Headlight complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 9% | — |
| 2021 | 1 | 14% | — |
| 2020 | 1 | 17% | — |
| 2018 | 2 | 7% | — |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% | 10,000 miles |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2015 | 1 | 1% | 5,000 miles |
| 2013 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2012 | 3 | 6% | 68,000 miles |
| 2011 | 3 | 3% | — |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% | 45,000 miles |
| 2005 | 2 | 11% | 55,000 miles |
| 2004 | 1 | 4% | 32,000 miles |
| 2003 | 1 | 4% | 69,000 miles |
| 2002 | 11 | 15% | 70,000 miles |
| 2001 | 15 | 13% | 64,000 miles |
| 2000 | 4 | 5% | 86,000 miles |
| 1999 | 5 | 8% | 75,000 miles |
| 1998 | 2 | 11% | — |
| 1995 | 4 | 9% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Intermittently, dashboard mfd would indicate that all exterior lights failed. Shut off engine and pulled out key. Inserted key and restarted and all would be fine. Got to the point that lights were in fact not working. Pulled out fuses and when I pulled the 30a fuse (f16?) I noticed the fuse and fuse box was melted. I cleaned the contacts on the fuse with sandpaper and a wire brush. I attempted to use the brush on the fuse box but to no avail. I inserted the fuse back in and the lights worked. Next morning, I turned the key on and mfd indicated all the lights were not working. I opened the hood and fuse box and wiggled the fuse. Worked all the way to and from work. Found two vw forums discussed this same issue. Most were tiguans. Pictures are the fuse box and the front and rear lights before I cleaned the fuse. The car was stationary when I was working on it.
My issue seams similar to a filing last year "10654071". I started the car to leave from work, and I receive nine separate exterior light faults. It affected both the front right, left rear, right rear, side marker lights, and plate light. All stopped working at the same time. There was no warning. And no fuses were blown. I was driving at night when this happened, I was lucky that one headlight continued to work. This made for a very difficul.
The wire from the alternator to the underhood fuse block is not thick enough to handle the current from the stock alternator. This causes the wire to get too hot melting the fuse block at the 30 amp fuse causing headlight issues.
Low beam headlight electrical problem one side of vehicle low beam headlight does not work. I noticed passats and jettas have had this recalled and it is due to an electrical wiring issue. This is not a bulb replacement since bulb has been replaced several times and still not working. It is an issue with the hood when it closes knocking the electrical connection out. Same issue as the passats and jettas. Why was this not recalled for the Golf as well?
2002 Volkswagen Golf has had numerous problems. The most recent problem is that the coil spring broke while the consumer was driving causing damage to the strut. Now the consumer has to pay to get the vehicle fixed. The consumer stated the problems started after the warranty ended. The battery died. 5 days later, the MIL appeared and the vehicle was misfiring. In March of 2007 the engine light illuminated due to a faulty coil. In April of 2007 the battery light illuminated due to a failed alternator. The right headlight was inoperative, the catalytic converter was replaced. Updated 12/12/07
I have a 2002 vw Golf, the brake light switch on my car has broken 4 times in the 4 years I have owned this car. The last time it hs happened my car wouldn't shift out of park and I had to get my car towed. Each time the brake light switch was found to be faulty and it was replaced. This is a very frustrating problem and its very time consuming. I believe that Volkswagen needs to do something to correct this problem.
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
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). …
Related recalls (2)
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch May malfunction if it was installed incorrectly.
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.
Exterior lighting › Hazard flashing warning lights › Switch
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.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Turn signal/hazard flasher failure
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…
Frequently asked questions
Which Volkswagen Golf years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2001 (15), 2002 (11) and 1999 (5) model years. Headlight complaints make up 13% of all complaints for the 2001.
Is there a recall for Volkswagen Golf headlight problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 07V-063 (switch, Feb 20, 2007); 04V-584 (switch, Dec 16, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Volkswagen Golf headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles; 35% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the brake lights › switch (22 mentions), followed by the headlights (8).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.