NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Visibility complaints
21 reportsClear category filter25,000 miles · Nov 12, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility
2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE LEAKING COOLANT, DEFECTIVE AIRFLOW SENSOR, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND PROBLEMS WITH WINDOW SWITCH. *MR THE WINDOW HAD TO BE OPERATED A CERTAIN WAY IN ORDER TO OPERATE PROPERLY,THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON DUE TO A BAD AIRFLOW SENSOR IN WHICH THE PROBLEM OCCURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE COOL…
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2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE LEAKING COOLANT, DEFECTIVE AIRFLOW SENSOR, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND PROBLEMS WITH WINDOW SWITCH. *MR THE WINDOW HAD TO BE OPERATED A CERTAIN WAY IN ORDER TO OPERATE PROPERLY,THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON DUE TO A BAD AIRFLOW SENSOR IN WHICH THE PROBLEM OCCURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE COOLANT LIGHT HAD COME ON DUE TO THE TUBE THAT HAD RUN FROM THE COOLANT CONTAINER TO THE ENGINE HAD CUT IN IT AND LEAKED COOLANT. *SCC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10047891
Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2003
Visibility
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEM WITH REAR OUTSIDE MIRROR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. ALSO, STATED WHEN TURNING IT WOULD BLOCK THE VIEW AT 50% ,AND WAS CONSIDERED UNSAFE. MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT WAS THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED. THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10029775
Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2002
VisibilityInjury
MY HUSBAND WAS INSTALLING THE BABY SEAT INTO THE BACK SEAT OF OUR CAR IN PREPARATION FOR BRINGING OUR NEWBORN SON FROM THE HOSPITAL ON A COLD RAINY EVENING. WHEN HE TURNED THE REAR-WINDOW DEFOGGER ON. THE REAR WINDOW OF THE CAR EXPLODED INTO SMALL FRAGMENTS OF FLYING SHRAPNEL WHICH SPATTERED ALL OVER THE BACK SEAT AND BABY SEA…
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MY HUSBAND WAS INSTALLING THE BABY SEAT INTO THE BACK SEAT OF OUR CAR IN PREPARATION FOR BRINGING OUR NEWBORN SON FROM THE HOSPITAL ON A COLD RAINY EVENING. WHEN HE TURNED THE REAR-WINDOW DEFOGGER ON. THE REAR WINDOW OF THE CAR EXPLODED INTO SMALL FRAGMENTS OF FLYING SHRAPNEL WHICH SPATTERED ALL OVER THE BACK SEAT AND BABY SEAT. MY HUSBAND SUSTAINED MINOR CUTS ON HIS HANDS AND HEAD. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED THE NEXT DAY, WHEN WE WERE TO BRING MY SON HOME. HE MIGHT HAVE BEEN BLINDED AND BADLY LACERATED OR MUCH WORSE. THE ENTIRE BACK OF THE CAR WAS SOAKED DUE TO THE DRIVING RAIN. BEFORE MY HUSBAND GOT THE CAR INTO A GARAGE, SIGNIFICANT WATER DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE ENTIRE BACK PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I CONTACTED VW TO PAY FOR OUR DEDUCTIBLE AND REIMBURSE US FOR THE WATER DAMAGE, AND THEIR ONLY ANSWER WAS THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTEE AND THAT THEY WILL NOT HELP US. I MENTIONED THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE INJURIES WHICH COULD HAVE HAPPENED HAD MY SON BEEN IN HIS REAR FACING BABY SEAT WHEN THE GLASS SHATTERED. THEY WEREN'T EVEN INTERESTED IN TAKING THE INFORMATION DOWN. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT, A MR. BRANDON CURTIS, SEEMED WILLING TO HELP, BUT IT SEEMS HIS SUPERVISOR OVERRULED HIM. I HOPE WE CAN FIND A WAY TO GET VW TO PAY FOR OUR EXPENSES, BUT EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT IS VITAL TO MAKE SURE THIS NEVER HAPPENS TO ANYONE WHILE THERE IS A CHILD OR INFANT ON THAT BACK SEAT. DT
NHTSA ODI #770494
Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2002
Visibility
