ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
2025 Volkswagen Tiguan
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 48 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan, most frequently naming the driver assistance, electrical and engine categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 140 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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 2025 | 3 | 3 |
| Aug 2025 | 1 | 4 |
| Sep 2025 | 2 | 6 |
| Nov 2025 | 2 | 8 |
| Dec 2025 | 2 | 10 |
| Jan 2026 | 5 | 15 |
| Feb 2026 | 4 | 19 |
| Mar 2026 | 4 | 23 |
| Apr 2026 | 1 | 24 |
| May 2026 | 4 | 28 |
| Jun 2026 | 9 | 37 |
| Jul 2026 | 6 | 43 |
| Aug 2026 | 3 | 46 |
| Sep 2026 | 2 | 48 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Driver assistance1520.8%
- Electrical1419.4%
- Engine912.5%
- Fuel system68.3%
- Powertrain (other)68.3%
- Airbags56.9%
- Brakes56.9%
- Suspension34.2%
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.govAIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
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Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
The contact owns a 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20-25 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly shifted into park(P) and the engine shut off. Additionally, the vehicle experienced phantom braking while reversing. The vehicle was restarted and taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. The failure reoccurred, nearly causing another vehicle to rear-end the vehicle. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and the contact requested buyback. The failure mileage was approximately 9,910.
- NHTSA ID
- 11764991
- Incident
- Aug 26, 2026
- Mileage
- 9,910 mi
The vehicle’s automatic emergency-braking and parking-assistance systems intermittently activate when no collision is imminent. The vehicle unexpectedly stops, shifts itself into Park, and engages the electronic parking brake while moving at low speed. This has occurred while pulling into parking spaces with vehicles on both sides and while beginning an unprotected left turn when oncoming traffic was still at a safe distance. The sudden stop creates a risk of being struck by another vehicle. The vehicle was presented to an authorized Volkswagen dealership for inspection, but the dealership was unable to reproduce the condition and stated that it did not believe there was an issue. The vehicle remains available for inspection.
- NHTSA ID
- 11763654
- Incident
- Sep 11, 2026
I brought my vehicle to the dealership because it was shifting itself into Park while I was driving. I have brought the car in four times. During the last two visits, the dealership performed a system update called **VW 47DM Collision Vehicle Software Update for Travel Assist/Emergency Assist**. Immediately after leaving the dealership following these updates, my vehicle developed additional and more serious problems. The infotainment system stops working for several minutes at a time before turning back on. The vehicle is also now displaying a “Front Assist Not Available” warning. In addition, the vehicle jerks violently while driving forward or accelerating, and the front end is making a grinding noise. This software update has made my vehicle worse than it was before. I have contacted Volkswagen Customer Care multiple times, but I have been denied assistance because there is reportedly no diagnostic code in the system. However, I have video evidence of these issues occurring while driving. Volkswagen has refused to repair the vehicle or take it back despite these ongoing problems. A vehicle shifting into Park while driving, jerking during acceleration, displaying a Front Assist warning, and experiencing other system failures presents a serious safety hazard to me, my passengers, and others on the road.
- NHTSA ID
- 11758908
- Incident
- Feb 13, 2026
On August 14, 2026, I brought my Volkswagen, with approximately 7,500 miles and still under warranty, to Bay Ridge Volkswagen, an authorized Volkswagen dealership in Brooklyn, NY. At approximately 8:00 AM, the dealer informed me that my vehicle had an applicable recall/service campaign and that several updates would be performed, in addition to scheduled maintenance. I was instructed to leave the vehicle until approximately 4:00 PM. At approximately 4:00 PM, dealership personnel specifically told me that the vehicle was ready. I accepted the vehicle and drove away. Immediately after leaving, I discovered that the engine warning/check-engine light was still illuminated. I immediately returned to the dealership. Only after returning was I informed that the problem associated with the warning light had apparently not been completed or resolved. I spoke directly with technical personnel and was told that some technicians had already left for the weekend and that the vehicle might require replacement of a component. The exact component responsible for the warning light is currently UNKNOWN. The vehicle remains available for inspection. My safety concern is that an authorized Volkswagen dealer represented the vehicle as ready and released it for operation while an engine warning condition remained unresolved and while dealership personnel were apparently still uncertain whether a component required replacement. The warning light was present immediately when I drove away from the dealership. The dealership had possession of the vehicle from approximately 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM that day. I have requested from Volkswagen the diagnostic trouble codes, technician notes, details of the applicable recall/service campaign, confirmation of what work was actually completed, and written confirmation as to whether the vehicle is safe to operate. The vehicle has only approximately 7,500 miles. I am requesting that NHTSA review this incident and the unresolved warning condition
- NHTSA ID
- 11757132
- Incident
- Aug 14, 2026
