2003 Volkswagen Jetta Brakes Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS INOPERABLE INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER DICK HANNAH DEALERSHIPS 10808 NE COXLEY DR, VANCOUVER, WA 98662 (360) 605-1726 WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V063000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.

NHTSA ID

11308305

Incident

Jan 21, 2020

Mileage

170,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL SANK TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE CAUSED FOUR OTHER VEHICLES TO CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT WHERE IT WAS SCHEDULED TO BE INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

NHTSA ID

10594350

Incident

Mar 21, 2014

Mileage

36,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS HESITATING. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL OVER AND APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE HIT A BOULDER AND FLIPPED OVER. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERAL BRUISES. A PASSENGER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED WRIST AND ANKLE, SEAT BELT RASH, AND BRUISING. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 110,000. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.

NHTSA ID

10376374

Incident

Jan 9, 2011

Mileage

110,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. HE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AT 30 MPH , BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE. AS A CONSEQUENCE HE REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. HE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY COLLISION CENTER; AND COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 78,000. UPDATED 12/10/09.*JB

NHTSA ID

10289892

Incident

Sep 26, 2006

Mileage

78,000 mi

TL*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.

NHTSA ID

10281535

Incident

Jul 20, 2007

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED CAUSING BRAKES LIGHTS TO STAY ILLUMINATED EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10215738

Incident

Jan 18, 2008

Mileage

70,000 mi

MAY OF 2004, VEHICLE BEGINS "LUNGING" WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP FINDINGS THERE WAS A TSB ON THIS ISSUE AND SOFTWARE WAS OUTDATED AND UPDATED BY DEALERSHIP. THIS SEEMED TO HAVE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM UNTIL OCTOBER 2004 WHEN THE "LUNGING" BEGAN OCCURRING AGAIN. ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CODE WAS FOUND IN THE ABS SECTION OF THE COMPUTER AND THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. MARCH OF 2005, "LUNGING" SYMPTOMS RETURNED. DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM THIS TIME. REPORTED SAME ISSUE AGAIN SEPTEMBER OF 2005, ISSUE NOT DIAGNOSED ONCE AGAIN. BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST 6 TIMES UP TO JANUARY 2006. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUES, BUT SWAPPED CIRCUIT BOARDS FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER AND CHECKED RESISTANCE OF THE CIRCUITS. SWAPPED BULB SOCKETS AND CLAIMED ISSUE RESOLVED. REPORTED SAME "LUNGING" ISSUE AS ABOVE, AGAIN FEBRUARY OF 2006. DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THROTTLE BODY EXTREMELY DIRTY. ISSUE RESOLVED FOR BRIEF STINT. JUNE OF 2006 TAIL LIGHTS CONTINUE TO BURN OUT. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS NO ISSUE FOUND. MAY OF 2007, BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN. LIGHT BULBS HAVE NOT BURNED OUT SINCE THIS REPLACEMENT. VW OF AMERICA, INC. REFUSES TO PAY FOR SERVICE CHARGES INCURRED TO SWAP CIRCUIT BOARDS EVEN THOUGH IT IS CLEARLY DUE TO FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACEMENT BACK IN OCTOBER OF 2004 (SAME DEFECTIVE SWITCH WAS USED AS REPLACEMENT). THERE IS A CLEAR LINE LEADING TO THE SWITCH BEING THE CAUSE OF ALMOST ALL LISTED PROBLEMS. ONCE THE RECALL WAS COMPLETE, THE ISSUES HAVE CEASED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10203227

Incident

May 21, 2004

I HAVE OWNED A VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (TURBO - 2003) AND HAVE HAD ONE HORRIBLE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER. WITHOUT FAIL, I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN FOR RANDOM MECHANICAL REPAIRS EVERY FEW MONTHS SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. I FOUND OUT THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN MEXICO AND THAT VW WAS AWARE OF HOW BAD THEIR CAR'S MANUFACTURED IN MEXICO WERE. IF THAT IS THE CASE, HOW CAN SO MANY CAR OWNERS WITH SO MANY MECHANICAL ISSUES CONTINUE TO SELL IN THIS COUNTRY? I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT VW FOR LACKLUSTER PERFORMANCE AND FOR CONTINUING MANUFACTURE IN AN AREA WELL KNOWN FOR ITS BELOW AVERAGE STANDARDS AND FOR CONTINUING TO BLEED THE CONSUMER WHEN IT IS FULLY AWARE OF THE ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10197150

