The Lemon Index2025 Volkswagen Tiguan.
The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan is so far about average by owner complaints: 53 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 104, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about automatic emergency braking, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 25 to 29 mpg combined. The best Volkswagen Tiguan year is 2014.
Early read
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 53 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Volkswagen Tiguan year. 2025 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 3K to 8K miles on the car (6 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 3
- electrical 2026
A software error may cause the body control module (BCM) system to reset.
- airbags 2025
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.
- steering 2025
A tie rod bolt on the rear axle assembly may be loose, which can lead to a loss of vehicle control.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Volkswagen told dealers about
Volkswagen sent dealers 146 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- How to perform the engine oil consumption measurement
- How to measure engine oil consumption
- Oil leak from Cylinder Head Cover; Customer states MIL-on, Transmission warning light on,…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Volkswagen Tiguan SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2200–2550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
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 *
2025 Volkswagen Tiguan owner · NHTSA complaint 11758908
More owner reports
Car randomly brakes by itself with no obstacle in front, no cars in front, sometimes emergency brake activates when standing on red light. On attached photos you can see messages after incident occures
NHTSA complaint 11709830
Quick answers
Is the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?
It's too early to be sure. So far it has drawn about average per car sold, against other 2025 cars after the same time on the road (early Lemon Index 104; 100 is average). The best Volkswagen Tiguan year by this measure is 2014.
What are the most common 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are automatic emergency braking (32%), electrical (30%) and engine (19%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan have?
3 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan get?
25 to 29 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 13% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan cost in fuel a year?
About $2200 to $2550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Volkswagen Tiguan year is better than the 2025?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2014, 2015 and 2021.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works