IllustrationLEFT TURN INDICATOR RAPID BLINKS EVEN WITH ALL NEW BULBS
2001 Volkswagen Beetle
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Beetle years
Owner complaints for the 2001 Volkswagen Beetle are substantially higher than the model-year median of 49.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Beetle years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
180–25K
2525–50K
3850–75K
1875–100K
19100–150K
9150K+
127 reports with mileage · 76 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
11 crash reports9 fire reports8 injury reports
Exterior Lighting complaints
30 reportsTHE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE INOPERATIVE, REMAIN OFF. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. PREVIOUS RECALL 06V183000: BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH DEFECT MAKE/MODELS: MODEL/BUILD YEARS:VOLKSWAGEN/JETTA 1999-2002VOLKSWAGEN/NEW BEETLE 1998-2002MANUFACTURER: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC.NHTSA CAMPAI…
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THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE INOPERATIVE, REMAIN OFF. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. PREVIOUS RECALL 06V183000: BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH DEFECT MAKE/MODELS: MODEL/BUILD YEARS:VOLKSWAGEN/JETTA 1999-2002VOLKSWAGEN/NEW BEETLE 1998-2002MANUFACTURER: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC.NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V183000 MFG'S REPORT DATE: MAY 24, 2006COMPONENT: EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHTS: SWITCH. VW IS NOT INTERESTED TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM SAYING THAT HAVE COMPLETED THE RECALL AND THIS IS MY PROBLEM NOT THEIRS EVEN THOUGH BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEM IS BACK. *TR
THE HAZARD LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS AND HEADLIGHTS ON MY CAR DO NOT WORK. I'VE TAKEN IT IN TO AN AUTO SHOP AND THEY CANNOT FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. HOPING MAYBE THERE IS A RECALL THAT I HAVE MISSED. *TR
THROTTLE BODY GOES OUT (02-03-2009) CV AXEL GOES OUT (03-31-2009 BRAKE LIGHTS GO OUT (02-18-2010) CV AXEL GOES OUT AGAIN (4-31-2010) ALTERNATOR GOES OUT (06-21-2010) IGNITION COILS FAIL (09-13-2010) IGNITION COILS FAIL AGAIN(01-21-2011) BRAKE SWITCH REPLACED AGAIN (01-21-2011) AIR FLOW SENSOR FAILS (01-21-2011) AIR FLOW…
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THROTTLE BODY GOES OUT (02-03-2009) CV AXEL GOES OUT (03-31-2009 BRAKE LIGHTS GO OUT (02-18-2010) CV AXEL GOES OUT AGAIN (4-31-2010) ALTERNATOR GOES OUT (06-21-2010) IGNITION COILS FAIL (09-13-2010) IGNITION COILS FAIL AGAIN(01-21-2011) BRAKE SWITCH REPLACED AGAIN (01-21-2011) AIR FLOW SENSOR FAILS (01-21-2011) AIR FLOW SENSOR FAILS AGAIN (07-26-2011) TIMING BELT REPLACED (06-15-2011) THERMOSTAT REPLACED (06-15-2011) WATER PUMP REPLACED (06-15-2011) NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THROTTLE BODY/ THROTTLE BODY SENSOR/ ELECTRICAL ISSUE. DEALER IS NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEMS IS AND WANTS TO THROW MONEY AT IT TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEMS IS. THIS CAR IS JUST ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER AFTER ANOTHER.
THE HEADLAMPS HAVE BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES. ACCORDING TO A VW DEALERSHIP WHO SERVICED THE VEHICLE, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE'S WIRING HARNESS IS DEFECTIVE, CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENTATION CLUSTER TO FAIL. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE WIREING HARNESS PROBLEM, BUT ARE NOT AWARE OF ANY SER…
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THE HEADLAMPS HAVE BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES. ACCORDING TO A VW DEALERSHIP WHO SERVICED THE VEHICLE, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE'S WIRING HARNESS IS DEFECTIVE, CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENTATION CLUSTER TO FAIL. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE WIREING HARNESS PROBLEM, BUT ARE NOT AWARE OF ANY SERVICE RECALLS.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER HE DROVE 35 MPH OR MORE AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THEY ARE NOT ADJUSTABLE; YET, THE ONE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS AIMED LOWER AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS AIMED HIGHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER PREVIOUSLY WHO ADJUSTED THE HEADLIGHTS …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER HE DROVE 35 MPH OR MORE AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THEY ARE NOT ADJUSTABLE; YET, THE ONE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS AIMED LOWER AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS AIMED HIGHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER PREVIOUSLY WHO ADJUSTED THE HEADLIGHTS BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.
