VIN REPORT

3VVER7RM3SM0388832025 VOLKSWAGEN Tiguan4Motion SE

22of 100
Moderate Risk
Buyer Risk Score
Recalls
2
2 campaigns found
Safety Grade
F
56/100 composite
Complaints
43
NHTSA filed
Vehicle Age
1 yr
Made in MEXICO
BUYPurchase Verdict

2025 VOLKSWAGEN Tiguan was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 2 open recalls on record — these are safety-critical and should be addressed immediately. 43 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA — review the complaint section for the most common failure patterns.

28 MPG
Verdict & Risk Assessment
📄

Executive Summary

2025 VOLKSWAGEN Tiguan

2025 VOLKSWAGEN Tiguan was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 2 open recalls on record — these are safety-critical and should be addressed immediately. 43 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA — review the complaint section for the most common failure patterns.

  • 2 open recalls including safety-critical systems (Airbag system recall; Steering system recall)
  • 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — above average for this class
  • Common owner-reported issues: stalling, check engine light, electrical problems
  • Complaint rate is accelerating — issues appear to be getting worse, not better
  • Safety Systems is flagged in both recalls and owner complaints — double-confirmed failure pattern
  • Engine or platform shared with models that have documented failure issues
  • Component failure cascade detected — a known defect pattern that typically leads to more severe downstream damage
Owner Complaint Intelligence

43 owner complaints filed — top areas: Other (37%), Electrical (21%), Safety Systems (12%). Common issues: stalling, check engine light, electrical problems, steering issues. 1 crash reported.

22
of 100
Moderate Risk
3 moderate risk signals detected. Negotiate accordingly and verify service history.
LOWMODERATEHIGHCRITICAL
3 Contributing Risk Factors
Vehicle may qualify as a lemon — repeat repair failures
+10
2 model-wide recalls on record
+6
Accelerating complaint trend — problems increasing over time
+6
Critical Alerts

Title Brand Check

Mined from auction damage fields and listing titles — not a DMV title history pull

No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.

Vehicle

Vehicle Specifications

Decoded from NHTSA vPIC database

Make
VOLKSWAGEN
Model
Tiguan
Year
2025
Trim / Series
4Motion SE
Body Style
Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
Vehicle Type
MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV)
Fuel Type
Gasoline
Engine
4-cyl 2L 201 hp
Transmission
Automatic
Doors
4
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN DE MEXICO SA DE CV
Assembly
PUEBLA, PUEBLA, MEXICO
GVWR
Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg)

Assembly Plant Quality

Volkswagen de México (Puebla)

BQuality61/100
Standard📍 PUEBLA, PUEBLA

Builds Jetta and Taos for North America. Average quality; some Jetta recall campaigns.

Safety

Safety Intelligence

Composite analysis from NHTSA recall, complaint, and crash data

F
Score: 56/100
Crash Test Rating20/40
Recall Safety16/30
Complaint History20/30
45/100High
  • Airbag system recall
  • Steering system recall
2/100
Basic
1 of 20 safety features detected
Missing: Automatic Emergency Braking, Pedestrian AEB, Forward Collision Warning, Electronic Stability Control
Elevated
  • 43 complaints on a 1-year-old vehicle — unusually high
  • Safety system appears in both official recalls and owner complaints

Lemon law eligibility depends on state law, number of repair attempts, and days out of service. Consult an attorney for actual eligibility.

The same components appear in both official NHTSA recalls and owner-filed complaints — a double-confirmed failure signal.

Safety Systems
1 recall5 complaints

2.0L EA888 TSI: timing chain tensioner and water pump failures well-documented

Also affects: Golf, Jetta, Passat, Tiguan, A3, Q3

Driver Assistance Features

ADAS equipment data from NHTSA vPIC database

Forward Collision Warning?Unknown
Automatic Emergency Braking?Unknown
Pedestrian AEB?Unknown
Rear AEB?Unknown
Lane Departure Warning?Unknown
Lane Keep Assist?Unknown
Lane Centering Assist?Unknown
Blind Spot Monitoring?Unknown
Rear Cross Traffic Alert?Unknown
Adaptive Cruise Control?Unknown
Adaptive Headlights?Unknown
Auto High Beam?Unknown
Parking Assist?Unknown
Backup Camera?Unknown
Electronic Stability Control?Unknown
Tire Pressure Monitoring?Indirect
Event Data Recorder?Unknown
Crash Notification?Unknown
Dynamic Brake Support?Unknown
Keyless Ignition?Unknown
Recalls2

Deferred Failure Risk

Vehicle-specific risks from this model-year's complaint record, known defects, and service milestones

