2007 Volkswagen Beetle Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2007 Volkswagen Beetle ranks 8th of 14 model years with a complaint index of 46 and a Good verdict, well below the worst years like 2005 (100) and 2006 (92). NHTSA lists 56 complaints, 2 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls for this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 46/100
- #8 of 14 Beetle years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 56
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Airbags
Top 2007 Volkswagen Beetle problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags15 (27%)
- Transmission & Powertrain12 (21%)
- Electrical System9 (16%)
- Seat Belts9 (16%)
- Engine8 (14%)
- Structure & Body7 (13%)
- Other5 (9%)
- Visibility & Wipers4 (7%)
- Brakes2 (4%)
- Fuel System2 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brakes reportedly fail with a hard pedal and no stopping power, in one case leading to a crash after swerving to avoid a stopped car.
- Owners describe sudden engine stalling or loss of power when accelerating out of a turn or lane change, sometimes followed by unexpected surging.
- Some report a burning smell and a flash near the passenger floorboard followed by a fire while driving on a highway.
- Electrical system complaints include hard starting on the driver's side, a trunk that fails to open properly, and headlights and taillights that repeatedly fail or cut out over small bumps.
- Structure and visibility complaints describe squeaky, sticking driver side windows and rear window regulators that fail so the windows won't roll up or down.
2007 Volkswagen Beetle recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 10V621000Dec 10, 2010Fuel System228,236 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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. The jetta, jetta sportwagen, and rabbit vehicles may have a small plastic tab located on the windshield washer fluid reservoir that may chafe against an underhood fuel supply line. The new beetle and the new beetle convertible vehicles may have a fastening clamp on a hydraulic hose of the power steering system that may be located in an improper position which could cause chafing against an underhood fuel supply line.
Risk: If chafing occurs, there is the potential for a fuel leak to develop. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
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 position of the fastening clamp and adjust the related fastening clamp into the correct position. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before january 31, 2011. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
- NHTSA 07V063000Feb 20, 2007Electrical System1,002,000 vehicles
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch may malfunction if it was installed incorrectly.
Risk: The brake lights could become inoperative, or remain on. Failure to provide the proper signal when braking could lead to a crash without warning.
Remedy: Dealers will install the newly designed brake light switch free of charge. The recall began on april 27, 2007, and will be conducted in several staggered mailings through september 21, 2007. Vehicles within the make, model, and model year of this population may be involved in either this recall or 06v-183, but not both. The remedy is the same for each recall. Volkswagen dealers will apply the remedy based on the VIN number of the vehicle. Owners may contact vw at 1-800-822-8987.
2007 compared with other Beetle years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2007 Volkswagen Beetle reliable?
- Compared with other Beetle model years, 2007 rates Good, with a complaint index of 46 that ranks 8th out of 14 years tracked. It has far fewer NHTSA complaints (56) than the worst years, 2005 (261 complaints) and 2006 (124 complaints).
- What are the most common problems on the 2007 Beetle?
- NHTSA complaint data shows Airbags as the top problem area (15 complaints, 27% share), followed by Transmission & Powertrain (12 complaints, 21%) and Electrical System (9 complaints, 16%).
- Does the 2007 Beetle have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2007 Beetle: a fuel system recall involving the underhood fuel line, and an electrical system recall for a brake light switch that may have been installed incorrectly. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- What year Volkswagen Beetle should I avoid?
- Based on complaint index, 2005 (100) and 2006 (92) are the Avoid years, along with 2013 (85) and 2015 (77). The 2007 model year is not an Avoid year; it carries a Good verdict.
- At what mileage do 2007 Beetle problems tend to show up?
- Median mileage at failure varies by system: airbag complaints cluster around 51,329 miles, transmission complaints around 76,000 miles, and electrical complaints around 25,000 miles.