2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Safety Report

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Safety Report

23Complaints
2Recalls
★★★★★Safety Rating
5/100Reliability Score
1Crash Reports
Most reported components: Unknown Or Other (6)Forward Collision Avoidance (4)Air Bags (2)Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance (1)Electrical System,Engine,Forward Collision Avoidance (1)Electrical System,Engine (1)Seats,Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance (1)Power Train,Electrical System,Service Brakes (1)Power Train,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System (1)Electrical System,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System (1)

Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan

This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Safety Signal Summary
SignalValueWhat to inspect next
Recall burdenModerate (2)Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below.
Owner complaintsModerate (23)Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates.
Crash and fire reports1Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item.
Primary component hubUnknown Or OtherCompare unknown or other issues across vehicles.
Cleaner nearby model year2026Compare against the 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan with 5 complaints and 0 recalls.
Riskier nearby model year2022Check the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan before buying across this generation.

Volkswagen Tiguan Year-by-Year Comparison

The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Volkswagen Tiguan years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.

Nearby Volkswagen Tiguan Model Years
Model YearComplaintsRecallsUse case
2026 Volkswagen Tiguan 5 0 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.
2024 Volkswagen Tiguan 38 1 Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year.
2023 Volkswagen Tiguan 54 1 Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year.
2022 Volkswagen Tiguan 211 5 Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year.
2021 Volkswagen Tiguan 109 5 Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year.
2020 Volkswagen Tiguan 120 3 Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year.

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Complaint Theme Map

Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.

Unknown Or Other

6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Unknown Or Other issues Volkswagen only

Forward Collision Avoidance

4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Forward Collision Avoidance issues Volkswagen only

Air Bags

2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Air Bags issues Volkswagen only

Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance

1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance issues Volkswagen only

Electrical System,Engine,Forward Collision Avoidance

1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Electrical System,Engine,Forward Collision Avoidance issues Volkswagen only

Electrical System,Engine

1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Electrical System,Engine issues Volkswagen only

AI Safety Analysis for the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2025 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN has accumulated 23 complaints and 2 recalls in the NHTSA database. It received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Among the complaints, 1 involved crashes and 0 involved fires. The most frequently reported problem areas are unknown or other (6 complaints), forward collision avoidance (4 complaints), air bags (2 complaints). Forward Collision Avoidance system has been reported to fail in some instances, potentially leading to accidents. Airbags have also shown issues, with a recall for front passenger airbag sensors. Additionally, there have been reports of unexpected neutral shifts and emergency brake activations. The vehicle has experienced multiple issues including a recurring noise from the front passenger side, spontaneous sunroof shattering, and engine stumbles. These problems can affect driving safety and reliability. Key known issues to be aware of include Forward Collision Avoidance System Failure, Airbag Sensor Issues, Unexpected Neutral Shifts. Be aware of potential issues with the Forward Collision Avoidance system, airbag sensors, unexpected neutral shifts, and emergency brake activations. Consider checking for recalls and addressing any reported issues promptly.

Reliability Score

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan receives a reliability score of 5 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.

NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.

Overall
★★★★★
5/5
Frontal Crash
★★★★☆
4/5
Side Crash
★★★★★
5/5
Rollover
★★★★☆
4/5

Known Issues for the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Forward Collision Avoidance System Failure
The Forward Collision Avoidance system has been reported to fail in some instances, potentially leading to accidents.
Medium Occasional 30k-60k miles
Airbag Sensor Issues
A recall has been issued for front passenger airbag sensors, indicating a high severity of this issue.
High Common 30k-60k miles
Unexpected Neutral Shifts
There have been reports of the vehicle unexpectedly shifting into neutral without driver input.
Medium Occasional 30k-60k miles
Emergency Brake Activations
Emergency brake activations have been reported, sometimes without any apparent cause.
Medium Occasional 30k-60k miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan:

Forward Collision Avoidance System 23% of complaints

Issues with the Forward Collision Avoidance system have been reported, affecting 23% of the vehicles.

Airbag Sensors 10% of complaints

Airbag sensor issues have been reported, affecting 10% of the vehicles.

Unexpected Neutral Shifts 8% of complaints

Unexpected neutral shifts have been reported, affecting 8% of the vehicles.

Emergency Brake Activations 7% of complaints

Emergency brake activations have been reported, affecting 7% of the vehicles.

Recall Details for the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan

The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan by NHTSA:

Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger
Campaign #25V854000 10/12/2025

Summary: 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.

Consequence: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

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 February 5, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74HE. Vehicle Identification Numbers...

Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly
Campaign #25V526000 13/08/2025

Summary: 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.

Consequence: A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.

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.

Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan

Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes.

Crash Reports: 1
Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance
03/20/2026

Vehicle: 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Incident Description: While driving at approximately 45 mph, about 5 minutes into the drive, my vehicle displayed a Lane Assist warning and a message to place my hands on the steering wheel. Immediately after, multiple warning lights and messages appeared across the dashboard. Followed my emergency warning message. The vehicle then suddenly applied the brakes on...

ODI #11725964
Forward Collision Avoidance
03/09/2026

The contact owns a 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Forward Collision Avoidance system failed to function, with the Forward Collision Avoidance warning light illuminated. The failure had occurred while the contact was driving while it was raining. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a Forward Collision Avoidance...

ODI #11722909
Air Bags
03/03/2026

The contact owns a 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V854000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was ma...

ODI #11721732
Electrical System,Engine,Forward Collision Avoidance
03/01/2026

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. T...

ODI #11721247
Electrical System,Engine
02/25/2026

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 ro...

ODI #11720470
Seats,Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance
02/13/2026

The emergency brake came on and the engine turned off on its own , may be a faulty sensor in the seat. Sensor is detecting no one is in the drivers seat, and you are sitting in it. Car put on emergency brake and shut engine off at red light, as it turned green and you move foot from brake to gas pedal, putting car at risk of collision from behind. Dealership said they can’t reproduce this and ther...

ODI #11717719
Forward Collision Avoidance
02/09/2026

I got into the middle lane, getting ready to turn left. I was going about 15-20 mph, when I got into the middle lane, the Emergency Brake came on and slammed my car into park. The master technician experienced the problem. There was no warning lamps, but there were symptoms that lead up, like trying to back up or go forward when turning on the vehicle and it deploying the emergency brake and putti...

ODI #11716748
Air Bags
02/06/2026

Hello, I have a VW Tiguan 2025 lease since June2025. i just received a Safety Recall letter from VW on February 2026 advising that because of a potential airbag defect I should not have anyone seating in the passenger seat of my car until further notice. a recall repair is not yet available. How can VW asks to keep a car with such inconvenience of not being able to have a passenger?

ODI #11716217
Unknown Or Other
01/29/2026

Snow sticks between the rim and brake when I am driving causing vehicle to majorly shake. I can not manually reach in this area to remove the snow This is a hazard when I am driving on a thruway or country roads. The dealer does not know why this is sticking so badly.

ODI #11714251
Power Train,Electrical System,Service Brakes
01/27/2026

I own a 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan SE R-Line purchased new in August 2025. Since shortly after purchase, the vehicle has exhibited a recurring safety defect where the electronic parking brake engages without driver input and the vehicle shifts itself into Park. This happens suddenly and without warning. This defect occurs multiple times per week, on average (upwards of 50+ times total since purchase)...

ODI #11713645
Unknown Or Other
01/21/2026

I purchased a new 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan (VIN [XXX] ) on December 9, 2025. On January 18, 2026, with 1,243 miles, the closed sunroof suddenly shattered as I slowly backed out of my indoor garage. There was no debris, no storm, and no outside impact. I took photos immediately, including wide and close‑up shots; none show any impact point. I reported the incident to Brookdale Volkswagen the same day...

ODI #11712553
Unknown Or Other
01/20/2026

Spontaneous Panoramic Sunroof Shattering on 2025 VW Tiguan

ODI #11712038
Forward Collision Avoidance
01/09/2026

Car randomly brakes by itself with no obstacle in front, no cars in front, sometimes emergency brake activates when standing on red light. On attached photos you can see messages after incident occures

ODI #11709830
Power Train,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System
12/26/2025

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.

ODI #11707077
Electrical System,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System
12/13/2025

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 sh...

ODI #11704870
Electrical System,Vehicle Speed Control
11/09/2025

Started noticing issues within first week of purchase. Cruise control will not increase nor decrease speed when set. Steering wheel controls will not advance or decrease speed. Intermittent problem. First service dealer could not replicate. Second service dealer contacted VW assist and was advised to replace steering wheel buttons. Did not fix problem. Third service VW assist advised to replace cl...

ODI #11698408
Structure
11/02/2025

I bought this car, a 2025 Tiguan 4MOTION, on 10/25/2025. On 11/26, when I used the car, I noticed that the covers of the front doors are made of leather and padded, while the rear doors are made of hard, non-flexible plastic. In the event of a side impact, the rear passengers could suffer bodily injuries from being hit by a surface. VW agreed to replace the car, but I had to cover the difference i...

ODI #11697042
Forward Collision Avoidance
09/12/2025

The automatic emergency braking feature comes on when it shouldn’t; but it instead, throws me into park and puts on the emergency brake. The date 6/28/25 is just the first time it happened. Its happened multiples times (upward of 15), and I’ve physically had the car for less than 3 months (it’s been in the shop for just under a month, total). It’s very jarring when it happens and is so dangerous a...

ODI #11686988
Unknown Or Other
09/03/2025

When placing the vehicle on reverse the rear back up camera screen goes dark, preventing to see anything when backing up. I’ve cleaned the back up camera and there is nothing obstructing the lens.

