Recalls

CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - BRAKE LIGHTS - SWITCH
04V096000VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INCfrom 05/01/1998 to 11/30/2001V (Vehicle)37713004/30/2004ODIVOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC02/20/200403/01/2004
Defect SummaryOn certain passenger vehicles, a brake light switch on these vehicles may malfunction.
Consequence SummaryIf this happens, the brake lights could become inoperative, or come on and stay on, even though the vehicle is parked.
Corrective SummaryThis recall has been superceded by 06v-183. owners who have had a remedy performed under this recall should return to their dealer for the redesigned remedy. owners should contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
NotesVwoa recall no. wx.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration
06V183000VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INCfrom 05/01/1998 to 11/30/2001V (Vehicle)64624611/27/2006ODIVOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC05/24/200605/25/2006
Defect SummaryOn certain passenger vehicles equipped with automatic or manual transmissions and cruise controls, a brake light switch on these vehicles may malfunction if it was installed incorrectly during safety recalls 03v-265 or 04v-096.
Consequence SummaryThe brake lights could become inoperative, or remain on. failure to provide the proper signal when braking could lead to a crash without warning.
Corrective SummaryDealers will install the newly designed brake light switch free of charge. the recall began on november 27, 2006. vehicles within the make, model, and model year of this population may be involved in either this recall or 06v-183, but not both. the remedy is the same for each recall. volkswagen dealers will apply the remedy based on the vin number of the vehicle. owners may contact vw at 1-800-822-8987.
NotesVw recall no. n4.customers may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration

Bulletins

BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - BRAKE LIGHTS - SWITCH
040102/17/2004030110006057New style brake light switch requires care during installation to prevent damage to switch. *tt04/13/2004

Investigations

NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - BRAKE LIGHTS
RQ06004VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC02/28/200608/07/2006BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE06V183000
 By letters dated may 24, 2006 and august 4, 2006, volkswagen (vw) notified the agency that it is conducting a safety recall (nhtsa recall no 06v-183) involving model year (my) 1998-2002 volkswagen new beetle and 1999-2002 volkswagen jetta vehicles equipped with cruise control.volkswagen
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - BRAKE LIGHTS - SWITCH
RQ06004VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC02/28/200608/07/2006BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE06V183000
 By letters dated may 24, 2006 and august 4, 2006, volkswagen (vw) notified the agency that it is conducting a safety recall (nhtsa recall no 06v-183) involving model year (my) 1998-2002 volkswagen new beetle and 1999-2002 volkswagen jetta vehicles equipped with cruise control.volkswagen
RQ03010VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC12/17/200303/01/2004BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH04V096000
 The number of duplicates between odi and manufacturer failure reports cannot be determined due to missing and or inaccurate information.the injury noted above was minor.on february 26, 2004, volkswagen of america, inc. (vw) submitted a defect notification (per 49cfr573) to the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) advising that certain model year (my) 1999 - 2002 volkswagen jetta vehicles manufacutured with the same brake light switch as recalled under 03v-265 (my 1998-2002 new beetle) are affected by a safety defect.specifically, if the brake light switch malfunctions, the brake lights could fail to illuminate when the brakes are applied, or could stay illuminated continually even when the brakes are not applied.either condition results in the inability of the brake lights to notify other motorists of vehicle braking, thus increasing the risk of a rear end collision and occupant injury.accordingly, volkswagen is recalling jetta vehicles manufactured from may 1998 to november 2001 to inspect and replace free of charge any affected brake light switches.the recall program, vw code wx, will commence in april 2004.

