2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Problems & Complaints

Avoid3.0× as many complaints as a typical year of the Tiguan at the same age

Owners have filed 53 complaints about the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 3.0× as many as a typical Tiguan model year at the same age, which makes the 2025 one of the Tiguan years to avoid. The most reported problem area is the electrical system (16 complaints, typically around 6,000 miles). 3 recalls cover this model year.

53complaints
3recalls
1crashes
0fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan problems

  • Electrical system~6,000 miles
    1630%
  • Other / not specified
    1325%
  • Driver assistance~4,000 miles
    1325%
  • Engine & cooling~8,000 miles
    1019%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~10,000 miles
    713%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~8,000 miles
    611%
  • Brakes
    611%
  • Air bags
    59%
  • Suspension
    36%
  • Body & structure
    24%
  • Speed control & acceleration
    24%
  • Seats
    24%
  • Steering~6,000 miles
    24%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof
    24%
  • Seat belts
    12%
  • Wheels & tires
    12%
  • Lights
    12%

Share of the 53 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Volkswagen Tiguan complaints by model year

’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’261681101621531408462977629219314114327270765337
Owner complaints per model year, Volkswagen Tiguan. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Tiguan years: 2015, 2014, 2017. Years to avoid: 2022, 2018, 2025, 2024, 2019. Compare all years →

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls (3)

Electrical system › Body control module › Software

NHTSA recall 26V-587 · Sep 10, 2026 · 49,958 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Tiguan vehicles. A software error may cause the body control module (BCM) system to reset. This may result in the ignition switching off, resulting in an engine stall.

Remedy: Dealers will update the body control module (BCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 6, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger

NHTSA recall 25V-854 · Dec 10, 2025 · 3,138 vehicles

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.

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.

Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly

NHTSA recall 25V-526 · Aug 13, 2025 · 15 vehicles

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.

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.

What 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan owners say

Electrical system

The contact owns a 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that twice while driving 50 MPH, an unknown message was displayed, indicating that the vehicle was not detecting a passenger. The horn inadvertently beeped three times, and the vehicle stalled and lost steering and braking functionality. The vehicle was restarted each time. On the second occasion, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was then towed to be diagnosed by the dealer, and the contact was informed that her hands might have been off the steering wheel, causing the vehicle to turn off. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic where it was determined that the steering wheel assembly needed to be replaced due to an electrical charge from skin to confirm that both hands were on the steering wheel. …

6,000 miles · Mar 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.

3,000 miles · Nov 2025

Driver assistance

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 module failure; Part Number: J769. The contact was informed that the module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to clean off the Forward Collision Avoidance sensor. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that the failure was a known failure with the vehicle. …

3,000 miles · Jan 2025

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.

Automatic emergency braking · 10,000 miles · Aug 2026

Engine & cooling

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.

8,000 miles · Jun 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. …

Feb 2026

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
2.0L 4-cyl turbo8-speed automaticFWD26 / 34 / 29
2.0L 4-cyl turbo8-speed automaticAWD22 / 30 / 25

EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan a good car?

Based on 53 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2025 Tiguan rates avoid: 3.0× as many complaints as a typical year of the Tiguan at the same age. It is one of the Tiguan years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan?

The electrical system — 16 complaints, 30% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the driver assistance (13) and engine & cooling (10).

How many recalls does the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan have?

There are 3 recalls for the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan, the most recent from September 10, 2026 (software). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Volkswagen Tiguan?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2015, 2014 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2022, 2018, 2025, 2024 and 2019. See the full Volkswagen Tiguan years comparison.

At what mileage do 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 6,000 miles; 100% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.