Volkswagen To Recall 270,000 New Beetles In US

BERLIN August 1, 2003; Dow Jones reported that German car maker Volkswagen AG will recall 270, 000 of its New Beetle models in the U.S. because of potential problems with the brake lights, a company spokesman said Friday.

The recall program will affect cars with automatic transmissions made between 1998 and 2001.

Because of a connection between the brake light and the transmission, a problem with the brake light could render the New Beetle immobile by locking it in "Park."

The spokesman declined to comment on the cost of the recall program.

The move shows that VW is still struggling with quality problems. In the latest J.D. Power and Associates survey of initial car quality, VW averaged 141 problems per 100 vehicles, well above the industry average of 133.