36/100
Monitor Deferred Risk
The electrical system is the most-reported problem for the 2025 VOLKSWAGEN Tiguan — 9 NHTSA complaints (21% of all filings). Prioritize it in a pre-purchase inspection.
No odometer data on record. Items marked VERIFY below are age-based maintenance reminders — general guidance, not confirmed findings for this specific vehicle. Confirm actual mileage and service history with the seller.
COMMONLY REPORTEDCriticalElectrical
9 owner complaints · 21% of all filings
Inspect the electrical system before purchase — the most-reported problem for the 2025 VOLKSWAGEN Tiguan
Owners of the 2025 VOLKSWAGEN Tiguan report electrical issues more than most other systems. Complaints concentrated in one area often signal a systemic weakness worth a targeted pre-purchase inspection.
COMMONLY REPORTEDModerateSafety Systems
5 owner complaints · 12% of all filings
Inspect the safety systems system before purchase — the 2nd most-reported problem for the 2025 VOLKSWAGEN Tiguan
Owners of the 2025 VOLKSWAGEN Tiguan report safety systems issues more than most other systems. Complaints concentrated in one area often signal a systemic weakness worth a targeted pre-purchase inspection.
COMMONLY REPORTEDHighEngine/Powertrain
4 owner complaints · 9% of all filings
Inspect the engine/powertrain system before purchase — the 3rd most-reported problem for the 2025 VOLKSWAGEN Tiguan
Owners of the 2025 VOLKSWAGEN Tiguan report engine/powertrain issues more than most other systems. Complaints concentrated in one area often signal a systemic weakness worth a targeted pre-purchase inspection.

NHTSA Safety Recalls

2 RECALLS
2found

NHTSA VIN-specific recall lookup returned no data for this VIN. The 2 recalls below are model-wide and may or may not apply to this exact vehicle depending on production date. Verify at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Estimated Repair Completion (Statistical)

2 of 2 recalls have a low industry completion rate — statistically likely unrepaired.

47%
avg repaired

Statistical model based on recall age, component type, and manufacturer. Not a repair confirmation. Demand dealer service records.

VOLKSWAGEN Recall Completion Rate — Industry Context
84%Fair

VOLKSWAGEN completes recalls at a fair rate (84%). If this vehicle has open recalls, follow up with a dealer — average remedy time is ~22 months.

Avg time to remedy open recall: ~22 months · Source: NHTSA Recall Completion Rate Reports

Avg Fix Time
22mo
#25V526000
Invalid Date

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

SummaryVolkswagen 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.
Read full details...
ConsequenceA loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.
Est. Repair Completion~52%

~48% of these vehicles are statistically unrepaired

High Risk

Source: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type

#25V854000
Oct 2025

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

SummaryVolkswagen 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.
Read full details...
ConsequenceA deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Est. Repair Completion~41%

~59% of these vehicles are statistically unrepaired

High Risk

Source: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type

Recall Intelligence

Detailed analysis of recall history and severity

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
295d open
10/12/2025
2 total campaigns
SteeringSafety Systems
1
Part Replacements
0
Software/OTA Updates
0
Buyback/Refund
0
High-Effort Repairs

Manufacturer Recall Response Time

Time between first owner complaint and recall issuance

3mo
Lag from first complaint to recall
First complaint: 2025-07-03 · Recall issued: 2025-10-12

Recall was issued within 3 months of first complaints — relatively prompt response.

May Qualify

This vehicle shows 3 lemon law indicators. Eligibility depends on state law, number of repair attempts, and days out of service — consult a lemon law attorney.

Strong protection states: California, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts
Complaints43

Complaint Intelligence

43 complaints analyzed across 9 system categories

Other
1 crash16
Electrical
9
Safety Systems
5
Engine/Powertrain
4
Brakes
3
Suspension/Wheels
2
Body/Structure
2
Fuel System
1
2025
10
2026
33
Accelerating +100%
43
Last 24 months
0
Prior 24 months

⚠ Complaint rate is accelerating — issue may be getting worse

PEAKS SUMMER (JUN–AUG)

42% of complaints filed in Jun & Jul — may indicate temperature-sensitive or weather-related failures.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Engine stalling6
Electrical failure3
Steering loss1
Conditions Reported
Highway/high-speed (8)Parking/low-speed (5)Rain/wet (1)

Owner Complaints

HIGH VOLUME

43 safety complaints filed with NHTSA

43found
1
Crash
ODI #11753402FUEL/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

ODI #11753497ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

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.

ODI #11752371ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

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.

ODI #11750999FUEL 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.

ODI #11750870FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

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.

ODI #11749100SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

ODI #11747365FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

The contact owns a 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle in front of the vehicle took the exit and the vehicle suddenly stopped without a vehicle or object in front of the vehicle. The BRAKE warning light was displayed with an audible alert sounding. The contact stated that the camera software was updated; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 3,620.

ODI #11746809SEATS

The front passenger seat heating feature malfunctions. It feels extremely hot, then cuts off. This causes discomfort and creates a safety hazard for passengers. I've made efforts to work with the VW dealership, but after several delays, the car was returned without a fix.

ODI #11745619UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES

When I am backing , my card comes to a complete stop, like I hit wall . There is nothing behind my car. It like you ran into a brick wall. This has happened several times

ODI #11745737ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

EVAP warning light sporadically displays and the odor of fuel emits from vehicle - both inside and outside. Occured approximately seven times since purchase. Driver door is not operational, sporadically. Will not respond to key fob, windows will not roll down or up, cannot lock or unlock, and displaying a flashing red light with a loud noise emitting every three seconds. Occured approximately five times since purhcase. Mirrors will sporadically not fold outwards and remain in a stuck inward position. Travel assist, side assist, and start / stop has malfunctioned approximately seven times. Dynamic cornering light malfunction approximately three times. Vehicle was not configured when purchased. SOS was not operational.

ODI #11744189AIR BAGS,TIRES

The contact owns a 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V854000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions for the recall repair; however, the contact was informed that the tool needed for the recall repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was notified of the issue, and the contact was informed that it was the vehicle owner’s responsibility to find the tool needed to repair the vehicle. The contact was also instructed to call other dealers in the area to see if the part needed to do the recall repair was available. The contact discovered that the tire label placed on the of the driver’s side door displayed incorrect information. The label indicated that the tires were 17- inch tires; however, the vehicle at the time of purchase was manufactured with 18 inch wheels. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.

ODI #11743729ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

The contact owns a 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55-60 MPH, the vehicle suddenly became inoperable; the power steering became inoperable, and the brake pedal became difficult to depress. The message "No Key Fob Detected" illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. No repairs were performed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable. The VIN was unavailable.

ODI #11742427UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Moonroof spontaneously exploded while driving; shards of glass fell all over me (head, face, arms, back, legs), and throughout the vehicle. Nothing hit my vehicle, no road debris.

ODI #11742446UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The moonroof exploded, shattered glass, shards, and glass dust fell all over me (head, face, arms, chest, back, legs) and throughout my car. There was no road debris, nor did anything hit my vehicle to cause the moonroof to shatter. Temperature outside was mid 70’s, I was driving in a predominately shaded area when the incident happened around 7:50am.

ODI #11741598STEERING,SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The vehicle is experiencing a persistent and severe manufacturing defect regarding its steering wheel geometry and vehicle alignment. While operating the vehicle under normal driving conditions, the steering wheel alignment is visibly off-center, failing to achieve proper tracking geometry. There is comprehensive photographic and video evidence documenting that the steering wheel and tracking alignment are fundamentally incorrect. To date, this vehicle has been brought to an authorized Volkswagen dealership service department for a total of eleven (11) separate service visits specifically targeting this exact defect. The dealership service department refuses to perform further corrective actions, insisting that the off-center geometry is "normal and within factory specifications" after test-driving two other lot vehicles. The dealership has explicitly stated they will not correct this defect without direct corporate intervention. Safety Risk Assessment: The manufacturer and dealership's failure to remedy the off-center steering wheel geometry and tracking alignment presents an ongoing safety hazard. Operating a vehicle with compromised steering geometry introduces unpredictable handling characteristics, accelerated or uneven tire wear, and an elevated risk of sudden component fatigue. The persistent alignment deviation forces the driver to constantly compensate to maintain a straight line of travel, increasing the risk of driver fatigue and unpredicted lane drifting at highway speeds. A vehicle that cannot maintain proper tracking geometry poses a clear and present danger to its occupants and surrounding traffic. Timeline of Events & Notice to Manufacturer: Both the local franchised dealership management and Volkswagen of America corporate regional management have been formally notified of this recurring defect through 11 documented service attempts. Following initial acknowledgments, the Volkswagen corporate regional representative has ceased all communications

ODI #11738451POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

The problem occurred immediately after picking my car up from a valet on 5/17/2026 around 9:00pm. The valet had pulled my car up to the front of the Seattle Park ‘N Fly Valet by Sea-Tac airport. I pulled out onto International Blvd, and within a few seconds, the accelerator pedal became completely unresponsive. I was able to coast the car into the Denny’s parking lot just north of the valet lot (about 0.2 mi north of the valet). Everything else seemed to work just fine, except for the accelerator pedal (brakes worked just fine). I turned off the engine, and when I tried to restart the car, it was turning over but wouldn’t start. I called out someone to jump the battery, but the battery was fine. We then disconnected and reconnected the battery, and this resolved the issue and I was able to restart the car and drive away. It was dangerous that I was able to pull out onto a road, just to immediately lose any ability to accelerate. I’m lucky there was a nearby parking lot and I didn’t pull into busy traffic. Something seems to have happened at the valet, that was then triggered as soon as I pulled out onto the road. My guess is they tried to start the car and use the twist shifter in some combination that caused a fault that only triggered once I started to get up to speed. It’s strange because they were able to pull my car up to the front of the lot just fine, and I was able to pull out onto the roadway just fine, but the loss of acceleration only happened once I tried to get it up to speed.

