Check the brake light switch. This can cause the brake lights to go out. There have been a couple of recalls on the 2001 for this exact problem. Contact your local VW dealer and have the switch replaced.
my back brake lights don't work, but the brake light on the back door does what could be wrong
Pull out on the light switch when you have turned it to the right to turn on the lights.
What year is the Ford Explorer ? There could be a separate fuse for the lower brake lights
Fuse
It could be the brake light switch, usually mounted on the brake pedal.
could be a brake switch problem My daughter has a 2000 Beetle and she's had this happen twice. We just found out there is a recall on the brakeswitch that causes this to happen. There have been a couple of recalls to the brake switch. You may want to contact your local dealer and have it replaced.
Probably the wrong bulbs or the brake lights are getting stuck "on". Or maybe a combination of the two. Check that you have the right bulbs and check to make sure something isn't keeping the brake lights on. FriPilot
whats wrong with them??
=I don't know about the brake lights. I know that most cars, when you turn it off and get out, the head lights and main backlights stays on for a while but then goes off. The brake lights? Maybe it's the way that car is or something is wrong with the brake or you have it on wrong.=
Maybe it is not connected properly or you bought the wrong type of bulb.
wrong bulbs or bad earth
The switch could be bad or the wire could be burned out.