Volkswagen Tiguan Complaints (2025)

57 consumer complaints on file.

#11773687October 26, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The vehicle will throw itself into park with the emergency brake on while driving on the roadway. I was told by Volkswagen Middletown that the vehicle is not registering my seatbelt on and there’s an issue with the computer system but no fix other than put your seatbelt on prior to turning the vehicle on. Volkswagen wappimgers is saying there’s a safety feature that will put the car in park if the seatbelt is off, your butt comes off the seat the vehicle will put itself in park. My seatbelt is always on and this has happened while driving the vehicle for longer than 10 minutes and on the roadways. There acting like it’s not happening. Volkswagen Middletown states that they have had reports of this happening
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773518October 25, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, ENGINE
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. Recall discrepancy: Although the dealership performed recall-related software updates, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website still identifies one outstanding recall as not completed for my VIN. I am concerned about the discrepancy between the dealership’s service records and the federal recall database. These recurring issues, particularly abrupt braking and unexpected engine shutdown, present serious safety concerns. I am requesting that NHTSA review these incidents, the recall status discrepancy, and the potential risk of a collision.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773533October 25, 2026
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773536October 25, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
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 approximately 12–13 days. Volkswagen of America became involved because the dealership had difficulty diagnosing and resolving the problems. Multiple components were replaced, including fuel-system components, a front camera sensor, and the main OCU module. The repairs were performed under warranty. I am concerned that these unexpected malfunctions presented a significant safety hazard and could have resulted in a serious collision, particularly because the vehicle stalled without warning during heavy traffic.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11771548October 16, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
The car was purchased brand new the first time an incident occurred I immediately took the car back they said it did not show up on the screen my car when you're driving it will slam into Park I could be at a red light I'm waiting to go it keeps going back in the park I try to go drive off again it slams back into Park they are trying to say that it's not showing up on the screen I asked him to give me a new car because I have kids it is unsafe they keep getting my car giving me paperwork to say that my car is fixed and it keeps doing the same thing in the meantime they have put 257 mi on my car which I think is unfair to me because I'm paying my car note every month not them my car has been fixed three times within a 6 month. Of a brand new car.. they've just did the recalls on my car again and it just slammed into Park yesterday I no longer want to talk to them because they keep getting my car they give me the paperwork they say it's fixed but the same thing happens again
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770504October 12, 2026
VISIBILITY/WIPER, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On my commute home i heard a small pebble hit my windshield. I came home parked in the garage and two days later, there’s a crack half way across my windshield. This is extremely dangerous, in over 8 vehicles I've owned and had much bigger rocks hit my windshield this has never created a crack, especially days after a small impact. What happens if it shatters due to the impact of a rock. It should be built to withstand small Impacts.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770032October 9, 2026
VISIBILITY/WIPER
I am over 6 feet tall. I have the driver seat as far down as it will go. I have the rearview mirror up as high as it will go. Even with those three things, the mirror is in the middle of the windshield and blocks pedestrians and other cars. I have at least in the last year almost hit someone four or five times. I simply when I come to an intersection have to bend forward and to the left just to see over to the right this is a major design flaw for anybody over 6 feet tall. I will remove the mirror if I have to because in our state, you just have to have one rear word, facing mirror and the left or the right mirrors on the door count again this is a major safety concern for anyone over 6 feet. I think it has something to do with this forward facing radar having to mount it so low. Regardless, it’s still dangerous.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770168October 9, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V587000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767208September 27, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
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, exterior lighting, or the rearview camera. The recall remains incomplete. The vehicle is available for inspection. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11764991September 17, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, POWER TRAIN
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11763654September 11, 2026
POWER TRAIN, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
The vehicle’s automatic emergency-braking and parking-assistance systems intermittently activate when no collision is imminent. The vehicle unexpectedly stops, shifts itself into Park, and engages the electronic parking brake while moving at low speed. This has occurred while pulling into parking spaces with vehicles on both sides and while beginning an unprotected left turn when oncoming traffic was still at a safe distance. The sudden stop creates a risk of being struck by another vehicle. The vehicle was presented to an authorized Volkswagen dealership for inspection, but the dealership was unable to reproduce the condition and stated that it did not believe there was an issue. The vehicle remains available for inspection.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758908August 23, 2026
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I brought my vehicle to the dealership because it was shifting itself into Park while I was driving. I have brought the car in four times. During the last two visits, the dealership performed a system update called **VW 47DM Collision Vehicle Software Update for Travel Assist/Emergency Assist**. Immediately after leaving the dealership following these updates, my vehicle developed additional and more serious problems. The infotainment system stops working for several minutes at a time before turning back on. The vehicle is also now displaying a “Front Assist Not Available” warning. In addition, the vehicle jerks violently while driving forward or accelerating, and the front end is making a grinding noise. This software update has made my vehicle worse than it was before. I have contacted Volkswagen Customer Care multiple times, but I have been denied assistance because there is reportedly no diagnostic code in the system. However, I have video evidence of these issues occurring while driving. Volkswagen has refused to repair the vehicle or take it back despite these ongoing problems. A vehicle shifting into Park while driving, jerking during acceleration, displaying a Front Assist warning, and experiencing other system failures presents a serious safety hazard to me, my passengers, and others on the road.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11757132August 15, 2026
ENGINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
On August 14, 2026, I brought my Volkswagen, with approximately 7,500 miles and still under warranty, to Bay Ridge Volkswagen, an authorized Volkswagen dealership in Brooklyn, NY. At approximately 8:00 AM, the dealer informed me that my vehicle had an applicable recall/service campaign and that several updates would be performed, in addition to scheduled maintenance. I was instructed to leave the vehicle until approximately 4:00 PM. At approximately 4:00 PM, dealership personnel specifically told me that the vehicle was ready. I accepted the vehicle and drove away. Immediately after leaving, I discovered that the engine warning/check-engine light was still illuminated. I immediately returned to the dealership. Only after returning was I informed that the problem associated with the warning light had apparently not been completed or resolved. I spoke directly with technical personnel and was told that some technicians had already left for the weekend and that the vehicle might require replacement of a component. The exact component responsible for the warning light is currently UNKNOWN. The vehicle remains available for inspection. My safety concern is that an authorized Volkswagen dealer represented the vehicle as ready and released it for operation while an engine warning condition remained unresolved and while dealership personnel were apparently still uncertain whether a component required replacement. The warning light was present immediately when I drove away from the dealership. The dealership had possession of the vehicle from approximately 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM that day. I have requested from Volkswagen the diagnostic trouble codes, technician notes, details of the applicable recall/service campaign, confirmation of what work was actually completed, and written confirmation as to whether the vehicle is safe to operate. The vehicle has only approximately 7,500 miles. I am requesting that NHTSA review this incident and the unresolved warning condition
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11755265August 6, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11753497July 29, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
This car has several issues and I could only select a few. Electrical: the infotainment system disconnects from Wireless car play at random when you drive the vehicle. It then returns a Wifi error on screen and you cannot use car play any longer on both android and iOS. Additionally, the electronic system will reboot when the car is in use. In my case, it always happens on the freeway when driving 75 MPH. The entire car dash is electronic, no buttons. So when this happens, you lose all safety features, have no idea what speed your driving, can't use the radio, navigation, air conditioning, etc. Most importantly, this is a deadly error WV knew about but sold the car anyways. The dealer and WV North America says this is a problem between the infotainment system manufacture and T-Mobile cell towers. There is no fix for it. So what are consumers to do? I paid cash for a product, the product does not work, the manufactuer cannot fix it. Normally when this happens the company either 1) fixes the problem for free or B) lets you return the product. VW says I can't do either. Backup Cam - the camera is cheap, blurry and picks up nonexistent items and slams on the breaks everytime I back down my driveway. Not a human, animal or event a tree limb blowing in the wind. However, when a car is behind you, the backup cam will let you back into the car. Again, this is a "Software" issue and the dealer cannot fix it. Forward collision Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keeping Assistance only work intermittently. I'd say about 30% of the time I drive the car, it just dings at me while my dashboard lights up and says all these features failed. VW has no record of it in the cars "error log" so I had to set up a camera in my car to prove them wrong. Once they saw it, they said they don't know a fix. Maybe they can swap out the infotainment system / software, but that requires several layers of approval first.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11753402July 29, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11752371July 23, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My vehicle is experiencing a severe safety hazard where the emergency braking system suddenly slams on the brakes while driving in traffic, pulling into traffic, or backing up. When this happens, the car unexpectedly shuts off, and no warning lights or error messages appear on the dashboard. This has almost caused an accident multiple times, making the vehicle incredibly dangerous to drive. I previously took it to the dealership, but they told me they could not find an issue and advised me to continue driving it while documenting the dates and times it happens on paper. However, I refuse to continue driving this vehicle and put my children's lives at risk just to collect data.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750999July 17, 2026
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750870July 16, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
My car has 842 miles on it. There have been multiple occasions where it breaks on its own. When I am backing out of my driveway, there is a neighbors tree that is close to the driveway and a small branch causes. The emergency brake to go on in your head to slam into the back of the seat. When making a left hand turn on a 4 lane road with nothing in the road it has break causing you to fly forward. I’ve only had the car for a few months and multiple times it has done this.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749100July 8, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, SUSPENSION
Since purchasing this new 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan, I have experienced repeated electrical and drivability defects despite multiple repair attempts by an authorized Volkswagen dealership. The vehicle has been out of service approximately 70+ days, including a transmission replacement, a loose ball joint and suspension repairs. Defects include repeated check engine lights, remote start failures, false "door ajar" warnings, intermittent warning messages, vibration while driving, and hard shifting. The vehicle also shut off while I was reversing and had to be shifted into Park before it would restart. Before taking the vehicle back, I asked the dealership whether it was safe to drive and did not receive a response. After the vehicle was retrieved from the dealership for the 4th time, several defects recurred within approximately 44 minutes, and the check engine light returned the following night. I believe these recurring defects present a safety risk to me, my passengers, and other motorists.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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