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2007 Volkswagen Beetle

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Volkswagen Beetle do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 49.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

50 reports with mileage · 6 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

56 reports
47,000 miles · Apr 16, 2013
Air BagsSeat Belts

AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR PASSENGER SEAT (INDICATING THAT AIR BAG NOT WORKING AND PROBLEM). DEALER STATES THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE AND SEAT BELT BUCKLE NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE AIR BAG MODULE AND SEAT BELT BUCKLE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE REPLACED ON A ONE OWNER VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10508476

25,500 miles · Feb 10, 2013
Service BrakesCrashInjury

TRAVELING ON THE DC CAPITAL BELTWAY, TRAFFIC SLOWED DUE TO A CAR PULLED OVER. I ENGAGED THE BRAKES AND HAD A HARD PEDAL WITH NO BRAKING ACTION AT ALL. I POPPED THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL AND WAS UNABLE TO GET ANY BRAKING ACTION. I SWERVED TO MISS THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND CLIPPED THE REAR OF THE CAR TO MY RIGHT. I FIRMLY HAD…

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TRAVELING ON THE DC CAPITAL BELTWAY, TRAFFIC SLOWED DUE TO A CAR PULLED OVER. I ENGAGED THE BRAKES AND HAD A HARD PEDAL WITH NO BRAKING ACTION AT ALL. I POPPED THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL AND WAS UNABLE TO GET ANY BRAKING ACTION. I SWERVED TO MISS THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND CLIPPED THE REAR OF THE CAR TO MY RIGHT. I FIRMLY HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE ENTIRE TIME AND NEVER FELT ANY SENSATION OF ANY BRAKING FORCE. I WENT ON SOME NEW BEETLE FORUMS AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND WAS ABLE TO FIND SEVERAL STRINGS DESCRIBING EXACTLY WHAT HAPPEN. IT APPEARS THAT WHEN A SPLIT OCCURS IN THE VACUUM HOSE TO THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER, IF THE BRAKE IS ENGAGED IN NORMAL SERVICE, THERE IS NO ISSUE HOWEVER IF YOU JAB THE BRAKES SUCH AS IN A PANIC STOP ONE GETS A HARD PEDAL AND NO STOPPING POWER. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION DUE TO THE BRAKES FAILING AT THE MOST EXACT TIME WHEN THEY ARE NEEDED WITH NO PREWARNING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10497646

6,000 miles · Jun 27, 2012
Fuel System, GasolineSeatsStructure

HARD HEAVY ODOR PERMEATING MY INSIDE OF MY VW CONVERTIBLE 2007 CAR. WENT TO DEALER I PURCHASED IT FROM AND FOR A FEW DAYS THEY PURIFIED IT FOR DAYS. I PICKED IT UP AND IT WAS STILL THERE. BROUGHT IN TO OTHER DEALER 3 TIMES AND THEY CLAIM THERE IS NOTHING. IT WAS CLEARLY A STAGED ANSWER. BUT I HAVE TO ADMIT , VW DEALERS TOOK TIME…

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HARD HEAVY ODOR PERMEATING MY INSIDE OF MY VW CONVERTIBLE 2007 CAR. WENT TO DEALER I PURCHASED IT FROM AND FOR A FEW DAYS THEY PURIFIED IT FOR DAYS. I PICKED IT UP AND IT WAS STILL THERE. BROUGHT IN TO OTHER DEALER 3 TIMES AND THEY CLAIM THERE IS NOTHING. IT WAS CLEARLY A STAGED ANSWER. BUT I HAVE TO ADMIT , VW DEALERS TOOK TIME TO SEE WHAT IT COULD BE. STATING THEY SMELL "SOMETHING" NOT SURE WHAT IT IS? IT VERY WELL COULD BE A HEALTH RISK .HOW DO I KNOW I WONT GET CANCER OR POISONING FROM THIS ? I CAN ASSURE YOU NO ONE CARS FROM VW OF AMERICA. BASICALLY I OWN A CAR I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE AND ONLY DRIVE IT WHEN I AM HARD UP TO GET SOMEWHERE. IT SMELLS LIKE CRAYONS AND CHEMICALS. WHEN I DROVE IT, I WOULD GET HEADACHES AND SO WOULD MY DAUGHTER. I WOULD GET TEARS IN MY EYES, AND I QUIT DRIVING IT.IT IS NOW 5 YEARS OLD AND HAS 32000 MILES ON IT. FILED 3 CLAIMS WITH VW OF AMERICA AND THEY SAID "THERE IS NO SMELL". I HAVE ALMOST PAID OFF THE CAR , (WHICH I CANNOT DRIVE). I AM SO FRUSTRATED. LEMON LAW DOES NOT COVER ODOR ISSUES AS THE CAR RUNS PERFECTLY. IT IS TOXIC TO ME, AND I WON'T DRIVE MY FAMILY IN IT. BUT ITS A DANGER. I EMAILED VW OF AMERICA AND THEY TOTALLY BLEW ME OFF. I AM A 30 YEAR VW OWNER. I KNOW MY CARS. THERE IS A DEFECT HERE. AND I AM SCREWED OUT OF A NEW CAR. THERE GOES ALL MY MONEY. MANY POSTS POINT TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE LINING , AS THEY WERE MANUFACTURED IN MEXICO. POSSIBLY USED LOW GRADE MATERIAL CAUSING THE SMELL.THE ONLY WAY TO DRIVE THIS ,IS WINDOWS DOWN. THE SMELL IS SO STRONG, THAT WITH THE TOP DOWN- THE CAB SMELLS I AM TELLING YOU I HAVE BEEN RIPPED OFF.THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT!!!! NO ONE IS HELPING ME WITH A FULL REFUND OR A FINAL REMEDY!--FYI VW OF AMERICA REPS TOLD ME TO CALL THE CEO OF VOLKSWAGEN?????????????????????????(REALLY?) *TR

