Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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 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. …
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. …
The vehicle caught fire in the engine bay by the front driver side headlamp. The low beam of the headlight kept going off and on prompting a broken headlight or headlamp bulb signal on dash board. After replacing the bulb the issue was not resolved it continued periodically for about one month . While driving I smelled burning plastic after which I noticed flames from the front driver side headlamp. I pulled over opened the hood noticing that the front driver side headlamp was melting and on fire. Within two minutes of pulling over the engine bay was completely melted . The fire spread to the interior ' melting it.
The vehicle was in motion with the seat heater on. I noticed a burning smell and then a burning sensation. By the time I was able to safely pull over, there was a hole in the right side of the driver's seat cover, exposing the wiring and foam. My coat and clothing were burned, as well as my back. There is also evidence of overheating/burning in additional locations of the seat cover, but it only burned through in one location. I turned off the seat heater and drove to the dealership where I was instructed to discontinue use of the seat heater. This occurred on 3/8/19 with less than 95K miles on the car.
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.
As I was driving the vehicle the gear shifted on its own from drive into neutral. Brought the vehicle to a stop. I placed the vehicle back into drive. I drove a short distance and the car will now only go from drive to neutral. The key is stuck in the ignition. Took it to the vw dealership and was told the gear shift box is defective but no longer covered under warranty. Contacted vw corp and opened a case with the regional case manager. Still waiting to hear from them. I was told at the dealer that it wasn't safe to drive as it is. When I asked since it's not safe to drive will they be replacing it at no cost? Stated no since they have no recall under my VIN # and no longer under warranty.
Door locks fail to lock. Front driver door will lock but all other doors do not lock. Alarm will sound off if door is opened but will only work for 1 minute then shut off. This has resulted in an auto burglary at my sons work place parking lot. It also poses a danger to children in back seat if door is opened while car is in motion. Safety is at issue when people in the vehicle need to prevent being car jacked or robbed as well. We have researched this issue and have found that there are thousands of complaints on this same issue. What is it going to take to have a recall issued on this vehicle to force the manufacturer to repair these vehicles?
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.
I just recently bought the car not even 6 months ago, certified pre owned, I noticed about a week after having it that two of my doors do not lock at all. Also my head lights stay on 24/7 while my car in turned to the on position. When I'm on the highway the car shakes really bad when I hit 60 MPH or higher. This car is a piece and I don't recommend anyone with a child to purchase this car. It is unsafe and unprofessionally designed.
Rear driver's side lock failed with no indications that it did not work. We thought the door was locking, either via the key-fob or internal locking, but it was not and we have no idea how long this was the case before the dealer pointed it out. There is no way to lock the door manually. This left our car open for theft, and endangered a younger child we sometimes transport as the door was not able to be locked.
Electrical complaints in other Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2007 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the electrical system of the 2007 Volkswagen Jetta, 22% of the model year's 201 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Volkswagen Jetta electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 2 injuries to electrical system 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.