ODI #11738385SUSPENSION

I am filing a complaint regarding my 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan (VIN: [XXX] ). Leased December 2025. My vehicle has been unusable since January 2026 following an accident because Volkswagen has been unable to supply a necessary replacement suspension strut required to complete repairs. The vehicle remains in a repair facility solely due to this part being on extended backorder. This is a critical suspension component that directly impacts vehicle safety and drivability. Despite repeated attempts to obtain updates, Volkswagen has failed to provide a clear timeline for when the part will be available. As a consumer, I am continuing to make payments on a new leased vehicle that I cannot use because the manufacturer cannot provide essential replacement parts within a reasonable timeframe. I believe this raises concerns regarding parts availability for safety-related vehicle components on new model vehicles. I am requesting that this issue be documented and reviewed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ODI #11737534AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact received a recall notification, NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V854000 (Air Bags). The dealer was contacted, however the contact was informed that the parts were unavailable. In addition, the contact contacted multiple dealers and was informed that the parts were unavailable. The contact stated that the unrepaired recall was a serious safety hazard. The manufacturer was not contacted.

ODI #11736961AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS

In mid-March 2026, the airbag error light came on in my vehicle. I took the car into the dealership I leased it from for service. They were ale to replicate the issue and discovered "a fault for passenger seat belt tensioner igniter". After this discovery it was recommended that no one sit in the passenger seat until the igniter was replaced. The dealership claimed they ordered a replacement part that has been on backorder since March, so my vehicle has not been fixed still. In my research, I've seen 3,000+ 2025 Tiguans were called for an airbag error issue, but somehow my VIN is not showing up as part of the recall even though it is having a similar airbag issue.

ODI #11732422STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that twice while driving 50 MPH, an unknown message was displayed, indicating that the vehicle was not detecting a passenger. The horn inadvertently beeped three times, and the vehicle stalled and lost steering and braking functionality. The vehicle was restarted each time. On the second occasion, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was then towed to be diagnosed by the dealer, and the contact was informed that her hands might have been off the steering wheel, causing the vehicle to turn off. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic where it was determined that the steering wheel assembly needed to be replaced due to an electrical charge from skin to confirm that both hands were on the steering wheel. However, in the event that both hands were not on the steering wheel, the system would activate a fault code, and the vehicle might stall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.

ODI #11725964SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

Vehicle: 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Incident Description: While driving at approximately 45 mph, about 5 minutes into the drive, my vehicle displayed a Lane Assist warning and a message to place my hands on the steering wheel. Immediately after, multiple warning lights and messages appeared across the dashboard. Followed my emergency warning message. The vehicle then suddenly applied the brakes on its own without any obstacle or hazard present. The brakes locked up, and the vehicle would not move. At the same time, the vehicle began honking and exhibited abnormal alarm/locking behavior. I had to restart the vehicle to regain normal operation. This sudden and unintended braking could have resulted in a rear-end collision, serious injury, or loss of control of the vehicle, especially at highway speeds or in traffic. The vehicle was taken to a Volkswagen dealership. The dealership documented that the brakes locked up and the vehicle would not move, but stated they could not replicate the issue and did not identify a cause or provide a repair. I do not feel safe operating the vehicle due to unintended braking and system malfunction. Date of Incident: 3/19 between 7:30 and 7:57 in the morning Approximate Speed: ~45 mph Location: Colleyville, tx No obstacle, hazard, or driver input caused the braking.

ODI #11722909FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

The contact owns a 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Forward Collision Avoidance system failed to function, with the Forward Collision Avoidance warning light illuminated. The failure had occurred while the contact was driving while it was raining. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a Forward Collision Avoidance module failure; Part Number: J769. The contact was informed that the module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to clean off the Forward Collision Avoidance sensor. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that the failure was a known failure with the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer several times regarding the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000.

ODI #11721732AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V854000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. 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. The contact had not experienced a failure.

ODI #11721247ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

Since buying the car in August 2025, I've had multiple issues. Ive had a noise coming from the front passenger side of the vehicle, brought it in and they could not identify the issue or fix it, to this day I still have this noise coming from the front passenger side. Furthermore, I've had numerous hazard lights come on the dash, lasting 2-4 days and then disappearing and reappearing later on. These lights include the check engine light, oil leaks, and not allowing the car to drive over a certain limit due to engine issues. I've also brought these issues to the service center so they can diagnose and fix the issue. They are unable to find anything wrong. Most dangerous event is the car completely shut down on me while driving. This is extremely dangerous to not only myself but others around me. I brought this concern to the service center and they could not figure out why this happened. This car is unsafe to drive.

ODI #11720470ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

While driving at road speed, the vehicle unexpectedly shifted itself into Neutral (N) without driver input. The engine continued running, but the vehicle lost drive power. Simultaneously, the dashboard displayed multiple warning indicators including: “Exhaust System Malfunction” warning Semi-Automated Driving Assistance warning SOS / emergency system warning The driver safely pulled to the roadside and turned the vehicle off. Upon first restart, the vehicle would not shift into Drive. After turning the vehicle off again and waiting approximately 30 seconds, it restarted and allowed Drive engagement. The “Exhaust System Malfunction” warning remained illuminated for the remainder of the trip. The vehicle was taken to a Volkswagen dealer. The dealer was unable to duplicate the condition after a 50-mile drive. Dealer reported only a rear radar fault code and stated no other diagnostic trouble codes were stored. Warning lights had cleared by the time of inspection. This was an unintended transmission disengagement event while in motion. The loss of drive power at speed presents a safety hazard. The vehicle is a 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan built mid-2025 and currently has approximately 1000 miles.

ODI #11717719SEATS,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

The emergency brake came on and the engine turned off on its own , may be a faulty sensor in the seat. Sensor is detecting no one is in the drivers seat, and you are sitting in it. Car put on emergency brake and shut engine off at red light, as it turned green and you move foot from brake to gas pedal, putting car at risk of collision from behind. Dealership said they can’t reproduce this and therefore can’t fix it. Told Don’t Move when you’re driving by dealership. Car gave no warning. Happens at red lights and while backing up in reverse. The problem appeared on the evening I received car. Dealership said the service supervisor drove car and can’t get it to reproduce problem, so can’t fix it. Told don’t move while driving. Your car is ready Showed service advisor on the instrument panel in the car diagram the front two seats are not registering in the diagram, took car back into service and provided loaner once again.

ODI #11716748FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

I got into the middle lane, getting ready to turn left. I was going about 15-20 mph, when I got into the middle lane, the Emergency Brake came on and slammed my car into park. The master technician experienced the problem. There was no warning lamps, but there were symptoms that lead up, like trying to back up or go forward when turning on the vehicle and it deploying the emergency brake and putting it into park MULTIPLE times.

ODI #11716217AIR BAGS

Hello, I have a VW Tiguan 2025 lease since June2025. i just received a Safety Recall letter from VW on February 2026 advising that because of a potential airbag defect I should not have anyone seating in the passenger seat of my car until further notice. a recall repair is not yet available. How can VW asks to keep a car with such inconvenience of not being able to have a passenger?

ODI #11714251UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Snow sticks between the rim and brake when I am driving causing vehicle to majorly shake. I can not manually reach in this area to remove the snow This is a hazard when I am driving on a thruway or country roads. The dealer does not know why this is sticking so badly.

ODI #11713645POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES

I own a 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan SE R-Line purchased new in August 2025. Since shortly after purchase, the vehicle has exhibited a recurring safety defect where the electronic parking brake engages without driver input and the vehicle shifts itself into Park. This happens suddenly and without warning. This defect occurs multiple times per week, on average (upwards of 50+ times total since purchase) under varied low-speed conditions, including at stoplights, while slowly moving through traffic, and during parking maneuvers, etc. When it occurs, the vehicle stops abruptly as Park is engaged. This creates a significant risk of being rear-ended or losing control in an intersection or traffic lane. There are no warning lights, chimes, or alerts beforehand. The behavior is intermittent and unpredictable, so there is no way to anticipate or prevent it during normal driving. This has not yet caused a collision, but there have been near-miss situations in traffic due to the sudden stop. I notified the dealership when the vehicle was new, but because the model had only recently been released and the defect could not be reproduced on demand, there was no formal inspection or repair, and no guidance was provided. The issue has continued multiple times per week since then. I have now found other 2025 Tiguan owners reporting the same behavior, which suggests this may be a broader safety defect rather than an isolated case. I am requesting an investigation due to the frequency of occurrence and the clear collision risk associated with unintended braking and shifting into Park.

