One problem related to headlight switch has been reported for the 2001 Volkswagen Passat. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2001 Volkswagen Passat based on all problems reported for the 2001 Passat.
On two separate occasions the connector and wiring harness providing power to the driver's side and passenger's side headlights on the 2001 Volkswagen Passat GLS melted and the headlights failed. If I did not take immediate action the electrical short in these connectors may have triggered a fire. The driver's side socket/wiring harness melted and the wiring harness was replaced in October of 2004. The passenger's side socket/wiring harness melted and the wiring harness was replaced in April of 2007. While at the Volkswagen dealership to have passenger side wiring harness replaced I observed another Passat owner complaining of the same problem. A google search on the internet resulted in finding many other people that had this potentially dangerous problem as well.