2007 Volkswagen Jetta Problems & Complaints

Better than average53% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Jetta at the same age

Owners have filed 201 complaints about the 2007 Volkswagen Jetta with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 53% fewer than a typical Jetta model year at the same age, making the 2007 one of the better Jetta years. The most reported problem area is the electrical system (45 complaints, typically around 76,000 miles). 4 recalls cover this model year.

201complaints
4recalls
11crashes
7fires
14injuries
0deaths

Most common 2007 Volkswagen Jetta problems

  • Electrical system~76,000 miles
    4522%
  • Brakes~22,000 miles
    4422%
  • Air bags~60,000 miles
    3517%
  • 3316%
  • Engine & cooling~82,000 miles
    2512%
  • Body & structure~51,000 miles
    115%
  • Seats~91,000 miles
    94%
  • Other / not specified~121,000 miles
    84%
  • Lights~99,000 miles
    84%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~85,000 miles
    84%
  • Locks & latches~76,000 miles
    84%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~51,000 miles
    73%
  • Speed control & acceleration~80,000 miles
    63%
  • Suspension~96,000 miles
    52%
  • Steering~155,000 miles
    42%
  • Wheels & tires~4,000 miles
    42%
  • Equipment & accessories~16,000 miles
    31%
  • Seat belts~136,000 miles
    21%
  • A/C & heater~84,000 miles
    21%
  • Stability & traction control~48,000 miles
    10%

Share of the 201 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Volkswagen Jetta complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’262203154192349439668704458233248580201188889852607500518387194161160315495469434346306
Owner complaints per model year, Volkswagen Jetta. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Jetta years: 2018, 2020, 2022. Years to avoid: 2019, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2010. Compare all years →

2007 Volkswagen Jetta recalls (4)

Unknown or other

NHTSA recall 19V-679 · Sep 25, 2019 · 113 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle…

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7.

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

NHTSA recall 10V-621 · Dec 10, 2010 · 228,236 vehicles

Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 jetta, new beetle, new beetle convertible, model year 2009 jetta sportwagen and model year 2007-2009 rabbit vehicles equipped with 2.5l engines.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the underhood fuel line. Additionally, depending on the vehicle model, dealers will either remove the plastic tab from the windshield washer fluid reservoir, or inspect the…

Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft

NHTSA recall 09V-164 · May 19, 2009 · 25,594 vehicles

Volkswagen is recalling 25,594 my 2006-2009 jetta 5th generation equipped with 2.01 engine. The fastening screw contact surfaces on the driveshaft cover plate May not have been manufactured to factory specifications.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the driveshaft screws and replace the screws free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2009. Owners May contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

Exterior lighting › Headlights

NHTSA recall 07V-442 · Sep 24, 2007 · 340,000 vehicles

Certain vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." some vehicles May not have had a required cap installed which disables the headlight horizontal aim and some vehicles May contain a cap that disables the vertical aiming…

Remedy: Dealers will inspect for the presence of a cap in the socket of the low beam horizontal aiming screw and install one if missing, and inspect for the presence of a cap in the socket of the vertical aiming screw and if…

What 2007 Volkswagen Jetta owners say

Electrical system all 45 →

The contact owned a 2007 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing electrical problems. The contact stated while driving at 45 MPH, another driver persistently blew the horn at her to inform her that the vehicle had caught fire. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and immediately exited the vehicle. The contact noticed that there was a fire underneath the passenger side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle burned to the ground and there was a big hole in the pavement. There was no further information provided. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with the assistance of the fire department. A fire department report was filed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where it was totaled. …

141,000 miles · Aug 2022 · fire · 1 injury

The car has been jerking when you're driving and sometimes it jerks forward as you're parking it while it's in the parked position. Then I'm driving home from work , it's raining heavy. I get to the Valaro store by my house; I put $40.00 worth of gas in the car after work drove home parked the car the next morning it would not turn over , would not ignite at all I took it to the shop. They said the computer was fried from the rain leaking through the windshield or under the windshield. They said it's a major problem with this model car. The mechanic said the computer could not be fixed. He sent it to the Volkswagen repair shop it can't be fixed and to replace it cost thousands of dollars !!! I can provide an estimate of the problems and possible repairs if needed . The mechanic stated it is not worth the cost to fix the car. …

Dec 2023

Brakes all 44 →

TPMS failure on each tire and ABS went out immediately. Was on he highway when failure happened; had to use the emergency run away truck ramp to stop. Break pads seized on back left side causing damage to rotor that was just replaced. Only thing that saved my life was it was in the middle of the night.

Sep 2021

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start without warning. In addition, the vehicle shook and previously made abnormal noises. The vehicle was not able to restart. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer (timmons Volkswagen of long beach, 3940 cherry ave, long beach, ca, 90807) where it was diagnosed that the starter failed, the brake booster vacuum was leaking oil, the driver and passenger outer cv boots were torn/worn, and the sway bar link was fractured. All the parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 50,200.

50,000 miles · Nov 2017

Air bags all 35 →

The contact owns a 2007 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed that the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the failure could be duplicated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

110,000 miles · Jan 2025

My wife was driving her 2007 vw Jetta when she was t-boned from a GMC SUV, approx. Speed of GMC was 40 MPH and approx speed of Jetta was 45 MPH. The Jetta was struck at a 90 degree angle directly into the drivers side door. The impact was enough that my wife needed to be removed from her car with the jaws of life. The steering column airbag deployed however the multiple side and lumbar airbags did not deploy. Had these deployed her injures would had been much less severe. Both cars are being totaled by the insurance companies. This vehicle was purchased specifically because of the safety features, now after contacting vw, mindy prentice regional consultant Volkswagen customer care is trying to tell me that the this isn't the type of crash that would trigger side airbags. …

Side/window · 28,000 miles · Apr 2010 · crash · 2 injuries

2007 Volkswagen Jetta engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
2.0L 4-cyl turbo6-speed automaticFWD22 / 29 / 25
2.0L 4-cyl turbo6-speed manualFWD21 / 29 / 24
2.5L 5-cyl5-speed manualFWD19 / 28 / 22
2.5L 5-cyl6-speed automaticFWD19 / 28 / 22

EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2007 Volkswagen Jetta a good car?

Based on 201 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2007 Jetta rates better than average: 53% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Jetta at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2007 Volkswagen Jetta?

The electrical system — 45 complaints, 22% of all complaints for this model year, most often about instrument cluster/panel. Next are the brakes (44) and air bags (35).

How many recalls does the 2007 Volkswagen Jetta have?

There are 4 recalls for the 2007 Volkswagen Jetta, the most recent from September 25, 2019 (unknown or other). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Volkswagen Jetta?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2018, 2020 and 2022. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2019, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2010. See the full Volkswagen Jetta years comparison.

At what mileage do 2007 Volkswagen Jetta problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 55,000 miles; 44% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.