Brake Light problems of the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta

The vw Jetta vr6 2001 that I purchased last year for $7,000 (financing through my credit union) is a lemon. I have had it less than a year and already spent $2000 on minor repairs and I estimate that right now it needs about $4000 more in the next few months. I believe that sundance improperly sold this car, knowing that a massive amount of things are wrong with it. I had a garage with which they are affiliated look at it and completely misrepresented the shape of the car. Since acquiring it I have been plagued with difficulties with it, from head lights mysteriously going out, to the water pump failing, to the serpentine coil failing, now to the air compressor failing, as well as the computer to the a/c, and today it is the epc code (which I believe has something to do with either the catalytic converter, or computer - but the thing is losing power and the brake lights don't work which is a major safety hazard), not to mention the transmission slips and will need to be replaced. Having been plagued with these issues, I have come to find out that there are many other vw Jetta vr6 2001 owners who are adamant that this car is a manufactured lemon. Vw needs to be in some way held accountable - all of us have had nightmarish lives and are paying for the defects every day.

: the contact stated after driving 35 mph on normal road conditions, the brake lights remained illuminated. There were no warning lights indicating any malfunctions. The manufacturer was contacted who determined the vehicle was not included in recall # 06v183000 nor in # 04v096000 due to the VIN. The contact was very concerned because the brake light defect described in the recalls matched the problem the vehicle presented.

I have had my 2001 Jetta Volkswagen for 3 years bought it used in those 3 years have had the epc light come on 4 different occasions. One of the time that had the dealership fix feel under the recall list. Since then it has failed 2 different times the latest of the 2 once in November when the dealership mechanic stated we know about the problem here is the phone to corporate to complain that is all we can do. Now in August it has failed again while my wife was driving on the freeway for no reason. When the epc light comes on the brake fail to work at all. Luckily my wife was not in a car accident that day but could have been since the brakes do not work.

Brake light switch has failed for the 2nd time in 2 years. The brake lights do not work when the brakes are applied. There is no indication in the car to indicate that the brake lights are not working.

Normal operation of vehicle until the failure occurred. No incidents as of yet. Both tail lights and window brake lights do not illuminate. Car was serviced on a previous recall.

My brake lights are constantly going out. I will replace the left and then a month or so later I have to replace the right, or the center brake light or the license plate light. I am replacing about 4-5 lights per year on the rear of the vehicle. Also numerous electrical problems. 1/2 of the interior lights are no longer working, and when I unlock the car it will automatically lock on me within 15 seconds unless I start the engine.

The 2001 v. W. Jetta: this vehicle burns an excessive amount of oil, approximately 1 quart per month, in daily, everday usage, city traffic and short highway trips, an exorbitant amount of oil, even with regular oil/filter changes. V. W. Has not notified me of this problem, nor corrected it and dealers' will do nothing about it. The driver's side, shoddy, flip-back, plastic arm rest is broken, cheaply made, it will not retain or hold the driver's arm, it is located adjacent and near the auto. Transmission gear shift, it could and does fail, a safety hazard. Rear tail and brake lights burn-out at excessive rates, often enough for it to be a nuisance, to replace them. Please have v. W. Correct these problems @ their own expense, not mine, owner.

I noticed on the incident date that the brake lights were on when the car was turned off and parked. I tried to get the brake lights to go off by gently tapping on the brake pedal, but they would not. I was told by the dealership that it was probably the brake light switch. And that many of their Jetta customers were complaining about their brakes lights being on. I was also told that this item was not covered under waranty. This is not a wear and tear item. If this is a common occurence then Volkswagen should pick up the cost to repair this malfunction. There should be some kind of recall issued for this occurrence.

My passenger rear brake light has burnt out aproximately five time since I purchased the vehicle - I asked the dealer to inspect to see if there was a short causing the lights to burn out and was told that it is normal wear and tear. Funny thing is that my driver's side brake light has never burnt out in three years and I have two friends with the exact same problem same side and everything.

Consumer complained about a transmission problem. Transmission will not go into reverse. Also, consumer was told that there was a problem with the brake light. Water intrusion from the driver's side of the vehicle leaving 1/2" of water on floorboard. Consumer reporting this condition results in slippery pedals and windows fogging up.

