2002 Volkswagen Beetle lights problems

14 complaints (8% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 51,000.

owner complaints: 14
of this car's complaints: 8%
typical mileage: 51,000
crashes: 0
recalls: 2

Which part fails

Brake lights: switch
6
Turn signal: flasher unit
1
Turn signal
1
Tail lights
1
Brake lights
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

Related recalls

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switchReported February 20, 2007 · 1,002,000 vehicles affected

What is wrong: On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch may malfunction if it was installed incorrectly.
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 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.

Recall number 07V063000 · Recall details

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

What 2002 Volkswagen Beetle owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 17, 2014 · Lights · 32,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen beetle. While driving various speeds at night, the headlights and tail lights failed to work intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 32,000.

Filed Dec 14, 2010 · Electrical, Lights · OR

Serious electrical long term quality issues, starting with under hood wiring for glow plugs melted away, air bag/seat belt wiring broke/failed, seat heater failed, passenger door switch failed, turn signal bulb holder failed, repeated head lamp and tail light failures, alternator pulley clutch failed(exploded) factory alarm problems - just sets off, air back light on dash on, service engine light on.

Filed Dec 1, 2010 · Lights · CA

2002 volkswagen new beetle. Consumer writes regarding replacement brake light switch *tgw the consumer stated the epc light illuminated. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer and the problem was diagnosed as a failed brake light switch. The consumer stated it was the same switch that wa replaced under recall.

Filed Aug 25, 2008 · Lights · 60,000 miles · NV

Each time I select the turn signal it now blinks a couple times and then stops working. The hazard lights work fine.

Filed Jun 19, 2008 · Electrical, Lights · 42,000 miles · KS

I own two of the vw new beetles. One is 2002 and the other is 2003. Both of them have trouble with the taillight/stoplight and turn signals not working due to a defective contact design in the bulb socket. In order to fix the problem you have to take the assembly out and bend the contact to put more spring in them which puts more pressure against the bulb. This may fix the problem for a time ( 1 to 60 days) then the problem reverts. All parts are oem equipment. I have contacted vw about this and there is not a recall. I would think that turn signals and tail lights would be considered a safety issue. I know I am not the only person to have this problem. I am concerned about my families safety and don't understand why a mandatory recall has not been issued.

Filed Jan 29, 2008 · Airbags, Lights · 51,000 miles · OR

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen new beetle. When the vehicle is turned on the air bag indicator light illuminated on the instrument control panel. The dealer stated that the air bag was deactivated and the seat belt latch system needed to be repaired in order for the air bag system to function properly. The contact would have to pay for the repair because air bag was not covered under warranty. The vehicle needs to be repaired. The failure mileage was 51,000 and current mileage was 52,000. Updated 02/14/08. *lj the brake light bulb and right rear tail light was inoperative. Updated.

Filed Jan 7, 2008 · Lights · VA

I have the same problem with my 2002 vw new beetle as in pe 04073: turn signal/hazard flasher failure: exterior lighting:turn signal:flasher unit. The flasher does not work consistently: it starts, then stops after one or two blinks. The timing of the blinks are also erratic. My model needs to be covered by this recall.

Filed Dec 13, 2006 · Lights · 82,000 miles · AZ

Dt*: the contact stated a the federal safety agency recall letter was received indicating the brake safety switch needed to be replaced at the nearest dealership. The vehicle had not presented any problems with the brake light switch yet. The nearest dealership was 130 miles from the locality. The contact asked the manufacturer for the replacement part to perform the repair at an independent authorized certified mechanic or other trusted dealership. The manufacturer refused the proposal. The contact expressed concern because the manufacturer should be flexible in cases were no dealership were present in the area.

Filed Aug 29, 2006 · Lights · 57,000 miles · MA

I have a 2002 vw beetle and the brake lights do not work because the brake light switch failed. I know they have recalled other beetles for this but when I called vw they said it was not recalled on my vehicle.

Filed Aug 9, 2006 · Lights · 37,000 miles · OK

Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle was not able to be taken out of park during failure of the brake light switch. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer, where the brake light switch was replaced 4 times. There was a the federal safety agency recall # 06v183000 which pertained to the brake light switch. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.

Questions about the 2002 Volkswagen Beetle lights

Does the 2002 Volkswagen Beetle have lights problems?

Owners have filed 14 complaints about the lights of the 2002 Volkswagen Beetle, 8% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2002 Volkswagen Beetle lights problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 51,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2002 Volkswagen Beetle lights?

Yes, 2 recalls: 07V063000, 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).