VW Beetle Brake Warning Points to Faulty Switch Issue

I experienced similar brake light warnings in my 2013 VW Golf TSI. The electrical issue initially appeared unusual, but the brake switch was indeed the root cause. The brake pedal position sensor was misreading, causing false signals to the vehicle safety systems. The repair involved replacing the brake switch assembly behind the brake pedal. While not an immediate safety risk if your physical brakes work normally, this electrical issue needs attention since it affects multiple systems: Cruise control functionality, Brake light operation, Start-stop system performance, Transmission shift interlocking The repair was straightforward but required specific diagnostic equipment to clear the error codes afterward. The brake switch is a common wear item on VW models from this era, and replacing it typically resolves all related warning messages. This is not a major repair, but should not be postponed as it can potentially affect various vehicle safety features. After the fix, all systems returned to normal operation with no recurring issues over the next 40000km.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the brake switch problem. Your description matches my situation perfectly, those unusual warnings in the brake system were driving me crazy. Good to know it was a relatively simple fix involving the brake pedal sensor. How much did the repair end up costing you? And have you noticed any other electrical gremlins since getting it fixed? My mechanic estimated around 300€ for parts and labor, but I want to make sure that sounds reasonable before proceeding.

Had my car back from the shop today actually. Turns out the brake switch was not faulty at all, it was just not properly clipped in. The mechanic simply reseated the switch connection behind the brake pedal and cleared the error codes. Since this was just a minor adjustment to fix the electrical issue, they did not charge anything. No parts needed replacement. All vehicle safety systems are now working perfectly, no more warning lights or error messages. The cruise control, brake lights, and other features are back to normal operation. This kind of switch-related problem seems quite common in these cars, but luckily it is not always a case of needing replacement parts. If your symptoms are identical, you might want to have them check if your brake switch is properly seated before proceeding with a full replacement. Could save you that 300€ repair cost if it turns out to be a similar simple fix.

I took my car to the mechanic yesterday after reading these helpful responses. The tail light warning was exactly as described, but my case needed more than just reseating the switch. Had to get a complete brake switch replacement since the old one was actually faulty. The total cost came to 280€, which included the new switch and labor. Pretty close to the estimate and seemed fair given the diagnostic work needed. The automotive switch replacement took about an hour, and they tested all systems thoroughly afterward. Really glad I got it fixed, all warning lights are now off, and every system is working properly again. No more unusual electrical issues popping up on the dashboard. Definitely worth addressing these problems promptly rather than ignoring the warning signs.