MAY 2001 WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT A WINDOW (DRIVERS) FELT THRUOUGH DOOR CAVITY ON MY VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPAIRED AND THAT WAS IT. THE NEXT MONTH THE PASSENGER WINDOW HAD THE SAME LUCK AND THIS TIME THE SERVICE ADVISORS AT THE DEALER (CAMELBACK VOLKSWAGEN AT PHONEIX, AZ) COMMENTED THAT THIS WAS FAIRLY COMMON ON THE VOLKSWAGENS,…
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MAY 2001 WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT A WINDOW (DRIVERS) FELT THRUOUGH DOOR CAVITY ON MY VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPAIRED AND THAT WAS IT. THE NEXT MONTH THE PASSENGER WINDOW HAD THE SAME LUCK AND THIS TIME THE SERVICE ADVISORS AT THE DEALER (CAMELBACK VOLKSWAGEN AT PHONEIX, AZ) COMMENTED THAT THIS WAS FAIRLY COMMON ON THE VOLKSWAGENS, AND NOW THAT BOTH OF MY SYSTEMS WHERE REPAIRED I DID NOT HAVE TO WORRY ANYMORE. I WAS UPSET AND ASKED HOW COME THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THEY SAID THAT VW DID NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE ONCE THE WINDOW FALLS YOU HAVE NO WAY TO LOCK THE CAR UNLESS YOU TAKE IT TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE!! ON JULY 29, 2002 MY PREVIOULSLY REPAIRED WINDOW FELT INTO THE DOORS CAVITY ONE MORE TIME. I CALLED THE DEALER AND ASKED FOR AN EXPLANATION AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE INSTALLED PART WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND THAT A NEW PART WAS DESIGNED AND BEING INSTALLED ON BROKEN VEHICLES. THIS TIME I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN AND DEMANDED THAT BOTH OF MY WINDOWS SYSTEMS WHERE TO BE REPAIRED AT THE SAME TIME WITH THE NEWLY DESIGN PART, AND ASKED WHY THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON THIS MATTER AND THEY CLAIMED THAT THERE IS NOT A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF CASES. WELL THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT THEY ARE DEALING WITH 10-15 CASES A DAY AND THEY DO NOT EVEN HAVE THE PART IN STOCK., IT IS ON BACK ORDER AND THEY CAN ONLY PROP THE WINDOW AND LEAVE UNMOBILE UNTIL THE PARTS ARRIVE. IN THE MEANTIME VW REFUSES TO REPLACE THE OTHER PART ON THE DRIVERS SIDE UNTIL IT FAILS, EVEN WHEN THEY KNOW THAT THE INSTALLED PART IS FAILING CONSTANTLY AT LEAST IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA.*AK
NHTSA ODI #764953
Mileage unknown · Jun 18, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingStructureVisibility
CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE OIL CONSUMPTION IN THIS VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXAMINED FOR OIL LEAKS. VEHICLE RUNS LOW ON OIL EVERY 1000 MILES. DEALER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL FOR THIS TYPE OF ENGINE.*JG
NHTSA ODI #566136
Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2001
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER STATEED THAT RIGHT REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS LOOSE.*JB
NHTSA ODI #563672
Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2001
Power TrainVisibility
CLUTCH FAILED ON A STEEP HILL WHILE WAITING FOR A LIGHT TO CHANGE. THE CLUTCH BURNT OUT WHEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO AVOID ONCOMING, UPHILL, RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. $1,800 REPAIR COSTS. VOLKSWAGON REFUSES TO REPLACE PART PAST THE 12,000 MILE WARANTEE DESPITE THE DRIVER'S 18 YEAR, PROBLEM-FREE, CLUTCH DRIVING EXPERIENCE WITH 2 VOLK…
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CLUTCH FAILED ON A STEEP HILL WHILE WAITING FOR A LIGHT TO CHANGE. THE CLUTCH BURNT OUT WHEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO AVOID ONCOMING, UPHILL, RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. $1,800 REPAIR COSTS. VOLKSWAGON REFUSES TO REPLACE PART PAST THE 12,000 MILE WARANTEE DESPITE THE DRIVER'S 18 YEAR, PROBLEM-FREE, CLUTCH DRIVING EXPERIENCE WITH 2 VOLKSWAGONS AND 2 HONDAS. HORN JUST DIED. ELECTRIC WINDOWS DO NOT FOLLOW OWNER MANUAL DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION!
