Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that upon placing the vehicle into park, she exited the vehicle and went to her trunk. As she was retrieving items out of the truck, she heard the vehicle rolling backwards. The contact attempted to open the driver side door but the door had knocked her down as the vehicle continued to roll backwards. After the contact was knocked down, the front driver side tire rolled over her left leg. The vehicle continued to roll into her neighbor's yard and hit the neighbor's garage door. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. A police report was not filed. The next day, the contact went to the hospital and was treated for injuries to her left fibula which required surgery. The vehicle was still able to drive the vehicle after the accident. The vehicle was not inspected or diagnosed for the failure. …
After going to the mechanics after the check engine light came on, I was expecting all the problems to be gone but to my surprise the jolting when I accelerate is still there. Its a very harsh jolt forward roughly when its going to second gear, the rpms go to 4K then jump down to 2K and it does that for a while. For example I'll be driving and then all of a sudden it'll do a harsh jolt forward and will continue to do that when accelerating or when attempting to go at a steady speed. Another problem is the seatbelts are not retractable anymore and I have no idea why. When I would turn off the car the gas would be regurgitated back as if the car was on as it's completely off. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the transmission warning light illuminated immediately after the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnosis, however the details of the diagnosis was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000.
Engine shuts off while driving. Happened multiple times, had it towed to an auto shop that works w/my used car warrenty, they tested generator and battery and both were good. No recalls on my VIN however, I did see recall# 14e007000 on 2007 Jetta's and it states the engine could shut off due to timing belt from faulty water pump.
Had to replace both cooling fans on my 2007 vw wolfsburg Jetta. Check engine light was on cand causing the engine to overheat. Causing the pressure relief lid on the overflow bottle to be activated causing coolant to come out. This would happen when the outside tem was 50+ degrees fahrenheit. Vehicle would be driving or idle.
Car jerks, one fan do not work, oil leak, wind shield washer and coolant system. Brought car from drive time in febuary 2013. I've noticed these problems when driving and parking. The car over heats as well. I also notified drive-time and was told to get another diagnostic test. I did not have the money for another.
Right side drive shaft and left side drive shaft faulty. Vacuum pump leaking oil bad, and new gasket needed. Left side rear door latch also does not lock posing a threat to safety and leaving possibility for robber, vehicle damage and or bodily harm due to intruder.
I had a mass airflow sensor signal connection failure which caused morning of the second cylinder in a hole in the piston see you
I was driving along a major freeway when the car started to vibrate and the check engine light came on and was flashing. I had to attempt to get to the shoulder in heavy traffic with the car slowing down and engine misfiring. When parked on the side of the freeway, we exited the car since it was a very dangerous stretch of road and soon a highway service vehicle came and told us they would tow us off the road for our safety. We were stranded on a lone stretch of busy freeway 80 miles from home and had to get a tow for 80+miles and 2+ hour's drive. I was very disappointed that the problem I had with my car (ignition coil) was the same problem I had 4 months prior (which also required a tow). At that time, only one ignition coil was replaced (even though I was told there was an existing recall on the ignition coils) and so 4 months later I ended up with the same problem. …
Car shuts off and battery light comes on immediately put on emergency flashers so I will not get hit from behind both times I have been stopped at a traffic signal I put the car in park and have been able to start the car again to get to a safe place I do not feel safe driving the car do to the fact it could stop at anytime first I took my car to my certified vw specialist he ran diagnostics kept my car for three days drove it but was unable to reproduce took my car back then again the next week same thing happened I heard a click car shut down and battery light came on this time I did not feel safe to even get it into the dealership so I called a tow truck to have it towed to the dealership. …
Engine complaints in other Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2007 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2007 Volkswagen Jetta, 12% of the model year's 201 complaints. The component named most often is engine (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Volkswagen Jetta engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling 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.