Consumer Complaints

Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
02/26/2002
 Bright lights stay on. consumer cannot adjust them. dealer contacted. *ak
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - BRAKE LIGHTS - SWITCH
10/14/20051173922
 Tl* - the contact owns a 1999 volkswagen jetta. the contact stated that there were two safety recalls 06v183000 and 99v251000. , one recall was for the brake lamp switch assemble and the other was for the b pillar mounting clips. the contact stated that the vehicle was in a crash while going 40 mph the person that hit the contact's vehicle said that he hit him because the brake lights did not turn on, and then he fled the seen. the contact stated that a police report was taken, and a complaint made to the insurance company. the contact was not sure if he got a ticket or not for not having brake lights. the contact stated that he was coming off of the expressway at 40 mph, the weather was clear, and the incident took place in daylight. the contact had to pay for the repairs. the contact had been pulled over by the police before because of the brake lights. the contact stated that he switched the bulbs and thought everything was alright. the contact's complaint was that he received a safety recall months later on the brake lamp switch after he paid for everything. the contact will be able to get the police report and an insurance report. the failure and current mileage were both 117392.*ak
07/12/2006108/04/2005
 My brake light switch has malfunctioned causing total loss of exterior brake lights on my 99 jetta passenger vehicle. this malfunction has been recalled by the nhtsa on many other 99 vw jettas, however my particular vehicle did not fit in the vin number range of the safety recall. i suggest this safety recall should be extended to include other models because evidently it is a problem and it is a serious safety hazard. *jb
06/15/2006103090109/01/2005
 I drive a 1999 vw jetta, standard transmission. i was informed by a police officer that my brake lights were not operating. after searching the internet, i learned from the nhtsa web site that there was a recall issued may of 2006 for certain vw cars that had their brake light switch replaced for an earlier recall. i called the dealership and they told me my car was serviced under the last recall, but it does not qualify for the recall. i had the brake light switch replaced and the problem has been corrected. the old part is not available. *jb
09/02/200557859107/01/2005
 Dt: the contact owns a 1999 vw jetta. the contact was having problems with the brake light switch. she started having problems with the switch on 9-2-05. it caused the brake lights to become inoperable or to come on and stay on even though the vehicle was parked. the consumer could not get the car out of park and this problem was in some way tied into the brake light switch failure. a nhtsa recall 04v096000 was issued. the consumer bought the car used from an individual who received a recall notice in 4-04. the notice did not indicate a vin. *ak *mr
12/14/2002742741
 Recall notice for check/ replace brake light switch.*mr the faulty brake light switch caused the emergency brake light to remain on. the vehicle was taken to a repair shop three times but they were unable to fix the problem (volkswagen jetta). the dealer was finally able to identify the problem and informed the consumer it would cost $6000. the consumer took the vehicle elsewhere for repairs because the service dealer's staff suddenly became rude. *nm
06/04/20042
 Consumer received nhtsa recall 04v096000 concerning brake light switch. after having the repairs done vehicle stalled, and the air bag light appeared on the dashboard and remained on.*ak
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS - SWITCH
12/10/200583000104/30/1999
 Turn signals and flashers not blinking as described in recall id number: 04v584000 which calls for the replacement of the hazard flasher switch, however the 1999 new jettas are not covered by the recall. *nm
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS
 Headlights are aimed incorrectly. this causes poor visibility for night time operation. driver cannot see far enough ahead to drive properly. first it was only one light, now since dealer has repaired, problem occurred with other headlight. *ak
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TAIL LIGHTS - SWITCH
08/01/1999
 Oil light came on 2000 miles after oilchange/burning or leaking excessive oil,and oil level low. passenger's window motor stopped working, resulting in window falling down,. also, engine revved high/ light switch on interior light fell off/ front right michelin tire blewout, and had to replace battery. dealer kept repairing problems. consumer contacted vw co, and was told they would get back to her, but never did. consumer felt vehicle was a lemon. please add additional information. *ak
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TURN SIGNAL
09/01/20041
 The checking engine light illuminated and the engine began to hesitate. *nm the mechanic found service code stored for fuel trim. *sc the mechanic replaced a defective mass air flow sensor. the signal light bulb was replaced, because it blinked very fast. *jb
11/14/2002807/03/1999
 Brake light switch replaced because cel illuminated indicating a failure of same. after some testing, it became apparent that the brake lights were not illuminating approximately 9 out of 10 times that the brakes were applied. at approximately the same time, the right turn signal began arcing. replaced the right front signal bulb due to carbon buildup on the bulb. also replaced the turn signal relay. right outer cv boot was found to be leaking grease on 5/22/2002 and again on 4/29/2003; in both cases it was replaced. battery died on 3/10/2003. on 7/9/2002, the center rear seat belt became stuck in its retractor and would not release. seat belt assembly was replaced. on 10/1/2001, the driver's front window regulator was replaced after the window fell into the door without warning. *jb
02/26/2002
 Turn signal handle broke , can't use turn signal. dealer contacted. *ak
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TURN SIGNAL - FLASHER UNIT
11/14/2002807/03/1999
 Brake light switch replaced because cel illuminated indicating a failure of same. after some testing, it became apparent that the brake lights were not illuminating approximately 9 out of 10 times that the brakes were applied. at approximately the same time, the right turn signal began arcing. replaced the right front signal bulb due to carbon buildup on the bulb. also replaced the turn signal relay. right outer cv boot was found to be leaking grease on 5/22/2002 and again on 4/29/2003; in both cases it was replaced. battery died on 3/10/2003. on 7/9/2002, the center rear seat belt became stuck in its retractor and would not release. seat belt assembly was replaced. on 10/1/2001, the driver's front window regulator was replaced after the window fell into the door without warning. *jb
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TURN SIGNAL - SWITCH
11/16/200720200010010/25/2004
 The blinker on my car is failing. it is in the unit on the steering column. after turning a corner it will not automatically shut off. when driving it will drop down and come on sometimes. it sometimes does not want to come on and i have to push it hard. the vehicle is a 1999.5 vw jetta. i have read on the forums also that this is a very common problem and a very expensive fix. *tr

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