NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
201 reports26,615 miles · Aug 4, 2009
Power Train
2007 VW JETTA ,ODOMETER 26615, MANUAL TRANSMISSION. UNABLE TO PUT CAR INTO GEAR WHILE STOPPED OR DRIVING.. DEALERSHIP PULLED TRANSMISSION AND FOUND DEBRIS , WORN CLUTCH, HEAT MARKS ON FLY WHEEL {VERBAL REPORT ;FRONT FACE OF CLUTCH HAD COME APART). REPLACED CLUTCH,FLYWHEEL, PRESSURE PLATE, THROWOUT BEARING. VW PAID FOR 25% OF P…
Read full complaint
2007 VW JETTA ,ODOMETER 26615, MANUAL TRANSMISSION. UNABLE TO PUT CAR INTO GEAR WHILE STOPPED OR DRIVING.. DEALERSHIP PULLED TRANSMISSION AND FOUND DEBRIS , WORN CLUTCH, HEAT MARKS ON FLY WHEEL {VERBAL REPORT ;FRONT FACE OF CLUTCH HAD COME APART). REPLACED CLUTCH,FLYWHEEL, PRESSURE PLATE, THROWOUT BEARING. VW PAID FOR 25% OF PARTS AND LABOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10279310
35,000 miles · Jul 28, 2009
Power Train
THE CAR BEGAN TO HAVE JERKY SHIFTS AND THEN BEGAN LURCHING AT SLOW SPEEDS IN FIRST. IN CERTAIN CASES THE GEAR WOULD GRAB AND THEN LET GO ALLOWING THE CAR TO SUDDENLY ROLL BACKWARDS ON HILLS. THE MECHATRONICS UNIT WAS REPLACED AFTER 35000 MILES AND THEN THE SECOND UNIT LASTED FOR 1300 MILES. I AM NOW WAITING FOR MY SECOND REPLACE…
Read full complaint
THE CAR BEGAN TO HAVE JERKY SHIFTS AND THEN BEGAN LURCHING AT SLOW SPEEDS IN FIRST. IN CERTAIN CASES THE GEAR WOULD GRAB AND THEN LET GO ALLOWING THE CAR TO SUDDENLY ROLL BACKWARDS ON HILLS. THE MECHATRONICS UNIT WAS REPLACED AFTER 35000 MILES AND THEN THE SECOND UNIT LASTED FOR 1300 MILES. I AM NOW WAITING FOR MY SECOND REPLACEMENT UNIT. NOTE THIS IS A JETTA GLI WITH 2.0T AND 6 SPEED DSG TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10278538
20,000 miles · Mar 23, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TOOK MY VW 2007 JETTA IN FOR A 20K OIL CHANGE AND HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR BRAKES. I ARGUED WITH THE SERVICE DEPT. AND DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE BRAKES ONLY TO FIND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE JETTA. MY PREVIOUS CAR WAS A SPYDER ECLIPSE; A MUCH HEAVIER CAR BUT HAD THE ORIGINAL BRAKES AT 78K ! THIS IS THE LAST VW I WI…
Read full complaint
TOOK MY VW 2007 JETTA IN FOR A 20K OIL CHANGE AND HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR BRAKES. I ARGUED WITH THE SERVICE DEPT. AND DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE BRAKES ONLY TO FIND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE JETTA. MY PREVIOUS CAR WAS A SPYDER ECLIPSE; A MUCH HEAVIER CAR BUT HAD THE ORIGINAL BRAKES AT 78K ! THIS IS THE LAST VW I WILL BUY. OWNED A CABRIO IN 1999 AND WON MY LEMON LAW CASE FOR THE DEFECTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10262859
10,759 miles · Feb 22, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
AT 10,759 MILES, HEARING A METAL SOUND FROM REAR OF THE CAR WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKES, WE TOOK OUR 2007 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TO THE DEALER. UPON INSPECTION THEY FOUND THAT THE READ PADS WERE WORN DOWN TO THE METAL AT 3MM. THEY REPLACED THE READ PADS AND L/S ROTOR AND ADJUSTED THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE. THIS REPAIR WAS PERFORMED UNDER W…
Read full complaint
AT 10,759 MILES, HEARING A METAL SOUND FROM REAR OF THE CAR WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKES, WE TOOK OUR 2007 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TO THE DEALER. UPON INSPECTION THEY FOUND THAT THE READ PADS WERE WORN DOWN TO THE METAL AT 3MM. THEY REPLACED THE READ PADS AND L/S ROTOR AND ADJUSTED THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE. THIS REPAIR WAS PERFORMED UNDER WARRANTY. AT 26,171 MILES THE REAR BRAKES WERE WORN DOWN AGAIN AND THE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT A COST OF $378. THIS IN MY OPINION IS A DESIGN DEFECT AND POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE. REAR BRAKES SHOULD NOT NEED REPLACEMENT EVERY 10K TO 15K MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10259602
26,789 miles · Feb 17, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE 2007 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA HAS AN ISSUE WITH THE REAR BRAKES. I HAVE LESS THAN 27,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND NEED TO REPLACE THE PADS AND ROTORS. WITHIN 1 WEEK OF HEARING THE INITAL GRINDING NOISE, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS 1/32 LEFT ON THE REAR ROTORS. THIS IS UNHEARD OF FOR ROTORS TO WEAR SO QUICK…
Read full complaint
THE 2007 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA HAS AN ISSUE WITH THE REAR BRAKES. I HAVE LESS THAN 27,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND NEED TO REPLACE THE PADS AND ROTORS. WITHIN 1 WEEK OF HEARING THE INITAL GRINDING NOISE, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS 1/32 LEFT ON THE REAR ROTORS. THIS IS UNHEARD OF FOR ROTORS TO WEAR SO QUICKLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10259079
Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2009
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicCrash
