Clear front corners "Recall"

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

While looking for something else, I happened on this. Draw your own conclusions, but what this is, is a mandated aftermarket manufacurer's recall of a product for the NB, sold but not in compliance with Federal Regulations.

2005 Volkswagen Beetle Exterior Lighting Recall 09E012000



NHTSA: Action Number: N/A Service Bulletin Number: 09E012000

• Report Date:
  Apr 07, 2009
• Component:
  Exterior Lighting
• Potential Units Affected:
  16270
• Manufacturer:
  Sabersport

Summary: Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment. " these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.

Consequence: Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on may 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

Notes: This recall only pertains to aftermarket replacement equipment and has no relation to any original equipment installed on vehicles produced by the vehicle manufacturer. In order to determine if your aftermarket lamp assembly is affected by this noncompliance, please review the list of model numbers provided to us by sabersport. The list can be found under "document search" located at the bottom of your screen. Owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to <a href=http://www. Safercar. Gov>http://www. Safercar. Gov</a>.

Apparently, in contradiction to my belief that it is leagl to manufacturer and sell this type of aftermarket equipment, just not legal to use, this is incorrect. It is not even legal to sell the equipment. Guess this is why you moders can't find full clears!

And the debate rages on...

MORAV

[VDub Dan-O]

I'll bite, since we always seem to debate each other for everyone's entertainment. (said with a smile on my face)
That recall is for a certain brand of light, not every clear marker every sold anywhere, and for some reason, only the folks with a 2005 Beetle are getting picked on.

Most clears (side markers, tails, 3rd brake lights, ect...) have always been illegal actually, it's one of those loophole things.... You're not supposed to replace federally approved equipment with non-federally certified lighting. The folks running European headlights or modifying their headlights with HID projector lens, even though they are the correct projector lenses, yup you guessed it: illegal to do so, always has been.

Plus as you pointed out in the thread where we thread-jacked and then some, you technically only need one back up light in certain states, like where I live in NY State, to pass State safety inspection. But, you can get a ticket for an inop back up bulb, even if the other is working fine. To add to the weird NY State inspection laws: a vehicle under 80" wide doesn't need side marker lights. Contradiction in laws, and confusing at times.

Here's another fun one: I can buy a replacement catalytic converter for my car but technically it's a violation of a federal law to replace a functioning catalytic converter.

[dnyed]

I kinda figured that the clears were "illegal". I keep amber bulbs in mine, and whenever I start my car, the lights get turned on, so my clears are no longer colorless.

I will continue to be an outlaw, and keep my front clears.

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

I think that the thinking on this isn't clear. A clear lens over an amber bulb is not the problem and not illegal. It is the missing amber reflector that is. That's why you see the part clear lens with amber reflector corners. This "recall" was for "all clear" lenses, which are illegal, under US D.O.T, unless I guess you happen to live in a state that doesn't require side reflectors, i.e. NY. VD Dan-O doesn't speak of the rears; I'm assuming NY does require rear red reflectors, just not side ones. And I'm sure this wasn't aimed at '05s but rather all that this particular part fit. I just pulled up all recalls affecting my '05.

By the way, for those of you looking for all clears, this is the brand you want to Google or search. Apparently they do fit. lmao

MORAV

[dmbluebeetle]

It seems that this recall if for more cars than just NB's, and it's for 1998-2005 New Beetles according to the site.
Go to Search for a Recall | Safercar.gov | NHTSA and paste the 09E012000 into the Quick Search block to see all the vehicles listed.

SaberSport is going to take a big hit for this.

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Well, I'm sure there is only a cost involved if someone WANTS to return them, but why would they? Most ppl have to be aware they are not legal! And knew that when they bought them. I can assure you SabreSport knew.

[VDub Dan-O]

Originally Posted by MyOtherRidesAVette

VD Dan-O doesn't speak of the rears

Geeze, I got a shot for that years ago, yet the name still haunts me

Originally Posted by MyOtherRidesAVette

I'm assuming NY does require rear red reflectors, just not side ones.
MORAV

You are correct, you still need front and rear facing lights.

[dmbluebeetle]

I'm surprised they didn't issue a "For Show Only / Check your local laws" Statement if they knew the lights were illegal from the start.

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by VDub Dan-O

You are correct, you still need front and rear facing lights.

Not LIGHTS, reflectors, red rear reflectors. Or does NY not require those either?

[VDub Dan-O]

Originally Posted by MyOtherRidesAVette

Not LIGHTS, reflectors, red rear reflectors. Or does NY not require those either?

I did it again and typed lights, Yes you need rear facing reflectors.

[Smileybug]

Originally Posted by MyOtherRidesAVette

Guess this is why you moders can't find full clears!

Not really something I ever thought about but it does make sense I guess.

ECS has clears for sale. They're backorded and have been since Christmas (only know because they were on my Xmas list ), but they do list them for sale on their site from FK, not this other company: Volkswagen New Beetle 2.0 > Lighting > Indicator > ES#250860 New Beetle Clear Marker Light Set - FKBL193

[VDub Dan-O]

Originally Posted by MyOtherRidesAVette

Guess this is why you moders can't find full clears!

98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 VW Beetle Clear Bumper Lights

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by VDub Dan-O

98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 VW Beetle Clear Bumper Lights

Oh, I'm not saying they are not out there. Perhaps these (at $80 for a set of four) are what these modders are calling expensive, and out of reach.

