3.3
definitely annoying- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 40,043 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that his vehicle is experiencing the same failure as noted in recall number 07V063000 (exterior lighting:brake lights:switch). The manufacturer stated that his vehicle was excluded from the recall. The contact paid to have the brake light switch replaced and feels that his vehicle should be included in the recall. The current mileage was 90,000 and failure mileage was 81,000. Updated 02/08/08.
- Lavergene, TN, USA
While driving 2003 VW Passat the engine stalled out (no fuel) causing near accident by passing vehicles. Drifted to side of road. After 100 mile tow to vincent Volkswagen dealer in rochester, they found no problem. Car did run two days. The same stall-out occurred three days later. Another tow to a dealer (schmitts garage) to attempt to repair. Not sure what the problem is but strongly suspect fuel pump or control system for fuel or fuel line system. There have been previous recalls on some 2003 Passat fuel system items including fuel pumps (potential to cause crash when fail). Was told my Passat was not part of the other 2003 Passat fuel pump/system recall. However, are more fuel pump units bad that VW doesn't realize which could cause major accidents, head on collisions during passing. Filed this with VW customer care. Two weeks prior brake lights did not work and was nearly rear ended. VW dealer replaced defective brake switch which initially wasn't on the recall list but was recently added. Two near major accidents in two weeks due to equipment failures.
- Buffalo, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the brake lights would constantly shine on and off at random. The light would illuminate while driving and would dim when the brakes were applied. The contact discovered recall number 07V063000 (exterior lighting:brake lights:switch). He took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that his vehicle was not included in the recall. The contact stated that his vehicle is experiencing the same failure as noted in the recall. The failure speed was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 67,085. Updated 02/01/08. Updated 02/01/08
- Frederick, MD, USA
Twice, the rear brake lights remained on uncontrollably - intermittently at first, then permanently. This failure was trouble-shot and repaired by the dealer both times. In each case, the brake light switch had failed. From studying the switch part numbers, it appears the suffix has also twice changed to a later version - although I don't believe they were installed in that order in my car (see pn's below). I believe I have the latest version currently installed. This is an unacceptable failure mode, as it not only is a safety issue (driving around with brake lights continuously on, but if left on for prolonged period, the rear brake light bulb sockets get extremely hot and in my opinion have a good chance to melt the plastic socket/reflectors and possibly catch fire. More importantly, the ABS and cruise control become inop, the throttle body alignment is disturbed causing the car to behave terribly on acceleration and many cel-type light illuminate on the instrument panel. Failures occurred: 1st time: @ 34540mi, 4/7/2005. 2nd time: @ 49,746mi, 5/24/2006. Orig S/w pn 3B094551A (from factory). 2nd S/w/1st replacement pn 3B0945511_ (assume basic pn), 3rd S/w/2nd replacement pn 3B0945511B). I have never had to change the brake light switch on my 1984 VW scirocco - I'm the original owner and had driven it over 174K miles! a failed brake light switch on this Passat has much greater impact (lights, ABS, throttle, cruise control) when it fails than it would on the scirocco (just lights), and it was the Passat brake light S/w that failed twice - due to poor design/reliability. Amazing and unacceptable.
- Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Was told by Volkswagen America that the Passat 2003 did not fall under this recall. This vehicle has the exact same failure. Any help would be appricated in getting this covered. Esults : | all records displayed ake : Volkswagen model : Passat year : 2003 manufacturer : Volkswagen of America, Inc NHTSA campaign id number : 07V063000 mfr's report date : Feb 15, 2007 component: Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch potential number of units affected : 1002000.
- Ft. Wright, KY, USA
Break light switch stopped working unknowingly.
- Carlsbad, CA, USA
The brake light stays on even after I shut off the car, get out, and lock the door. There has been a jetta recall for this problem, but when I called the manufacturer to ask about the issue in regard to Passats, I was asked for my VIN, then told that there was "no campaign" (I.e. no recall) for my car at this time. Further, I was told that they did not know of this being an issue for Passats. Yet I just ran a google search on the problem and saw bulletin board postings from other Passat owners who have had this problem. If it's dangerous for jettas, it's also dangerous for Passats. VW did this before with another safety recall--same kind of corporate irresponsibility, waiting until the NHTSA got involved. This is unconscionable! again, if the situation is dangerous for jetta owners, then it's dangerous for Passat owners who are clearly having the same problem!!
- Water Mill, NY, USA
Brake lights will not go out even after car is off.
- Augusta , GA, USA
The brake light switch on my 2003 volswagen Passat had failed sometime before I purchased the car. It was purchased on April 23, 2007. This failure caused the brake lights not to light when the brake was pressed and the cruise control not to function. The car was repaired at a cost of $129 using a replacement brake switch.
