SEPTEMBER 2007 -- VW is recalling 340,000 MY 2005-2008 Jetta and MY 2006-2008 Rabbit, GTI, and R32 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." Some vehicles may not have had a required cap installed which disables the headlight horizontal aim and some vehicles may contain a cap that disables the vertical aiming screw. Noncompliance can inhibit proper headlamp aim adjustment for roadway illumination. Improperly aimed headlamps could cause reduced road visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will inspect for the presence of a cap in the socket of the low beam horizontal aiming screw and install one if missing, and inspect for the presence of a cap in the socket of the vertical aiming screw and if present, the cap will be removed. The recall is expected to begin on or about October 31, 2007. This recall was the subject of an investigation, OA-108-070412I, conducted by the Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance. 07V442

NEWS:   Volkswagen recalls nearly 800,000 cars

Defective brake lights on Golf, GTI, Jetta, New Beetle and R32 are a potential safety hazard and should be replaced.

February 26, 2007 - NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Around 800,000 Volkswagen vehicles have been recalled Monday because of faulty brake lights, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said.

The 790,000 vehicles include Jettas, New Beetles, Golfs, GTIs and R32s...all in the United States.

The specific years and models affected are:

• 1999-2005 Jetta sedans
• 2001-2005 Jetta wagons
• 1998-2007 New Beetle
• 2003-2007 New Beetle Convertibles
• 1999-2006 Golfs and GTIs
• 2004 R32

The malfunctioning brake lights and brake light switches could fail to come on or remain stuck on.

This recall expands on one announced by Europe's No. 1 carmaker last year, when 362,000 Jettas and New Beetles were recalled due to the same defective part.

Volkswagen said that dealers will immediately be prepared to accept service appointments to perform the repair at no charge, but the notification process isn't scheduled to begin until April.

NHTSA did not say if any injuries had been reported linked to the defective brake lights.