Two problems related to brake light switch have been reported for the 2001 Volkswagen Golf. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2001 Volkswagen Golf based on all problems reported for the 2001 Golf.
I have received a recall notice that requiresd me to bring the car to the dealer for repairs. I have not confidence that the dealers in my area will perform the repair without damaging the car in other non covered areas. Therefore, I will not bring the car to the dealer for repair. Safety recall n4 Volkswagen.
Vw Golf 2001 unable to shift from park or neutral with ignition "on". Potentially dangerous. Fortunately this time car was not in a dangerous location. This is the second failure of the brake light switch (and automatic shift lock switch) in this car with only 30588 miles. Replaced at dealer. I have the failed switch and (as an engineer) can see many flaws in the design, leading to arcs and contact sticking or non-operation. Research on the internet shows that many other owners have had this problem, some over 6 times. Applicable over a range of vw models and years. Canada had a recall for some vw models. Vw should replace the switches with a better design under a lifetime warranty as a dangerous defect. My wife or one of the many others could have been trying to get off a train track when the thing locked.