2007 JETTA 2.5L REAR BRAKE FAILURE IN JUNE 2007 RESULTED IN ACCIDENT WHERE I WAS UNABLE TO STOP AND VEHICLE WAS HIT DRIVER'S SIDE. REPORTED TO VW AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL FAILURE. BRAKES CONTINUE TO FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY (GRINDING, SQUEALING, SEIZING) DECEMBER 2008 REAR BRAKES REPLACED (30,000KMS) AT MY EXPENSE AS VW HAS RE…
Read full complaint
2007 JETTA 2.5L REAR BRAKE FAILURE IN JUNE 2007 RESULTED IN ACCIDENT WHERE I WAS UNABLE TO STOP AND VEHICLE WAS HIT DRIVER'S SIDE. REPORTED TO VW AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL FAILURE. BRAKES CONTINUE TO FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY (GRINDING, SQUEALING, SEIZING) DECEMBER 2008 REAR BRAKES REPLACED (30,000KMS) AT MY EXPENSE AS VW HAS REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AS AN ISSUE. AUGUST 2007 CLUTCH FAILS AND VEHICLE IS TAKEN TO VW FOR REPAIRS. ADVISED IT WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR (18,000KMS) AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. HAD CLUTCH INSPECTED BY A CLUTCH MANUFACTURER WHO ADVISES PARTS FAILED AS A RESULT OF IMPROPER INSTALLATION. VW ISSUES REFUND AFTER LEGAL ACTION IS PURSUED. HAVE HAD VEHICLE INSPECTED AT INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO AGREES WITH SUB STANDARD WORKMANSHIP AND PARTS ON THIS MODEL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10258849
Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2009
Service Brakes, Electric
WE OWN A 2007 JETTA WITH ABOUT 30K MILES ON IT. THE BRAKES AND ROTORS HAVE FAILED. THEY HAVE BEEN MAKING NOISE SINCE DAY ONE BUT RECENTLY WE LEARNED THEY ARE SHOT. VW CLAIMS THIS TO BE NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. WE SAY IT'S BAD MANUFACTURING OR DESIGN AND SOMEONE SHOULD LOOK INTO THESE BRAKES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10258485
28,000 miles · Feb 11, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I HAVE A 2007 VW JETTA AND THE REAR BRAKE PADS HAVE WORN OUT AT JUST 20K MILES. I HEAR THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITHH THIS CAR AND VW REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEM AND CHARGES UP $400 TO REPLACE REAR BRAKE PADS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10258300
22,000 miles · Jan 31, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
AT APPROX 22K MILES MY REAR BRAKES BEGAN SQUEALING AND THEN GRINDING LOUDLY. WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED NEW ROTORS AND PADS AT A COST OF APPROX $500. WAS TOLD BY INDEPENDENT SERVICE SHOP THAT THE BRAKES NOT ONLY WERE EXTREMELY WORN DOWN, BUT THE WEAR WAS FAIRLY UNEVEN AS WELL. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF BRAKES WEARING OUT SO QUICKLY. …
Read full complaint
AT APPROX 22K MILES MY REAR BRAKES BEGAN SQUEALING AND THEN GRINDING LOUDLY. WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED NEW ROTORS AND PADS AT A COST OF APPROX $500. WAS TOLD BY INDEPENDENT SERVICE SHOP THAT THE BRAKES NOT ONLY WERE EXTREMELY WORN DOWN, BUT THE WEAR WAS FAIRLY UNEVEN AS WELL. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF BRAKES WEARING OUT SO QUICKLY. IT IS ABSURD TO THINK THAT I WILL HAVE TO DO THIS EVERY 12-18 MONTHS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10257022
Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I HAVE ONLY 21,000 MILES ON MY CAR, AT APPROX. 19,000 MILES I NOTICED A SLIGHT SQUEAK TO MY REAR BRAKES OCCASIONALLY. I HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR INTO HAVE THEM CHECKED. VOLKSWAGEN CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, THEY CLAIM IT IS NORMAL FOR REAR BRAKES TO GO OUT WITHIN SUCH A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. THIS IS NOT NORMAL, NOR IS IT…
Read full complaint
I HAVE ONLY 21,000 MILES ON MY CAR, AT APPROX. 19,000 MILES I NOTICED A SLIGHT SQUEAK TO MY REAR BRAKES OCCASIONALLY. I HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR INTO HAVE THEM CHECKED. VOLKSWAGEN CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, THEY CLAIM IT IS NORMAL FOR REAR BRAKES TO GO OUT WITHIN SUCH A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. THIS IS NOT NORMAL, NOR IS IT SAFE. BRAKES SHOULD LAST A LOT LONGER, AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO REPLACED THEM EVERY 18-20,000 MILES. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. VOLKSWAGEN IS SELLING POOR QUALITY VEHICLES AND THEY ARE ATTEMPTING TO SHRUG IT OFF AS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR BECAUSE THEY DO NOT WANT TO ADMIT THEIR FAULT IN THE DESIGN OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON THEIR MOST POPULAR MODELS. I HAVE A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. I HAVE HEARD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR GTI AND RABBIT MODELS OF THE SAME YEAR OR LATER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10255881
Official recalls
4Sep 25, 2019
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.
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.
May 19, 2009
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.
Sep 24, 2007
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 ↗
Illustration