Recall 17V662 affects 5,509 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles because back-up lights are too dim. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
Volkswagen is recalling 5,509 2018 Tiguan LWB SUVs because the back-up lights in the taillight assemblies do not meet brightness requirements. Dim back-up lights can make reversing harder for nearby drivers to see and increase crash risk; Volkswagen dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The back-up lights on the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB sit inside the taillight assemblies. When the SUV is shifted into reverse, those lamps illuminate the area behind the vehicle and signal to people nearby that the Tiguan is backing up. The reflectors inside the lamps help direct that light outward.
On affected Tiguans, the back-up-light reflectors were made with a deficient metallization process. Metallization is the reflective coating that helps bounce light out of the lamp housing. If that coating is incomplete or poor, the lamp still works, but the light output is too low to meet the federal lighting standard.
This problem does not create a pedal feel, dashboard sound, or driving change from the driver's seat. There is no warning sign before failure. The practical clue is visual: the reverse lights look dimmer than they should when the vehicle is in reverse.
Who's affected?
| 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan | Tail lights |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 5,509 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
Dim back-up lights make the Tiguan harder for other drivers to see while it is reversing. They also reduce the driver's margin for spotting an obstacle behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Use extra care when backing up and schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule the free inner-taillight assembly replacement that fixes the dim back-up lights.
- Bring the recall notice if Volkswagen mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V662 when you call.
- Use extra care while reversing until the repair is complete; the dim back-up lights reduce visibility for drivers behind you.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Volkswagen technician replaces the affected inner taillight assemblies so the backup lights meet the required brightness. The recall repair is available now, and parts and labor are free. Volkswagen is not offering reimbursement for this campaign. If you already paid for a related taillight repair, ask the service desk to confirm whether that work is separate from the recall repair.
| Reimbursement | No separate reimbursement |
|---|
Timeline
| October 18, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 15, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V662?
Recall 17V662 covers 5,509 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB vehicles with back-up lights that are not bright enough to meet FMVSS 108. Volkswagen dealers will replace the affected inner taillight assemblies for free.
What should I do if my 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 17V662. If it is, contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule replacement of the affected inner taillight assemblies. Reference recall 17V662 or Volkswagen recall number 94J9 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Volkswagen's remedy says dealers will replace the affected inner taillight assemblies free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The back-up lights are not bright enough. That can make the Tiguan harder for other drivers to see while it is reversing, or leave the driver with less help noticing an obstacle behind the vehicle, increasing crash risk.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V662000 |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen customer service | 1-800-893-5298 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V662 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V662000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →