Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Volkswagen Jetta owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Volkswagen Jetta. While having the vehicle serviced for routine maintenance, the contact was informed that the rear brakes were completely worn and rubbing metal on metal. The vehicle was repaired. Three weeks later while driving approximately 20 MPH the contact was involved in a crash in which the air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and the contact suffered minor injuries. The vehicle was towed to an insurance lot and was not examined for the cause of failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 38,600. Updated 06/02/11 the consumer stated the vehicle was totaled. Updated 11/28/11
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving various speeds, the air bag indicator illuminated intermittently. An independent mechanic was made aware of the failure and performed a diagnostic that determined that the passenger air bag and the rear seat air bags were faulty. In addition, while the vehicle was on an incline, a burning odor entered the cabin of the vehicle. An unknown Volkswagen dealer in bennington, vermont was made aware of the failure, but could not determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown.
My vehicle has approximately 165K miles. Right at about 120K miles, the transmission started shifting harshly. At times, the transmission would get stuck at 3rd gear, and the transmission indicator panel lights up prnd all at once. This usually happens when driving hills, or stop and go driving. My airbag light is also on constantly. I've had the issue fixed previously, however, the issue has returned. Lastly, my passenger side door does not like all the time. I've tried to remotely and manually lock the door; however, it is not working properly.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH on wet roadways, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a dirt embankment. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained spine and nerve injuries. A police report was filed of the incident. The vehicle was destroyed. The VIN was not available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 19,000.
Airbag indicator light has come on and for the most part remains on. For short periods of time the light will go off, but inevitably, it always turns back on. This is very concerning and seems to be a systemic issue with this make and model year. Many report airbags not deploying in the event of an accident. Volkswagen needs to do the right thing and issue a recall before they have a pr nightmare by putting profit margins over the lives of their consumers.
Even after such a big crash air bag did not deploy. Vehicle was totaled.I am not seriously injured but have severe pain in the neck and shoulders.I am the lucky one that I survived with out any major injuries but too worried about the airbags because lot of peoples out there driving the same model. Please consider this has high priority. I have pictures of the car that I can send in case you need them.
I had issues with the fuel system and air bag light on just started. But dealer carmax did not tell about any recall for the fuel system few years ago. But I just seen that in your system. And car max changed me a lot of money for the fuel system being replace around feb/2016. So can some please help me with this issues. And wanted to will carmax be able get reimburse for them thanks
Airbag sensors malfunctioning at least twice on daughter's Jetta. Just had the faulty wiring under the driver's seat repaired and, a few days later, light is back on with yet another diagnosis for another issue with the crash sensor, potentially. See on this feed that many others have the same issue. Why is vw not issuing a lifetime recall?
Airbag complaints in other Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2007 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the air bags of the 2007 Volkswagen Jetta, 17% of the model year's 201 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Volkswagen Jetta airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2007 Volkswagen Jetta, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Volkswagen Jetta airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 1 fire and 7 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.