Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
390–25K
3525–50K
3250–75K
2975–100K
21100–150K
11150K+
167 reports with mileage · 34 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.
Electrical System. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
11 crash reports7 fire reports13 injury reports
What owners actually said
201 reports
95,000 miles · Sep 11, 2020
Electrical SystemSeatsFireInjury
THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WITH THE SEAT HEATER ON. I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL AND THEN A BURNING SENSATION. BY THE TIME I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER, THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT COVER, EXPOSING THE WIRING AND FOAM. MY COAT AND CLOTHING WERE BURNED, AS WELL AS MY BACK. THERE IS ALSO EVIDENCE OF OV…
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THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WITH THE SEAT HEATER ON. I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL AND THEN A BURNING SENSATION. BY THE TIME I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER, THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT COVER, EXPOSING THE WIRING AND FOAM. MY COAT AND CLOTHING WERE BURNED, AS WELL AS MY BACK. THERE IS ALSO EVIDENCE OF OVERHEATING/BURNING IN ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS OF THE SEAT COVER, BUT IT ONLY BURNED THROUGH IN ONE LOCATION. I TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER AND DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS INSTRUCTED TO DISCONTINUE USE OF THE SEAT HEATER. THIS OCCURRED ON 3/8/19 WITH LESS THAN 95K MILES ON THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11354448
174,750 miles · Jun 20, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System
STRONG FUEL SMELL COMING IN FROM AC VENTS WHEN CAR AT A STOP. SEEN THIS CAR MODEL WAS PREVIOUSLY RECALLED FOR FUEL SMELL IN PAST. WHEN DRIVING OFF SMELL SEEMS TO GO AWAY SINCE AIR SEEMS TO BE FLOWING IT OUT OF ENGINE BAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11329847
82,000 miles · Jan 4, 2020
Power Train
TRANSMISSION SLIPS EXTREMELY BADLY EVEN THOUGH IT DOESNT EVEN HAVE 90K MILES ALMOST MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE IN CITY AND IS DANGEROUS WHEN NEEDING TO SPEED UP AND SLOW DOWN. TRANSMISSION SLIPS MORE WHEN SPEEDING UP FROM SLOW SPEEDS AND WILL REACH HIGH RPMS OF 4700 EVEN WHEN NOT TOUCHING THE GAS BUT I HAVE HAD IT SLIP ON THE …
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TRANSMISSION SLIPS EXTREMELY BADLY EVEN THOUGH IT DOESNT EVEN HAVE 90K MILES ALMOST MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE IN CITY AND IS DANGEROUS WHEN NEEDING TO SPEED UP AND SLOW DOWN. TRANSMISSION SLIPS MORE WHEN SPEEDING UP FROM SLOW SPEEDS AND WILL REACH HIGH RPMS OF 4700 EVEN WHEN NOT TOUCHING THE GAS BUT I HAVE HAD IT SLIP ON THE HIGHWAY OUT OF NOWHERE AND IT PEAKED AT 7300 RPM WHEN NOT TOUCHING THE GAS WHICH IS PAST THE REDLINE ON THE RPMS. IT HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY DAY I DRIVE TO WORK (20 MINUTES ON THE FREEWAY) AND SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING WITH THIS LOW AMOUNT OF MILES.
NHTSA ODI #11297045
121,000 miles · Dec 3, 2019
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
DOOR LOCKS FAIL TO LOCK. FRONT DRIVER DOOR WILL LOCK BUT ALL OTHER DOORS DO NOT LOCK. ALARM WILL SOUND OFF IF DOOR IS OPENED BUT WILL ONLY WORK FOR 1 MINUTE THEN SHUT OFF. THIS HAS RESULTED IN AN AUTO BURGLARY AT MY SONS WORK PLACE PARKING LOT. IT ALSO POSES A DANGER TO CHILDREN IN BACK SEAT IF DOOR IS OPENED WHILE CAR IS IN…
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DOOR LOCKS FAIL TO LOCK. FRONT DRIVER DOOR WILL LOCK BUT ALL OTHER DOORS DO NOT LOCK. ALARM WILL SOUND OFF IF DOOR IS OPENED BUT WILL ONLY WORK FOR 1 MINUTE THEN SHUT OFF. THIS HAS RESULTED IN AN AUTO BURGLARY AT MY SONS WORK PLACE PARKING LOT. IT ALSO POSES A DANGER TO CHILDREN IN BACK SEAT IF DOOR IS OPENED WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION. SAFETY IS AT ISSUE WHEN PEOPLE IN THE VEHICLE NEED TO PREVENT BEING CAR JACKED OR ROBBED AS WELL. WE HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME ISSUE. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO HAVE A RECALL ISSUED ON THIS VEHICLE TO FORCE THE MANUFACTURER TO REPAIR THESE VEHICLES?
