ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION.
Safety 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.
Manufacturer 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.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." CHILD SEAT ANCHORAGES INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE'S REAR SEATS MUST BE IDENTIFIED BY MARKINGS, AND THEIR LOCATION AND USE BE DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL.
Safety risk
THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT MARKED OR DESCRIBED AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
Manufacturer remedy
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND ALSO ONE SET OF FOUR GUIDANCE FIXTURES INTENDED TO USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH CHILD SEATS EQUIPPED WITH RIGID OR SEMI-RIGID LOWER ANCHORAGE ATTACHMENTS. ALSO ENCLOSED WILL BE FOUR DECALS TOGETHER WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS AND A TEMPLATE FOR ATTACHING THE DECALS TO THE LOWER SEAT BACKS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN SEPTEMBER 15, 2002. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
55,000
Reported to NHTSA
2002-01-31
Owners notified
2002-03-08
Defect description
ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, SHORT CIRCUITS CAN OCCUR WITHIN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS).
Safety risk
THIS CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL UNIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 8, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Electrical system
5
17,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor
4
18,028 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood
3
20,517 mi
Vehicle speed control
3
55,000 mi
Air bags: frontal
2
—
Air bags: side/window
2
—
Electrical system: ignition
2
20,517 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module
2
3,405 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers
2
—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel
2
8 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline
2
—
Exterior lighting: headlights
2
32,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
2
23,467 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads
2
18,028 mi
Tires
2
29,123 mi
Unknown or other
2
—
Air bags
1
—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger
1
—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)
1
7,860 mi
Equipment
1
23,467 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights
1
14,527 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
1
31,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper
1
16,455 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum
1
16,455 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist
1
—
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields
1
70 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
1
55,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages
1
—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior
1
—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages
1
25,465 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor
1
—
Wheels
1
—
The 2000 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2002 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.