This page covers 4 recalls, 27 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan.
28 mpg combined
8.4 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
For the 2025 Tiguan, the most consistent complaint pattern centers on the forward collision avoidance and driver assistance systems. Owners frequently report unexpected warning cascades while driving at highway speeds, multiple dashboard warnings triggering in sequence, lane assist alerts firing without apparent cause, and in some cases the vehicle stalling with a temporary loss of steering and braking response before restarting. Airbag-related complaints make up the next notable cluster, with owners reporting warning lights tied to the passenger seatbelt pretensioner, in at least one case prompting a dealer recommendation to keep the passenger seat unoccupied until the part could be replaced. A separate thread of complaints involves parts availability rather than a driving symptom, owners report vehicles sitting at repair facilities for weeks because suspension and other components are on extended backorder, leaving cars undriveable while waiting for stock.
27
Total Complaints
1
Crash-Related
By System
The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan has 4 recalls, the most serious being a loose rear axle tie rod bolt that can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle, raising the risk of a crash.
The remaining recall covers the passenger occupant detection system, which uses wiring under the front passenger seat to determine whether the seat is occupied and whether the airbag should be active. A wiring fault in that system can cause it to incorrectly read the seat as empty and switch off the front passenger airbag even when someone is sitting there. If this happens, the instrument panel will display an error message and a chime will sound, but the airbag would remain deactivated in a crash, leaving the passenger without that protection.
At a glance
What can fail
A wiring fault in the passenger seat detection system may cause the front passenger air bag to turn off even when someone is sitting in that seat.
What the fix does
Dealers will repair the faulty wiring harness in the front passenger seat at no cost to you.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The wiring in the passenger occupant detection system may be defective, causing the passenger-front airbag to deactivate even when someone is seated in that position.
What the fix does
Volkswagen will mail you instructions to visit a dealership, where technicians will repair or replace the passenger-front seat wiring harness.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear tie rod bolt may not be tight enough. If it loosens, your vehicle could lose stability and become harder to control.
What the fix does
Volkswagen will mail you instructions to bring your vehicle to a dealership, where technicians will replace the rear tie rod bolt.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A bolt connecting the tie rod on the rear axle may loosen, potentially causing loss of vehicle control.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the loose tie rod bolt at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
