Brake Light Switch problems of the 2004 Volkswagen Passat

Our 2004 Passat's brake lights went out recently. There was no warning light or other process that told us the lights were out. We were almost in a car accident because the driver behind us didn't see our brake lights. After doing research I found that vw issued a recall for the brake light switch in 2007. . . But we never received such notice. I think this is a serious safety issue that should be communicated to the public.

I received a recall notice regarding my 2004 vw Passat (replacing the brake light switch). I had my repairs completed at an authorized vw service center in October 2007 and sent my form to vw for reimbursement. I received a call on 1/10/08 informing me that the deadline for the repair was 9/23/07. The recall letter I received was dated September 2007 and did not indicate that there was a deadline for the repair. The vw customer care center is saying that they will not reimburse me for this repair.

6/30 I drove my 2004 vw Passat wagon. I had used the cruise control and had to slow down, I attempted to re-activate the cruise control, it would not respond. I tried again the following day and it worked. 7/3, I parked my car for an hour appt. I returned to my car to find the brake lights were on. I turned the car on, tapped the brakes and turned it off. The brake lights stayed on. I had to leave town for a few days and upon returning, called my dealer, ontario vw. 7/9 I made an appt to service the car. Sylvia in service made the appt. She mentioned there was a recall on the brake light switch. After making the appt, I researched the recall. I found the NHTSA site. Nhtsa had a campaign id # 07v063000 for 6 makes of Volkswagen, varying years, all for brake light switch malfunction. The description matched my problem exactly. Later on the 9th, I went to drop off my car for repair. I was checked in and told my car was not affected by the recall. Jose meza, senior service advisor, told me my VIN # had no recall. I explained about the info I found and he said I was incorrect. He did not offer to research anything about it. My car is under warranty and will be repaired. My issue is with the handling of this situation and the lack of interest on the part of ontario vw and vw corp, whom I called to complain and was also told that my VIN # did not reflect a recall. If 5 other vw makes have the same problem and are under recall, why am I being challenged about including my car in the recall? this is a serious safety issue as the brake lights can become inoperable without my knowledge. Vehicle safety should be the priority for all manufacturers and dealerships and I am shocked at the lack of interest I am receiving from all I contact about this issue. Including the NHTSA that told me I could file a general complaint and possibly be included in a future recall but could not offer specific help with anything else.

On occasion the brake lights will stay on after car has been parked and turned off. The brake lights will also stay on with no foot pressure on the pedal while driving.

Brake light switch failed intermittently over a period of two years, finally failed completely. Whenever the switch was operating poorly it kicked out the cruise control.

Cruise control and rear brake light failure on 2004 vw Passat.

The brake light switch keeps failing. It causes the electronic stability control to be disabled and keeps the stop lights on, even when the brake pedal is not depressed. I've had the brake like switch replaced 6 times now over the past 2. 5 years.