Home › Volkswagen › Tiguan › 17V662000

VW Tiguan Backup Lights May Be Too Dim

NHTSA campaign 17V662000 · Reported Oct 18, 2017 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

medium How serious is it? About this label

Dim back-up lights can make it harder for others to see the vehicle reversing or for the driver to see obstacles behind it, increasing the risk of a crash. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

Key facts

NHTSA campaign number	17V662000
Reported to NHTSA	Oct 18, 2017
Manufacturer	Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Part affected	Exterior Lighting:tail Lights
Vehicles covered	1 model/year combination, model years 2018
Do-not-drive advisory	No
Park-outside advisory	No
Repair	Free at any franchised dealer

What's wrong, in plain English

On some long wheelbase Tiguan SUVs, the back-up lights built into the taillights may not be bright enough to meet federal lighting standards. If the lights aren't bright enough, other drivers may not notice the vehicle backing up, or the driver may not see well enough to avoid hitting something behind the vehicle. Either situation increases the risk of a crash.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your vehicle is affected.
2. Contact a Volkswagen dealer, or call Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
3. The repair (replacing the inner taillight assemblies) is free.

Where do I find my VIN, and what do I tell the dealer?

Your VIN is the 17-character code on the lower left of the windshield, on your registration and usually on your insurance card. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether this recall is still open on your car. When you call the dealer, say you have an open safety recall and give them NHTSA campaign number 17V662000. More in how recalls work.

Affected vehicles (1)

2018 Volkswagen Tiguan

Who to contact

Volkswagen — official Volkswagen recall lookup

Customer service: 1-800-893-5298

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

Volkswagen Exterior Lighting Recalls Address Dim Lights and Headlight Aim · all 5 Volkswagen recalls in this area

Other Volkswagen Tiguan recalls

Sep 11, 2026Volkswagen Atlas And Tiguan Steering Bolt May Breakhigh
Sep 10, 2026Volkswagen Tiguan Software Glitch Can Stall Enginehigh
May 20, 2026Volkswagen Tiguan Rearview Camera May Not Displaymedium
Dec 10, 2025VW Tiguan Passenger Air Bag May Deactivatehigh
Aug 13, 2025Volkswagen Tiguan Rear Tie Rod Bolt Loosehigh
Feb 12, 2025Volkswagen Tiguan and Audi Q3 rearview camera may not displaymedium

All 28 Tiguan recalls

Official notice

Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. The back-up lights in the taillight assemblies may not be bright enough. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Safety risk: If the back-up lights are not bright enough, other drivers may not see the vehicle reversing, or the driver may back into an obstacle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected inner taillight assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94J9.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.