NHTSA ODI #11286656
137,000 miles · Aug 30, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE BAY BY THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HEADLAMP. THE LOW BEAM OF THE HEADLIGHT KEPT GOING OFF AND ON PROMPTING A BROKEN HEADLIGHT OR HEADLAMP BULB SIGNAL ON DASH BOARD. AFTER REPLACING THE BULB THE ISSUE WAS NOT RESOLVED IT CONTINUED PERIODICALLY FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH . WHILE DRIVING I SMELLED BURNING …
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THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE BAY BY THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HEADLAMP. THE LOW BEAM OF THE HEADLIGHT KEPT GOING OFF AND ON PROMPTING A BROKEN HEADLIGHT OR HEADLAMP BULB SIGNAL ON DASH BOARD. AFTER REPLACING THE BULB THE ISSUE WAS NOT RESOLVED IT CONTINUED PERIODICALLY FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH . WHILE DRIVING I SMELLED BURNING PLASTIC AFTER WHICH I NOTICED FLAMES FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HEADLAMP. I PULLED OVER OPENED THE HOOD NOTICING THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HEADLAMP WAS MELTING AND ON FIRE. WITHIN TWO MINUTES OF PULLING OVER THE ENGINE BAY WAS COMPLETELY MELTED . THE FIRE SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR ' MELTING IT.
NHTSA ODI #11252366
125,000 miles · Jul 22, 2019
Engine
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.
NHTSA ODI #11234011
185,000 miles · Jul 14, 2019
Air BagsEngineFuel/propulsion System
RECALL -ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING I HAVE A 07 JETTA 2.0L. 2 MONTHS AGO I NOTICED A GAS SMELL WHEN I TOOK MY OIL CAP OFF I NOTICED THERE WAS A LOT OF STEAM/SMOKE & I COULD TELL THAT'S WHERE THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM. THERE WAS NOTHING VISIBLE OTHER THAN THE STEAM/GAS VAPOR. THE COOLANT LEVEL NEVER MOVES. I WAS ONLY GETTING 15 …
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RECALL -ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING I HAVE A 07 JETTA 2.0L. 2 MONTHS AGO I NOTICED A GAS SMELL WHEN I TOOK MY OIL CAP OFF I NOTICED THERE WAS A LOT OF STEAM/SMOKE & I COULD TELL THAT'S WHERE THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM. THERE WAS NOTHING VISIBLE OTHER THAN THE STEAM/GAS VAPOR. THE COOLANT LEVEL NEVER MOVES. I WAS ONLY GETTING 15 MILES TO THE GALLON BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING INTO MY ENGINE. ON 7/13/19 THE ENGINE SEIZED (LOCKED) UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. I WAS DRIVING MY WIFE TO WORK WITH OUR 5 YEAR OLD SON. I HAD JUST TURNED ON THE STREET OF HER WORK GOING 10 MILES AN HOUR & IT FELT LIKE MY CAR JUST DIED. I COULDN'T EVEN GET THE ENGINE TO TURN OVER. I HAD TO GET MY VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. WHICH IS WHEN I FOUND OUT THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED. I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO TRANSPORTATION NOW. (RECALL FAULTY AIR BAGS MY CAR IS MILES AWAY AT THE REPAIR SHOP, SO I CAN'T TAKE A PICTURE OF THE AIR BAG LIGHT BUT IT TURNED ON ABOUT A WEEK AGO AND HASN'T SHUT OFF. