Research · Compact Cars

2007 Volkswagen JettaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 201 owner complaints for the 2007 Volkswagen Jetta. Most complaints involve electrical system (45) and service brakes, hydraulic (38). The EPA rates it 22–25 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
22–25mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Sep 2020
Owner complaints
201
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Service brakes

Free remedy

Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles. The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Sep 23, 2020NHTSA 20E064000

Unknown or other

Free remedy

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.

Unknown or otherReported Sep 25, 2019NHTSA 19V679000

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Free remedy

The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.

Engine and engine coolingReported Mar 7, 2014NHTSA 14E007000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

201 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2007 – Jan 2025
  1. Electrical system45
  2. Service brakes, hydraulic38
  3. Air bags35
  4. Power train33
  5. Engine16
  6. Seats11
  7. Structure11
  8. Engine and engine cooling9
  9. Exterior lighting8

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Jetta model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996183
1997141
1998194
1999354
2000451
2001677
2002711
2003463
2004233
2005248
2006580
2007201
2008190
2009905
2010875
2011640
2012527
2013518
2014388
2015196
2016164
2017160
201832
2019552
202054
202171
202243
202343
202446
202532
20266
Crashes reported
11
Fires reported
7
Injuries reported
14
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

45 reports3 fires
“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. I did notice that there is a powertrain recall and my mechanic is also stating that the transmission is the jerking problem we’re having.. I really think these should be recalled however I needed to submit my issues and see what you final decision would be on both situations, the powertrain transmission problem and the computer burnout…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 30, 2024Power train, Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11568807

Service brakes, hydraulic

38 reports2 crashes
“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 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. UPDATED 11/28/11 *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 7, 2011Service brakes, hydraulic, Air bagsCrash reportedODI 10395156

Air bags

35 reports6 crashes1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 8, 2025Air bagsODI 11634854
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 2.5L 5-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6) · Manual 6-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline · Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Jetta
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
222925$3,100355
Jetta
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
212924$3,200370
Jetta
Auto (S6), 5 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192822$2,850404
Jetta
Man 5-spd, 5 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192822$2,850404
  • Jetta
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 29 hwy · $3,100/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Jetta
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 29 hwy · $3,200/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Jetta
    Auto (S6), 5 cyl, 2.5 L
    19 city · 28 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Jetta
    Man 5-spd, 5 cyl, 2.5 L
    19 city · 28 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2007 Volkswagen Jetta as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 2114
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2007 Jetta questions

How many recalls does the 2007 Volkswagen Jetta have?

6 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2007 Volkswagen Jetta problems?

Owners filed 201 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (45), service brakes, hydraulic (38), air bags (35). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2007 Volkswagen Jetta get?

The EPA rates the 2007 Volkswagen Jetta at 22–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026