NHTSA ODI #10463237

3,600 miles · Feb 16, 2012
Air Bags

THE AIR BAG MODULE FAILED. DEALER SAID SINCE IT HAD FAILED THEY COULDN'T TELL IF THERE WERE ANY MORE PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. MODULE NEEDS REPLACED FIRST AT A COST OF $1000 THEN THEY CAN TEST THE REST OF THE SYSTEM TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER PROBLEMS. IF THERE ARE ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS IT WILL COST EXTRA TO REPAIR. *T…

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THE AIR BAG MODULE FAILED. DEALER SAID SINCE IT HAD FAILED THEY COULDN'T TELL IF THERE WERE ANY MORE PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. MODULE NEEDS REPLACED FIRST AT A COST OF $1000 THEN THEY CAN TEST THE REST OF THE SYSTEM TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER PROBLEMS. IF THERE ARE ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS IT WILL COST EXTRA TO REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10448255

40,000 miles · Apr 14, 2011
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesVisibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE WINDOWS WOULD INVOLUNTARILY OPEN AND CLOSE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE CAUSING THE WINDOWS TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE WINDOWS WOULD INVOLUNTARILY OPEN AND CLOSE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE CAUSING THE WINDOWS TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER LOCK HAD BECOME INOPERABLE. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED TWICE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10395907

62,000 miles · Apr 13, 2011
Seat Belts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED ONCE THE THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS BUCKLED THE THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO ADVISED HER THAT THE SEAT BELT SENSOR WAS NOT READING CORRECTLY THEREFORE, THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD NOT DETECT IT. T…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED ONCE THE THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS BUCKLED THE THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO ADVISED HER THAT THE SEAT BELT SENSOR WAS NOT READING CORRECTLY THEREFORE, THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD NOT DETECT IT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 62,000. UPDATED 5/2/11 *CN UPDATED 05/12/11

NHTSA ODI #10395728

200 miles · Mar 22, 2011
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND AN UNKNOWN PART WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HEADLI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND AN UNKNOWN PART WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT BULBS HAD TO BE REPLACED APPROXIMATELY EIGHT TIMES IN THREE YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.

NHTSA ODI #10392522

22,412 miles · Jan 14, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, UNKNOWN FUMES WOULD ENTER THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE HER TO BECOME ILL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THEY W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, UNKNOWN FUMES WOULD ENTER THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE HER TO BECOME ILL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD BE FURTHER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,412.

NHTSA ODI #10376729

37,000 miles · Dec 15, 2010
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE WITH CONTINENTAL MS RADIAL(NA) TIRES, SIZE P225/45 R17, DOT NUMBER 50751. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH WHEN THE LEFT FRONT TIRE COMPLETELY CAME APART. THE SIDEWALL SPLIT AND THE TREAD FROM THE TIRE CAME OFF OF THE TIRE. THE TIRES WERE ON THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS PURCHASED. THE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE WITH CONTINENTAL MS RADIAL(NA) TIRES, SIZE P225/45 R17, DOT NUMBER 50751. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH WHEN THE LEFT FRONT TIRE COMPLETELY CAME APART. THE SIDEWALL SPLIT AND THE TREAD FROM THE TIRE CAME OFF OF THE TIRE. THE TIRES WERE ON THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS PURCHASED. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE TIRES WERE THE ORIGINAL TIRES FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PUT 20000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AFTER IT WAS PURCHASED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 37000.

NHTSA ODI #10370738

2,000 miles · Nov 9, 2010
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

CAR SPORADICALLY LOOSES POWER WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SUDDENLY ACCELERATE AFTER MOMENTARILY LIFTING FOOT OFF GAS PEDDLE. MOST INSTANCES OCCUR WHILE CHANGING LANES ON THE HIGHWAY OR ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A NORMAL LEFT HAND TURN. EXAMPLE: GOING 60 MPH, LIFT FOOT OFF PEDDLE TO SLOW DOWN DUE TO CAR IN FRONT OF ME, SEE OPENING IN THE LAN…

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CAR SPORADICALLY LOOSES POWER WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SUDDENLY ACCELERATE AFTER MOMENTARILY LIFTING FOOT OFF GAS PEDDLE. MOST INSTANCES OCCUR WHILE CHANGING LANES ON THE HIGHWAY OR ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A NORMAL LEFT HAND TURN. EXAMPLE: GOING 60 MPH, LIFT FOOT OFF PEDDLE TO SLOW DOWN DUE TO CAR IN FRONT OF ME, SEE OPENING IN THE LANE TO MY RIGHT, TURN WHEEL SLIGHTLY TO CHANGE LANES, FLOOR IT ONLY TO FIND I HAVE NO POWER WITH OTHER CAR BARRELING DOWN ON ME. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER A DOZEN TIMES BUT I AM UNABLE TO DUPLICATE IT AT WILL.

NHTSA ODI #10366089

Official recalls

2

10V621000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Dec 10, 2010

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

07V063000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Feb 20, 2007

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.