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Electrical systemPart report

2010 Volkswagen Tiguan Electrical system Problems

Complaints
31about this part
Share
28%of 110 total for the year
Median mileage
52,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 31 complaints about the electrical system of the 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan, 28% of the 110 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“On 6/3/17. Out of the blue while driving in the neighborhood, the car seemed to hesitate - wanting to turn off - lasted about 20 seconds then it was fine until I arrived to my destination, parked the car.. 4 hrs later ready to go back home, the car didn't start. Called aaa, checked battery- fine, possibly alternator. Although aaa guy said the craking noise when trying 2 start the car; didn't think was alternator either. …”

NHTSA complaint #10993335, filed 2017-06, 88,485 miles

“I drove to a friends house and about two hours later got in the car and started to drive then 10 of my exterior lights all went out the same time. My footwell lights I cannot dim or brighten through the controls and back up sensor stopped working. I had no headlights while I was driving at night at around 11pm. All this happened at once at the same time. All of the bulbs were fine. I replaced them. They weren't even blown. Fuses were fine. This is a real safety hazard and can lead to crash if not looked into.”

NHTSA complaint #11209420, filed 2019-05, 111,000 miles

“I started my car and the right side exterior lights were completely out. The dash display said to check 11 different lights (fog light, side light, low beam, high beam, license plate light, etc.). I opened the fuse box and found a melted cap to a 30a fuse in socket 16.”

NHTSA complaint #10547334, filed 2013-10, 83,000 miles

“The speedometer on my 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan reads 3% slower than the actual speed of the vehicle based on comparisons with multiple GPS units. Volkswagen is unwilling to diagnose and correct the defect. The problem occurs every time that I drive the vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #10374663, filed 2011-01, 9,800 miles

“Upon starting my car one morning, I was greeted with many alerts having to do with the right front headlight, fog light, blinker, brake light, rear parking light and license plate lights, all of which did not work. The alerts continued to cycle through during the entire trip (20 minutes from home to work) and the status did not change when I restarted my car to go home that night. As I was driving home that night (10 minutes into the drive) my right headlight suddenly turned on and all of the alerts went away. …”

NHTSA complaint #10551538, filed 2013-11, 30,650 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20261026%
20251832%
20242836%
20231318%
20226323%
20212517%
20203424%
20195729%
20184616%
20171216%
20162728%
20152337%
20142226%
20133626%
20122315%
20114729%
20103128%
20094024%

Other parts of the 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan

Engine
50 complaintsExterior lighting
19 complaintsSteering
13 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsSeats
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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