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1999 Volkswagen Beetle lights problems

17 complaints (10% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 62,000.

owner complaints
17
of this car's complaints
10%
typical mileage
62,000
crashes
0
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Brake lights: switch
    8
  • Headlights
    4
  • Headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch
    1
  • Hazard flashing warning lights
    1
  • Brake lights
    1
  • Back up lights: switch
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Volkswagen Beetle lights problems in other years

19982000200520102019

Specific symptoms reported on the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle lights

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Headlights 10

Related recalls

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switchReported May 24, 2006 · 646,246 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 06V183000 · Recall details

Related investigations

Brake light switch failureOpened February 28, 2006, closed August 7, 2006

By letters dated may 24, 2006 and august 4, 2006, volkswagen (vw) notified the agency that it is conducting a safety recall (the federal safety agency 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.

RQ06004

Brake light switchOpened April 8, 2003, closed August 20, 2003

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.

EA03002

Brake light switch operationOpened November 18, 2002, closed April 8, 2003

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.

PE02084

What 1999 Volkswagen Beetle owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 27, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 125,000 miles · GA · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 1999 volkswagen beetle. The contact stated that there was an abnormal noise while driving in the middle lane of the road. The contact stated that smoke emitted near the left part of the dashboard close to the steering wheel. In addition, due to the extensive nature of the smoke, the contact had to engage the hazard lights and exited the vehicle while in the lane. The fire department extinguished the flames. A police officer was present to direct traffic and a report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a yard. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14e007000 (engine and engine cooling). The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 07v063000 (exterior lighting) and 06v183000 (exterior lighting).the manufacturer was notified of the failure months ago and was to provide further testing to determine the failure. The contact kept calling, but received no response from the manufacturer. The vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.

Filed Mar 31, 2008 · Electrical, Engine · 46,000 miles · DC

Purchased 1999 vw beetle 20 months ago. Car has only 54,000 miles. Since owning the car have already over $3,500 in repairs. All of the repairs were done at my local darcar vw repair shop. I believe some of these repairs were recalls and have all receipt. Is there someone I can sent my repair receipts to to see if I can be reimbursed for out of pocket expenses which should have been recall services? I can forward receipts. Also seven days ago the passenger side window regulator broke and it appears it had been recalled per two vw owner who had same problems but I can't find the recall information on it. Can you suggest how I can view all recalls for 1999 vw beetle gls?

Filed Mar 19, 2008 · Lights · 60,000 miles · MA

In nov 2003 I had the brake light switch on my 1999 vw new beetle glx under recall 03v‑265. Today (march 19, 2008) I learned that a second recall (#06v183000) was issued on may 4, 2006 which stated that "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" and that the corrective action was "dealers will install the newly designed brake light switch free of charge" I contacted vw about this recall (06v183000 ) at the number listed in it and they say they know nothing about it. This is probably because per action rq06004 this recall was listed as closed on august 7, 2006. I never received any notice of this second recall from vw even though the brake switch in my car was performed as part of the 1st recall (03v‑265) and my car is of the type that the 2nd recall covers (I.e. Had 1st recall performed, has automatic transmission and cruise control). Vw is now refusing to either inspect my car to ensure the original recall was performed correctly or replace the switch again per the remedy of the 2nd recall. There is no reason I should not have been notified of this 2nd recall. I have lived at the same address since 2000. The 1st recall was performed at the same local dealer where I bought the vehicle and have had it serviced in the time period since both the first and second recalls. And when I contacted vw at the phone number listed in the 2nd recall they definitely had my correct address and phone information on file. As I should have been notified of this prior recall and was not I think vw should replace the switch as per the remedy of the 2nd recall but they are refusing to do this. Can someone please assist me with this?

Filed Sep 10, 2007 · Lights · CA

Electrical 1st the dealer charges for eveything they look at, and the work is never under warranty or recall. I have had two headlamps go out intermittently. My A/C switch when out, now the whole unit has gone out. The cost for repairs are outrageous. And they always rig their cars with special tools, so you cannot gpr elsewhere for service.

Filed May 2, 2007 · Lights · 104,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 volkswagen beetle. The brake light switch was replaced on 4/30/07 per the federal safety agency recall campaign id number: 06e049000. However, the brake lights did not operate normally. The current and failure mileage were 104,000.

Filed Feb 20, 2007 · Lights · 62,000 miles · VA

Tl*- the contact received the federal safety agency recall campaign id 03v265000 concerning exterior lighting: brake lights: switch on the 1999 volkswagen beetle in september of 2004. Ever since the first failure, the contact experienced the failure 4 times. The manufacturer stated that they could not find a solution other than replacing the brake light switch, which would be at the contact's expense since they performed the recall once already. The failure mileage was 62000 and the current was 82810. Neither the speed nor the road conditions were a factor in the failure.*ak the dealer did replace the switch, however it failed again. Updated 03/19/07.

Filed Jan 24, 2007 · Electrical, Engine · OH

1999 ww beetle with many problems including shifting, brake switch (recall n4)**cc the consumer could not shift out of park, which was related to the brake switch. The consumer then received a recall notice after already having the repairs done. The consumer didn't take the vehicle to a volkswagen dealer because they would only had paid for the switch and not the labor because at the time, the recall was not in effect. The serpentine belt and starter was replaced.

Filed Jan 24, 2007 · Lights · 150,000 miles · TX

Tl* - the contact owns a 1999 volkswagen beetle. The contact made a safety repair on his vehicle, and he later received a safety recall letter. The contact has made attempts to be reimbursed by the manufacturer, and the manufacturer refused, stating that the contact did not have the vehicle repaired at an authorized dealer. The contact stated that he received notification of the safety recall after the fact, and he would like to be reimbursed.

Filed Nov 24, 2006 · Lights · CA

My wife became stuck and could not driver her 1999 vw new beetle after defective brake light switch was pushing on her brake pedal. So I had to instruct her to remove brake light switch so the car could move. Also the brake light switch is on it third or fourth recall from vw. Why so many recalls? Can't vw get it right?

Filed Jun 8, 2006 · Lights · 70,000 miles · TX

Dt*: the contact stated the brake light remained illuminated. To disengage the brake light the fuse was removed. A the federal safety agency recall, #03v265000 was performed on the vehicle regarding the brake light switch however, the recall did not remedy the problem. The dealership would not offer a second repair without a charge. There is a second the federal safety agency recall, # 06v183000, regarding the brake light switch; however, this vehicle is not included in the recall due to the VIN.

Questions about the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle lights

Does the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle have lights problems?

Owners have filed 17 complaints about the lights of the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle, 10% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1999 Volkswagen Beetle lights problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 62,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle lights?

Yes, 1 recall: 06V183000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Volkswagen Beetle have the most lights problems?

The Volkswagen Beetle model years with the most lights complaints are 2001 (30 complaints), 1998 (23 complaints) and 2005 (21 complaints).

Other 1999 Volkswagen Beetle problems

Electrical 39Engine 34Transmission 29Visibility 26Airbags 22Body 16Brakes 11Seats 11Acceleration 10Fuel system 7Steering 5Tires 5Locks 4Suspension 4

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