VW Passat Hybrid Brake Light Switch Malfunction Alert

Thanks for asking about the brake light switch issues. I had a similar situation with my 2019 VW Golf Hybrid last year, so I have some experience with this specific electrical issue. The symptoms you describe match exactly what I encountered, malfunctioning tail lights and error messages. Initially thought I needed a switch replacement, but it turned out the brake light switch was actually fine. The real issue was much simpler: the brake pedal switch connector had worked itself loose over time. A quick check under the dashboard revealed the loose connection. Simply reconnecting it properly solved all the electrical issues and cleared the error codes. Took about 5 minutes to fix and cost nothing. Before heading to a workshop, you might want to check this yourself: Look under the dashboard near the brake pedal, Locate the brake light switch connector, Check if its firmly seated and properly connected, Listen for a click when pushing the brake pedal To help troubleshoot further, could you share: Have you noticed any pattern when the errors occur? Does the brake pedal feel different than usual? Are the brake lights completely dead or intermittent? Which specific error codes is your system showing?

Just had my 95000km service done and still experiencing these exact same symptoms. After checking the connector as suggested, mine turned out to be a faulty brake light switch causing the vehicle safety system errors. The tail light issues were just a symptom of the main problem. Got the switch replacement done and it fixed both the brake light and infotainment errors completely. Was surprised how a small electrical component could trigger so many system warnings. The repair cost was 180€ including diagnostic time.

Thanks for the follow-up on your Passat Hybrid brake light switch repair. Looking back at my Golf Hybrid experience, while my issue was just a loose connection, faulty brake light switches are actually quite common in these models. Good to hear you got it sorted with a proper switch replacement. The 180€ repair cost seems reasonable considering the diagnostic work needed. These vehicle safety systems are highly interconnected, a single brake light switch can indeed trigger multiple warnings since it interfaces with various control modules. Its worth noting for others reading that brake light switch issues can manifest differently. In my case, the loose connection showed similar symptoms but had a free fix. In your case, the actual switch needed replacement. Both scenarios triggered similar error codes and tail light malfunctions. This really highlights why proper diagnosis is important. While basic checks like connector inspection should be the first step, sometimes component replacement is unavoidable to restore proper vehicle safety system operation. Have you noticed any other electrical improvements since the repair? Sometimes fixing the brake light switch can resolve subtle issues you might not have initially connected to the problem.

Thanks everyone for the helpful feedback. Really glad I got this sorted out properly. After 2 weeks with the new brake light switch, the car runs perfectly with no error messages. The brake system now feels more responsive and all the vehicle safety features work as intended. The tail lights are functioning normally and the infotainment system is error-free. Beyond the initial 180€ repair cost, no additional issues have emerged. For anyone facing similar problems, definitely start with checking the brake switch connector, but be prepared that the switch itself might need replacement like in my case. Getting professional diagnosis was worth it since these electrical issues can be tricky to pinpoint. Having proper working brake lights is essential for safety, so I am satisfied with investing in the proper fix rather than trying temporary solutions. This whole experience taught me how interconnected modern car systems are, what seems like a simple brake light problem can actually affect multiple vehicle safety components. Thanks again for helping me understand the issue better before heading to the workshop.