2011 Volkswagen Tiguan: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Aug 27, 2015 · Lights · 51,000 miles · NJ

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.

Filed Jun 7, 2015 · Engine · 15,324 miles · CA

Problems started at 15,822 miles. Parking brake switch jamming. At 44,690 miles engine and epc. Lights comes on, engine stalls while driving. Found 2 faults set inecm for random cylinder miss fires (p0300) and miss fires on cyl 2 (p0302). Checked freeze from data and found fault were set at engine start up. Performed de-carban service, at 45,400 oil leak from drain plug washer. Long-life washer on drain plug leaking. Bluetooth malfunctioning and had to be replaced at 49,084. Also problem and found internal malfunction in new model. At 50,011 miles, found faults for intake manifold runner position sensor/switch circuit range performance. Replaced intake manifold and reseal fuel injectors. At 54,618 miles, driver side headlight bulb replaced. Found valve cover gasket leaking. At 54,902 miles found valve cover and upper chain cover gasket leaking. Replaced valve cover sealant, upper timing chain cover and vacuum pump gasket. At 63,186 miles. Fuel rail pressure too low, determined high pressure pump internally faulty. At 68.222 miles driver door hinges loose. At 68,222 miles fuse problems. F16 burned as well as panel. Had also replaced fuel pressure regulator fuse. Problems are on going. Car is unsafe to drive. It still looses power and stalls while driving. Engine and epc lights come on intermittently. Vw USA is aware of the problem, but will not take responsibility and declare the car unsafe. It is just a matter of time before a major accident with fatalities occur.

Filed Sep 24, 2014 · Lights · 30,471 miles · CA

Headlight went out on a car with only 30,000 miles on car. Had to replace right high intensity discharge bulb with ballast at a cost of $305.36!!! I have heard there have been many complaints regarding headlights failing in 2011 vw tiguans. Wanted to add my name to the list of complaints.

Filed Jan 11, 2014 · Electrical, Lights · 61,000 miles · GA

We had a partial loss of exterior lighting on our 2011 vw tiguan at roughly 61,000 miles. We lost passenger side headlight, rear driver side blinker, front passenger blinker, reverse lights, and tag lights. We tried to replace the bulbs but bulbs were fine. I also checked all fuses and all were ok none were blown. We then took the car to an import specialist since the car was no longer under warranty. They found a circuit under the fusebox that overheated and melted. They replaced the circuit and the lighting was restored, however they said that it would most likely happen again. The replaced circuit only lasted about three weeks and now we have lost the same exterior lighting as before. We contacted vw service and they said based on our VIN # there was no recall for our vehicle.

Filed Jan 2, 2014 · Lights · 55,424 miles · SC

Right side headlamp, turn signal, brake light inoperative. 30 amp fuse one blade burnt but fuse not blown. Fuse box melted around contact.

Filed Dec 18, 2013 · Electrical, Lights · 39,020 miles · VA

During driving one headlight (left), third brake light, and front right turn signal gave a bulb out fault. Also, the bulbs went out simultaneously. After driving for 30 minutes and then restarting the car, the faults were gone and bulbs were functional. This repeated the next day with bulb out faults and non-functioning bulbs but then reset again after restarting.

Filed Dec 11, 2013 · Lights · 56,000 miles · TX

In november my drivers headlight went out I replaced the bulb then it was working but 2 weeks later the passenger side goes out this time not only my headlight my turn signal also goes out from the front. Then I get pulled over because now I don't have a driver side back signal light. I replaced all of the bulbs and they still don't work. I don't have warranty on my vehicle. It has become a big problem for me not only that, its a hazard to be on the roads. I called the dealership and now I need to take my vehicle in, but this is the only vehicle I have to commute.

Filed Dec 6, 2013 · Lights · 22,826 miles · CO

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. This is my list of lights lost as of 12.6.13 8:00 am: fr dipped beam, fr turn signal, fr main beam, fr fog light, fl side light, rl turn signal, rl brake light, rr side light, 3rd brake light, r reverse light, and license plate light. Fortunately I am still under warranty, so it will be repaired at no cost to me regardless of an official recall.

Filed Dec 3, 2013 · Electrical, Lights · 40,200 miles · NY

Lights started randomly going off and on..it would be left front low beam and right front high beam then no tail lights or turn signal, etc. But after a few mins they would come back on then go back off. It is gwttin worse and occurs more often now and I feel unsafe driving it at night.

Filed Dec 2, 2013 · Electrical, Lights · 43,000 miles · NY

Passenger side headlight not lighting, the turn signal on the same side does not work and the rear drivers side tail light does not work.

Filed Dec 2, 2013 · Electrical, Lights · 41,000 miles · WA

While driving I received multiple alerts of bulb failures and headlights, turn signals, tail lights would intermittently fail. Cause was a fuse and socket in the fuse box that melted and had to be replaced. I checked the recently announced recall however my VIN was not included so I wanted to bring it to your attention.

Filed Nov 22, 2013 · Electrical, Lights · 44,600 miles · NY

My 2011 tiguan is erroneously and intermittently reporting that lamps are out. I went to the auto repair shop, and was told that it was caused by a melted fuse box. I have been on a lot of forum online, and it seems to be a common finding among vw owners,more so tiguan. I do not understand why vwofa has not looked into the issue as yet. My brake lights, my tail lights, my headlights are all out. The idea that a fuse box could be melting under the hood is quite disturbing. Vw should look into the matter as soon as possible, because that 3/36k miles warranty that would possibly cover it, does not cut it, considering that this issue usually happens around 40k miles.