ODI #11712553UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I purchased a new 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan (VIN [XXX] ) on December 9, 2025. On January 18, 2026, with 1,243 miles, the closed sunroof suddenly shattered as I slowly backed out of my indoor garage. There was no debris, no storm, and no outside impact. I took photos immediately, including wide and close‑up shots; none show any impact point. I reported the incident to Brookdale Volkswagen the same day and sent my photos. The dealership submitted a warranty request, but Volkswagen denied it as “outside influence,” without identifying an impact point or providing written inspection notes. I requested evidence supporting that conclusion, the VW case details, and a physical inspection with written findings. After the car was towed to the dealer, the service manager sent a new photo labeled a “rock chip.” This mark does not appear in any of my original photos taken immediately after the shattering, before towing. The dealer referenced VW Tracking [XXX] and repeated the denial. Volkswagen Customer CARE later issued a formal denial and directed me to BBB AUTO LINE for dispute resolution. No external cause was present; the vehicle was indoors and stationary. No impact point appears in my original photos, and the later “chip” only appeared after the vehicle left my possession, so it is not reliable evidence of pre‑existing damage. Tempered roof glass can fail spontaneously due to manufacturing or installation stress, making this a warranty‑covered defect absent proof of impact. I am requesting warranty coverage for replacement of the panoramic sunroof assembly and related interior cleanup or repairs, written inspection findings and all photos used to support any continued impact claim, and reimbursement or coverage of reasonable costs tied to the failure. I am filing this claim through BBB AUTO LINE, and a related NHTSA complaint is being filed to document the safety concern. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ODI #11712038UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Spontaneous Panoramic Sunroof Shattering on 2025 VW Tiguan

ODI #11709830FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

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

ODI #11707077POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Engine stumbles repeatedly, stutters and dies. No warning lamps. Car inspected twice by manufacture but no solution found. Continues to show same characteristics. Have to pull off the road to avoid danger to self and other autos.

ODI #11704870ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I was at a complete stop at the red light, vehicle began shaking and shut down. Gears would not work therefore I was not able to put it in neutral to at least push out of the road. The vehicle then began cranking on and off on its own, without me pushing start/stop engine. This was completely unexpected as the truck is one week old, had a full tank of gas and it was especially dangerous to have shut down on a busy highway. Also when reversing the vehicle makes a weird click noise.

ODI #11698408ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Started noticing issues within first week of purchase. Cruise control will not increase nor decrease speed when set. Steering wheel controls will not advance or decrease speed. Intermittent problem. First service dealer could not replicate. Second service dealer contacted VW assist and was advised to replace steering wheel buttons. Did not fix problem. Third service VW assist advised to replace clock spring and wiring harness. Part still on back order almost a month later. Meanwhile, vehicle now rapidly decreases or advances speed on own while cruise control is set. Adaptive control function is off and not source of issue. I feel this is software related issue as I have also had malfunction of infotainment radio system. Another reason I feel software issue is due to vehicle back up safety braking activates and throws vehicle into park when nothing is behind me.

ODI #11697042STRUCTURE

I bought this car, a 2025 Tiguan 4MOTION, on 10/25/2025. On 11/26, when I used the car, I noticed that the covers of the front doors are made of leather and padded, while the rear doors are made of hard, non-flexible plastic. In the event of a side impact, the rear passengers could suffer bodily injuries from being hit by a surface. VW agreed to replace the car, but I had to cover the difference in value between one car and the other. The new car is an Atlas Cross Sport.

ODI #11686988FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

The automatic emergency braking feature comes on when it shouldn’t; but it instead, throws me into park and puts on the emergency brake. The date 6/28/25 is just the first time it happened. Its happened multiples times (upward of 15), and I’ve physically had the car for less than 3 months (it’s been in the shop for just under a month, total). It’s very jarring when it happens and is so dangerous and happens so often, I don’t even want to drive it. The front assist fault light has been illuminated and turns off when I restart the car. Other directional (sides and rear) fault lights have also illuminated on the dash, just to turn off right after. They appear randomly or usually after it happens. The dealership has replicated the issue and currently has my car. No warning lights are currently illuminated. But I do have pictures of them. Luckily, it hasn’t caused an accident YET. But I am very wary about braking because it’s a common occurrence at this point. I don’t have a repair invoice as my car is still currently in the shop.

ODI #11684850UNKNOWN OR OTHER

When placing the vehicle on reverse the rear back up camera screen goes dark, preventing to see anything when backing up. I’ve cleaned the back up camera and there is nothing obstructing the lens.