The contact owns a 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that occasionally while driving at various speeds, the Collision Warning light and Auto emergency braking warning light illuminated. The messages "Front Assist not Available", and "Lane Assist System Not Available" were display on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the cause for the failure was not found. The contact stated that the failure codes were cleared. The manufacturer declined the repair, and the vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact stated that the failure had reoccurred and an appointment with the dealer was scheduled to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11755265
- Incident
- Nov 15, 2025
- Mileage
- 3,000 mi
This car has several issues and I could only select a few. Electrical: the infotainment system disconnects from Wireless car play at random when you drive the vehicle. It then returns a Wifi error on screen and you cannot use car play any longer on both android and iOS. Additionally, the electronic system will reboot when the car is in use. In my case, it always happens on the freeway when driving 75 MPH. The entire car dash is electronic, no buttons. So when this happens, you lose all safety features, have no idea what speed your driving, can't use the radio, navigation, air conditioning, etc. Most importantly, this is a deadly error WV knew about but sold the car anyways. The dealer and WV North America says this is a problem between the infotainment system manufacture and T-Mobile cell towers. There is no fix for it. So what are consumers to do? I paid cash for a product, the product does not work, the manufactuer cannot fix it. Normally when this happens the company either 1) fixes the problem for free or B) lets you return the product. VW says I can't do either. Backup Cam - the camera is cheap, blurry and picks up nonexistent items and slams on the breaks everytime I back down my driveway. Not a human, animal or event a tree limb blowing in the wind. However, when a car is behind you, the backup cam will let you back into the car. Again, this is a "Software" issue and the dealer cannot fix it. Forward collision Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keeping Assistance only work intermittently. I'd say about 30% of the time I drive the car, it just dings at me while my dashboard lights up and says all these features failed. VW has no record of it in the cars "error log" so I had to set up a camera in my car to prove them wrong. Once they saw it, they said they don't know a fix. Maybe they can swap out the infotainment system / software, but that requires several layers of approval first.
- NHTSA ID
- 11753497
- Incident
- Jun 11, 2025
Dash light came. I took VW to Dothan ,Al Dealer and service stated it was fuel sensor faulty and had to order one. Meanwhile I was driving 70 mph in heavy traffic and vehicle lost power having barely avoided sccident. Took vehicle in and had sensor replaced and when I went back to pick up VW it was dead and had to be put back in . This was 3 rd trip to dealer in 2 weeks. garage. No loaner was offered approved . This vehicle is dangerous to drive
- NHTSA ID
- 11753402
- Incident
- Jul 23, 2026
My vehicle is experiencing a severe safety hazard where the emergency braking system suddenly slams on the brakes while driving in traffic, pulling into traffic, or backing up. When this happens, the car unexpectedly shuts off, and no warning lights or error messages appear on the dashboard. This has almost caused an accident multiple times, making the vehicle incredibly dangerous to drive. I previously took it to the dealership, but they told me they could not find an issue and advised me to continue driving it while documenting the dates and times it happens on paper. However, I refuse to continue driving this vehicle and put my children's lives at risk just to collect data.
- NHTSA ID
- 11752371
- Incident
- Jun 7, 2026
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
SERVICE BRAKES
Brake rotor resurfacing
SERVICE BRAKES
Repair or Replace Information
Oil leak from Cylinder Head Cover; Customer states MIL-on, Transmission warning light on, harsh shifting; Coolant leak from the cylinder head gasket, Low coolant level, Visible coolant leak, or Coolant warning message in instrument cluster; Customer states no start condition; Customer states no start condition; Customer states wind noise and or water ingress; Customer states there is a noise when pressing the brake pedal; Customer states there is a leak from the front of the vehicle
This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct various flash programming errors.
Oil leak from Cylinder Head Cover; Customer states MIL-on, Transmission warning light on, harsh shifting; Coolant leak from the cylinder head gasket, Low coolant level, Visible coolant leak, or Coolant warning message in instrument cluster; Customer states no start condition; Customer states no start condition; Customer states wind noise and or water ingress; Customer states there is a noise when pressing the brake pedal; Customer states there is a leak from the front of the vehicle
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the issue: Part number 3Q0-959-435N software version number 1307 has incorrect coding.
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
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 40.2 |
| 2025Viewing | 48 | 3 | 0 | 54.1 |
| 2024 | 68 | 2 | 0 | 60.1 |
| 2023 | 66 | 1 | 0 | 45.3 |
| 2022 | 269 | 5 | 0 | 56.4 |
| 2021 | 141 | 5 | 0 | 56.6 |
| 2020 | 140 | 3 | 0 | 55.1 |
| 2019 | 191 | 5 | 0 | 55.8 |
| 2018 | 283 | 14 | 2 | 60.2 |
| 2017 | 75 | 4 | 0 | 55.6 |
| 2016 | 96 | 2 | 1 | 54.9 |
| 2015 | 62 | 4 | 0 | 46.4 |
| 2014 | 84 | 3 | 3 | 58.9 |
| 2013 | 139 | 3 | 3 | 57.8 |
| 2012 | 152 | 3 | 3 | 55.8 |
| 2011 | 161 | 3 | 4 | 55.1 |
| 2010 | 110 | 2 | 2 | 55.5 |
| 2009 | 168 | 3 | 1 | 53.3 |
| 2008 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2007 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2006 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2005 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
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.