NHTSA safety recall National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Volkswagen Tiguan recall: The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault

Recall published 11 months ago

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.

The hazard: Airbag or restraint defect

This campaign concerns the airbag or restraint system, which only matters in a crash — and is therefore easy to postpone and expensive to postpone.

What the notice says: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

Why it matters: The airbag or its inflator may not deploy correctly, may deploy without a crash, or may send fragments into the cabin when it fires. The system is meant to be the last line of protection, so a fault in it is only discovered at the worst possible moment.

Recall details

Recall number
25V854000
Published
December 10, 2025
Risk level
NHTSA safety recall
Status
Open safety recall
Issued by
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Brand
Volkswagen
Product type
Air Bags
Distribution
Nationwide
Vehicles
Volkswagen Tiguan
Lot / code info
NHTSA campaign number 25V854000

Products covered by this recall

Volkswagen 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.

Vehicles in this campaign

Check your product

The notice names 1 code you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

Vehicle

Match this against the make and model on your registration.

  • Tiguan

Codes are lifted verbatim from the NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Airbag

Volkswagen — This campaign concerns the airbag or restraint system, which only matters in a crash — and is therefore easy to postpone and expensive to postpone.

  1. Treat this as a high-priority repair rather than something to fit around your next service.
  2. Call any franchised dealer for the brand, give them the campaign number from this page, and ask them to confirm parts are in stock before you book — part supply, not labour, is what delays a fresh recall.
  3. If the airbag warning light is on, say so when you book — it changes the diagnosis and sometimes the parts needed.
  4. Do not fit seat covers or dashboard accessories over an airbag module while the campaign is open.

Costs, reimbursement and your rights

The repair itself is free. What people most often miss is that money already spent can frequently be claimed back.

  • If you paid for the same repair out of pocket before the recall was announced, ask the manufacturer for reimbursement. Carmakers must run a reimbursement plan for pre-notification repairs; you will need the original invoice.
  • An unrepaired open recall can affect a sale or trade-in. Closing it out costs nothing and protects the value of the vehicle.
  • Towing is normally covered where the vehicle is unsafe to drive, and loaner cars or rental reimbursement are often available on long parts delays. Neither is usually offered unless you ask.
  • A dealer may not charge a diagnostic, inspection or shop-supplies fee for recall work. If one appears on the estimate, query it before you sign.

Remedy named in the notice: Owners are advised not to allow occupants to sit in the front passenger seat until the remedy is complete. Dealers will repair the affected wiring harness in the front passenger seat, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74HE. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 12, 2025.

Company contact: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls record National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Volkswagen air bags recalled?

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. A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

The notice does not publish package codes for this recall. Compare the product name, size and the purchase window against the official NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls record, and contact the company if you are unsure.

What should I do with it right now?

Treat this as a high-priority repair rather than something to fit around your next service.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Owners are advised not to allow occupants to sit in the front passenger seat until the remedy is complete. Dealers will repair the affected wiring harness in the front passenger seat, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74HE. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 12, 2025.

Does the repair cost me anything?

No. Safety recall repairs are performed free of charge at a franchised dealer for as long as the campaign is open, whether or not the vehicle is still under warranty.

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