ODI #11682415UNKNOWN OR OTHERCRASH

My wife purchased herself a new 2025 Volkswagen Tiguen on June 20, 2025. On July 20, 2025 she hit a deer. The car sustained significant front end damage. Being that we live 45 minutes from the dealership we brought it to our local body shop, Petrella Bros. The damage total was over $13,000.00. Petrella Bros. has been trying to get new parts for this vehicle for almost a month and has been told that Volkswagen has not made extra parts for their new cars yet. Today I personally spent an hour on the phone with the dealership as well as over 3 hours with Volkswagen corporate who both also told me they cannot currently get the parts and have no idea when they would be available. Our body shop expressed that when a new model comes out the manufacturer is obligated to have a surplus of replacement parts on hand for this very reason. On top of all this our insurance company has done their due diligence and gave us a rental car as well as extended it but after 7 more days we will need to pay out of pocket. Also my wife is making a fairly large monthly payment and still paying insurance for an Toyota Corolla rental car. It's disheartening when the dealership and manufacturer cannot stand behind their product.

ODI #11674529UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Sunroofs suddenly exploding

ODI #11673746FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I purchased Tiguan SE on July 2, 2025 and 6 days later with about 200 miles on vehicle, check engine light appeared with message ‘fuel system error.’ I was very disappointed that such a new vehicle reported an error on a critical system. Dealership had trouble identifying source of light and advice of VW technical advice was advised to replace entire fuel tank. This clearly sounds like a manufacture defect and I would like to know if other Tiguan owners have experienced similar issues. Given that VW has a history of defrauding consumers over diesel fuel systems, could this be another fuel problem. So far, upon contacting manufacturer they have brushed aside concerns stating it’s covered warranty and not acknowledging diminution of value that such an early defect could have on the resale/economic value of this car.

ODI #11670973STRUCTURE,ENGINE

To whom it may concern: I wish to report what a believe is a defect in the new Tiguan which is causing the engine to overheat. The check engine light came on the day after we purchased the vehicle. This was due to a part of the lower shutter in the front of the car breaking off, which prohibited the shutter from opening and shutting. It could not cool the engine and thus the engine started to overheat. We are not entirely sure what caused the piece to break, the mechanic said it was likely a rock. We did not get into an accident and in fact had only driven the car once. So I wanted to make this report in case someone else had a similar issue as if this piece is prone to breaking, it could potentially cause other more serious issues.

Component Failure Cascade Risk

Known patterns where one defect leads to more severe downstream failures

HighPOWER STEERING issue detected

Loss of power steering assist — vehicle becomes difficult to control especially at low speeds and during parking

Complaint & Reliability Timeline

Annual complaints (blue) vs. composite reliability score (amber) — recall years marked in red

Annual complaints and reliability score for VOLKSWAGEN Tiguan — recall years marked in red
01733050100202520252026Complaints/yrReliability (0–100)
Annual complaints (left axis)
Reliability score 0–100 (right axis, higher = safer)
Crash-involved complaints that year
Recall issued
Chart Analysis

The blue line shows 43 total NHTSA complaints filed over 2 years, with the worst year being 2026 (33 complaints).

The amber reliability line averaged 85/100 across the vehicle's life — relatively stable, with the lowest point of 83/100 in 2026.

The recall (red dashed line) were issued in the same year or before complaints peaked, suggesting the manufacturer identified and acted on the defect relatively quickly.

Red dots on the amber line flag 2025, a year when complaints included crash events — these are the highest-severity incidents in the dataset.

Details & Analysis
Financial

5-Year Ownership Cost Estimate

Based on EPA fuel data, standard depreciation, and US average insurance/maintenance costs

$2,200
Annual Fuel
EPA estimate
$1,800
Annual Insurance
US average
$900
Annual Maintenance
1-yr-old vehicle avg
$0
Annual Depreciation
Current period
Estimated 5-Year Total Cost
Fuel + Insurance + Maintenance + Depreciation
$24,500

Estimates use EPA fuel economy data, AAA 2024 national averages for insurance and maintenance, and a standard depreciation curve. Actual costs vary by location, driving habits, and vehicle condition.

5-Year Total Cost of Ownership

Estimated based on EPA fuel data, risk-adjusted maintenance, and depreciation

$33,844
~$564/mo over 5 yrs
$2.8/mi
cost per mile
Fuel
$11,000
Insurance (est.)
$7,500
Maintenance
$4,000
Repair Risk Buffer
$3,000
Depreciation
$8,344

Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $33,844 (~$564/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile.

