2019 Volkswagen Tiguan lights problems

Filed Oct 11, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · IN

Driving totally fine and my car makes a loud noise, tells me to check starter system and pull over. ALL electronics shut off and engine continues to run. Speedometer, gas gauge, radio screen, lights, turn signals, hazards, brake lights, EVERYTHING electronic shuts off. Starter was checked, battery was checked, alternator was checked, everything is fine. This is a VW issue as MANY 2019 Tiguans have been experiencing this exact issue this year. This is NOT safe!

Filed Jun 16, 2025 · Electrical, Lights · NC

On three (3) separate occasions, my 2019 VW Tiguan has produced an error stating "Check Starter System" on the console and shut down electrical systems such as instrument panel, brake lights, headlights, taillights, back up camera, and other electrical systems while driving. All three (3) situations followed the same series of events whereas the car was out in the sunlight on warmer days (70+ degrees) and occurred within 5 or so minutes of starting. After shutting the vehicle off and attempting to restart, the ignition will not always work and the car will not turn over. When it does, the key will need to be turned farther than a normal ignition start and most likely produce an immediate error and electrical system shut down. In the most recent occurrence, I found a parking garage and left the car for around an hour and did not experience the issue for the rest of the trip. It appears that there was a recall for a similar issues with the Jetta models made in the same year (2019). Volkswagen Recall: 28H7-Ignition Switch / the federal safety agency campaign number: 23V604

Filed Jun 2, 2025 · Engine, Lights · 103,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, the headlights unexpectedly failed to illuminate until the vehicle passed over a bump in the road, and shortly afterwards the headlights became illuminated again. Additionally, the engine oil and TPMS warning lights remained illuminated after the vehicle had an oil change and the tires were properly inflated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the vehicle was purchased, but the dealer provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V815000 (Tires). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

Filed Aug 23, 2024 · Acceleration, Electrical · AZ

A month ago I started my vehicle and 1/2 a mile into driving, all my electronics turned off with no warning(radio, instrument cluster, A/C, gauges, turn signals, headlights). The only electrical component working was the power windows. I couldn't see my speed, any warning lights or my turn signals. I immediately pulled over as I couldn't even tell if my car was still drivable. I Turned off the car (just the engine at this point) and tried to start it again with no response when I turned the key. When it finally turned back on, all the electronics turned on and immediately turned off again. The display on the instrument cluster briefly said "check starter system". Since then it will happen any time it is hot out. Heat is definitely what is triggering the symptoms. This same issue has been seen in the VW 2019 Jetta. This is a huge safety issue.

Filed Jul 25, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · AZ

I was driving on a hot day and all of the instrument panel, air conditioning, all controllers, like signaling, windshield wipers, radio and all electronic gear turned off. Without the equipment and tools available, I could not change lanes or come to a stop safely. It would be difficult for me to say if other systems were affected. I was luckily not going very fast at the time and was able to navigate to the shoulder and stop my car without incident but it was a very stressful situation that I had never experienced in a vehicle before that time. Yes, my vehicle is available for inspection. This happened for the first time today so I have not tried to reproduce the issue. However, many others have complained about it on forums. Here is one of many examples: [XXX] A car's electronic systems should not completely turn off because of changes in the weather. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 7, 2023 · Acceleration, Electrical · TX

While driving an alert comes on that states check engine system. As soon as this happens all power in the car turns off. Engine is still running but you no longer have any turning signals, brake lights, headlights, air conditioning, etc. It happens randomly and has almost cause me to be rear ended due to car behind me not knowing I was slowing down or stopping. This happens when I am not close to a dealership so they have not been able to witness this.

Filed Nov 13, 2022 · Electrical, Lights · MD

While driving at night the cars IP displayed a warning "ignition system shutdown please check your start system", the Instrument panel and information display then went dark with no symbiology speed, revs or turn signals. The head lights and tail lights shut off and cabin fan and side windows stopped working. The engine continued to run so I was able to safely exit the highway but was a stressful and dangerous moment. When the vehicle was taken for repair VW service says issue was caused by a malfunctioning battery which was replaced at my cost with an OEM part. this has not fixed the issue though and I am attempting to get a new appointment for service.

Filed Apr 16, 2021 · Lights · 100 miles · NY

This is a second complaint about the headlights on my vehicle. The low beams do not illuminate the roadway safely. I complained to the manufacturer who referred me to the dealer. Who stated that there is no adjustment that can be made. Per the dealers description the vehicle only utilizes one bulb for high and low beams. There is a shield that comes down to create the low beams. With that being said, in the low beam position the shield creates distinct line that only illuminates a short distance of road in front of the vehicle. This also creates a wall of darkness beyond that. No diffusion of light just going into the darkness blind. This to me is a very dangerous situation..

Filed Jan 29, 2021 · Lights · 3,600 miles · NY

The headlights are LED and this vehicle is equipped with afs. Adaptive front lighting system. I believe the headlights do not illuminate the roadway adequately. There is an area that is just in front of the vehicle that one can see the roadway. Then there is a definite line that basically creates a wall of darkness, that prevents one from seeing anything beyond that, this creates a blind area. Any other vehicles that I have driven over the years provide lighting that illuminates the area in front of the vehicle and then defuses the light further to see down the roadway, and does not create a wall of darkness. I have brought this up to vw and the dealer who states that the system is operating correctly. I have been told that the system only utilizes one bulb for both low beams and high beams, with a shield that covers a portion of the lighting to create the low beams. I guess that is why the lighting has a very definitive line cutting it off bluntly, therefore creating a wall of darkness, this literally creates a blind area for which one cannot see a sufficient area in front of the vehicle. To operate it safely. To me this creates a very unsafe condition when driving under normal conditions with low beams on. As explained to me the shield goes up for when the high beams are activated, I have seen some online posts that others are experiencing the same thing, please advise as to what to do regarding this issue thank you, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *cc

Filed Dec 18, 2018 · Lights · 15 miles · NY

Both headlight have extensive condensation within the headlight housing. Incident occurred overnight when the car was stationary, in a closed parking lot. Car was driven from the dealer lot to the customer's parking lot a night before during rainy weather. The condensation covers the LED modules of the turn signal at the bottom of the same housing, and depending on the outside temperature and how long the car was operating, the condensation moves upwards to the front of the low beams. Volkswagen service department states this incident is normal. No action was taken on two documented service visits for the same issue. First incident occurred when car was one day old. Car had approximately 15 miles on the odometer.