Obviously the side market reflectors are defeated. Trying to figure out if thore little rounds (behind the clear lenses on the tail lights are intended to be the rear red reflectors). Third brake light will obviously be obscured by that god awful spoiler. Perhaps, NC, has over ridden the Federal D.O.T. specifications and has NO lighting requirements for their vehicles?

Looks like another candidate for recall, the other of which I can omly assume came about by some type of lawsuit. Why else would a manufacture be subjected to a recall? Certainly not of their own making!

Note the lack in this advertisement of either DOT or SAE compliancy, AND the lack of "off road or show use only" in the copy!

MORAV

[VDub Dan-O]

Originally Posted by MyOtherRidesAVette

Oh, I'm not saying they are not out there.

Yeah you did, re-read your first 'informative' post.

Originally Posted by MyOtherRidesAVette

Perhaps these (at $80 for a set of four) are what these modders are calling expensive, and out of reach.

Where do you see $80? The link I posted is for clear corners, and they're $19

Originally Posted by MyOtherRidesAVette

Third brake light will obviously be obscured by that god awful spoiler.

Yeah, that's a big wing!

Originally Posted by MyOtherRidesAVette

Perhaps, NC, has over ridden the Federal D.O.T. specifications and has NO lighting requirements for their vehicles?

Where's this statement coming from?

Originally Posted by MyOtherRidesAVette

Note the lack in this advertisement of either DOT or SAE compliancy, AND the lack of "off road or show use only" in the copy!
MORAV

Caveat emptor!

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by VDub Dan-O

But, you can get a ticket for an inop back up bulb, even if the other is working fine.

This would validate another Dubber, in another thread, getting a ticket in the Carolinas (can't remember which one) for a DRL being burned out at 3:00 in the afternoon (of course the headlight would also be burned at and 11:00 in the evening!)!

My take on the back-up light - If running a red rear fog (and lense), the light would not be mistaken as a back-up light. While an inspector might be savvy enough to know the law ("You're not supposed to replace federally approved equipment with non-federally certified lighting."), I don't think any police officer would argue with "I'm sorry Sir, that is OEM optional equipment on my Bug, I have the one back-up light required under DOT guidelines" (and not be lying!).

And I must take exception to your "you technically only need one back up light in certain states" statement, NO individual state can upgrade and supercede Federal DOT specifications; If this were the case automobile manufacturers would have to manufacture state specific cars (Let's not go to the California emissions laws that have been more stringent that the Federal laws since the mid '60s!). Only one back-up light is required on a non-commercial passenger car and light duty truck, in any state. Btw, a motorist, who lacks side reflectors, legal in your state, will still be in violation and subject to citation in other states.

[I respect who you are and what you do for a living, but as a professional in my business, I have had numerous occasions where I have had to explain Building Codes to Building Inspectors, who then DID confirm with their superiors that they were mis-interpreting the code.]

Originally Posted by VDub Dan-O

Here's another fun one: I can buy a replacement catalytic converter for my car but technically it's a violation of a federal law to replace a functioning catalytic converter.

You telling me NY doesn't allow "test pipe" usage?

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by VDub Dan-O

Yeah you did, re-read your first 'informative' post.

No, I just said modders can't find them, hence a lot of posts, where can I find?

Where do you see $80? The link I posted is for clear corners, and they're $19

Did I miss something? Was that for a set?

Yeah, that's a big wing!

Guess it helps keep the Bug on the ground at extreme high speeds! The weight! I'm sure there was no aerodynamic testing involved by the manufacturer!

Where's this statement coming from?

NC tags on the car, NO reflectors, side or rear, that I can see; Just a jab at the advertiser and our NC Modders!

Caveat emptor!

As always!

Notes above!

[VDub Dan-O]

You're typing so much now that you're contradicting yourself.

I believe you brought up the one backup light discussion a while ago with the Euro rear fog discussion.

NY does not allow test pipe usage. You need a functioning cat, that of which I do have.
(Side note) I practice what I preach and have all functioning emission equipment in place and functioning. I have even 5 gassed my exhaust to verify it to doubters.

[Herbie3Rivers]

I've been running clear fronts for almost 10 years now on Elwood and never had a problem. I ran clear rear corners for a while but grew tired of the look and switched back to the red ones to keep the OE look.

When I had the dealer install my rear fog light they told me that I'd have to change it out in a year in order to pass the annual PA state inspection. So I looked up the inspection code regarding back up lights and PA has no specific regulations as to the color or number of back up lights a car has. And I haven't worried about it since and haven't had a problem.

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by VDub Dan-O

You're typing so much now that you're contradicting yourself.

I'm sorry, I'm missing the contradiction!
I believe you brought up the one backup light discussion a while ago with the Euro rear fog discussion.
But your brought it up here!
NY does not allow test pipe usage. You need a functioning cat, that of which I do have.
(Side note) I practice what I preach and have all functioning emission equipment in place and functioning. I have even 5 gassed my exhaust to verify it to doubters.
Oh good heavens, I was just jackin' wid'cha! See the smiley?

Again, above!

[JaceyMelissa]

I have had both front and rear reflectors removed for almost 4yrs. now and have not had a problem. shoot I do not even have my front blinkers in right now. I have been pulled over twice for speeding (got out of both) and the police officer never mentioned the missing reflectors. or the illegal window tint. If you treat them with respect they will usually treat you the same way. (by the way I have zero points on my driving record for over nine years now)I am not saying that I am right,just saying that if you piss off a police officer that they will find anything/ everything to ticket you on.