Brake Light Switch Problems of Volkswagen Jetta - part 1

Brake light switch failure.

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I have a 2002 Volkswagen Jetta and I have a brake light switch issue (brake light stays on and a dct(p0571) is set) that was described in the recall/replacement, but the VIN group that this applies to is 3vw---9m-ym000089 to 3vw---9m-2m053565, as you can see, mine is just out side the high VIN. The VIN range should be readdressed to include all 2002 model Jettas with cruise control. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

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2006 Volkswagen Jetta is equipped with brake light switch part number 3b0 945 511 which was the subject of a recall (recall 07v063000) in 2003-2005 passat and passat wagon.

I have received a recall notice that only allows me to get a repair at an authorized dealership. I live in a rural area 4 hours from the closest dealership. They will not allow me to repair it locally and get re-imbursed. It is 4 hours to this dealership meaning an overnight stay. The total cost of the trip is more than the repair. Is there any option to get this repaired locally? no accident. . . . . . . . . . Yet. The recall is for a defective brake light switch.

See all problems of the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta 🔎.

The contact owns a 2005 Volkswagen Jetta. In April of 2007, the contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 07v063000 (exterior lighting:brake lights:switch). The vehicle was repaired at that time. Approximately a year and a half later, the brake light switch began to fail again. When the brake pedal was depressed, the brake light switch would not stop illuminating on the instrument panel and the vehicle would not shift gears. The vehicle was turned off approximately three times and, finally, the brake light dimmed and the vehicle became mobile. The failure occurred intermittently for one month and the contact called the dealer. She was informed that the brake light switch was defective. The manufacturer stated that since the failure occurred more than twelve months later, they were not liable for the repairs. The current mileage was 71,707 and failure mileage was 71,207. Updated 03-09-09 the shifter would not come out of park. The fuel pump was noisey and which was replaced by the dealer. Updated 03/12/09.

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I have had 27 things break or fail on my 03vw Jetta 1. 8t. I bought the car used in 01/06 with 32,000 miles. After buying the car the first five mins the window shattered. First two months 2 tires blew out, front rim cracked, back tires out of alignment. Dealer paid to fix rim broke 2 weeks later the dealer paid fo used set of similar rims. Every light inside and out went out by 05/06 driver seat wont raise up cargo net in trunk falls apart dealer wont cover. Gas and trunk release buttons fell down inside of door. Radio stopped working front door speakers are shorting out. Driver window switch goes up when you push down and down when you push down have to fiddle with it for it to go up. Exhaust hanger broke causing chatter. Swaybar bushing fell out causing grinding and shaking when ever moving. Not cover by warranty all these happened by 05/07. Now its 10/08 and I have 84,000 miles. Current problems are rear spoiler brake light hangs down(dealer just glued it in place lasted about 4 months) cam and crank seals leaking oil cause odor inside of cabin. If I drive for more then an hour I get sick and light-headed. Seat, cargo net in trunk, is still broken. Radio still isn't fixed so I just went and bought an after market. Speakers still shortening out only when its cold out. Keyless entry only works within 4ft of the car. In the winter the car only gets 18mpg on the highway and about 14 in the city and the car is parked in a heated underground garage.

See all problems of the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta 🔎.

The brake light stays on and will not turn off resulting in a dead battery and a very unsafe condition while driving. I drove for a half a day without knowing the light was staying on. A couple of people honked at me, but I did not know why. I also could not figure out why my cruise control did not work. I figured out the brakelight switch was not working when I came out of home depot after dark and I thought I left my lights on. It turned out it was the brakelight switch. I called a volkswagon repair shop and they said there was a recall on it and I should not have to pay. When I called Volkswagen dealer service to repair it, they denied any recall. I did a little search on the internet and I now see they have a history of brakelight switch failures on Jettas and beetles. They told me my vehicle is out of warranty also as it has 59,400 miles on it and it is a 2006 Jetta tdi. I bought this car thinking it will go 250,000 miles with no problems and am saddened by this type of treatment for a safety issue which they have a history of. I have driven many cars over 250,000 miles without a brake switch failure. It seems Volkswagen does not know how to remedy the failures on the mexican made vehicles on something as simple as a brake light switch which should be designed for a near infinite life since it is a safety issue. It is not like a fan switch. I am probably one of the first to see the failure as I have put on an unusually high amount of miles, but most of them are highway miles. When I get it repaired, I can get the old part. I hope to get it repaired tomorrow.