Incident

Jan 1, 2003

Mileage

5,000 mi

STARTING CAR IN THE MORNING OR AT END OF WORK DAY AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. CAR CANNOT BE MOVED - BRAKES HAVE HISSING OR WHISKING SOUND WHEN PRESSED. CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN, UNLESS TURNING IGNITION TO FIRST ON POSITION PUTTING CAR IN NEUTRAL THEN STARTING THE CAR. *AK 2. BRAKES DO NOT WORK PROPERLY - CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE 3. DEALER CLAIMS THAT THERE IS SOME SORT OF BRAKE SWITCH THAT HAS A "UNIVERSAL RECALL" THAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I DID RESEARCH BEFORE BUYING MY '03 JETTA AND FOUND THAT SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT BRAKE FAILURE AND BRAKE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN ON-GOING. WHEN I QUESTIONED THE DEALER THEY KNEW NOTHING OF THE SORT AND SAID "IF THERE HAD BEEN PROBLEMS IN THE PAST THEY HAVE BEEN FIXED." APPARENTLY THESE PROBLEMS HAVE NOT - I CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE THEM AS HAVE OTHER JETTA OWNERS WITH WHOM I HAVE SPOKEN.

NHTSA ID

10196150

Incident

Jun 5, 2007

DT*: 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 *TR

NHTSA ID

10175748

Incident

Dec 9, 2006

Mileage

63,180 mi

DT*: 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.

NHTSA ID

10175572

Incident

Dec 7, 2006

Mileage

130,000 mi

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. *NM

NHTSA ID

10173376

Incident

Nov 6, 2006

Mileage

95,800 mi

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. *NM

NHTSA ID

10171479

Incident

Oct 17, 2006

Mileage

142,433 mi

2003 VW JETTA. BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH IS BROKEN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE UNDRIVEABLE. ALSO, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOWS KEEPS FALLING INTO THE DOOR. *NM

NHTSA ID

10171141

Incident

Sep 15, 2006

Mileage

65,000 mi

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. *NM

NHTSA ID

10170893

Incident

Oct 15, 2006

Mileage

63,000 mi

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. WHY NOT THE 2003? IT USES THE EXACT SAME PART! TO SEE JUST HOW RAMPANT THIS PROBLEM IS JUST LOOK AT HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/ZEROTHREAD?ID=1158315&PAGE=6. *NM

NHTSA ID

10169468

Incident

Sep 27, 2006

Mileage

38,000 mi

DT*: 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.

NHTSA ID

10169230

Incident

Sep 25, 2006

Mileage

61,000 mi

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. BEING THAT MINE IS A 2003, MY CAR DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL! I DID SOME MORE SEARCHES, AND HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM I FOUND THIS THREAD, WHICH DETAILS A DIY METHOD OF REPLACING THIS $10 PART. I'D RATHER DO THIS MYSELF IF I HAVE TO PAY THE DEALERSHIP TO WHAT AMOUNTS TO AN EXTORTION FEE FOR THIS 5 MINUTE JOB. IN MY HUMBLE OPINION, I THINK VW SHOULD REPLACE THIS PART, FREE OF CHARGE. I REALLY THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON MY JETTA MODEL BECAUSE THE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF PEOPLE BEHIND YOU AREN'T WARNED WHEN YOU BRAKE. THE FACT THAT THE WARNING LIGHTS DO NOT MENTION WHAT TYPE OF A PROBLEM THIS IS WOULD FURTHER LEAD TO MORE CONFUSION. THE FACT THAT THIS PROBLEM MAKES MY CAR ILLEGAL TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS FURTHER COMPLICATES THE PROCESS OF BRINGING IN THIS CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. *JB

NHTSA ID

10168460

Incident

Sep 16, 2006

Mileage

96,200 mi

MY WIFE'S 2003 VW JETTA TDI BRAKES WILL AGGRESSIVELY LOCK-UP WHEN LIGHTLY DEPRESSED FOR SLOWING DOWN OR COMING TO A SLOW STOP. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND WILL OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE BRAKES LOCK UP THEY CAN ONLY BE RELEASED AFTER PLACING YOUR FOOT UNDER THE PEDAL AND FORCING THE PEDAL BACKWARDS. IN THE EVENT ANOTHER DIVER FOLLOWS TOO CLOSE, THE FAILURE WILL RESULT IN A REAR END COLLISION POTENTIALLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURIES TO BOTH PARTIES. AFTER EXPERIENCING THE DEFECT THE CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO THE VW DEALER FOR SERVICE AND WE RECEIVED A "NO FAULT FOUND REPORT". NOW THE PROBLEM HAS BECOME SEVERE AND IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN FOR MY WIFE AND I. EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE ALTERNATOR PULLEY BEARINGS SEIZED AND THE PULLEY WAS EJECTED FROM THE ALTERNATOR CAUSING DAMAGE TO OTHER ENGINE COMPONENTS IN THE SERPENTINE SYSTEM. *NM

