Volkswagen issues global recall of 800,000 Tiguan SUVs

VW's Tiguan SUV recalled over faulty lighting circuits concerns; recall of upto 1.6 million 7-speed DSG-equipped cars also under consideration.

The Volkswagen Tiguan compact SUV has been recalled in the UK over concerns that one of its lighting circuits could fail.

Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles built between 2008 and mid-2011 have been recalled to have a fuse replaced. VW says there's a chance the fuse could trip, which can lead to the failure of one of the Tiguan's on-board lighting circuits. The failure could lead to a partial loss of lighting on the vehicle.

Globally, Volkswagen Tiguan recall affects 800,000 vehicles, including 147,000 units in its home market of Germany. 

Although not an official recall yet, Volkswagen UK is also considering recalling up to 30,000 vehicles equipped with its 7-speed DSG DQ200 gearbox. If initiated, the recall would involve replacing the synthetic oil used by those vehicles with mineral oil, in a move intended to safeguard against electrical failures. As a worst case scenario, this could lead to a loss of drive.

The firm says it is currently in talks with VOSA over whether to issue a full recall for the UK, but a voluntary recall is already in place in other countries. Reports suggest that as many as 1.6 million vehicles worldwide are affected by the 7-speed DSG DQ200 recall. By far the largest market affected is China, where as many as 640,309 cars potentially in need of the oil change. 

VW is also recalling 4200 units of its Amorak in this country, and 239,000 units worldwide, to check for possible fuel leaks. The recall affects all Amarok vans built since launch in 2011 up to June 2013.Volkswagen won't comment on how much the global recall programme will cost, or whether the measures could harm profits for the group.