2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Safety Report

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan presents a mixed safety picture, with strong crash test performance but a concerning number of early-life complaints and two significant recalls. NHTSA awarded the vehicle an excellent 5-star overall safety rating, including 5 stars for side impact and 4 stars for frontal and rollover tests, indicating robust occupant protection in various crash scenarios. However, despite being a new model, there are 23 total complaints, with 1 crash reported. A notable pattern in these complaints revolves around the Forward Collision Avoidance system, which accounts for 4 direct complaints and is implicated in several others where the vehicle unexpectedly braked or shifted into park. This suggests potential issues with the vehicle's advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). Two recalls have been issued for the 2025 Tiguan. The first, concerning the 'AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER', addresses a potential fault in the passenger occupant detection system wiring that could deactivate the front passenger airbag, increasing injury risk during a crash. The second recall, 'STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY', highlights a loose tie rod bolt on the rear axle, which could lead to a loss of vehicle control and increase crash risk. The fact that these recalls address fundamental safety components, combined with complaints about ADAS malfunctions and unexpected braking/shifting, indicates some early production quality control concerns. Beyond ADAS and recall-related issues, other complaints include 'UNKNOWN OR OTHER' (6 complaints), 'AIR BAGS' (2 complaints, likely related to the recall), and various combinations involving 'ELECTRICAL SYSTEM', 'ENGINE', and 'POWER TRAIN'. Several complaints describe the vehicle unexpectedly shifting into neutral or park, or the engine stalling, which are critical safety concerns. The presence of these issues on a brand-new model, even with a low total complaint count, warrants careful consideration.

Our recommendation: While the 2025 Tiguan boasts strong crash test ratings, potential buyers should be aware of the two active recalls and the concerning pattern of Forward Collision Avoidance system malfunctions and unexpected vehicle behavior reported in early complaints. Ensure all recall repairs are completed before purchase and thoroughly test all ADAS features during a test drive.