module if throttle cleaning and air intake inspection dont resolve the issue. The diagnostic codes related to throttle valve position were the key indicator in my case.