2009 Volkswagen Tiguan Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 9%of 168 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan, 9% of the 168 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“A 30 amp fuse melted inside the fuse box, causing my right side high and low beam, fog light, and turn signal, along with the right half of all my tail and brake lights to stop working. Updated 09/17/13 the consumer stated the fuse box was not repaired. The fuse was replaced and was being carefully monitored to ensure it was not melting.”
NHTSA complaint #10521147, filed 2013-06, 83,500 miles“My headlights and daytime running lights would intermittently work and not work. Sometimes I would turn my car on and all of my lights would work, and other times all of them would fail, or just one side. Sometimes they would fail while driving. I took the car into royal automotive group in san francisco and they initially claimed it was bad bulbs, it took them 2 weeks to work out it was a faulty main fuse box. …”
NHTSA complaint #10551486, filed 2013-11, 38,000 miles“While driving my car, the right low beam headlight went out and the dashboard warning light came on - I stopped the car and looked to see what headlight was out and noticed the right side low beam was out. I went back into the car to head home (only about three miles away 0 but at night), and the other light went out as well - both headlights (low beam) stopped working - I made an appointment with the dealership monday morning. …”
NHTSA complaint #10561642, filed 2014-01, 65,500 miles“For the 2nd time in less than a year, we had a front headlight go out, the bulb wasn't bad but the fuse was. The first time the fuse was blown and looked like it had slightly been melted. The most recent time this happened on 10/19/13 the fuse was almost totally melted and also slightly damaged the fuse next to it. This is a 2009 model and we've already had to replace the o2 sensor, accelerator coil and now two fuses for the headlights.”
NHTSA complaint #10551503, filed 2013-11, 73,000 miles“Hello - I started my 2009 vw Tiguan on nov. 9, 2013. After placing the car in drive, all of my dashboard lights for lighting failures came on, a total of 8 different error messages - license plate lights, driver and passenger taillights, backup lights, front headlights, turn signals. At this point I was on the road, and quickly pulled over to the closest parking lot I could find. I was about to head on the highway. I immediately turned around and drove home and did some research. I opened the interior fuse panel, but that was ok. …”
NHTSA complaint #10554611, filed 2013-12, 50,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10210225Apr 7, 2022Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation. Update model year applicability to include 2022.
- 10188562Mar 2, 2021Exterior lighting moisture in lens updated to exclude LED lighting.
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 2% |
| 2024 | 2 | 3% |
| 2022 | 3 | 1% |
| 2021 | 5 | 3% |
| 2020 | 8 | 6% |
| 2019 | 11 | 6% |
| 2018 | 17 | 6% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2016 | 2 | 2% |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 39 | 24% |
| 2010 | 19 | 17% |
| 2009 | 15 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
80 complaintsElectrical system
40 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
20 complaintsSteering
15 complaintsFuel system
14 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsEngine cooling
10 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsElectronic stability control
5 complaintsSeats
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology