September 2002 - leased 2002 VW Jetta 1.8T. July 2003 - check engine light came on, ignition coils had to be replaced per recall. November 2003 - plumes of black smoke came out of tailpipe - they determined the oxygen sensor needed replacing. November 2003 - (a day later) smoke still coming out of tailpipe, they determined there was oil in the turbo, they had to remove and install new turbo charger and there was an oil leak, they had to remove and install oil line. November 2003- car making whoosing noise, had to rescure loose intake hose. May 2004 - replace breaklight switch per recall. July 2004 - drivers side window fell - had to have both windows and clamps replaced per recall. (if this had happened after hours, my car could have easily been vandilized, fortunately it was during the day and I was near the dealer so they were able to get them wedged shut before they could get the car in to be fixed.) July 2004 (a day later) - battery died, got jumped and was towed to shop, it was determined I needed a new battery. No problems for almost a year, thought I was homefree... May 2005 - clacking noise in engine, sludge on dipstick and in oil fill cap. No oil light or check engine light ever came on. Had to also have hazard switch replaced per recall. I am currently waiting to see if they will cover the repairs under my warranty. My car needs to have the oil pan removed to see if there is any further damage. I was never told to you use synethic oil in my car and that apparently is the cause of the sludge problem. From looking online, it seems many more people than just myself have had this problem. VW needs to recall this.

- Aurora, CO, USA

1. driving during a early winter snow storm in northern in. Driving at constant speed on interstate in 4th gear. All of a sudden the glow plug light came on and started to blink. It then blinked on and off for the next 2 hours till I arrived at my destination 2. after I got to my destination I looked up what the blinking glow plug light could mean on the internet. A VW chat page said to check my rear tail lights. I went out side and restarted the car, same light started to blink and the tail lights did not work. Emergency flashers worked as well as turn signals but no brake lights. With the heavy snow fall and at night this could have resulted in a large disaster if a vehicle behind me had not seen that I was stopping. 3. I took the car to a VW dealership to be fixed after I read that the brake pedal switch was under recall for failures. The dealer informed me that my model VW was not eligible for the recall but the brake sensor was defective. They replaced for $97. Now brake lights work again. It seems that my automobile should have been under the recall since I had the same problem that other VW Jettas are getting fixed for free under a recall.

- Saint Joseph, MI, USA

Tailights burn out frequently. Component caught fire.

- Maple Valley, WA, USA

Consumer received recall 04V096000 concerning brake light switch. Due to the brake light switch being defective the gear shift could not be moved out of park. The consumer's vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.

- Midlothian, VA, USA

Related to NHTSA recall no. 04V096.I am the lessee of a 2002 VW Jetta that has experience a brake light malfunction four (4) times in the past 24 months. The latest failure of the brake lights on the vehicle caused a failure of the lights on deceleration followed by them being stuck in the on position while parked. While repeated repairs of this recurring problem (by the VW dealership) seem to rectify the issue for a period of time, the issue returns. The latest incident nearly caused a rear-end collision on a high-way off-ramp. Maintenance records of this recurring problem were reviewed by VW Corp. Factory rep. And the opinion of VW is that they will entertain no further investigation of this incident or repair, nor will they allow me to turn the vehicle in after four (4) instances of brake light malfunctions within 24 months. According to the maintenance records, the vehicle has the recall brake light switch installed and still has had failures occur.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

Recall notice regarding the brake lighting system. The brake light switch failed prior to the consumer receiving recall notice 04V-096000 which caused the brake lights to malfunction twice. On both occasions the vehicle was taken to the local dealer where they replaced the light bulbs. After the recall arrived the consumer requested reimbursement from the dealer for the two bulbs the replaced. The dealer denied her request so now she is requesting reimbursement from the manufacturer.

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

Upon starting vehicle automatic transmission shift indicator and brake light illuminated on the console. When this occurred driver was unable to remove the gear shifter from park.

- San Diego, CA, USA

Total brake light failure (all brake lights) without warning and with no warning light to let me know they were out.

- Peachtree City, GA, USA