Forbes.com is famous for its “best”, “most” and “worst” lists and for the year 2006 it has recorded the Most Recalled Vehicles which are as follows:
• Dodge Ram with 7 recalls
• Dodge Durango with 6 recalls
• Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra with 4 recalls
• Honda Civic with 4 recalls
• Hyundai Sonata with 4 recalls
• Jeep Liberty with 4 recalls
• Land Rover LR3 with 4 recalls
• Land Rover Range Rover with 4 recalls
As you may have observe no Volkswagen vehicle is included in the list but it doesn’t mean that Europe’s largest is free from recalls. It has also recalled some 362,000 new Beetles and Jettas due to defects found on the brake light switch. The recall has affected 1999-2002 Jettas and 1998-2002 new Beetles.
And last Monday, Volkswagen of America Inc. has announced that it would recall 790,000 of its vehicles due to the same problem—defective brake light switch. The said recall would involve several models of Volkswagen such as: 1999-2006 model years of the Golf and GTI, 2001-2005 Jettas, 2001-2007 New Beetles and the 2004 R32.
Volkswagen has earlier reported to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that the brake light switches in the vehicles to be recalled could malfunction if they were improperly installed. The automaker further stated that the brake light could either remain on or failed to completely function. The danger of this is that it could give other motorists with the wrong braking signal which might lead to a crashing accident.
According to Keith Price VW spokesman, in some vehicles with automatic transmissions, a defective brake light could work in with the shift interlock to immobilize the vehicle and afterwards be simply towed. He also said that the current recall is actually an extension of last year’s recall since the company “has found out that there was a broader pool of vehicles that had the defective part.”
Price added that all those with 2001-2002 New Beetles and Jettas that have been repaired following the last year’s recall doesn’t need to return for the second time. For this year’s recall VW dealers will install new VW parts particularly the newly designed brake light switch for free. The recall will begin in late April and owners are advised to call VW for any queries that they may have. The VW number to contact is 800-822-8987.
By: Benjsmin Hudson