I have a 2000 vw Jetta already have had experienced multiple stalling events as a result of one or more ignition coil plugs malfunctioning on my 2000 vw Jetta as a result of the engine stalling I experienced a loss of power steering and increased braking efforts when I pulled vehicle over to the side of the road to control the vehicle. After a few minutes parked on the shoulder was able to restart vehicle although the engine operated at reduced power. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Also my brake lights have been sticking on and not working all the time as well. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Not sure how to explain this one but here goes right by my ac switch on my car there is a button that is supposed to circulate the air through the car but when I push it in a light on my dashboard comes on and says brake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and I have a loss of brake power, also my cruise control has stopped working and my hazards have stopped as well was hoping you might be able to help me as the dealer does not want to do anything about my issues.

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My 2002 vw Jetta experienced a recall problem (n4, brake light switch) and I fixed it through a nearest mechanic because 1) the closest vw dealer is 100 mile away 2) I was scare to drive 100 mile on highway without a proper brake light. However, vw refused to reimburse me for the repairs since I fixed it through an independent facility. I am so sad and disappointed that vw is not considering divers life and safety seriously and is willing to push us to drive hundred miles with a recalled car without a brake light.

The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving approximately 50 mph on normal road conditions; the brake warning light indicator illuminated on the instrument panel intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection and the failure was contributed to the brake light switch. The vehicle was repaired; however, on a separate occasion the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for the identical failure. Nhtsa campaign id number 07v063000, exterior lighting,brake lights; switch was repaired per the recall. The failure recurred after the recall remedy was performed. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 95,000.

Vehicle failed to start on multiple occasions due to insufficient battery charge. Owner observed brake lights including chmsl would come on independently while the vehicle was parked, shut off, and unoccupied with no brake pedal application. No other lights were on at the same time interior, headlights, turn signals were on. This was presumably the cause of the battery drain issue. On multiple occasions after jump starting the vehicle owner observed loss of power while trying to accelerate. Input to the accelerator was momentarily ineffective and had trouble maintaining highway speed. The engine did not stall and no fault codes were generated. Power was restored after a few seconds, but the symptoms would occur several times during a drive. Vehicle was brought to a Volkswagen dealership service facility (lindsay vw in sterling, va) on 7/13/2007. The owner described the above symptoms to the service advisor. The owner was called later on the same date and told that the dealership could not verify the claim and that no repair was performed. Took car to a different dealer (fairfax vw) who correctly diagnosed the problem as a faulty brake light switch. The repair part is the same part used in the recall. The car was fixed under warranty and the repair invoice even states "recall" on it but the dealer says my car is not part of the recall and I never received notification.

The contact owns a 2001 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact took her vehicle to the dealer for recall # 04v096000 (exterior lighting:brake lights:switch). She was charged a diagnostic fee. After the recall work was performed, the lights illuminated again. The dealer has not been notified. The contact stated that the dealer gave her a list of repairs that need to be performed on the vehicle. The total cost for the repairs will be $2,000. The purchase date and failure mileage were unknown. The current mileage is 36,860.

: the contact stated while depressing the brake pedal the brake lights failed to illuminate. A NHTSA recall, #04v096000 was performed on the vehicle concerning, the brake light switch however, the recall did not remedy the problem. The brake light switch was also replaced on five separate occasions in addition to the recall. A revised recall #06v183000 concerning the brake light switch has been issued.

: the contact stated while traveling 45 mph, the rear brake lights stayed illuminated without depressing the brake pedal. There was a NHTSA recall #04v096000, regarding exterior lighting:brake lights:switch. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the year. Updated 08/1/07.

: the contact stated the brake light switch had to be replaced. There was a NHTSA recall #06v183000 regarding the brake light switch. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. Updated 01/19/07.

: the contact stated while driving 60 mph, the brake lights were non responsive. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who determined the brake switch failed. There was a NHTSA recall #04v096000 regarding the exterior lighting:brake lights:switch. The vehicle was exhibiting the same characteristics as indicated in the recall however, it was not included in the recall due to the VIN.

