Recall 13V569 affects 62,155 2009-2011 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles for a melting exterior-light fuse holder. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
Volkswagen is recalling 62,155 2009-2011 Tiguan vehicles under recall 13V569 because the fuse holder for the exterior lights can melt. When that happens, the vehicle can lose part of its exterior lighting, reducing visibility and increasing crash risk; the Volkswagen dealer repair will be free once available.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The 2009-2011 Volkswagen Tiguan uses a fuse to protect the exterior-lighting circuit. A fuse is a small electrical safety part that is supposed to open the circuit when current gets too high, so the wiring and lights are protected. The fuse sits in a holder that keeps the connection tight and carries power to the vehicle's outside lights.
On affected Tiguans, the fuse holder for that exterior-lighting circuit can overheat and melt. When the holder softens or melts, the electrical contact is damaged. That can interrupt power to the exterior lights, leaving lights inoperative or unreliable instead of lighting the vehicle as designed.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first thing an owner notices can be exterior lights that do not turn on, lights that cut out, or a visible heat-damaged fuse area during service.
Who's affected?
Spans three Tiguan model years, with exterior lighting and fuse or circuit-breaker wiring listed as the affected component areas.
| 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan | Exterior lighting |
|---|---|
| 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan | wiring |
| 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan | Exterior lighting |
| 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan | wiring |
| 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan | Exterior lighting |
| 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan | wiring |
| Units affected | 62,155 |
A matching 2009-2011 Volkswagen Tiguan does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
A melted fuse holder can cause a partial loss of exterior lighting. Reduced lighting makes the Tiguan harder for other drivers to see and increases the risk of a crash. If exterior lights stop working or look dim, schedule service soon and avoid night driving until checked. Repair will be free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2011 Volkswagen Tiguan is included in this recall.
- Wait for Volkswagen's owner notice or customer-service guidance before scheduling dealer work.
- Call Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 with questions and reference recall number 13V569 when you call.
- Ask a franchised Volkswagen dealer about the free fuse replacement that fixes the exterior-light fuse holder that can melt.
- Avoid night driving if exterior lights flicker, dim, or fail before the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
Volkswagen has identified the dealer repair: a Volkswagen technician replaces the fuse for the exterior lights circuit after confirming the recall applies to the vehicle. Because the remedy status is not listed as available here, do not assume the final dealer visit can be scheduled from this page. Once the repair opens, the dealer repair is free of charge, including the replacement fuse and labor.
Timeline
| November 22, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 3, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V569?
Recall 13V569 covers 62,155 2009-2011 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles with an exterior-lighting fuse holder that can melt. If that happens, the vehicle can lose some exterior lighting, reducing visibility and increasing crash risk. Volkswagen dealers will replace the fuse for free.
What should I do if my 2009-2011 Volkswagen Tiguan is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Tiguan is included in recall 13V569. If it is, contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule the fuse replacement. Reference recall 13V569 or Volkswagen recall number 97Z9/2V when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Volkswagen's remedy for recall 13V569 says dealers will replace the fuse free of charge. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to perform the safety recall repair at no cost at a franchised Volkswagen dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced visibility from a partial loss of exterior lighting. If the fuse holder melts, the Tiguan becomes harder for other drivers to see, increasing crash risk. Confirm your VIN and schedule the free dealer repair.
What if I bought my Volkswagen Tiguan used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Tiguan is included, then contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer and reference recall 13V569.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V569000 |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen customer service | 1-800-893-5298 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V569 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V569000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →