RoadVitals

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
58
+6 complaints in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Sep 10, 2026
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 58 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan, most frequently naming the electrical, driver assistance and engine categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 158 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

Sep 10, 2026
49,958 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Tiguan vehicles. A software error may cause the body control module (BCM) system to reset. This may result in the ignition switching off, resulting in an engine stall. It can also lead to a loss of certain controls, warning lights, exterior lighting, or failure of the rearview camera system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Controls and Displays," and 102, "Transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect," as well as FMVSS numbers 111 and 108.
The risk: An unexpected engine stall, loss of exterior lighting or warning lights, or failure of the rearview camera system can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will update the body control module (BCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 6, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 57KL. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 17, 2026.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 57KLView on NHTSA.gov

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

Dec 10, 2025
3,138 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Tiguan vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied.
The risk: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
The remedy: Owners are advised not to allow occupants to sit in the front passenger seat until the remedy is complete. Dealers will repair the affected wiring harness in the front passenger seat, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74HE. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 12, 2025.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 74HEView on NHTSA.gov

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

Aug 13, 2025
15 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Tiguan vehicles. A tie rod bolt on the rear axle assembly may be loose, which can lead to a loss of vehicle control.
The risk: A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the affected tie rod bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 5, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42E7.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 42E7View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed Nov 4, 2026

The vehicle has 22,000 miles and is required to replacement brakes and rotors due to premature wear. The identification of the premature wear was by the manufacturer’s authorized dealership. Their corporate office was made aware of the concern. This provides a safety issue as most car owners would not think to have their vehicle inspected for new brakes and rotors at 20,000-25,000 miles. This premature wear for those drivers spending their time in drive conditions could experience sufficient safety concerns even earlier.

NHTSA ID
11775551
Incident
Oct 19, 2026
Filed Oct 26, 2026

The vehicle will throw itself into park with the emergency brake on while driving on the roadway. I was told by Volkswagen Middletown that the vehicle is not registering my seatbelt on and there’s an issue with the computer system but no fix other than put your seatbelt on prior to turning the vehicle on. Volkswagen wappimgers is saying there’s a safety feature that will put the car in park if the seatbelt is off, your butt comes off the seat the vehicle will put itself in park. My seatbelt is always on and this has happened while driving the vehicle for longer than 10 minutes and on the roadways. There acting like it’s not happening. Volkswagen Middletown states that they have had reports of this happening

NHTSA ID
11773687
Incident
Sep 25, 2026
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 25, 2026

In March 2026, my 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan SE experienced multiple unexpected malfunctions, including entering reduced-power (limp) mode twice within approximately two days. The vehicle displayed a “Drive System Error – Service Now” warning, along with multiple driver-assistance system errors involving rear traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, and Travel Assist. The vehicle also exhibited unusual engine revving while stopped. Most concerning was an incident during rush-hour traffic when my vehicle unexpectedly stalled in the middle of a busy road. The sudden loss of power created an immediate and dangerous situation, as surrounding drivers had to brake abruptly and maneuver around my stopped vehicle to avoid a collision. I was unable to move the vehicle out of traffic until I could get it restarted. This malfunction placed me and other motorists at significant risk of a serious accident. The vehicle’s unexpected loss of power in active traffic, combined with multiple electronic and driver-assistance system warnings, raised serious concerns about its safety and reliability. I brought the vehicle to an authorized Volkswagen dealership, where it remained for approximately 12–13 days. Volkswagen of America became involved because the dealership had difficulty diagnosing and resolving the problems. Multiple components were replaced, including fuel-system components, a front camera sensor, and the main OCU module. The repairs were performed under warranty. I am concerned that these unexpected malfunctions presented a significant safety hazard and could have resulted in a serious collision, particularly because the vehicle stalled without warning during heavy traffic.