Brake light switch failed, resulting in no brake lights. This was repaired by dealer only to fail again within a few days. When the brake light switch fails the brakes ether do not work or stay on when the pedal is pushed. Also if the brake lights do stay on the accelerator is non responsive since it is electronically controlled. This same switch has been recalled in previous model years, the same switch is being used in this model.

- the contact stated the brake light switch failed three times . The exterior brake light failed at 23,000, 40,000 & 42,000 miles. When the failure happened the epc light turned on and sometimes it turned on intermittently. The brake light switch has been replaced three times. Updated 1/30/2007 -.

: 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 own a 2003 vw Jetta tdi. On 10/17/2006 I was driving down the interstate at 72 mph when my glow plug light began flashing. I had recently replaced the glow plugs so I contacted the dealership. They stated that it was most likely the brake light switch. I was not told that this problem causes the brake lights not to work. I later found out that other vw Jetta model years have the same defect and a recall has been issued for 99-02 models. Apparently 03 models have the same problem but dealers are not informing their customers of the safety issues related to a malfunction in the brake light switch.

Driving on the highway at night I noticed that my cruise control was inoperative. I researched the problem when I got home on a vw related website and found out that this was most likely due to a brake light switch located under the driver near the brake pedal. When the brake light switch is not working it causes the cruise control to also stop working. What I also found out is that since this switch was broken all my brake lights were not functioning. There would have been no way for me to become aware that my brake lights were not functioning unless I had connected the problem by researching it online. This poses a serious safety risk for those who would not associate a cruise control problem with the brake switch and therefore be driving around unknowingly without brake lights and could cause an accident by not having the proper brake lights operational. Fortunately in my situation it did not result in a rear end collision. I understand that vwofa has issued a recall for 1999-2002 models and I have a 2003 Jetta. It frustrates me that vw is not responsible enough to extend this warranty to later model years as the part has not changed. In my opinion they wait until they get enough complaints for the newer years before they authorize recalls for those years. (the 2004's will fail later and so on and so on). The part number that failed on my car is 1j0 945 511 c (on my car, but current part number is f revision). I hope that this complaint will get vwofa to be responsible for this serious safety related issue.

: the contact stated while driving various speeds, the engine intermittently stalled without warning and the brake lights were inoperative. The contact inspected the vehicle, and determined the spark ignition coil and brake light switch had malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. There was a NHTSA recall, # 04v096000, regarding the brake light switch. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. The manufacturer was alerted. Updated 10/30/2006 -.

2003 vw Jetta brake light switch became inoperable. This caused me to have no brake lights. This almost caused an accident as a person traveling behind be did not know I was stopping. Even more concerning is there is no indication light to let the driver of the Jetta know this has happened. Vw had a recall on the 2002 model of this car for this exact same problem. . Read more...

: the contact stated while driving various speeds, the epc engine protection control light illuminated without incident. The vehicle was inspected by dealer who determined when the epc light illuminated; this was indicating the exterior brake lights were inoperative. There was a NHTSA recall, # 04v096000, regarding the brake lights. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. The manufacturer was notified.

I purchased a 2003 vw Jetta tdi wagon about a year ago, used. This car has been really great to me thus far, until my glow plug light started flashing at me the other day. After checking the manual, which basically said there was an internal error, and not much more, I decided to check the internet for more information. The search results mentioned that it is most likely a brake light switch problem and either the brake lights stay on, or shut off completely. So, after my wife checked the back of the car while I pressed on the brakes, sure enough, my brake lights no longer work! I checked the web some more, and it looks as if there was a recall for 98-02 Jettas for the very same problem. . Read more...

2003 vw Jetta. Brake light switch is broken causing the vehicle to be undriveable. Also, the driver side windows keeps falling into the door.

Way to many to list here. I have had problems from the start. More than $7000 worth of repair (plus more that was covered by warr) the final item that caused me to say I would never consider another vw product was the engine damage caused by a timing belt failure. All services were performed at the dealership. The users manual states inspection of the belt at services (that I paid for) and replacement at 120,000 miles. I only had 92,000 miles. It will cost $5,000 to repair the engine. It is not cost effective to repair this car. It was a great car to drive but quality control is poor at best.