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT A REPAIR SHOP CAN NOT FIX/ ITS GOING TO BE SO EXPENSIVE THAT I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT. IT HAS FAULTY AIR BAGS THAT CAN JUST GO OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING! SAFETY BAGS ARE A 'MUST HAVE' & IT IS ILLEGAL TO SELL/PRODUCE ANY NON SAFE VEHICLE! I SEEN THAT VOLKSWAGEN COMPANY MADE A HAND FULL OF RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE OVER THE LAST 8 YEARS. THE PREVIOUS OWNER KEPT THE CAR IN A GARAGE & STARTED IT DAILY HE JUST NEVER CHECKED FOR RECALLS. PARTS ON THIS CAR ARE COMPATIBLE WITH THE 06-09 JETTAS& SPORTWAGONS & HE HAD REPLACED PARTS. I'M UNSURE WHICH ONES WERE REPLACED. MY VEHICLE FALLS UNDER THE CATEGORY OF A VW JETTA SEDAN. I'M HAVING ALL OF THE SAME RECALL ISSUES THAT THE JETTA IS RECALLING FOR. & THE HORN DOES NOT WORK WHEN IT'S PARKED. YOUR COMPANY POSTED THE RECALLS FOR ALL OF THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT I'M HAVING WITH THIS VEHICLE! RECALL NO. 40J2/S4. RECALL NO. 20I4/U1. RECALL NO. Q8.
NHTSA ODI #11231739
150,897 miles · Jul 7, 2019
Power Train
AFTER ENGINE WARMS UP THE CAR JERKS WHEN SHIFTING GEARS UP AND DOWN. IT GETS STUCK IN 3RD GEAR AT TIMES. I TOOK THE CAR TO SERRA VOLKSWAGEN AT 1490 CENTER POINT PKWY, BIRMINGHAM, AL 35215. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT HE FOUND METAL SHAVEN IN THE TRANSMISSION AND DRAINED IT. AFTER A FEW DAYS THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED IN 2018. I…
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AFTER ENGINE WARMS UP THE CAR JERKS WHEN SHIFTING GEARS UP AND DOWN. IT GETS STUCK IN 3RD GEAR AT TIMES. I TOOK THE CAR TO SERRA VOLKSWAGEN AT 1490 CENTER POINT PKWY, BIRMINGHAM, AL 35215. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT HE FOUND METAL SHAVEN IN THE TRANSMISSION AND DRAINED IT. AFTER A FEW DAYS THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED IN 2018. I JUST PARKED THE CAR UNTIL I CAN FIGURE WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON WITH MY CAR. TODAY JULY 7, 2019 I DROVE THE CAR TO MY NEW RESIDENT AND IT GOT STUCK IN 3RD GEAR. PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM CONCERNING MY TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA ODI #11229880
Mileage unknown · May 8, 2019
Engine
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION AND I CANNOT TURN OFF THE ENGINE. CAR ONLY HAVE 125K AND MAINTENANCE ALWAYS WITH DEALER.
NHTSA ODI #11206266
100,000 miles · May 8, 2019
Unknown Or Other
TAKATA RECALL THE IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT LET ME TURN MY CAR OFF
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." SOME VEHICLES MAY NOT HAVE HAD A REQUIRED CAP INSTALLED WHICH DISABLES THE HEADLIGHT HORIZONTAL AIM AND SOME VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN A CAP THAT DISABLES THE VERTICAL AIMING SCREW.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: NONCOMPLIANCE CAN INHIBIT PROPER HEADLAMP AIM ADJUSTMENT FOR ROADWAY ILLUMINATION, IMPROPERLY AIMED HEADLAMPS COULD CAUSE REDUCED ROAD VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF A CAP IN THE SOCKET OF THE LOW BEAM HORIZONTAL AIMING SCREW AND INSTALL ONE IF MISSING, AND INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF A CAP IN THE SOCKET OF THE VERTICAL AIMING SCREW AND IF PRESENT, THE CAP WILL BE REMOVED. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 31, 2007. 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.
2007 Volkswagen Jetta Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year