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
07V063000VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INCfrom 10/01/2000 to 11/30/2004V (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

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

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
12/24/20121226421
 Headlights dimming- to point where you can not tell they are on. engine light comes on despite all diagnostics stating all is ok with car. periodically fails to start-despite diagnostics that state starter, battery, drain altenator all good and functioning properly. car jumps easily with boost. *tr
12/24/2012122642
 Headlights dimming- to point where you can not tell they are on. engine light comes on despite all diagnostics stating all is ok with car. periodically fails to start-despite diagnostics that state starter, battery, drain altenator all good and functioning properly. car jumps easily with boost
05/04/201172790
 We have a 2004 vw jetta, but this concern is with most 7 year old and older vehicles. the headlight construction is inferior to vehicles earlier in the 1900s
05/05/201060000
 My car's signal light switch malfunctions periodically leading to the signal light becoming stuck in a left or right hand turn position blinking at a fast speed. this is occuring about 25% of the time while driving. as a consequence i have to make unsafe lane changes (eg. when changing into r lane the signal light be stuck in the left hand blinking sequences from the previous left turn). to correct the failure the signal light arm has to be replaced.
08/20/20081
 Rear lights go out- tail lights, brake lights, turn signals, etc... have replaced the bulbs numerous times. was told by people following me that they tend to flicker on and off and then just off. also was pulled over by police officer in sept. bought this used @ vw dealership in june, it had approximately 52,000 at that time. *tr
06/16/2008520001
 I own a 2004 volkswagen jetta wagon tdi. the original owner sold the car to me and complained of poor lighting. i have repeatedly brought the vehicle to dealership and the problem has not been resolved. there is no peripheral lighting and the lights do not project far enough to see and have dark spots. i hit a bear 6 wks. ago and directly blame the lights for an impaired ability to react. the plastic lens are also a problem as they yellow and scratch over time diminishing visibility by approx 50%. a problem that does not occur with glass lens and is particularly bad in places like colorado where magnesium chloride is applied to the roads in winter. *tr
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - BRAKE LIGHTS - SWITCH
05/30/200641075103/01/2004
 Dt*: the contact stated while applying brake pressure at various speeds, the rear brake light and turn signals failed to illuminate without warning. the vehicle was inspected by a dealer who determined the brake light switch malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. there was a nhtsa recall, # 06v183000, regarding the exterior lighting. the vehicle was not included in the recall due to the vin. additionally, the driver side window glass stuck within the window retainer, and would not roll up. the dealer determined the window glass needed retainer clips installed. afterwards, the problem persisted. the manufacturer was notified.