Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 13V569000(exterior lighting). The contact took the vehicle to leith Volkswagen of cary (2300 autopark blvd, cary, nc 27511, [phone]) for the recall repair. While driving 55 MPH, the exterior lighting failed and turned off without warning. After the lighting failure, several error messages appeared on the instrument panel. The contact took the vehicle back to the same dealer and was informed that the fuse box needed to be replaced, which was not covered in the initial recall. The contact was informed that he would have to pay out of pocket to have the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and was informed that they could not assist because the vehicle had previously been serviced per the recall. The vehicle has been repaired. …
On four separate occasions the car has lost power while in drive on city streets. First occasion April 23 2014 the coolant/water pump failed as did fuse. May 23 fuel pump failed and fuel pump panel. July 28 car died while driving due to faulty fuel injector. Yesterday aug 15 2016 car again lost power while driving on city streets and had to be towed (fourth time with less than 50K miles) to dealer. I am awaiting diagnosis but no longer feel safe in the vehicle. Twice I was fortunate that police officers showed up and were able to push my car out of traffic and to safety but at this point I believe vw should take action to replace the car as it has clearly proven a safety hazard for myself and others on the road. Respectfully submitted, [redacted] .
Driving down the highway when I realized both of my headlights were out. It was light when I left my house so I didn't notice, I had to drive without headlights. Just a little strange that all of a sudden both headlights go out at the exact same time. So I called to ask to bring my car in and the girl told me there are no recalls for this. I see recall 97z9 for exterior lighting. She tells me I'll have to pay to fix it and if there is a recall in the future I can get a refund. Great customer service.
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 needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 59,000.
All the exterior lighting was intermittently not working. Turning on headlamps and turning on bright lights would often fix the problem - headlights, blinkers and fog lamps would work again. When this would not work more often than not turning the car off and starting it again would resolve the issue. Dealership initially replaced a control module in January of 2013. Problem went away for a while. When the problem came back today, the dealership stated they had now had multiple instances of this problem and suspected a melted fuse block in the engine compartment. Dealer gave me the failed part and replaced it with another, perhaps a redesigned part as the part number is slightly different. The 30a fuse which controls the headlamps is obviously melted at the block. Vehicle is covered under an extended warranty with a $100.00 deductible. …
A few days ago I got a warning on my car saying the front right turn signal needed to be checked. It wasn't an emergency situation since the rear and side mirror turn signals still functioned. I had also heard about the recall online, so I thought maybe it was just telling me I was part of the recall and would need to take it in soon. Last night, driving in the dark, I lost a headlight, fog light, and the 3rd brake light. It was decided to make the 4 hour trip to the nearest vw dealer this weekend to have it looked at. This morning on my way to work, I lost virtually all of the remaining exterior lighting. Luckily it was a bright morning, and work is not far. Because of the loss of two brake lights, and assuming I would lose the other one, I had vw tow my car today to the dealer to be repaired. …
While driving on the highway at night, multiple indicator lights began flashing in the following order: check front right low beam, check front right fog light, check rear left side light, check left front side light, number plate check license plate lighting, check third brake light, check rear left brake light, check front right turn signal, and check rear right side light. I pulled over to the side of the highway to examine the car. Only one head-light and one tail-light was working. All other lights were out. I turned the car off and back on twice without any change in the lights. I drove the car to the dealership service department right away; however they were closing. The technician said the problem was known to be the result of a defective fuse box and requested that I return in the morning. …
I started receiving warning lights that there were burned out bulbs around the car. It started with the right front high beam, then low beam. I called the dealership to schedule an appointment for the same day as there was a safety concern with an out headlight. On my way to the dealership the warning light went off and I went home. By the end of the next day and I started to receiving the same warning, right front high and low beam. The warning would go away if I cycled the lights on and off and the high and low beam would come back on. I scheduled another appointment with vw to have them check things out and was told that it could be a problem that they had fixed the week before on the same car, a melted fuse box relay. On my way to the dealer, all of my brake lights and turn signals went out and sure enough it was the melted relay. …
After driving three hours I stopped to get fuel. When I started the car to leave the gas station I saw and heard the directional flasher speed up. I turned off the directional once I exited the station. I then signaled to turn right and the flasher increased flashing speed after 5 seconds. I then received numerous different bulb out messages on the multi function display. I got out and looked and found the right front headlight out as well as numerous amber and red lights on the right side of the car. The directional on the mirror assembly is working then when I parked the car it showed the rear left tail light is out. I confirmed this light is out now. This was night driving and this vehicle had a major electrical failure causing multiple lights including head lamps to be out while driving on the interstate. …
A fuse has melted (not burned out in the typical manner), and melted part of the fuse block. This caused all of the lights on the vehicle to malfunction. Headlights on one side, one turn signal, bulbs in different parts of the taillight assemblies (both sides), one backup light and the third brake light. All appeared to be burned out. Upon replacement of the fuse, all worked properly. From researching the internet, we found numerous websites and forums where this has been happening on these vehicles from 2009-2013, usually around 40-50,000 miles. The loss of these lights can cause an accident or fire to the vehicle due to the electrical system getting so hot as to melt the way it did. It has been stated that vw of America has refused to correct these problems...updated 09-18-13 the fuse was replaced to get all of the lights working properly again.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting
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.
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.
Headlight complaints in other Tiguan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the lights of the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan, 24% of the model year's 162 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 13V-569 (exterior lighting, Nov 22, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to lights problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.