Recalls

CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
06E026000PRO-A MOTORS, INC. E (Equipment)6194404/03/2006OVSCVOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC03/23/200603/23/2006571108
Defect SummaryCertain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Consequence SummaryWithout the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Corrective SummaryPro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. the recall began on april 3, 2006. owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.
NotesThis recall only pertains to pro-a motors aftermarket lamps and has no relation to any original equipment installed on the listed passenger vehicles.for more information on the lamp model numbers, click on document search and view document titled lamp model numbers.customers may contact the national highway traffic safety administration
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - BRAKE LIGHTS - SWITCH
07V063000VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INCfrom 06/01/2002 to 11/30/2006V (Vehicle)100200004/27/2007MFRVOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC02/20/200702/21/2007
Defect SummaryOn certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch may malfunction if it was installed incorrectly.
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 april 27, 2007, and will be conducted in several staggered mailings through september 21, 2007. 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.
NotesVolkswagen recall no. n4.customers may contact the national highway traffic safety administration
03V265000VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCfrom 04/14/1998 to 11/30/2001V (Vehicle)29513609/26/2003ODIVOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC07/25/200307/29/2003
Defect SummaryOn certain passenger vehicles, the brake lamp switch may malfunction.
Consequence SummaryIf this happens, the brake lamps could become inoperative; or the lamps could come on and stay on, even though the vehicle is parked.
Corrective SummaryDealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake lamp switches. owner notification began september 26, 2003. owners should contact vwoa at 1-800-822-8987.
NotesVw recall no. wt.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration
06V183000VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INCfrom 01/01/1998 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
10210/22/200310004523Safety recall - wt - brake light switch. *tt12/17/2003
3170310/13/200310004522Safety recall - wt - new beetle brake light switch. *tt12/17/2003
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS
TB-94-10-0208/09/201010036467Volkswagen: headlights may intermittently dim slightly at idle. the headlamps or inside lights intermittently dim slightly at idle speed. at idle speed the alternator voltage can fluctuate, as the alternator cannot fully compensate the f03/16/2011
TB-09-10-0208/09/201010035204Volkswagen: headlights may intermittently dim slightly at idle. at idle speed the alternator voltage can fluctuate, as the alternator cannot fully compensate the fluctuations. some electric consumers come on in cycles or have no constant02/11/2011