Negotiation Ammunition

Use these data-backed findings to negotiate the price down

2 open recalls (unverified repair status)−$1,000
Total recommended deduction−$1,000

Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Tailored for the 2025 VOLKSWAGEN Tiguan — specific failure modes your mechanic must check, not a generic list

HIGH
Inspect for power steering issue detected — ask for repair records
Loss of power steering assist — vehicle becomes difficult to control especially at low speeds and during parking
HIGH
Verify recall STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY has been repaired
Recall on record for: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Tiguan vehicles. A tie rod bolt on the rear axl
HIGH
Verify recall AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER has been repaired
Recall on record for: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Tiguan vehicles. The passenger occupant detecti
MEDIUM
Test drive and inspect: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Multiple owner complaints filed for this component — verify it functions correctly during test drive.
MEDIUM
Test drive and inspect: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Multiple owner complaints filed for this component — verify it functions correctly during test drive.
MEDIUM
Test drive and inspect: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Multiple owner complaints filed for this component — verify it functions correctly during test drive.
MEDIUM
Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic
For any used vehicle with a risk score above Low, a $100–$150 independent inspection is always worth it.
MEDIUM
Run a VIN check on NHTSA.gov to confirm all recalls are closed
Free at nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/recalls — enter the VIN and confirm all campaigns show as completed.
MEDIUM
Verify title is clean and check for salvage/rebuilt brands at your state DMV
Title washing across state lines is common — confirm with your state DMV before finalizing purchase.

Recall Probability Forecast

Estimated likelihood of a new recall in the next 18 months based on NHTSA signals

20%
18-month
36%
2-year
Moderate Probability
Cumulative 2-year risk: 36%

20% estimated recall probability — some indicators present but not alarming.

  • Accelerating complaint rate — increasing pressure on NHTSA to act

Maintenance Schedule

OEM-specified service intervals for this vehicle

Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.

Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.

History & Auctions

Auction History

Public sale records from Copart, IAAI, and auction aggregators

Searching Public Auction Records

Checking Copart, IAAI, BidFax, and other sources for 3VVER7RM3SM038883. Results appear automatically when found.

Insurance Cost Estimate

Estimated annual premiums based on vehicle profile, theft data, and NHTSA safety ratings

Full Coverage
$2,040–$2,590/yr
~$170–$216/mo
Liability Only
$560–$710/yr
~$47–$59/mo
Category: Standard Vehicle
New / recent model year: +15% (high replacement cost)

Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.

Manufacturer NHTSA Penalty History

Federal fines issued for recall delays and safety violations

VOLKSWAGEN has been fined $19000M+ by NHTSA. Most recently in 2017: Criminal plea agreement related to Dieselgate.

2016$14700MDieselgate settlement — defeat device software in TDI engines to cheat EPA emissions tests
2017$4300MCriminal plea agreement related to Dieselgate

State-Specific Legal Protections

What consumer laws apply to this vehicle purchase in your state

Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.

Complete Data Table

All decoded fields in a single flattened view

Vehicle Identity

VIN3VVER7RM3SM038883
Model Year2025
MakeVOLKSWAGEN
ModelTiguan
Trim4Motion SE
Vehicle TypeMULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV)

Body & Configuration

Body StyleSport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
Doors4
Fuel TypeGasoline
TransmissionAutomatic

Engine

Engine Cylinders4
Displacement (L)2
Horsepower201

Manufacturer

ManufacturerVOLKSWAGEN DE MEXICO SA DE CV
Assembly CityPUEBLA
Assembly CountryMEXICO

VIN Structure

WMI (Chars 1–3)3VV
Check Digit (Char 9)3
Model Year Code (Char 10)S
Plant Code (Char 11)M
Sequence (Chars 12–17)038883

Safety Data

NHTSA Recall Count2
NHTSA Complaint Count43

VIN Structure Decode

ISO 3779 character-by-character breakdown of this Vehicle Identification Number

3
1
V
2
V
3
E
4
R
5
7
6
R
7
M
8
3
9
S
10
M
11
0
12
3
13
8
14
8
15
8
16
3
17
WMI (1–3)
VDS (4–8)
Check Digit (9)
Model Year (10)
Serial (11–17)
3
World Manufacturer
Country & region of manufacture
Position 1
V
Manufacturer
Specific manufacturer identifier
Position 2
V
Vehicle Type
Division or vehicle type
Position 3
ER7RM
Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)
Body style, engine type, restraint system
Position 4–8
3
Check Digit
Mathematical validation character
Position 9
S
Model Year
Year of manufacture
Position 10
M
Assembly Plant
Where the vehicle was assembled
Position 11
038883
Production Sequence
Unique serial number for this vehicle
Position 12–17
Country of Manufacture
Mexico
From VIN position 1 (3)
Model Year Character
"S" → 2025
Could also be 1995
Check Digit (Pos 9)
✓ Valid
ISO 3779 weighted-sum algorithm
Research This Model

Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 8/3/2026, 1:05:40 AM.