2001 Volkswagen Golf lights problems

15 complaints (13% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 64,000.

owner complaints: 15
of this car's complaints: 13%
typical mileage: 64,000
crashes: 0
recalls: 2

Which part fails

Brake lights: switch
8
Hazard flashing warning lights: switch
2
Turn signal: switch
1
Tail lights: switch
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 Golf 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: hazard flashing warning lights: switchReported December 16, 2004 · 410,000 vehicles affected

What is wrong: On certain passenger vehicles, the hazard switch and flasher system function may degrade over time because of distortion and material transfer of the contacts of certain hazard switch relays which occurs due to substantially increased electrical current load from higher wattage turn signal bulbs.
Risk: This may result in intermittent or inoperative turn signal and hazard flasher function.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the hazard flasher switch/relay kit. The recall began on march 31, 2005. Owners should contact volkswagen at 1‑800‑822‑8987.

Recall number 04V584000 · Recall details

Related investigations

Turn signal/hazard flasher failureOpened October 19, 2004, closed December 16, 2004

This investigation was opened on october 19, 2004, based on nine reports on 2000 through 2001 jetta and gti vehicles alleging that the turn signals and or hazard flashers fail to blink, or flash.some of the complainants reported that the lights would blink only a few times and then stop.several of the complainants reported that having the hazard flasher switch replaced repaired their vehicles.by letter of december 13, 2004, volkswagen notified the agency that it will conduct a safety recall of 350,000 model year 2000 through 2002 jetta, golf and gti vehicles to repair the turn signal and hazard flasher system.vw reports 216 owner reports, 4 field reports and 4960 warranty claims on this population of vehicles. Volkswagen dealers will install a new hazard flasher switch/relay kit to remedy the defective vehicles.please see safety recall 04v584 for details.

PE04073

What 2001 Volkswagen Golf owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 2, 2015 · Electrical, Lights · 174,000 miles · AK

Hello, I noticed a recall done on these vw vehicles. (http://hdhtex.com/index.php/volkswagen-brake-light-and-turn-signal-recalls-affect-more-than-1000000-vehicles/) the recall is due to the brake lights and blinker lights not working together. If I am signaling left and I put my brakes on, the signal switches sides and the lights start blinking. This happens with both directions. This is a huge saftey issue and its not due to any aftermarket tinkering. I called volkswagon to help me with this problem and they declined any assistance to me. It makes sense for them to fix this if it was a recall at one point. Thank you

Filed May 21, 2012 · Lights · 64,000 miles · IL

While I have no incident to report, I would like to prevent future incidents. My car, like lots of older vehicles, suffers from uv clouding of the headlight lenses, which diminishes their effectiveness in illuminating the roadway at night. Surely this is a safety concern. Equally surely, the manufacturers are aware of it. So why is this deficiency of design or manufacture not the subject of recalls?

Filed Jun 15, 2007 · Lights · 170,000 miles · CA

I have received a recall notice that requiresd me to bring the car to the dealer for repairs. I have not confidence that the dealers in my area will perform the repair without damaging the car in other non covered areas. Therefore, I will not bring the car to the dealer for repair. Safety recall n4 volkswagen.

Filed Oct 25, 2006 · Lights, Transmission · VA

I was driving on the freeway when I bumped the shifter while reaching for my soda. The shifter went into neutral and would not come out until I forced it back into drive. I pulled over into a gas station. I put the car in park and tried to shift back into drive, but the shifter wouldn't budge. I finally got it to go into park after a tow truck driver suggested that I turn the ignition to different positions while pumping the break and pulling on the shifter. It finally released and I drove immediately to the nearest volkswagen dealership. The malfunction was in the brake light switch so I had to get it replaced. I was charged $40 for the part itself and $230 for the work. I feel that since there is a recall on the 1998-2002 vw beetle and the 1999-2001 vw jetta that there should be one on the 2001 vw golf as well.

Filed Jul 5, 2006 · Lights · 51,232 miles · CA

I own a 2001 vw golf. Since I purchased this car, the brake light switch has failed once per year. Thus, I have had to replace this faulty brake light switch four times in four years. The faulty switch has caused my epc light to come on while I am driving, and to stall the vehicle and prevent it from shifting gears. Vw issued a recall for faulty brake switches in the 1999-2002 jetta and 1998-2002 beetles, so I don't know why a comparable fix has not been made available to 2000-2002 golf owners. This problem is rampant. A search of any vw chat board will reveal numerous owners who have experienced this problem. Vw should recall the brake light switches on the older golfs as it has done with other models, or it may pose a safety hazard to the many golf owners out there (who are not likely to purchase any type of vw again). There are no signs to indicate that the brake light switch will fail before it fails. Each time it fails, the car must be brought to a dealer or service shop for switch replacement. I have records of my brake light switch replacements over the past four years I have owned my golf, and can send you copies if you need them. Thank you.

Filed Sep 27, 2005 · Lights · 140,000 miles · CO

Dt: the caller said brake light switch was faulty. He had no brake lights. Dealer and manufacturer have not been contacted yet. The caller said there was a recall on the same brake light switch on the jetta, but not on the golf.

Filed Sep 22, 2005 · Lights · 79,000 miles · OH

Dt: the consumer stated that the 2001 volkswagen was having electrical problems with the brake switch. The brakes were not coming on when the brake pedal was pushed. There was a light on the dashboard that red glowing plug warning. This indicated that there was a problem. The consumer contacted volkswagen, and there was no recall on the consumer's vehicle. Therefore, they could not help the consumer with the problem. This started on 9-22-2005. The consumer had no brake light or cruise control. The local dealer was contacted , and they stated there were no recalls on the vehicle.

Filed Aug 26, 2005 · Lights · IL

I have a 2001 volkswagen golf tdi. The brake light switch has failed causing no brake lights to be lit while braking. This is a potentially dangerous situation where the car could easily be rear-ended. The odd thing is that vw has recalled their other models because of this defect, but not the golf. My golf even uses the identical part to the one that was recalled. If other models are recalled because of this part defect, why wasn't the golf recalled?

Filed May 16, 2005 · Acceleration, Lights · 30,588 miles · CA

Vw golf 2001 unable to shift from park or neutral with ignition "on". Potentially dangerous. Fortunately this time car was not in a dangerous location. This is the second failure of the brake light switch (and automatic shift lock switch) in this car with only 30588 miles. Replaced at dealer. I have the failed switch and (as an engineer) can see many flaws in the design, leading to arcs and contact sticking or non-operation. Research on the internet shows that many other owners have had this problem, some over 6 times. Applicable over a range of vw models and years. Canada had a recall for some vw models. Vw should replace the switches with a better design under a lifetime warranty as a dangerous defect. My wife or one of the many others could have been trying to get off a train track when the thing locked.

Filed Mar 30, 2005 · Lights · CA

The federal safety agency recall campaign 04v584000; volkswagen issued a hazard switch recall. This vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN, but has the hazard switch lights working intermittently.

Questions about the 2001 Volkswagen Golf lights

Does the 2001 Volkswagen Golf have lights problems?

Owners have filed 15 complaints about the lights of the 2001 Volkswagen Golf, 13% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2001 Volkswagen Golf lights problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 64,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2001 Volkswagen Golf lights?

Yes, 2 recalls: 07V063000, 04V584000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

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

The Volkswagen Golf model years with the most lights complaints are 2001 (15 complaints) and 2002 (11 complaints).