I HAVE A 2001 VW NEW BEETLE. I HAVE REPLACED BRAKE LIGHT, WHICH WAS DRAINS THE BATTERY, SERPENTINE BELT, REMOTELESS KEY WHICH IS STILL BROKEN- BASICALLY 6 DAYS AFTER BUYING THIS CAR- I SPENT $1200 ON REPAIRS- NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, THE TRANSMISSION IS ACTING FUNNY, AND BASICALLY- MY VW DEALERSHIP HAS A FIELD DAY WITH…
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I HAVE A 2001 VW NEW BEETLE. I HAVE REPLACED BRAKE LIGHT, WHICH WAS DRAINS THE BATTERY, SERPENTINE BELT, REMOTELESS KEY WHICH IS STILL BROKEN- BASICALLY 6 DAYS AFTER BUYING THIS CAR- I SPENT $1200 ON REPAIRS- NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, THE TRANSMISSION IS ACTING FUNNY, AND BASICALLY- MY VW DEALERSHIP HAS A FIELD DAY WITH ME. TO TOP IT OFF- MY BATTERY DIED A MONTH AGO- AND CAUGHT ON FIRE WHEN I TRIED TO JUMP IT. I AM AFRAID THAT THIS CAR WILL BLOW UP ON ME AT ANY TIME. PLEASE HELP ME! *TR
2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE DEFECTIVE TURN SIGNAL /HAZARD WARNING SWITCH RELAY. CUSTOMER STATES THAT HIS TURN SIGNAL SWITCH IS DEFECTIVE. HE ALSO STATES HE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHERE TO SEND THE DEFECTIVE SWITCH TO FOR ENGINEERING ANALYSIS. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM ON HIS VEHICLE THAT HAS BEEN SUBJECTED…
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2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE DEFECTIVE TURN SIGNAL /HAZARD WARNING SWITCH RELAY. CUSTOMER STATES THAT HIS TURN SIGNAL SWITCH IS DEFECTIVE. HE ALSO STATES HE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHERE TO SEND THE DEFECTIVE SWITCH TO FOR ENGINEERING ANALYSIS. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM ON HIS VEHICLE THAT HAS BEEN SUBJECTED TO A RECALL, HOWEVER THE RECALL PERTAINS TO OTHER 2001 VOLKSWAGENS. *JB
2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE WITH TURN SIGNAL PROBLEMS CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH RENDERED THE TURN SIGNALS INOPERATIVE OR INTERMITTENT**CC THE CONSUMER BELIEVED HIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A PART OF THE RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO HIGH CURRENT LOADS FROM THE…
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2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE WITH TURN SIGNAL PROBLEMS CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH RENDERED THE TURN SIGNALS INOPERATIVE OR INTERMITTENT**CC THE CONSUMER BELIEVED HIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A PART OF THE RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO HIGH CURRENT LOADS FROM THE BULBS USED THAT WERE OVERHEATING THE RELAY. *JB
I HAVE TWO VOLKSWAGEN BEETLES THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. LAST YEAR BEFORE WE WERE AWARE OF THIS RECALL, THE CAR LEFT ME ABANDONED AT THE HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM PARKING LOT. I WAITED FOR HALF AN HOUR AND THEN IT WENT OFF AND I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO GET HOME. THE PROBLEM CORRECTED ITSELF …
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I HAVE TWO VOLKSWAGEN BEETLES THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. LAST YEAR BEFORE WE WERE AWARE OF THIS RECALL, THE CAR LEFT ME ABANDONED AT THE HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM PARKING LOT. I WAITED FOR HALF AN HOUR AND THEN IT WENT OFF AND I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO GET HOME. THE PROBLEM CORRECTED ITSELF AND YESTERDAY WHEN I GOT OUT OF WORK IT DID THE SAME BUT I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME AFTER. NOW THE CAR WILL NOT EVEN ALLOW ME TO PUT THE GEAR IN REVERSE TO GET IT TO THE DEALER FOR THIS RECALL AND VOLKSWAGEN, EMPLOYEE BY THE NAME OF AMY AT 1-800-822-8987, SAYS I NEED TO HAVE IT TOWED AT MY EXPENSE IN ORDER FOR IT TO BE FIXED. THEY REFUSE TO PAY FOR THE CAR TO BE TOWED TO GET FIXED. VOLKSWAGEN ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE IS REFUSING TO TOW IT TO GET IT FIXED. *TR
Official recalls
207V063000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
Feb 20, 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL STAGGERED MAILINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
06V183000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
May 24, 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND CRUISE CONTROLS, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING SAFETY RECALLS 03V-265 OR 04V-096.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 27, 2006. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2RQ06004 · 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.