I own a 2002 Jetta 1. 8t manual speed wagon purchased on 3/31/06. Less than four months out of warranty, my brake light switch has failed. There has been numerous recalls on 2002 Jetta's with the same defective part, however my car's VIN was not included on the recall. As there are few manual wagons produced and manual transmissions seem to decrease the failure slightly, the defective brake light switch on this car was not included in the recall. The defective brake light switch is the same part as the recalled 2002 Jettas and should be included in the recall or at least be required to be replaced by vw as it is a known faulty part. I would like to include my VIN on the recall as it is using the same defective part (as the recalled vehicles).

The brake switch light in my vw Jetta has had to be replaced three times. When this switch is not working, the brake lights of my car are inoperable, leading to a great risk of accident. My Jetta is not currently in the recall that has been issued, but I continue having problems with the brake light switch.

The epc light came on while I was driving my vehicle. I turned off my car when I arrived at my destination. I read the manual, and it was not helpful. It just stated that I should take the car to a dealer or qualified specialist as soon as possible (note: this is what the booklet says for the majority of items in the owners' manual). Upon returning to my vehicle, I started my car once more. My engine turned over, but the car was unable to shift from park into any other gear. The vehicle had to be towed to an auto shop. Upon further inspection, the auto shop informed me that my car had a "feature" that disabled the car from shifting gears due to a tail-light fuse that blew out. It is believed that disabling the vehicle serves the purpose of maintaining safety on the streets- a vehicle in motion without taillights is apparently more dangerous than a driver stranded on the road because their car has stranded them. Luckily, I was fortunate enough not to be in a bad situation. So finally, the car was fixed, of course after I paid yet another hefty bill for my car.

: the contact stated the brake lights were constantly illuminated, whether the vehicle was on or off. There was a NHTSA recall, # 04v096000, regarding the brake light switch. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.

: the contact stated the brake lights did not work. There was a NHTSA recall, # 06v183000, regarding the exterior lighting: brake lights: switch. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN .

Failure of brake light switch leading to unsafe operation of vehicle. Improperly designed brake switch failed at 19,000 miles causing rear brake lights to no longer function.

I own a 2001 Volkswagen Jetta with a 2. 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lv6 engine and 5-speed manual transmission. On 03 Aug 2006 (mileage: 84028) I had the brake light switch replaced at my own expense when the ecl indicator came on. This is the second time in 19 months I have had to replace the same brake light switch. The first time was 10 November 2004 (mileage: 68184) in which the repair was performed under NHTSA recall #04v-09600 (20 February 2004). In both cases the repairs were performed by lithia Volkswagen of thornton, colorado. The first switch replacement used part #1j0-945-511-d, which was different from the most recent replacement using part #1j0-945-511-f. This implies a new brake light switch was designed by Volkswagen because of flaws with the design used to respond to the NHTSA recall. My complaint is that the second incident of this brake switch failure should have been covered by either the February 2004 recall that repaired the first instance or the new recall 06v183000. Since the brake light is a critical safety feature of the vehicle it should be designed to function longer than 19 months. Its failure places my family and I at risk of injury or even death due to a rear end collision because of Volkswagens inability to properly design a brake light switch. This safety system should be expected to operate the life of the automobile to protect its occupants. Volkswagen should make a serious effort to correct this problem permanently or demonstrate their commitment to customer safety by replacing the switch at manufacturer expense. When I discussed this with Volkswagen customer service (1-800-822-8987, ref. #60279193) they claimed this service was not covered by either recall and since the part had performed past the manufacturer warranty it was my responsibility to repair the switch at my own expense.

No event leading up to the failure. I did not receive notification of any recalls relating to my brake light switch. Brake light switch no longer functions reliably on '00 Jetta with 70,000+ miles; car does not shift out of park until brake pedal is pressed repeatedly and then only works inconsistently, cruise control system is inoperable- there is an apparent malfunction with brake light switch and relates to descriptions of recalls on 99-02 Jetta / new beetles. I called vw regarding open recalls for brake light switch defects and I was told my VIN was not subject to any recalls. Will follow up with local dealer who will repair the problem- I have been advised by NHTSA customer service to retain my receipts and documentation for matters relating to this issue as it seems to relate to recalls: 03v-265 or 04v-096 and vw recall no. N4.