Problems · NHTSA complaints

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan problems

Owners filed 58 complaints about the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan with NHTSA between Jul 2025 and Nov 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (18).

Complaints
58
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system18
  2. Forward collision avoidance14
  3. Engine13
  4. Power train9
  5. Service brakes7
  6. Fuel/propulsion system5
  7. Air bags5
  8. Suspension3
  9. Visibility/wiper2
  10. Back over prevention2
  11. Seats2
  12. Steering2
  13. Vehicle speed control2
  14. Structure2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
202510
202648

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

18 reports1 related recall
“I went to start the vehicle and immediately received numerous errors and warning lights on the dash. These include: Rear Traffic Alert, Transmission Error, Drive System Warning, engine warnings and more - all saying to ‘please service vehicle’. I put my foot on the break and attempted to shift the car into Drive and it would not let me shift out of Park. I turned the car off, then back on, and attempted the process again with the same errors and result. I had to contact road side assistance and have my car towed to the dealership service department. Had I been anywhere but at home, I would have felt increasingly unsafe and inconvenienced. However, as this is just one of multiple malfunctions with this vehicle, I continue to feel unsafe using the vehicle for myself and my family, as it has proved unreliable time and time again.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 25, 2026Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11773533

Forward collision avoidance

14 reports
“Vehicle Safety Complaint – 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan My 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan has experienced multiple recurring safety-related problems: * April 2026 onward: The vehicle intermittently fails to shift out of Park, requiring multiple engine restarts. * October 16, 2026: The vehicle braked unusually hard when I applied light pressure to the brake pedal, creating a potential rear-end collision risk. A similar incident previously occurred in an airport parking garage. * Multiple occasions: Several driver assistance systems have become unavailable simultaneously. Bluetooth has repeatedly disconnected while driving, and touchscreen controls have become unresponsive. * October 22, 2026: I retrieved the vehicle from an authorized Volkswagen dealership after recall-related software updates were performed. The dealership reported being unable to duplicate certain issues. * October 24, 2026: While reversing into my driveway, the engine unexpectedly shut off. The dashboard remained illuminated, the accelerator was unresponsive, and a warning displayed, “Please start engine manually.” * October 24, 2026: I returned the vehicle to the dealership for further safety evaluation.…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 25, 2026Engine, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11773518

Engine

13 reports
“In March 2026, my 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan SE experienced multiple unexpected malfunctions, including entering reduced-power (limp) mode twice within approximately two days. The vehicle displayed a “Drive System Error – Service Now” warning, along with multiple driver-assistance system errors involving rear traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, and Travel Assist. The vehicle also exhibited unusual engine revving while stopped. Most concerning was an incident during rush-hour traffic when my vehicle unexpectedly stalled in the middle of a busy road. The sudden loss of power created an immediate and dangerous situation, as surrounding drivers had to brake abruptly and maneuver around my stopped vehicle to avoid a collision. I was unable to move the vehicle out of traffic until I could get it restarted. This malfunction placed me and other motorists at significant risk of a serious accident. The vehicle’s unexpected loss of power in active traffic, combined with multiple electronic and driver-assistance system warnings, raised serious concerns about its safety and reliability. I brought the vehicle to an authorized Volkswagen dealership, where it remained for…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 25, 2026Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11773536

Power train

9 reports
“This is an additional complaint concerning the same vehicle previously reported under ODI XXX. On XXX, while the vehicle was in Drive and moving at approximately 5 mph in [XXX], it unexpectedly shut off and shifted itself into Park. On XXX, while reversing, the vehicle suddenly lost all power and the engine shut off while the transmission was still in Reverse. The vehicle had to be shifted into Park before it would restart. Photographs were taken immediately after the XXX incident and are available. These repeated shutdowns created a serious risk of a crash or injury. The vehicle has an extensive repair history, including a transmission replacement, but continues to experience hard shifting, vibration at all speeds including during acceleration, intermittent check-engine lights, electrical problems, camera and infotainment failures, and remote-start failures. There was no immediate warning before either shutdown. Volkswagen has been notified. The vehicle is now included in Volkswagen safety recall 57KL/NHTSA 26V587 for Body Control Module software that may reset unexpectedly, switch off the ignition, cause an engine stall, and disable controls, warning lights,…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 27, 2026Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11767208

Service brakes

7 reports
“The vehicle has 22,000 miles and is required to replacement brakes and rotors due to premature wear. The identification of the premature wear was by the manufacturer’s authorized dealership. Their corporate office was made aware of the concern. This provides a safety issue as most car owners would not think to have their vehicle inspected for new brakes and rotors at 20,000-25,000 miles. This premature wear for those drivers spending their time in drive conditions could experience sufficient safety concerns even earlier.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 4, 2026Service brakesODI 11775551

Fuel/propulsion system

5 reports
“Dash light came. I took VW to Dothan ,Al Dealer and service stated it was fuel sensor faulty and had to order one. Meanwhile I was driving 70 mph in heavy traffic and vehicle lost power having barely avoided sccident. Took vehicle in and had sensor replaced and when I went back to pick up VW it was dead and had to be put back in . This was 3 rd trip to dealer in 2 weeks. garage. No loaner was offered approved . This vehicle is dangerous to drive”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 29, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11753402
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.