- Norman, OK, USA
Car brake light switch failure.
- Poughkeepsie, NY, USA
2003 VW Passat glx 4 motion brake lights stuck on, drains battery when parked, unsafe to drive as no indication of braking to others. Recall for this component on other models, not this one. Clearly defective--many other owners affected. See multiple online sources including: forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3196572
- Philadelphia, PA, USA
- the contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Passat with a current mileage of 52,000 miles. The brake lights were not functioning, after checking the fuse the contact found no failure. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, livingston Volkswagen, and the brake light switch was replaced. The contact had to pay for the repair, but was told by the manufacturer before going to the dealer, that it would be free. When the contact called the manufacturer back he was told that the vehicle was not under recall.
- West Hills , CA, USA
- the contact stated that while driving the 2003 Volkswagen Passat with 7000 failure mileage the brake lights intermittently turned off. Also, the driver's side front headlight turns off, the rear passenger side window, and the horn did not operate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer several times, but they still could not determine the cause of the problems. The current mileage was 105,944.
- Laguna Niguel, CA, USA
My vehicle, a 2003 VW Passat is not currently included in your campaign 07V063000. It should have been. I have had the brake light switch replaced (and charged to have it replaced) twice over the last year and a half. I experienced all of the consequences identified in your summary description. Most frequently the brake lights would stay on while driving, as well as would remain on once parked in my garage. How do I get the Passat's included?
- Manassas, VA, USA
Brake lights will not go out.
- Lisle, IL, USA
My 2003 VW Passat 4-door sedan has experienced multiple occurrences where the brake lights continue to remain on while driving and even after the engine is shut off. This happened again today and I noticed this time that the emergency engine light came on while driving earlier in the day - this is also another issue that also comes on/off for no reason. I've reported the warning light a couple of times as well to the VW service and they don't know why that happens either. The warning light will at least shut off when the car is turned off, unlike my brake lights. Since today is Saturday, leaving my brake lights on until the service department reopens on a Monday is probably going to run my battery dead. With that concern in mind, I immediately called the VW roadside assistance hotline, 800-822-8987, to see if they had any repair instructions I can look into and the operator said she was unable to find any documentation. She advised that VW roadside can come tow my vehicle to a dealership (that won't reopen until Monday) or they can come to jump-start my car (which can take up to 45-60 min. After dispatch). This seems a terribly long time to wait & a huge inconvenience esp. Since it also took 30 min. Just to reach the live operator in the first place. I love driving my Passat; I bought it brand new direct from the dealership in 2003. Car safety is very important to me which is why I'm adamant about following service guidelines and bring my car in for regular maintenance & oil changes. I only bring it into a VW dealership service, never a local garage mechanic. Can NHTSA please look into both issues: 1. sporadic check engine light warning while driving 2. brake lights remaining on while driving and after the car is shut off. I am very concerned as both are major causes for safety concern, in addition to further expensive repairs which may be defects that the manufacturer should cover instead. Thanks.
- Nanuet, NY, USA
: the contact stated while stopped at a stop light, none of the brake lights on the vehicle illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer, who was able to determine the cause of the problem. The manufacturer was also notified. There was a NHTSA recall # 04V096000, which pertains to the brake lights switch. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the model of the vehicle. Updated 12/18/2006 - the new brake light switch was installed on 11/28/2006.
- Easton, PA, USA
My brake light switch went out and I didn't know I didn't have brakes until someone at a light told me. Who knows how long I've drove around like that. And it seems very odd that so many other people have had this problem too. I own two VW's (2003 Passat & 2004 golf), both have had this switch failure. The 2004 was replaced/fixed under warranty; the 2003 was not under warranty & costs were exorbitant. The service dept and service managers both admitted that this is a very common problem and oftentimes their mechanics will break the new switch while installing it. I broke two switches myself attempting a simple install. What was done to correct the failure was that the switch was replaced & yes I have both the original broken part, plus another newer revision of the switch that I personally broke, plus the now working switch installed in both VW's.
- Rogers, AR, USA
2003 Volkswagen Passat consumer request for early termination of the lease.** answer required***. the consumer made the request due to the numerous mechanical problems such as a defective purge valve, right front head light, the vehicle overheated and started T O smoke due to a faulty water pump. The brake light would not shut off and the right head light went out for the second time. The brake light switch was replaced. The cruise control would not disengage. The vehicle would not start at times.
- Kensington, CT, USA
- Bloomingdale, IL, USA