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Volkswagen Exterior Lighting Recalls Address Dim Lights and Headlight Aim
Headlight positioning and adjustment controls dominate these Volkswagen exterior lighting recalls. The widest model-year range is certain 2012-2020 Passat vehicles, alongside 2018-2019 Atlas vehicles, with potentially missing caps that block horizontal headlight adjustment. Certain 2021 ID.4 vehicles have caps on the vertical adjustment instead of the horizontal adjustment. Separate notices concern a passenger-side LED headlight positioned incorrectly on certain 2019 Jetta vehicles and a driver-side headlight aimed too low on certain 2020 Atlas Cross Sport and 2021 Atlas vehicles. Certain 2018 Tiguan LWB vehicles have backup lights that may be too dim. Reduced visibility is the recurring concern, with glare also identified in the ID.4 notice.
Warning signs to watch for
- Tiguan backup light recall 94J9: backup lights may not be bright enough.
- Jetta LED headlight recall 94L1: reduced driver visibility when it is dark.
- Atlas headlight recall 94N7: a driver-side headlight aimed too low can reduce visibility.
Can you keep driving? What the notices say
The notices do not tell owners to stop driving for the Tiguan backup lights, Jetta passenger-side LED headlight, Passat and Atlas horizontal adjustment cap, Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport low headlight aim, or ID.4 headlight cap recalls. None of these five notices includes a park-outside instruction. The notices describe crash risks from reduced visibility; the Tiguan notice also says other drivers may not see the vehicle reversing, and the ID.4 notice identifies glare from horizontal beam adjustment.
What the free repair involves
Dealers replace affected inner taillights for 94J9 and the passenger-side headlight for 94L1. For 94L9, they inspect and block horizontal adjustment as necessary. For 94N7, they adjust the driver's headlight. For 9406, they move caps from vertical to horizontal aim. Each of these remedies is free of charge.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| medium | 5 |
Models affected most
Where owners report exterior lighting problems most
NHTSA owner complaints filed under exterior lighting for the Volkswagen models and years in this guide. Complaints are unverified reports and are not limited to the recalled defects.
| Vehicle | Exterior lighting complaints |
|---|---|
| 2021 Volkswagen Atlas | 66 |
| 2019 Volkswagen Jetta | 26 |
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 2, 2021 | Volkswagen ID.4 headlight aim caps installed wrong | medium |
| Aug 26, 2020 | VW Atlas Headlight Aimed Too Low | medium |
| May 22, 2019 | Volkswagen Passat and Atlas headlight aim may be adjustable | medium |
| Sep 26, 2018 | Jetta LED Headlight Positioned Incorrectly | medium |
| Oct 18, 2017 | VW Tiguan Backup Lights May Be Too Dim | medium |
Common questions
Which Volkswagen lighting recalls involve headlight adjustment caps?
Recall 94L9 covers certain 2012-2020 Passat and 2018-2019 Atlas vehicles whose horizontal adjustment blocking caps may be missing. Recall 9406 covers certain 2021 ID.4 vehicles with caps on the vertical adjustment instead. Each notice specifies its own cap remedy.
Does the Jetta headlight recall require replacing both headlights?
Recall 94L1 specifies replacement of the passenger-side headlight, free of charge, on certain 2019 Jetta vehicles equipped with LED headlights. The notice identifies incorrect positioning of that headlight and reduced visibility when it is dark.
What do dealers change for the Tiguan backup light recall?
For recall 94J9, dealers replace the affected inner taillight assemblies free of charge on certain 2018 Tiguan LWB vehicles. The notice says backup lights may lack sufficient brightness, affecting the driver's view and other drivers' ability to see the reversing vehicle.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.