Last updated: 2026-05-15

Dodge Hornet vs Volkswagen Tiguan: Reliability Compared

Choosing between the Dodge Hornet and the Volkswagen Tiguan? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two compact suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Volkswagen Tiguan currently leads with an average score of 68/100 compared to 59/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

Verdict

The Volkswagen Tiguan is more reliable than the Dodge Hornet, scoring 68/100 vs 59/100.

Key Differences

  1. 1Dodge Hornet has 22 fewer total recalls
  2. 2Volkswagen Tiguan has 12.4 fewer complaints per 10k sold
  3. 3Volkswagen Tiguan scores 9 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

1Dodge Hornet
2Volkswagen Tiguan
Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Dodge Hornet vs Volkswagen Tiguan: Which Is More Reliable?

Dodge Hornet vs Volkswagen Tiguan at-a-glance reliability comparison
MetricDodge HornetVolkswagen Tiguan
Reliability Score59/10068/100
Years Tracked39
Total Recalls1335
Complaints per 10k Sold21.79.3
Year Wins03

What Are the Common Problems With the Dodge Hornet and Volkswagen Tiguan?

Dodge Hornet vs Volkswagen Tiguan common problem areas comparison
ComponentDodge HornetVolkswagen Tiguan
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMNone1.7Low
ENGINENone1.2Low
POWER TRAINNone1.2Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHERNone1Very Low
SERVICE BRAKESNone0.4Very Low
STRUCTURENone0.4Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCENone0.3Very Low
STEERINGNone0.3Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMNone0.2Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLNone0.2Very Low
AIR BAGSNone0.2Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPERNone0.2Very Low
SEAT BELTSNone0.1Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTINGNone0.1Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGNoneNone
SUSPENSIONNoneNone
WHEELSNoneNone
LANE DEPARTURENoneNone
BACK OVER PREVENTIONNoneNone

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

How Does Dodge Hornet vs Volkswagen Tiguan Reliability Compare by Year?

Dodge Hornet vs Volkswagen Tiguan year-by-year reliability scores
YearDodge HornetVolkswagen TiguanEdge
202564/1002R / 1C73/1002R / 18CVolkswagen Tiguan
202454/1007R / 60C75/1001R / 38CVolkswagen Tiguan
202359/1004R / 25C73/1001R / 49CVolkswagen Tiguan

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Dodge Hornet scored 64/100 and the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan scored 75/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Dodge Hornet vs Volkswagen Tiguan: Common Questions

Is the Dodge Hornet more reliable than the Volkswagen Tiguan?
Based on our data, the Volkswagen Tiguan is more reliable with an average score of 68/100 compared to 59/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Dodge Hornet or the Volkswagen Tiguan?
The Volkswagen Tiguan has more recalls (35) compared to the Dodge Hornet (13). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Dodge Hornet or the Volkswagen Tiguan?
Adjusted for sales volume, the Volkswagen Tiguan has a lower complaint rate at 9.3 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 21.7 for the Dodge Hornet. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Decided between Dodge Hornet and Volkswagen Tiguan? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

1

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

2

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

3

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

4

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

  • 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
  • 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
  • 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
  • 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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