Vw Tiguan Remote Start Not Working (Common Reasons)

If your VW Tiguan remote start is not working, I totally get how annoying that feels. One minute you’re trying to warm the car up before heading out, and the next minute… nothing happens. No engine start, no confirmation lights, and you’re left standing there like, “Seriously? Now?” Remote start is supposed to make life easier, not turn into another problem you have to troubleshoot.

I’ve dealt with this exact thing more times than I can count—on my own cars and while helping friends who swear their Tiguan is “possessed.” 😅 And honestly, I think most of the time it’s not a major issue… it’s usually one small condition that stops the system from working. In my opinion, VW did a good job with remote start safety, but the downside is it can be picky. I feel like people get stuck because the car doesn’t always tell you clearly what’s stopping it.

Don’t worry though—this guide is going to help you figure out exactly why your VW Tiguan remote start isn’t working and how to fix it step-by-step. By the end, you’ll know the most common causes, what to check first, and when it’s time to stop guessing and scan the car like a pro.

How Remote Start Works in the VW Tiguan (Quick Overview)

Before we jump into troubleshooting, it helps to understand the basics of what’s happening behind the scenes.

Your Tiguan’s remote start system is basically a “permission-based” feature. It only starts the engine if the car thinks everything is safe and ready. That includes:

The key fob being detected correctly
The doors and hood being closed
The transmission being in Park
No warning lights or major faults active
Enough fuel and battery power
No theft/security issues

So if anything is even slightly off, your Tiguan will block the remote start.

Key takeaway: Most remote start failures aren’t broken hardware—they’re blocked starts.

First Things to Check (Quick Fixes That Solve 50% of Cases)

Let’s start with the stuff that fixes the problem quickly and doesn’t require tools.

1) Your Tiguan Didn’t Lock Properly

Most VW remote start systems require the vehicle to be fully locked before it will remote start.

Try this:

Get out of the car
Close every door firmly
Press Lock on your fob
Wait 2–3 seconds
Try remote start again

Pro tip: If one door is slightly “ajar” but not obvious, the car may still lock… but remote start won’t work.

2) You’re Not Using the Correct Remote Start Button Sequence

Different trims and setups can behave a little differently.

Most VW systems work like this:

Press Lock once
Press the Remote Start button twice (or hold it)

If you’re pressing remote start without locking first, it often won’t trigger.

Also: Pressing too slowly or too quickly can fail the command.

3) The Key Fob Battery Is Weak

This one is so common and super overlooked.

If your key fob battery is dying, you may still be able to unlock the car, but remote start may fail because it needs a stronger signal.

Signs it’s the battery:

Shorter range than usual
Remote start works only when close to the car
Key fob works inconsistently

Fix: Replace the battery (usually CR2032, depending on the fob).

4) You’re Too Far Away (Or There’s Signal Interference)

Remote start has limited range, and interference can make it worse.

Things that mess with the signal:

Parking garages
Concrete walls
Bad weather (yes, sometimes)
Other electronics nearby
Cheap aftermarket dash cams or devices pulling power weirdly

Try standing closer and testing again.

Simple test: If the lock/unlock works from far away but remote start doesn’t, it’s not always a range issue—but it still can be.

Common Reasons Your VW Tiguan Remote Start Is Not Working (And How to Fix Them)

Now let’s get into the real stuff. These are the main “system blocks” VW uses.

1) Hood Is Open (Or Hood Switch Is Acting Up)

Your Tiguan won’t remote start if the hood is open.

But here’s the annoying part: sometimes the hood latch sensor gets dirty or misaligned and thinks the hood is open even when it’s not.

What to do:

Open the hood fully
Close it firmly
Press down gently after closing to ensure latch is locked

If the issue keeps coming back, you may need the hood latch sensor checked.

Key takeaway: A hood switch issue can disable remote start completely.

2) Check Engine Light or Fault Codes Are Stored

If you’ve got a check engine light (CEL) or certain stored trouble codes, remote start may be disabled.