NHTSA ODI #750670
Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2001
Visibility
I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, 10 MILES SOUTH OF PROVIDENCE, RI ON I-95. IT WAS 82 DEGREES AND SUNNY. I HAD A/C ON. SUDDENLY REAR WINDOW, FOR NO EXPLAINBLE REASON, EXPLODED OUTWARDS. THERE WAS A LOUD "BOOM" AND THE WINDOW SHATTERED IN THOUSANDS OF
NHTSA ODI #747349
Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2000
Visibility
THE CLIPS ON THE INTERIOR PART OF THE SUN SHADE THAT PREVENTS BLINDING SUN FROM COMING TOUGH THE SUNROOF BENT. IT MAKES IT HARD TO OPEN OR CLOSE THE SHADE WHEN DRIVING WITHOUT GREAT FORCE SOMETHING THAT IS NOT VERY SAFE TO BE DOING WHEN DRIVING. THE PERSON THAT FIXED THE SUNROOF ALSO SAYED HE WISH'S THEY WOULD RECALL THE CLIP …
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THE CLIPS ON THE INTERIOR PART OF THE SUN SHADE THAT PREVENTS BLINDING SUN FROM COMING TOUGH THE SUNROOF BENT. IT MAKES IT HARD TO OPEN OR CLOSE THE SHADE WHEN DRIVING WITHOUT GREAT FORCE SOMETHING THAT IS NOT VERY SAFE TO BE DOING WHEN DRIVING. THE PERSON THAT FIXED THE SUNROOF ALSO SAYED HE WISH'S THEY WOULD RECALL THE CLIP BECAUSE HE HAS FIXED MANY WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CLIPS JUST BEND AND JUMP OF THE TRACK THEY NEED TO SLIDE IN. WE THINK THE METAL USED FOR THE CLIPS NEED TO BE STRONGER OR REVISED.( DOT NUMBER: M3WC TIRE SIZE: 205/55R16 )
NHTSA ODI #729792
Mileage unknown · May 9, 2000
EquipmentStructureVisibility
DRIVER WINDOW NOT OPENING/CLOSING AUTOMATICALLY, DRIVER DOOR AND TRUNK PERIODICALLY FAILS TO SHUT COMPLETELY, LEFT RADIO BLOWN, ROCKER PANELS HAVE DENTS DUE TO NO FAULT OF DRIVER, CONTINUOUS DEEP SCRATCHES ON EXTERIOR BODY OF VEHICLE
NHTSA ODI #722450
NHTSA investigations
3RQ06004 · Brake Light Switch Failure
Opened Feb 28, 2006 · Closed Aug 7, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
BY LETTERS DATED MAY 24, 2006 AND AUGUST 4, 2006, VOLKSWAGEN (VW) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO 06V-183) INVOLVING MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998-2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE AND 1999-2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN?S RECALL COVERS 646,246 VEHICLES.PREVIOUSLY, VW RECALLED THESE VEHICLES TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH (RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096) THAT WAS UNIQUE TO VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN REPORTS THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096.VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.BASED ON VOLKSWAGEN'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
BY LETTERS DATED MAY 24, 2006 AND AUGUST 4, 2006, VOLKSWAGEN (VW) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO 06V-183) INVOLVING MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998-2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE AND 1999-2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN?S RECALL COVERS 646,246 VEHICLES.PREVIOUSLY, VW RECALLED THESE VEHICLES TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH (RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096) THAT WAS UNIQUE TO VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN REPORTS THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096.VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.BASED ON VOLKSWAGEN'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
BY LETTERS DATED MAY 24, 2006 AND AUGUST 4, 2006, VOLKSWAGEN (VW) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO 06V-183) INVOLVING MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998-2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE AND 1999-2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN?S RECALL COVERS 646,246 VEHICLES.PREVIOUSLY, VW RECALLED THESE VEHICLES TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH (RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096) THAT WAS UNIQUE TO VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN REPORTS THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096.VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.BASED ON VOLKSWAGEN'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
EA03002 · Brake Light Switch
