The 3rd brake light has failed to work and while there is power to the power module there is no way to access the led brake light panel without removing the rear spoiler and replacing it with a new one with a cost of $500 to change the light for inspection.

- East Aurora, NY, USA

There were no specific events leading to the failure, only time. The high mounted 3rd brakelight on my 2007 VW Gti is failing. It's full of condensation, and that's causing the bulbs inside it to fail. When I went to replace them, the owners manual informed me that only the dealer could do so. Upon taking it to the dealer, they informed me that they would have the car several days as they had to dismount several body panels, cut them open, then replace the bulbs and glue everything back together. I was also warned to essentially expect body damage, and that the bill for all this would be substantial. All this to replace a bulb? that's insane, and I felt like that was a poor enough result that most people would deal with the safety issues instead of replacing it.

- Frederick, MD, USA

I want to complaint about the 3rd high mount brake light on my 07 Volkswagen Gti that I have one of the light out among the light and I try to replace the light in a Volkswagen dealership and they said that they would not replace it because I only have one light out unless I need four light out which I think it is impossible to make all lights are out within the warranty period. I think think have responsibility to fix it because even though one light is out it already not out of the factory condition. I have no idea that they need to wait 4 lights are out to fixed it. Also I want to complain that the third brake light is impossible to replace it by yourself because it is mount inside the spoiler, therefore I think the dealership have responsibility to replace even though it charges.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

On washing the car (2007 VW Gti 2.0 2H) the third brake light cracked and fell from its housing in several pieces. The main body of the part remains attached by the electric cable. The factory resolution is to send the car to a body shop to remove the factory spoiler and replace the light assembly. The factory manual warns that this is a multi-day job and may result in a broken spoiler and possible body damage. This appears to be a violation of FMVSS 108 which requires that replacing the bulbs be simple and require only common tools. The added costs are beyond reasonable expectations and were not set forth as part of the purchasing decision.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

Rear high mounted stop lamp assembly failed( led's burned out) due to moisture getting in. When asked about replacing the lamp, VW's response is that the old spoiler containing the stop lamp has to be cut off of the hatch. This is a violation of FMVSS 108 which requires that replacing the bulbs be simple and require only common tools. The car is less than a year old and they want me to pay 700 dollars to replace a brake lamp.

- Hemet, CA, USA

The 3rd brake like on my 2007 Volkswagen Gti formed condensation and had to be replaced at the dealer by cutting off the spoiler since it was not removable from the outside surface. The process outlined by VW warns of possible body damage during this process, which I also found after the repair. This part is not user serviceable, and is very costly if it has to be done outside of warranty.

- New Richmond, OH, USA