YearToAvoid

2007 Volkswagen Jetta Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2007 Volkswagen Jetta has a Complaint Index of 45, ranking 12th out of 21 model years, and earns a Good verdict. NHTSA lists 201 complaints, 4 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls, with Electrical System issues the top complaint area at 24% of reports.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
45/100
#12 of 21 Jetta years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
201
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
4
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
11
reported in complaints
Fires
7
Injuries
14
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2018
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
23
20 city / 28.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
14 / 0

Top 2007 Volkswagen Jetta problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System49 (24%)
  2. Brakes45 (22%)
  3. Airbags35 (17%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain33 (16%)
  5. Structure & Body29 (14%)
  6. Engine28 (14%)
  7. Other11 (5%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (4%)
  9. Fuel System8 (4%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers7 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Airbags in side or frontal crashes sometimes failed to deploy, leaving occupants with serious injuries.
  • Rear brakes reportedly wore down to metal-on-metal contact or seized, in some cases producing a burning smell or smoke.
  • Owners described intermittent rear brake failure including grinding, squealing, and loss of stopping power that led to crashes.
  • A seat heater reportedly caught fire and burned an occupant.
  • The headliner separated from the ceiling and obstructed the rear window view while backing up.
2007 Volkswagen Jetta complaints: complaints filed per quarter92007 Q12009 Q12011 Q22013 Q42015 Q42018 Q22020 Q22025 Q1
201 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2007 Q1 to 2025 Q1; peak 2008 Q4 (9).

2007 Volkswagen Jetta recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 19V679000Sep 25, 2019Other113 vehicles

    Unknown or other

    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 Convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.

    Risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.

    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. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.

  2. 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.

  3. NHTSA 09V164000May 19, 2009Transmission & Powertrain25,594 vehicles

    Power train:driveline:driveshaft

    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. Some screws may not have been torqued properly during assembly and could loosen over time, causing a knocking sound when the vehicle is in motion. The driveshaft screws could loosen to the point where the driveshaft detaches from the gearbox.

    Risk: If the vehicle is moving when this happens, the detached driveshaft could cause damage the gearbox housing. A damage gearbox housing could leak gearbox oil onto the street and create a risk of a vehicle crash for both the driver and other motorists.

    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.

See all 4 recalls for the 2007 Volkswagen Jetta →

2007 Volkswagen Jetta fuel economy and fuel cost

City
20 MPG
Highway
28.5 MPG
Combined
23 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,075
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2007 compared with other Jetta years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Good40248424
2006Caution65580424.5
2007Good45201423
2008Good35188424
2009Avoid100888625

All Volkswagen Jetta years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2007 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2007 Jetta has a Complaint Index of 45 and ranks 12th out of 21 model years, earning a Good verdict relative to other Jetta years.
What problems does the 2007 Jetta have?
NHTSA lists 201 complaints, with Electrical System issues the top category at 24% share, followed by Brakes at 22% and Airbags at 17%.
Does the 2007 Jetta have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2007 Jetta, covering electrical lamp equipment, fuel system underhood fuel lines, driveshaft cover screws, and a vehicle repurchase campaign; none are do-not-drive recalls.
What year Volkswagen Jetta should I avoid?
Among Jetta years, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2019 carry Avoid verdicts with Complaint Index values of 100, 95, 85, 80, 75, and 90; the 2007 Jetta is rated Good by comparison.
How many complaints does the 2007 Jetta have compared to other years?
The 2007 Jetta has 201 complaints and a Complaint Index of 45, lower than the 2009 (888 complaints, index 100) and 2010 (852 complaints, index 95) model years.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.