NHTSA ID
11773536
Incident
Mar 25, 2026
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 25, 2026

I went to start the vehicle and immediately received numerous errors and warning lights on the dash. These include: Rear Traffic Alert, Transmission Error, Drive System Warning, engine warnings and more - all saying to ‘please service vehicle’. I put my foot on the break and attempted to shift the car into Drive and it would not let me shift out of Park. I turned the car off, then back on, and attempted the process again with the same errors and result. I had to contact road side assistance and have my car towed to the dealership service department. Had I been anywhere but at home, I would have felt increasingly unsafe and inconvenienced. However, as this is just one of multiple malfunctions with this vehicle, I continue to feel unsafe using the vehicle for myself and my family, as it has proved unreliable time and time again.

NHTSA ID
11773533
Incident
Oct 16, 2026
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Oct 25, 2026

Vehicle Safety Complaint – 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan My 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan has experienced multiple recurring safety-related problems: * April 2026 onward: The vehicle intermittently fails to shift out of Park, requiring multiple engine restarts. * October 16, 2026: The vehicle braked unusually hard when I applied light pressure to the brake pedal, creating a potential rear-end collision risk. A similar incident previously occurred in an airport parking garage. * Multiple occasions: Several driver assistance systems have become unavailable simultaneously. Bluetooth has repeatedly disconnected while driving, and touchscreen controls have become unresponsive. * October 22, 2026: I retrieved the vehicle from an authorized Volkswagen dealership after recall-related software updates were performed. The dealership reported being unable to duplicate certain issues. * October 24, 2026: While reversing into my driveway, the engine unexpectedly shut off. The dashboard remained illuminated, the accelerator was unresponsive, and a warning displayed, “Please start engine manually.” * October 24, 2026: I returned the vehicle to the dealership for further safety evaluation. Recall discrepancy: Although the dealership performed recall-related software updates, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website still identifies one outstanding recall as not completed for my VIN. I am concerned about the discrepancy between the dealership’s service records and the federal recall database. These recurring issues, particularly abrupt braking and unexpected engine shutdown, present serious safety concerns. I am requesting that NHTSA review these incidents, the recall status discrepancy, and the potential risk of a collision.

NHTSA ID
11773518
Incident
Oct 24, 2026
Brakes
Filed Oct 16, 2026

The car was purchased brand new the first time an incident occurred I immediately took the car back they said it did not show up on the screen my car when you're driving it will slam into Park I could be at a red light I'm waiting to go it keeps going back in the park I try to go drive off again it slams back into Park they are trying to say that it's not showing up on the screen I asked him to give me a new car because I have kids it is unsafe they keep getting my car giving me paperwork to say that my car is fixed and it keeps doing the same thing in the meantime they have put 257 mi on my car which I think is unfair to me because I'm paying my car note every month not them my car has been fixed three times within a 6 month. Of a brand new car.. they've just did the recalls on my car again and it just slammed into Park yesterday I no longer want to talk to them because they keep getting my car they give me the paperwork they say it's fixed but the same thing happens again

NHTSA ID
11771548
Incident
Oct 15, 2026
Visibility
Filed Oct 12, 2026

On my commute home i heard a small pebble hit my windshield. I came home parked in the garage and two days later, there’s a crack half way across my windshield. This is extremely dangerous, in over 8 vehicles I've owned and had much bigger rocks hit my windshield this has never created a crack, especially days after a small impact. What happens if it shatters due to the impact of a rock. It should be built to withstand small Impacts.

NHTSA ID
11770504
Incident
Sep 18, 2026
Electrical
Filed Oct 9, 2026

The contact owns a 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V587000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue.

NHTSA ID
11770168
Incident
Sep 10, 2026

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

V0017132033846_27

ENGINE

Prevent Sporatic Misfire Faults.

V1718032037201_21

ENGINE

Checking engine oil level.

V0118122014603_22

ENGINE

Reprogramming Control Module process

V9419012011521_22

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Condensation and or water droplets visible on inside of exterior light lenses

V0019012040590_16

Water Migration under RAPGARD® during PDI

V9422012066639_7

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Condensation

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Volkswagen Tiguan by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027000—
2026380039.8
2025Viewing583053.9
2024802059.0
2023721045.4
20222815056.2
20211465056.5
20201413055.0
20191965056.2
201828914261.2
2017774056.3
2016972153.0
2015624046.4
2014843358.9
20131403357.7
20121533355.8
20111623455.8
20101102255.5
20091683153.3
2008000—
2007000—
2006000—
2005000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.