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

Consumer Complaints

Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
03/14/2009698903
 Throttle body goes out (02-03-2009) cv axel goes out (03-31-2009 brake lights go out (02-18-2010) cv axel goes out again (4-31-2010) alternator goes out (06-21-2010) ignition coils fail (09-13-2010) ignition coils fail again(01-21-2011) brake switch replaced again (01-21-2011) air flow sensor fails (01-21-2011) air flow sensor fails again (07-26-2011) timing belt replaced (06-15-2011) thermostat replaced (06-15-2011) water pump replaced (06-15-2011) now having problems with throttle body/ throttle body sensor/ electrical issue. dealer is not sure what the problems is and wants to throw money at it to see what the problems is. this car is just one problem after another after another.
02/15/2001168000
 Tl-the contact owns a 2001 volkswagen new beetle. the contact stated whenever driving 35 mph or varies speed and at night the headlights fail. they are not adjustable the one on the left side aim low and the right side aim high. the vehicle was taken to the dealer previously who adjusted the headlights but the failure came back. the manufacturer was not contacted. the failure mileage was 168,000...mw
04/05/2008750001
 I have a 2001 vw new beetle. i have replaced brake light, which was drains the battery, serpentine belt, remoteless key which is still broken- basically 6 days after buying this car- i spent $1200 on repairs- now the check engine light is on, the transmission is acting funny, and basically- my vw dealership has a field day with me. to top it off- my battery died a month ago- and caught on fire when i tried to jump it. i am afraid that this car will blow up on me at any time. please help me! *tr
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - BRAKE LIGHTS
03/14/2009698903
 Throttle body goes out (02-03-2009) cv axel goes out (03-31-2009 brake lights go out (02-18-2010) cv axel goes out again (4-31-2010) alternator goes out (06-21-2010) ignition coils fail (09-13-2010) ignition coils fail again(01-21-2011) brake switch replaced again (01-21-2011) air flow sensor fails (01-21-2011) air flow sensor fails again (07-26-2011) timing belt replaced (06-15-2011) thermostat replaced (06-15-2011) water pump replaced (06-15-2011) now having problems with throttle body/ throttle body sensor/ electrical issue. dealer is not sure what the problems is and wants to throw money at it to see what the problems is. this car is just one problem after another after another.
07/26/2005650001
 Dt: having the same problem for the recall. epc light came on and off, came on again. currently, the brake lights were off. tried turning off the vehicle, just turning the key have way , but they still will not come on. it came on once before about 4 or 5 months, but it went back off. contacted dealer ,they had checked with the manufacturer. this vehicle was not included in the recall due to vin.*ak
03/22/200414527107/11/2001
 Brake lamps on 2001 new beetle come on and stay on even though the vehicle is shut off and parked. this is similar to nhtsa campaign # 03v265000 (7-25-03). i checked vw and they told me the recall was vin specific and my 2001 new beetle was not included. it seems there may be more units affected than originally thought.*ak
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - BRAKE LIGHTS - SWITCH
06/20/2007188000307/01/2006
 I have two volkswagen beetles that have been recalled for a brake light switch. last year before we were aware of this recall, the car left me abandoned at the hospital emergency room parking lot. i waited for half an hour and then it went off and i was able to put the car in reverse to get home. the problem corrected itself and yesterday when i got out of work it did the same but i was able to drive it home after. now the car will not even allow me to put the gear in reverse to get it to the dealer for this recall and volkswagen, employee by the name of amy at 1-800-822-8987, says i need to have it towed at my expense in order for it to be fixed. they refuse to pay for the car to be towed to get fixed. volkswagen roadside assistance is refusing to tow it to get it fixed. *tr
07/28/200676000105/10/2001
 My 2001 vw beetle turbo will not come out of park. it is stuck there. i was parked on a downward slope without the parking brake on. i t was 95 degrees f. i called vw and they told me to do the following. * 1. i have to turn it off * 2. pump the brake 5 times and hold it for the 5th time all the way down * 3. turn the car on completely * 4. wait 5 seconds * 5. then turn it off * 6. turn it 1/4 turn (no lights on the dashboard of the car) * 7. then i can turn the shift in between neutral and drive * 8. then turn the car completely on to turn it completely on to shift it into drive. *jb
12/29/200529352112/25/2005
 Dt*: the contact stated when the vehicle was put into park the brake lamp switch malfunctioned. the lamps illuminated, even though the vehicle was parked. the vehicle was taken to a certified dealer for a replacement of the brake light switch. *ak
07/22/200502/10/2004
 Purched a used 2001 volkswagen beetle for my daughters 16th birthday. this car has been nothing but trouble. check engine light came on first. after 3 trips to the dealer( which is 50 miles away) that was finally fixed. then is wouldn't come out of park. so we had it towed to the dealer and they put in a new brake light switch. well now it is stuck in park again and we're going to have to pay for towing again to hav the same part replaced again. the tow bill alone is well over 100.00. i called vw and they tell me that my car is not part of the recalll that is now in effect for the brake light switch. this car is costing me a fortune and she has had it only 1 year and it has only 48,000 miles. this car has been in the shop more times then out. i will never buy another vw. they are totally junk.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS - SWITCH