This isn’t always about safety—it’s often VW protecting the engine.

Examples of issues that can block remote start:

Misfire codes
EVAP leaks
Sensor faults (MAF/MAP)
Battery voltage faults
Immobilizer communication issues

Fix options:

Scan the car with an OBD2 tool
Repair the underlying issue
Clear codes (only after fixing the problem)

Important: Don’t just clear codes and hope for the best. If the code comes back, remote start will likely stop again.

3) Low Fuel Level (Yes, Really)

VW remote start may not work if fuel is low—usually when it hits a threshold like “low fuel warning.”

The logic is simple: VW doesn’t want the car idling and running out of gas.

Fix:

Add fuel (even a small amount)
Try remote start again

It sounds too simple, but I’ve seen it work instantly.

4) Low Battery Voltage or Weak Car Battery

Even if your Tiguan starts normally when you’re inside it, remote start can fail if the battery voltage is too low.

Why? Because remote start triggers multiple systems at once:

Starter
Fuel system
Immobilizer checks
HVAC settings
Body control module

So it needs healthy voltage.

Symptoms of weak battery:

Slower crank when starting normally
Lights dim slightly when starting
Remote start works sometimes, fails other times

Fix steps:

Test battery voltage (multimeter or battery tester)
If battery is older than 3–5 years, consider replacement
Clean battery terminals and tighten connections

Pro tip: Cold weather makes weak batteries show their age fast.

5) The Car Thinks a Door Is Open

Even if everything looks closed, a faulty door switch can block remote start.

Common signs:

Interior light stays on too long
Dash says door open briefly
Car won’t “chirp” or confirm locking correctly

Quick fix attempt:

Open and close all doors firmly
Lock the car again
Try remote start

If it’s consistent, you might have a bad door latch sensor.

6) The Tiguan Is Not in “Park” Properly

This happens more than you’d think.

Even if the shifter looks like it’s in Park, the transmission range sensor may not be fully registering it.

Try this:

Start the car normally
Shift into Reverse briefly
Shift back into Park firmly
Turn the car off
Lock and try remote start again

Takeaway: A shift sensor or Park signal issue can prevent remote start.

7) The Immobilizer or Key Detection Has a Problem

VW’s immobilizer system is one of the biggest remote start “gatekeepers.”

If your Tiguan isn’t detecting the key properly, remote start may fail even if the fob buttons work.

Possible causes:

Weak fob battery
Key not properly programmed
Car software bug
Faulty antenna module

What to try:

Use the spare key fob if you have one
Replace the fob battery
If both keys fail, you may need dealer-level diagnostics

IMO: Key detection issues are frustrating because they feel random, but they usually leave clues.

8) Remote Start Disabled in Vehicle Settings

Some VW setups allow remote start to be enabled/disabled through the infotainment system.

Check in your infotainment menu for something like:

Vehicle settings
Convenience settings
Remote start settings

If it’s off, the system will never work no matter what you press.

9) Climate Conditions or System Limits (Remote Start Timers)

Remote start won’t run forever. VW often limits it for safety and emissions reasons.

Typical behavior:

Remote start runs for ~10 minutes
You may need to “reset” by turning the car on normally after a cycle
Some systems limit repeated starts back-to-back

If you remote started earlier and keep trying repeatedly, the system might temporarily block additional attempts.

Fix: Start the vehicle normally, drive it a bit, and try again later.

10) Aftermarket Modifications Can Interfere

If your Tiguan has anything aftermarket installed, it can affect electrical systems.

Examples:

Remote start add-on module (older setup)
Aftermarket alarm
Dash cam hardwired incorrectly
Stereo wiring issues
Battery drain from accessories

Good clue: Remote start used to work fine, then stopped after an install.

At that point, it’s worth checking wiring or pulling the fuse for the aftermarket device temporarily (only if you know what you’re doing).

How to Troubleshoot VW Tiguan Remote Start Not Working (Step-by-Step)

If you want a clean troubleshooting path, this is the order I recommend.