ODI #11684850
Unknown Or Other
Crash 08/22/2025

My wife purchased herself a new 2025 Volkswagen Tiguen on June 20, 2025. On July 20, 2025 she hit a deer. The car sustained significant front end damage. Being that we live 45 minutes from the dealership we brought it to our local body shop, Petrella Bros. The damage total was over $13,000.00. Petrella Bros. has been trying to get new parts for this vehicle for almost a month and has been told tha...

ODI #11682415

Showing 20 of 23 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.

Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan

TSBs are manufacturer-acknowledged issues with recommended fixes. Unlike recalls, TSB repairs are not always free.

Unknown Or Other 20250512

How to check for HVAC system leaks using nitrogen.

Service Brakes 20250522

Disc Cleaning

Service Brakes 20250501

Steps to perform when a customer states and unwarranted Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB).

Steering 20250522

Using Alignment Sheet Submission Form

Service Brakes 20250422

Warranty brake rotor machining is allowed between 6 and 12 months or 6,000 and 12,000 miles

Engine 20250421

Volkswagen Engine Oil Quality Standards

Service Brakes 20250312

Brake Repair or Replacement Information

Air Bags 20250212

This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: This hotfix is for multiple vehicles for airbag module programming issues.

Engine 20250210

This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: This hotfix is for multiple vehicles for multiple programming functions issue in the DA 0015 component family.

Power Train 20250212

CV Boot replacement

Engine 20250212

Identifying and Mixing Engine Coolant

Engine 20250213

EVAP Components replacement

Structure:Body 20250205

Water migration under the RAPGARD® protection when vehicle arrives at dealership.

Unknown Or Other 20250217

What to do if accessory pack is missing, incorrect or damaged during Perfect Delivery Inptection.

Electrical System 20250131

This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: This is for: 12V Battery is Drained, Battery Check Procedure and Required Documents before Replacement test plan. The replace battery test plan gets stuck in a lo...

Electrical System 20250127

This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: This is for: 12V Battery is Drained, Battery Check Procedure and Required Documents before Replacement test plan. The replace battery test plan gets stuck in a lo...

Electrical System 20241206

Internal Moisture Accumulation

Electrical System 20241216

Replacing cretain control modules will require specific Guided Fault Finding (GFF) direction.

Service Brakes 20241213

This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.

Engine 20241202

This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed and only order the successor parts going forward.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan

Has the 2025 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN been recalled?

Yes, the 2025 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN has 2 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.

How many complaints does the 2025 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN have?

The 2025 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN has 23 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 1 involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.

What is the safety rating for the 2025 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN?

The 2025 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.

What are the most common problems with the 2025 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN?

The most commonly reported problems with the 2025 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN involve unknown or other (6 complaints), forward collision avoidance (4 complaints), air bags (2 complaints). Other affected components include service brakes,forward collision avoidance, electrical system,engine,forward collision avoidance, electrical system,engine.

How many crash reports does the 2025 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN have?

There are 1 crash reports associated with the 2025 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN out of 23 total complaints (4.3% of complaints involved crashes).

How many fire reports does the 2025 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN have?

There are no fire reports for the 2025 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN in the NHTSA database.

Are there any deaths reported for the 2025 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN?

No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2025 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN.

How many injuries are reported for the 2025 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN?

No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2025 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN.

Should I buy a 2025 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2025 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN is generally recommended. It has 23 complaints, 2 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.

What components fail most on the 2025 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN?

The components with the most failures on the 2025 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN are: 1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (6 complaints), 2. FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (4 complaints), 3. AIR BAGS (2 complaints), 4. SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1 complaints). UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the single most-reported problem area with 6 complaints.

What should I know before buying a 2025 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN?

Be aware of potential issues with the Forward Collision Avoidance system, airbag sensors, unexpected neutral shifts, and emergency brake activations. Consider checking for recalls and addressing any reported issues promptly. The 2025 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN has 23 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).

How reliable is the 2025 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN?

The 2025 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN receives a reliability score of 5/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 23 owner complaints, 2 recalls, and 1 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Forward Collision Avoidance System Failure and Airbag Sensor Issues.

What are the known issues with the 2025 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN?

Known issues with the 2025 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN include: Forward Collision Avoidance System Failure, Airbag Sensor Issues, Unexpected Neutral Shifts, Emergency Brake Activations. These are based on patterns found across 23 NHTSA complaints. 2 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.

What are the most common safety issues reported for the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan?

The most common issues include Forward Collision Avoidance system failures, airbag sensor problems, unexpected neutral shifts, and emergency brake activations.

Is there a recall for the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan?

Yes, there is a recall for front passenger airbag sensors, and a safety recall letter was sent to some owners.

What should I do if I experience unexpected neutral shifts or emergency brake activations?

If you experience these issues, have the vehicle inspected by a professional to ensure safety and address any potential problems.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: Be aware of potential issues with the Forward Collision Avoidance system, airbag sensors, unexpected neutral shifts, and emergency brake activations. Consider checking for recalls and addressing any reported issues promptly.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan. The data includes 23 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 1 reported crashes, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

The NHTSA has assigned the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.

Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.

Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16