Back brake lights have worn out, and the light to acknowledge that brakes need service has not come on yet. Contacted dealer, and the dealer was not willing to do anything.

I have had nothing but problems after purchasing my brand new 2001 v. W Jetta. I had vehicle only 6 months and it left me stranded due to malfunction of emission control sensor. 5 months after that, ignition lock cylinder was inoperable, needing them to repair. 2 months later, owned for 1 yr 1 month, car was burning a lot of oil so consumption test was done and determined to be true,that the car was in fact consuming abnormal amount of oil. As "a courtesy to me, the customer" Volkswagen replaced piston rings, rod bearings and deglazed cylynder walls. They had my car 6 days to rebuild engine. 6 months later car was shaking really bad when driving on the freeway, took it in and service technition discovered that rear brakes were warped and rear brake pads had "premature wear. " those were replaced. Throughout this course of time the passenger brake light had been replace 2 times,air condition vent was not working and had to be remove and install new center air outlet,armrest broke and had to be replaced, glove compartment latch broke, and the brake lights have gone out and been repaired numerous times but are still faulty,not working at this time. Volkswagen has treated me as though I was the one inconviencing them!! I regret purchasing this vehicle and will continue discouraging anyone from ever buying a Volkswagen! I don't feel safe in this car!! after doing some research I see now that I am not alone. Knowing there are many other vw's on the road with the same mechanical problems my car, I'm concerned with the safety of others as well as myself!.

Numerous problems with 2001 vw Jetta, purchased new in June, 2001. Including : windows sporadically malfunctioning (when I called vw corporate as well as my local dealer, I was told that after the dealer evaluated problem I could be responsible for the labor charge depending on the outcome of their diagnosis!!); trunk latch has been replaced once (out of warranty) and now latch does not respond to remotes nor to the inside release on driver door; driver door lock does not respond to remotes nor to control on driver door (the other three door locks are presently functioning); interior coating on plastic door handles and center console began to peel within six months of delivery; center console latch broke long ago; check engine light comes on/off sporadically (brought car to certified mechanic but problem undiagnosed); a wax substance was constantly running into doorwells; vw dealer replaced coil, cables and buffer in response to rough engine idle complaint and I incurred all costs and inconvenience of car in shop , this at 72,000 miles,hazard lights malfunctioned; turn signals malfunctioned; now I hear of a brake light recall and an emergency light switch problem. I am just realizing recently that I am not alone with my Jetta problems, that numerous jjetta owners are having the same problems ( I researched on internet) . Vw customer service not helpful at all in resolving these problems.

Since I have had my Jetta I have had to keep oil in the trunk because the car burns oil, I was told by the dealer that it is normal for a car to use that much oil, I have had to have the brake switch replaced, the arm rest latch replaced, cd player replaced twice, my passenger rear brake lights burn out regularly (only passenger side), my key in the ignition alarm and lights left on alarm turned and stayed on everytime I drove my car. The dealer's solution to all these problems was to downgrade my car and buy a vw beetle. I purchased a 2002 used beetle - dealer allowed me take car and promised to fix anything on the following Monday. There was a light on the dash that was lit up called epc - I asked the dealer what the light was for and they said that the alignment needed to be adjusted no big deal they would fix it when I returned on Monday. I drove the car off the lot got about 20 miles for the dealership and the car died on the freeway!!!!! while waiting for the tow truck I read in the car manual that epc stood for electric power control - it said if this light goes on do not attempt to drive - tow to dealership immediately - after that I marched right back to the dealer and got my Jetta back - however I still have all of the above problems and few to add to the list defective electric window, noisy brakes when in reverse even after brakes were replaced. I can't wait to turn the piece of @#$%# in to the dealer when my lease is up and walk away - I just feel sorry for the fool they turn around and sell it to!.

Nothing but problems!!! the day I was to pick my car up, driver window needed replacement. Since then it has fallen into door 3 times. Air conitioner leaked into interior, soaking carpets and smells bad. Brake lights stuck on when car is off, arm rest and glove box broke. Received zero help from dealership or volks. Of America. What is next???.

Brake lights went out repeatedly. Vehicle has been in the repair shop a number of times, yet the problem keeps recurring. Vehicle was in an accident due to brake light failure.