Opened Apr 8, 2003 · Closed Aug 20, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH USED IN CRUISE CONTROL EQUIPPED MY 1998-1999 AND ALL MY 2000 AND LATER MODELS HAS UNDERGONE MULTIPLE REVISIONS.ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT DATA INDICATES HIGH REPLACEMENT RATES OCCURRED IN VEHICLES BUILT WITH BRAKE SWITCH PART NUMBERS 1J0 945 511A AND 1J0 945 511B, THE ORIGINAL AND FIRST REVISION LEVELS, RESPECTIVELY.THE FAILURE OF THE SWITCH COULD RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, OR COULD CAUSE THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY CONTINUALLY ILLUMINATED.EITHER CONDITION RESULTS IN THE INABILITY OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOTIFY OTHER MOTORISTS OF VEHICLE BRAKING.UNDER SAFETY RECALL 03V-265, VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON ALL VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH NOVEMBER 2001.ANY AFFECTED SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE WITH THE MOST CURRENT VERSION, PART NUMBER 1J0 945 511D.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH USED IN CRUISE CONTROL EQUIPPED MY 1998-1999 AND ALL MY 2000 AND LATER MODELS HAS UNDERGONE MULTIPLE REVISIONS.ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT DATA INDICATES HIGH REPLACEMENT RATES OCCURRED IN VEHICLES BUILT WITH BRAKE SWITCH PART NUMBERS 1J0 945 511A AND 1J0 945 511B, THE ORIGINAL AND FIRST REVISION LEVELS, RESPECTIVELY.THE FAILURE OF THE SWITCH COULD RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, OR COULD CAUSE THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY CONTINUALLY ILLUMINATED.EITHER CONDITION RESULTS IN THE INABILITY OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOTIFY OTHER MOTORISTS OF VEHICLE BRAKING.UNDER SAFETY RECALL 03V-265, VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON ALL VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH NOVEMBER 2001.ANY AFFECTED SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE WITH THE MOST CURRENT VERSION, PART NUMBER 1J0 945 511D.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH USED IN CRUISE CONTROL EQUIPPED MY 1998-1999 AND ALL MY 2000 AND LATER MODELS HAS UNDERGONE MULTIPLE REVISIONS.ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT DATA INDICATES HIGH REPLACEMENT RATES OCCURRED IN VEHICLES BUILT WITH BRAKE SWITCH PART NUMBERS 1J0 945 511A AND 1J0 945 511B, THE ORIGINAL AND FIRST REVISION LEVELS, RESPECTIVELY.THE FAILURE OF THE SWITCH COULD RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, OR COULD CAUSE THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY CONTINUALLY ILLUMINATED.EITHER CONDITION RESULTS IN THE INABILITY OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOTIFY OTHER MOTORISTS OF VEHICLE BRAKING.UNDER SAFETY RECALL 03V-265, VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON ALL VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH NOVEMBER 2001.ANY AFFECTED SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE WITH THE MOST CURRENT VERSION, PART NUMBER 1J0 945 511D.
PE02084 · Brake Light Switch Operation
Opened Nov 18, 2002 · Closed Apr 8, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH USED IN NEW BEETLE IS ALSO SPECIFIED IN GOLF AND JETTA MODELS.ONE TYPE OF SWITCH IS USED ON CRUISE EQUIPPED MODELS, A SECOND TYPE IS USED ON NON-CRUISE MODELS.VW REPORTS 86 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND 2575 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF INOPERATIVE BRAKE LIGHTS, THE MAJORITY OF WHICH ARE RELATED TO THE BRAKE SWITCH.TWO OF THE VW COMPLAINTS INVOLVE FAILURES THAT WERE ALSO REPORTED TO ODI.ADDITIONALLY, OVER 100,000 BRAKE SWITCH SERVICE COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN SOLD UNDER 4 DIFFERENT PART NUMBERS.THE INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH USED IN NEW BEETLE IS ALSO SPECIFIED IN GOLF AND JETTA MODELS.ONE TYPE OF SWITCH IS USED ON CRUISE EQUIPPED MODELS, A SECOND TYPE IS USED ON NON-CRUISE MODELS.VW REPORTS 86 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND 2575 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF INOPERATIVE BRAKE LIGHTS, THE MAJORITY OF WHICH ARE RELATED TO THE BRAKE SWITCH.TWO OF THE VW COMPLAINTS INVOLVE FAILURES THAT WERE ALSO REPORTED TO ODI.ADDITIONALLY, OVER 100,000 BRAKE SWITCH SERVICE COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN SOLD UNDER 4 DIFFERENT PART NUMBERS.THE INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.
Exterior Lighting
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH USED IN NEW BEETLE IS ALSO SPECIFIED IN GOLF AND JETTA MODELS.ONE TYPE OF SWITCH IS USED ON CRUISE EQUIPPED MODELS, A SECOND TYPE IS USED ON NON-CRUISE MODELS.VW REPORTS 86 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND 2575 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF INOPERATIVE BRAKE LIGHTS, THE MAJORITY OF WHICH ARE RELATED TO THE BRAKE SWITCH.TWO OF THE VW COMPLAINTS INVOLVE FAILURES THAT WERE ALSO REPORTED TO ODI.ADDITIONALLY, OVER 100,000 BRAKE SWITCH SERVICE COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN SOLD UNDER 4 DIFFERENT PART NUMBERS.THE INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.
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