2010 Volkswagen Tiguan Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 17%of 110 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 42,746miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan, 17% of the 110 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,746 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“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“I started up the car and multiple dash warnings then went off. The epc light, check engine light and the head lamps warnings all turned on. I then popped the hood and opened up the fuse box to make sure the fuses were seated correctly. Upon checking the fuses I noticed the box itself was melted and scorched meaning there had been fire at some point under the hood. I then took my Volkswagen to the closest vw dealership service station. It cost $400 (michigan) to replace the fuse box, also leaving me questioning if this will happen again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10522909, filed 2013-07, 42,100 miles“While driving headlights stopped working, brake light stopped working, and license plate lights stopped working. Brought in to service and they said fuse box overheated causing a poor electrical connection. They told me it was dangerous to drive vehicle, as if I wouldn't have caught it this early it could have lead to more serious issues like power steering or even brakes to go out. Then on 9/4/2012 battery went dead and had to have it replaced. Then on 10/13/2012 the right side headlight stopped working again, they replaced and worked fine until now. …”
NHTSA complaint #10554352, filed 2013-12, 28,702 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 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan
50 complaintsElectrical system
31 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