ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
2025 Volkswagen Tiguan
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
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.
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 | 3 | 49 |
| Oct 2026 | 8 | 57 |
| Nov 2026 | 1 | 58 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Electrical1820.5%
- Driver assistance1618.2%
- Engine1314.8%
- Powertrain (other)910.2%
- Brakes78.0%
- Fuel system66.8%
- Airbags55.7%
- Suspension33.4%
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
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
ENGINE
Prevent Sporatic Misfire Faults.
ENGINE
Checking engine oil level.
ENGINE
Reprogramming Control Module process
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Condensation and or water droplets visible on inside of exterior light lenses
Water Migration under RAPGARD® during PDI
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
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2026 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 39.8 |
| 2025Viewing | 58 | 3 | 0 | 53.9 |
| 2024 | 80 | 2 | 0 | 59.0 |
| 2023 | 72 | 1 | 0 | 45.4 |
| 2022 | 281 | 5 | 0 | 56.2 |
| 2021 | 146 | 5 | 0 | 56.5 |
| 2020 | 141 | 3 | 0 | 55.0 |
| 2019 | 196 | 5 | 0 | 56.2 |
| 2018 | 289 | 14 | 2 | 61.2 |
| 2017 | 77 | 4 | 0 | 56.3 |
| 2016 | 97 | 2 | 1 | 53.0 |
| 2015 | 62 | 4 | 0 | 46.4 |
| 2014 | 84 | 3 | 3 | 58.9 |
| 2013 | 140 | 3 | 3 | 57.7 |
| 2012 | 153 | 3 | 3 | 55.8 |
| 2011 | 162 | 3 | 4 | 55.8 |
| 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.