2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Engine Problems

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 while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stopped. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The message “Service Now” was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with fuel pressure sensor and fuel system sensor failure. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was contacted, and a grievance was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 7,500.

NHTSA ID

11750999

Incident

Jun 18, 2026

Mileage

7,500 mi

The contact owns a 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55-60 MPH, the vehicle suddenly became inoperable; the power steering became inoperable, and the brake pedal became difficult to depress. The message "No Key Fob Detected" illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. No repairs were performed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ID

11743729

Incident

Jun 11, 2026

Since buying the car in August 2025, I've had multiple issues. Ive had a noise coming from the front passenger side of the vehicle, brought it in and they could not identify the issue or fix it, to this day I still have this noise coming from the front passenger side. Furthermore, I've had numerous hazard lights come on the dash, lasting 2-4 days and then disappearing and reappearing later on. These lights include the check engine light, oil leaks, and not allowing the car to drive over a certain limit due to engine issues. I've also brought these issues to the service center so they can diagnose and fix the issue. They are unable to find anything wrong. Most dangerous event is the car completely shut down on me while driving. This is extremely dangerous to not only myself but others around me. I brought this concern to the service center and they could not figure out why this happened. This car is unsafe to drive.

NHTSA ID

11721247

Incident

Feb 17, 2026

While driving at road speed, the vehicle unexpectedly shifted itself into Neutral (N) without driver input. The engine continued running, but the vehicle lost drive power. Simultaneously, the dashboard displayed multiple warning indicators including: “Exhaust System Malfunction” warning Semi-Automated Driving Assistance warning SOS / emergency system warning The driver safely pulled to the roadside and turned the vehicle off. Upon first restart, the vehicle would not shift into Drive. After turning the vehicle off again and waiting approximately 30 seconds, it restarted and allowed Drive engagement. The “Exhaust System Malfunction” warning remained illuminated for the remainder of the trip. The vehicle was taken to a Volkswagen dealer. The dealer was unable to duplicate the condition after a 50-mile drive. Dealer reported only a rear radar fault code and stated no other diagnostic trouble codes were stored. Warning lights had cleared by the time of inspection. This was an unintended transmission disengagement event while in motion. The loss of drive power at speed presents a safety hazard. The vehicle is a 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan built mid-2025 and currently has approximately 1000 miles.

NHTSA ID

11720470

Incident

Feb 24, 2026

Engine stumbles repeatedly, stutters and dies. No warning lamps. Car inspected twice by manufacture but no solution found. Continues to show same characteristics. Have to pull off the road to avoid danger to self and other autos.

NHTSA ID

11707077

Incident

Jun 26, 2015

I was at a complete stop at the red light, vehicle began shaking and shut down. Gears would not work therefore I was not able to put it in neutral to at least push out of the road. The vehicle then began cranking on and off on its own, without me pushing start/stop engine. This was completely unexpected as the truck is one week old, had a full tank of gas and it was especially dangerous to have shut down on a busy highway. Also when reversing the vehicle makes a weird click noise.

NHTSA ID

11704870

Incident

Dec 13, 2025

To whom it may concern: I wish to report what a believe is a defect in the new Tiguan which is causing the engine to overheat. The check engine light came on the day after we purchased the vehicle. This was due to a part of the lower shutter in the front of the car breaking off, which prohibited the shutter from opening and shutting. It could not cool the engine and thus the engine started to overheat. We are not entirely sure what caused the piece to break, the mechanic said it was likely a rock. We did not get into an accident and in fact had only driven the car once. So I wanted to make this report in case someone else had a similar issue as if this piece is prone to breaking, it could potentially cause other more serious issues.

NHTSA ID

11670973

Incident

Jun 11, 2025