01/01/19011
 2001 volkswagen beetle with turn signal problems customer states that the hazard warning switch rendered the turn signals inoperative or intermittent**cc the consumer believed his vehicle should have been a part of the recall that was issued. the consumer was told the cause of the failure was due to high current loads from the bulbs used that were overheating the relay. *jb
01/12/200664260104/21/2004
 Turn signal/hazard flasher on 2001 volkswagen new beetle failed in same way as described in your recall #04v584000-which applies to other models but not new beetle. occurrence date: 12 january 2006, mileage 64,200 approx. this is same behavior already identified by you. i request that investigation be opened to broaden the recall to this model. i am trying to find replacement part. *jb
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS - UNIT
10/12/2006119750100006/11/2003
 Emergency light switch (hazard switch) there was a vw recall issued to replace this switch that not only controls the hazard flashers but also the turn signals, in the jetta, golf, & gti. my beetle uses the same switch i am wondering why it was not included in this recall (vw recall vx). my switch has the same intermittent problem as described in the march 2005 recall letter, i will be replacing the switch on my own accord, but this bulletin should include the vw new beetle model in my opinion. *nm
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS
02/28/200662738207/29/2001
 These are secondary safety issues: 1) gas gauge requires $700 instrument cluster 2) headlights shipped from factory missing retainer band and require $650 fix just to align. vw san jose, ca invoice 441148 on 2001 vw beetle lemon 3vwdd21c21m460086. *nm
12/14/2004101/16/2001
 Multiple requests to have our 2001 new beetle tdi headlights adjusted properly have not been complied with by gurley-leep vw service department, since the first year of ownership, 2001 when the car was new.*ak specifically: low beam headlights are set far, far too low; i estimate the headlights illuminate about 60 feet in front of the vehicle, limiting travel at night to ~35 mph; this is obviously a safety hazard for two reasons: 1) we can't see hazards soon enough, and 2) our lower speeds present a hazard to other vehicles traveling at higher (normal) speeds. when i ask why the headlights are set too low, i'm told by service department personnel that they're set to spec. latest, 12/14/04: service department again told us they set the headlights to spec, but the right light assembly doesn't stay in adjustment, i.e., it drops, and we need to buy a new assembly at about $330.00. this is a strange situation because the left headlight illuminates the road at the same distance as the right headlight, and the gurley leep service department people did not tell us there was a problem with the left. bottom line: this is apparently either a manufacturing defect or a poorly managed maintenance department; either way it is a safety hazard and must be corrected by vw at no charge.
03/01/200332000308/01/2001
 I have had the headlight bulbs (low beams) 3 times in my new beetle. the manufacturer suggested that i not run the lights while driving during the day. they said that excessive use of the headlights will cause the bulbs to burn out faster. sorry, but the headlights come on automatically when the car is on and the parking brake is released. so the lights are on all the time the vehicle is available for motion. the driver has no control on the use of the headlights orther than engaging the parking brake while driving. hmmm, does not sound like an alternative that is useful. the lay person can not change these bulbs, it takes a mechanic to remove/disassemble the entire lamp assembly to get to the bulb. and vw is not reasonable in their replacement cost (labor) of this part. especially after the third time in 13 months.*ak
01/20/2002105/01/2001
 Headlight is burned out. to replace it you have to take the fender off of the vehicle. a coworker of mine also has a new beetle and his headlight burnt out within a year. also driving around you constantly see new beetles with burned out headlights. i think this must be a manufactuerer defect that needs to be addressed. i have to note the dealership will repair it for free since the car is less than a year old, however i don't believe the headlights should burn out this frequently.*ak
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TURN SIGNAL - FLASHER UNIT
03/20/20076450099906/09/2006
 Turn signals operate intermittently or cease working after a few flashes. the immediate failure modeviolates the fmvss, and subjects the driver to citations for failing to properly signal a turn and/or defective equipment. safety hazard for surrounding traffic putting vehicle at greater risk. *ak
10/12/2006119750100006/11/2003
 Emergency light switch (hazard switch) there was a vw recall issued to replace this switch that not only controls the hazard flashers but also the turn signals, in the jetta, golf, & gti. my beetle uses the same switch i am wondering why it was not included in this recall (vw recall vx). my switch has the same intermittent problem as described in the march 2005 recall letter, i will be replacing the switch on my own accord, but this bulletin should include the vw new beetle model in my opinion. *nm

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