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eliasschneider1

VW Arteon Brake Light Warning Persists After Service

Need advice on brake light issue, getting mixed signals from my mechanic. My 2021 VW Arteon (gas, 29352km) keeps showing a brake light failure warning along with an error message in the infotainment system. The error seems persistent even after a mechanic visit. Based on some research, it might be a faulty brake switch causing these warnings. Has anyone experienced similar brake system issues with their Arteon? Looking for insights on the repair process and potential costs before heading back to a different shop. Want to make sure the vehicle safety isnt compromised and get it fixed properly this time.

4 comment(s)

tom_richter37

Had a similar brake light warning issue with my 2018 VW Passat. The problem turned out to be more than just a burned-out bulb, it was indeed a faulty brake switch under the brake pedal. The brake switch replacement was necessary because the switch wasnt properly detecting when the brake pedal was being pressed. This caused inconsistent brake light operation and triggered the warning messages in the dashboard. These automotive switch problems can become a serious vehicle safety concern since other drivers might not see your brake lights working properly. Plus, the brake switch also feeds important signals to various vehicle systems including cruise control and shift interlock. The repair process involved: Diagnostic scan to confirm brake system fault codes, Removing lower dash panel to access the brake pedal assembly, Testing the old switch signals, Installing new brake switch, Clearing fault codes, Test driving to verify fix After the switch replacement, all warning messages cleared and brake lights functioned normally again. This is definitely something that needs proper fixing, avoid driving too long with brake light issues since its both a safety risk and could lead to more complex problems if ignored.

eliasschneider1 (Author)

Thanks for sharing your experience with the brake switch replacement. I had this exact same tail light warning problem on my Arteon last spring and got it fixed. The mechanic also found some corrosion on the wiring harness that needed cleaning. Would you mind sharing what the total repair cost was in your case? Mine was around 280€ including parts and labor, but prices can vary. Also curious if youve had any recurring brake system issues since getting it fixed? My brake lights have been working perfectly since the repair.

tom_richter37

Just want to update on my Passat brake light repair situation, turns out I was lucky and it was just user error. When I brought it to the mechanic, they found the brake light switch was actually fine. The warning messages were happening because I wasnt pressing the brake pedal all the way down to its natural stopping point during normal driving. After the mechanic showed me the correct pedal operation, the electrical issue completely resolved itself. No parts replacement was needed, and the brake system has been working flawlessly since then. Best part, since it was just a matter of proper brake pedal usage, there was no repair cost at all (0€). Your case sounds more serious with the actual wiring harness corrosion, which explains the higher repair cost. Its good to hear your vehicle safety hasnt been compromised since getting it properly fixed. Regular brake light function is crucial for preventing rear-end collisions.

eliasschneider1 (Author)

Thanks for the helpful advice. Just wanted to wrap up my brake light saga. After reading these responses, I went to a different mechanic for a second opinion. The new shop did a thorough diagnostic and found both the faulty brake switch and some corroded wiring that the first mechanic missed. The repair took about 2 hours. They replaced the brake switch, cleaned up the corroded connections, and ran a full brake system test. Total cost came to 280€ which seemed fair given the work involved. The brake lights have been working perfectly since then with no warning messages. For anyone else dealing with similar brake light issues, definitely worth getting a proper diagnosis rather than just assuming its a simple bulb replacement. The safety aspect alone makes it worth fixing properly the first time around.

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