Recall 25V854 affects 3,138 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles for wiring that can deactivate the passenger air bag. Keep front passenger seat empty until free repair.
Volkswagen is recalling 3,138 2025 Tiguan SUVs because a wiring fault in the passenger occupant detection system can deactivate the front passenger air bag while someone is sitting there. A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in a crash, and the Volkswagen dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The passenger occupant detection system in the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan tells the airbag system whether someone is sitting in the front passenger seat. It uses seat wiring and sensors to decide when the front passenger airbag should stay active. That signal matters because an occupied seat needs the airbag available in a crash.
On affected Tiguans, the heater element wiring harness has a crimping problem. Crimping is the squeezed metal connection that holds wiring securely in place. When that connection is not made correctly, the system sets a sporadic fault code. The fault can deactivate the front passenger airbag even while the seat is occupied.
If the problem is present, the airbag indicator light will turn on and off in the instrument cluster. That light means the passenger frontal airbag is not available. Until the recall repair is completed, owners should not allow anyone to sit in the front passenger seat.
Who's affected?
| 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan | front air bag |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 3,138 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 58 field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
A deactivated passenger air bag leaves the front passenger without normal frontal air bag protection and increases injury risk in a crash. If the airbag indicator light turns on and off, keep the front passenger seat empty until the harness repair is complete. Repair will be free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan is included in this recall.
- Watch for the Volkswagen owner letter mailed April 15, 2026, then contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer for remedy timing.
- Keep the front passenger seat empty until the front-passenger-seat wiring-harness repair is complete.
- Schedule the free wiring-harness repair that keeps the passenger air bag active when the seat is occupied.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 25V854 when you call.
What happens at the repair
Until the dealer repair is complete, do not allow anyone to sit in the front passenger seat. Once Volkswagen opens the repair, a Volkswagen technician will repair the affected wiring harness in the front passenger seat. Parts and labor will be covered under the recall. Out of pocket repairs already paid are handled through the existing New Vehicle Limited Warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, because the affected vehicles are still within that warranty period. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| December 10, 2025 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 12, 2025 | Dealer notification began |
| December 12, 2025 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 12, 2025 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| February 5, 2026 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| April 15, 2026 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 25V854?
Recall 25V854 covers 3,138 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles with a passenger occupant detection system wiring fault. The fault can deactivate the front passenger air bag while the seat is occupied, increasing injury risk in a crash. Volkswagen dealers will repair the affected front passenger seat wiring harness for free.
What should I do if my 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Tiguan is included in recall 25V854. If it is, contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule the front passenger seat wiring harness repair. Until the repair is complete, do not allow anyone to sit in the front passenger seat.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Volkswagen's remedy says dealers will repair the affected wiring harness in the front passenger seat free of charge. Reference recall 25V854 or Volkswagen recall number 74HE when you call.
Is it safe to use the front passenger seat?
No. Volkswagen advises owners not to allow occupants to sit in the front passenger seat until the remedy is complete. The wiring fault can deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied, which increases the risk of injury during a crash.
When did Volkswagen mail owner letters for this Tiguan recall?
Volkswagen mailed owner notification letters on April 15, 2026. If you bought the vehicle used or never received a letter, check your VIN to confirm whether your Tiguan is included, then call a franchised Volkswagen dealer for the free repair appointment.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/25V854000 |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen customer service | 1-800-893-5298 |
| NHTSA recall # | 25V854 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 25V854000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notice (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →