2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
56/100
#8 most-complained of 17 Tiguan years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan has 48 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and a complaint index of 56, earning a Caution verdict, ranked 8th worst out of 17 model years. Electrical System problems lead complaints at 31% share, with a median failure mileage of 4,500.
- Complaints
- 48
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 28
- 25 city / 32 hwy
Top 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System15 (31%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras13 (27%)
- Other12 (25%)
- Engine11 (23%)
- Fuel System6 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (13%)
- Airbags5 (10%)
- Brakes5 (10%)
- Structure & Body4 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (8%)
What owners report
- Vehicles unexpectedly shut off or shake while stopped, with gears becoming unresponsive and the engine cranking on its own.
- Automatic emergency braking activates without any obstacle present, sometimes slamming the car into park at low speeds.
- The engine has stumbled, stuttered, and died with no warning lights, forcing drivers to pull off the road.
- A check engine light with a fuel system error appeared shortly after purchase, leading a dealer to replace the entire fuel tank.
- Rear door panels were reported as hard plastic instead of padded material, raising side-impact injury concerns.
- A recall notice advised owners not to let anyone sit in the front passenger seat due to a potential airbag defect.
2025 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V587000Sep 10, 2026Electrical System49,958 vehicles
Electrical system:body control module:software
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. It can also lead to a loss of certain controls, warning lights, exterior lighting, or failure of the rearview camera system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Controls and Displays," and 102, "Transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect," as well as FMVSS numbers 111 and 108.
Risk: An unexpected engine stall, loss of exterior lighting or warning lights, or failure of the rearview camera system can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the body control module (BCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 6, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 57KL. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 17, 2026.
- NHTSA 25V854000Dec 10, 2025Airbags3,138 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
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.
Risk: 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 April 15, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74HE. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 12, 2025.
- NHTSA 25V526000Aug 13, 2025Steering15 vehicles
Steering:linkages:tie rod assembly
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.
Risk: 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.
2025 Volkswagen Tiguan fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 25 MPG
- Highway
- 32 MPG
- Combined
- 28 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,300
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2025 compared with other Tiguan years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?
- NHTSA lists 48 complaints and 3 recalls for the 2025 Tiguan, giving it a complaint index of 56 and a Caution verdict compared to other Tiguan years. It ranks 8th worst out of 17 model years tracked.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2025 Tiguan?
- Electrical System complaints are the top problem area, making up 31% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 4,500. Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues follow at 27% share.
- Does the 2025 Tiguan have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls: a body control module software error that can switch off the ignition, a passenger airbag detection fault, and a loose rear tie rod bolt.
- How does the 2025 Tiguan compare to other Tiguan years?
- With a complaint index of 56, the 2025 Tiguan ranks worse than years like 2023 (index 31, Good) but better than years like 2022 (index 100, Avoid) and 2018 (index 94, Avoid).