Volkswagen recalls 790,000 cars to fix brake light switch
Associated Press | Link to Original Article @ DetNews

Volkswagen of America Inc. said Monday it would recall 790,000 vehicles because of problems with the brake light switch.

The recall involves several vehicles: 1999-2006 model years of the Golf and GTI, 2001-2005 Jettas, 2001-2007 New Beetles and the 2004 R32. It expands upon a recall announced last year of some Jettas and New Beetles because of the same defect.

Volkswagen told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that the brake light switches in the vehicles could malfunction if they were improperly installed.

The automaker said the light could either remain on or not function, which would fail to provide other motorists with the proper braking signal and potentially lead to a crash.

In some vehicles with automatic transmissions, a faulty brake light could work in tandem with the shift interlock to immobilize the vehicle and require towing, said VW spokesman Keith Price.

Last year, VW recalled 362,000 Jetta and New Beetle sedans because of similar problems with the brake lights. That recall affected Jettas from the 1999-2002 model years and New Beetles from the 1998-2002 model years.

Price said the latest recall is an extension of the previous one because the company "found that there was a broader pool of vehicles that had the defective part."

He said owners of 2001-2002 Jettas and New Beetles who already had the repairs completed following last year's recall would not need to return for a second time.

VW dealers will install the newly designed brake light switch free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in late April and owners may contact VW with questions at (800) 822-8987.

Will the Germans ever get electronics right?

Oh well, at least they don't steer off the road.

I've been saying ever since those Golfs and Jettas came out that they have a ridiculous number of burned out taillights, even on brand new cars. Wonder if this has something to do with that?

I've been saying ever since those Golfs and Jettas came out that they have a ridiculous number of burned out taillights, even on brand new cars. Wonder if this has something to do with that?

Excellent point... my sister's Jetta has burned out a few bulbs. We just took it in for this recall, so I wonder if things will change.

Wait, VW has sold 800K vehicles?

-RBB

Hmm... No mainstream media coverage.

What a surprise.

Anyone who's driven behind a VW Golf-Bug or Jetta in the past 5 years

could have told you this. The one thing that sucks about VWs more than

any other is their crappy wiring/electronics.

Does any know if this applies for the current gen 2005 model year Jetta?