2011 Volkswagen Tiguan lighting problems

The 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan has 39 lighting complaints filed with NHTSA — 16% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

Lighting complaints

16%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Lighting complaints by year

Tiguan lighting complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

13V569000LightingNovember 22, 2013 · 62,155 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tiguan vehicles manufactured July 2007 through June 2011. Due to a problem with the fuse for the exterior lights, the holder for the fuse that controls the vehicle's exterior lights circuit may melt.

Consequence

If the holder melts, there may be a partial loss of exterior lighting. Reduced vehicle illumination diminishes the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuse, free of charge. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's recall number is 97Z9/2V.

What owners report

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD LIGHTS, BRAKE, AND TURN SIGNALS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A MELTED FUSE IN THE FUSE BOX AND AS A RESULT, THE FUSE BOX…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · October 26, 2013 · fire

Common questions

How many lighting complaints does the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan have?

NHTSA has 39 complaints about the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan lighting — 16% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan lighting?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the lighting: 13V569000.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.