MODEL
Volkswagen Tiguan Safety
NHTSA safety across every Volkswagen Tiguan model year we cover.
Across the 8 model years of the Volkswagen Tiguan we cover (2019 to 2026), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2026 at 90 on the NHTSA Safety Index, and the lowest is the 2019 at 77. 24 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Volkswagen Tiguan is a compact crossover SUV pitched squarely at families and urban commuters who want European refinement in a practical, five-or-seven-seat package. Competing against the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, the Tiguan has carved out a niche with its upscale cabin and composed road manners. Our focus here is strictly on what the federal safety data says about protecting the people inside it.
The 2025 Tiguan earned a Safety Index score of 89 out of 100, placing it in the Strong category. This represents an improvement over earlier models in the 2019 to 2025 range, which typically scored in the Average band. Side protection received a full 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA testing. Frontal impact and rollover protection each earned 4 out of 5 stars, indicating these areas did not achieve the highest possible rating. The Tiguan has accumulated 825 owner complaints, including 20 alleged crashes and 20 reported injuries. While these are unverified allegations, their volume contributes to a pattern that warrants attention. The 2025 model year demonstrates positive progress in safety. However, those considering 2019 through 2022 models should confirm all open recall work has been completed prior to acquisition. The strong side-impact performance offers reassurance; the complaint volume does not.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally praise the Tiguan for its refined, car-like driving feel, a well-appointed interior that punches above its price point, and flexible seating options. Critics tend to flag its turbocharged four-cylinder as adequate rather than energetic and note that cargo space can feel compromised compared to some rivals, particularly when the optional third row is fitted.
- The 2025 Tiguan earned the highest NHTSA Safety Index in our coverage window at 89 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band, but earlier model years from 2019 through the mid-cycle sit in the Average band, so the year you buy matters significantly.
- Side-crash protection is the Tiguan's strongest tested attribute at 5 out of 5 stars, while frontal and rollover ratings of 4 out of 5 indicate those are areas where the structure performs adequately but not at the top of the segment.
- Twenty-three recalls across 2019 to 2025 is a high figure for a seven-year span. Any used Tiguan shopper should run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup tool and confirm all remedy work has been performed before finalizing a purchase.
- The 825 owner complaints on file include 20 alleged crashes and 20 reported injuries. These are unverified allegations and not official findings, but the complaint volume is worth monitoring, and prospective buyers should check NHTSA's database for any clusters tied to the specific model year they are considering.
Most-recalled year on record: 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan with 5 recalls.