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…
2011 Volkswagen Tiguan lighting problems
severe 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $250 · see lighting across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
1crash
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 17 lighting complaints filed for the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 5 model years of Volkswagen Tiguan we track for lighting problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 17.
No new NHTSA lighting complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
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…
Had lighting trouble with your 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the lighting problem on the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan?
It's a meaningful issue. 17 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $250.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Across the 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most lighting failures cluster between 30,471 and 55,424 miles, with the median around 49,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,471; a quarter make it past 55,424. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $250 for lighting repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Volkswagen/Tiguan.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.