NHTSA ID

10164669

Incident

Aug 4, 2006

Mileage

60,000 mi

MY SITUATION IS VERY SIMILAR TO ODI ID NUMBER : 10136903. I HAVE A 2003 JETTA. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH, MY ABS WARNING LIGHT TURNED ON, AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT TURNED ON, AND MY RADIO TURNED OFF. AFTER STOPPING MY CAR, IT WOULDN'T START AGAIN. I HAD IT TOWED TO MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THAT MY FUSE PANEL (ABOVE THE BATTERY) HAD MELTED AND HE WAS VERY SURPRISED THAT MY CAR HADN'T CAUGHT ON FIRE. HE REPLACED THE FUSE PANEL. A FEW DAYS LATER, MY CAR FAILED TO START AGAIN. A JUMP START STARTED IT. NEXT DAY, MY CAR FAILED TO START AGAIN. A JUMP START STARTED IT. I DROVE IT STRAIGHT TO MECHANIC. MY ALTERNATOR, WHICH WAS FINE LAST WEEK, IS NOW FRIED (AFTER TWO DRIVES), MOST LIKELY BECAUSE THE FUSE PANEL BURNT IT OUT. THE ALTERNATOR IN MY 2003 JETTA IS A 90 AMP ALTERNATOR. VW STOPPED MAKING THESE BECAUSE THEY AREN'T POWERFUL ENOUGH FOR THE CARS. I REPEAT, 90 AMP ALTERNATORS ARE NO LONGER MADE FOR MY CAR BECAUSE IT REQUIRES 120 AMP ALTERNATOR. HMM. *NM

NHTSA ID

10164108

Incident

Jul 20, 2006

Mileage

65,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITION PROBLEMS WERE NOTICE WITH THE TRACTION BUTTON FOR THE ESP SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THE BLACK BRAKE SWITCH FAILED. THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED FOR THE PURPLE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH TWICE. THE BLACK BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAD A RECALL FOR 2002 MODEL BUT DOES NOT COVER THE 2003 MODELS. ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE BRAKE SWITCH, WHICH INCLUDES THE TRACTION BUTTON FOR THE ESP SYSTEM AND THE PARK POSITION LEVER WHICH LOCKS OFTEN. ALSO THE CONTACT ONCE BECAME STRANDED ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL. ALL REPAIRS MADE BY THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN COVERED BY THE VEHICLE WARRANTY. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT BRAKE LIGHTS BECAUSE REPRESENTS SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM

NHTSA ID

10160626

Incident

Feb 8, 2005

Mileage

33,969 mi

I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM SIMILAR TO THE RECALL ON 2002 VW JETTA'S WITH FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT. EXCEPT I HAVE A 2003 MODEL. *JB

NHTSA ID

10158926

Incident

May 31, 2006

Mileage

45,000 mi

2003 JETTA GEARS WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THIS IS CAUSED BY A PLASTIC SUBMITTER THAT CONTROLS THE GEAR SHIFT AND BRAKES. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE WAS AN OPEN RECALL FOR THE 2002 MODEL BUT NOT 2003. *JB THE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE HIS PAID BILLS PAID THAT WERE ACCIDENTALLY PLACED IN AN ENVELOPE. UPDATED 07/11/06. *JB

NHTSA ID

10155187

Incident

Oct 1, 2005

JETTA BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH (ON OUR INVOICE IT IS PART NO. 1JO-945-511-E") ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE DEPT AT COMMONWEALTH VW, THIS SWITCH HAS BEEN RECALLED AS DEFECTIVE IN OTHER VW'S, BUT NOT THE JETTA. WHEN IT FAILS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OUT AND THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW FOR MY DAUGHTER, M. B., THE REGISTERED OWNER, AND I DO NOT LIKE THE IDEA THAT SHE IS DRIVING A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE TO AND FROM OUR HOME IN VILLA PARK, CA. TO SCHOOL IN RIVERSIDE, CA. (ABOUT 60 MILES ROUND TRIP) DAILY, AND AT NIGHT! THIS PART SHOULD BE RECALLED FROM ALL VEHICLES. *NM

NHTSA ID

10150368

Incident

Feb 13, 2006

Mileage

73,305 mi

VW CLAIMS THE EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHTING SWITCH ISN'T A RECALL ITEM OR PROBLEM BUT NOT ONLY AM I HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ONE FOR ME CAR BUT THE OTHER VW OWNERS HERE AT MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT HAVE ENCOUNTERED THE SAME PROBLEM AS WELL. *NM

NHTSA ID

10149291

Incident

Feb 1, 2006

Mileage

800,000 mi