you could have a ground problem or melted wires if someone messed with the wiring if not most likely a ground problem
They are burned out.
put the parking brake on the first click. it wont engage the brake but will turn of the lights but if you have a stock radio it will start beeping at you as soon as you hit about 10mph
Those tail lights could be the brake lights you are seeing and that would be a faulty brake light switch or the brake light switch is out of adjustment.
Check the brake light switch down on the brake pedal.
Check the brake light switch adjustment.
Brake light switch is broken or needs adjustment.
The 2000 to 2006 Volkswagens have had electrical recalls on them and are nitorious for having lighting problems. Best bet would be to call your dealerships and find out if they can fix it for free from the factory or sell it.
Brake Lights do not turn offUsually this is caused by the physical position of the brake light switch not being adjusted properly.
Check bulbs they are double filamented smaller for brake lights larger for tailights Check the fuse Check the operation of the stoplight switch
do your brake lights work wen pressing brake . if not its the brake pedal sensor
Have you checked the fuses?
Sounds like a bad Brake Light Switch. It's located on the steering column.