The defect
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION.
The risk
IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LAMPS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE; OR THE LAMPS COULD COME ON AND STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCHES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 26, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen New Beetle | 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 |
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen New Beetle | 1998 | 30 | 1 |
| Volkswagen New Beetle | 1999 | 34 | 1 |
| Volkswagen New Beetle | 2000 | 40 | 2 |
| Volkswagen New Beetle | 2001 | 39 | 3 |
Other exterior lighting recalls in 2003
18 of the 527 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2003 concerned the exterior lighting; VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC filed 204 campaigns in all.
| 03V509000 4 Dec 2003 | JAGUAR CARS LTD |
| 03V485000 25 Nov 2003 | BENSON INTERNATIONAL, INC. |
| 03V388000 10 Oct 2003 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 03V327000 28 Aug 2003 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 03V262000 22 Jul 2003 | HACKNEY |
| 03V258000 22 Jul 2003 | INDIAN MOTORCYCLE COMPANY |
| 03V217000 10 Jun 2003 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 03V206000 5 Jun 2003 | MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2003