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Volkswagen and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are recalling nearly 800,000 vehicles, dating back to model year 1999, because the brake lights might not function properly. A similar recall occurred in Europe last year and brings the total number of vehicles recalled over one million.

The company said that dealers would repair the problem now, but it would be at least one month before notifications were sent to customers, prompting them to visit a dealership to have the car repaired.

Posted under Automotive, Recalls

In cooperation with EPA and the California Air Resource Board, Volkswagen of America has agreed to extend the emissions warranty on 345,000 of its vehicles. The warranty covers the catalytic converter on 1999 through 2001 vehicles which include the Golf, Jetta, and New Beetle models with 2.0 liter AEG engines.

The emissions warranty will be extended from the current eight years or 80,000 miles to 10 years or 120,000 miles due to defects that can cause the ceramic material in the converter to rattle and erode over time. This could lead to exhaust emission levels above the federal and state emission standards.

Volkswagen is sending notification letters to affected owners and will reimburse anyone who has already paid to replace converters for this defect.

Posted under Automotive