Step 1: Confirm the Basics

Replace key fob battery (cheap and fast)
Lock the car properly
Try correct button sequence
Stand closer to the car

Step 2: Check Vehicle Status

Look for any warnings like:

Check engine light
Low fuel warning
Battery warning
Door/hood open warning

If any warning exists, remote start may be blocked.

Step 3: Reset the “Conditions”

Start the car normally
Drive for 5–10 minutes
Park and shift to Park firmly
Turn off the car
Exit, close all doors, lock it
Try remote start again

This clears a surprising number of “glitches.”

Step 4: Scan for Trouble Codes (Best Move)

Use an OBD2 scanner and check for stored codes.

Even if the check engine light isn’t on, the car may have:

Pending codes
Body control codes
Battery voltage faults

Key takeaway: Remote start problems often live in hidden fault codes.

Step 5: Diagnose Sensors (Hood/Door/Park)

If remote start fails consistently and you see no engine codes:

Check hood latch alignment
Check door sensors
Confirm Park signal

At this stage, a VW specialist shop can quickly identify the failing switch/module.

Signs It’s a Software Issue (And Not a Mechanical Problem)

Sometimes everything looks perfect, but remote start still won’t work. That’s when I start thinking “software.”

You might be dealing with:

Infotainment glitch
Module communication error
Outdated firmware
Remote start function stuck disabled

What you can try:

Turn off the car completely
Lock it
Walk away for 5–10 minutes
Try again

If it’s happening often, you may need a dealer software update.

Takeaway: A software update can fix remote start failures that feel “random.”

When It’s Time to Go to a Shop (Don’t Stress)

I’m all for DIY, but sometimes it’s smarter to let a professional handle it.

Go to a shop if:

Remote start never works, even with a new fob battery
You have warning lights on the dash
You suspect a hood latch sensor or door latch issue
The car starts and stalls immediately after remote starting
You keep getting immobilizer/key detection errors

A shop with VW diagnostic tools can check:

Body Control Module (BCM)
Immobilizer status
Remote start authorization status
Module fault history

And that saves you from replacing random parts and wasting money.

Helpful Tips to Prevent Remote Start Problems in the Future

If you want your remote start to stay reliable, here are a few easy habits that help.

Keep These Things in Good Shape

Key fob battery (replace every 1–2 years)
Car battery (test before winter)
Hood latch area (keep clean)
Door latches (avoid slamming repeatedly)
Don’t ignore the check engine light

Don’t Forget This Remote Start Reality

Remote start is awesome… but it’s “rule-based.”

So if your Tiguan ever refuses to start remotely, don’t assume it’s broken.

Most of the time it’s just saying:
“I’m not starting because one condition isn’t met.”

FAQs: VW Tiguan Remote Start Not Working (Common Reasons)

1) Why does my VW Tiguan remote start not work even though the key fob locks and unlocks the car?

Because remote start requires a stronger and more specific signal than basic locking/unlocking. A weak key fob battery, interference, or a blocked start condition (like hood open or low fuel) can prevent remote start even when the doors still respond normally.

2) Will a check engine light disable remote start on a VW Tiguan?

Yes, it can. VW often disables remote start when certain engine fault codes are active to protect the engine and emissions system. Even if the car drives fine, stored trouble codes may stop remote start until the issue is fixed.

3) Does low fuel stop remote start on a Tiguan?

Yes. Many VW models prevent remote start when fuel is below a safety threshold. If the car thinks fuel is too low, it won’t allow the engine to idle unattended.

4) How do I reset remote start on my VW Tiguan?

You can’t “reset” it with a single button, but you can refresh the system by:

Starting the car normally
Driving for a few minutes
Parking properly in Park
Turning the car off and locking it
Trying remote start again

If it still fails, scan for fault codes.

5) What is the most common reason VW Tiguan remote start stops working suddenly?

The most common causes are weak key fob battery, weak car battery, or a blocked condition like a door/hood sensor issue. Remote start can stop suddenly even if the vehicle seems fine, because the system is extremely sensitive to safety checks.