The little dash warning light lets me know something is wrong. For a long time I though the dash warning light was lying to me as I forget all about the 3rd brake light. I replaced the bulb a few times even with an Osram euro bulb. Cleaned up the contact a bit with my big fingers. Still very random. I'm starting to think it's got nothing to do with the bulb or bulb holder. I could try a LED replacement but I've read that screws up the bulb warning system due to LED's different behavior. Can't be the brake pedal switch. I really wouldn't care but the cops could give me a ticket and then I have to go to a gas station and pay $$ while i coax it to work.