2007 Volkswagen Beetle: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 56 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (21% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2010
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 56 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Cranked the car to move it and the drivers side airbag deployed with a massive amount of force. Did not move the car. As soon as in cranked I heard and felt the explosion of the airbag. Sent pieces of plastic and airbag towards me and shoved me into the door. I have a bruised wrist and my ears are ringing. This a concern from now on. I no longer want to cranked the car as more airbags may be faulty.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2022
“On airbags driver light for airbag is on won't go off.on transmission it jerks the when it's in 6 it runs fine.. I have not been in any accidents with this car.thank you”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2021
“Air bag warning light stays on after start. Constantly on even when driver and passenger seat belts are engaged. Extremely dangerous! Recall now. I see the issue has been reported numerous times over a decade!”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Car hesitated two different times when pulling into traffic. The transmission 'grabbed' within 3 or 4 seconds. Each time I came close to having an accident, but didn't thanks to the alertness of other drivers. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2020
“Massive problem with the 09g automatic transmission. Both the valve body and the actual transmission suffers from poor design which over time leads to hard shifts through gears. Especially prominent when upshifting from 1 - 2 & 3. Downshifting from 4 to 3 - 1 is also similarly effected. It happens under all conditions. Hot, cold, dry, wet, all the same "jerking"/shudder motion. Volkswagen should extend the warranty for the 09g transmissions for the mk4 platform (beetle 2006 - 2010) and honor their work.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2019
“After driving the vehicle for about 10 minutes my daughter pull on to a main road and transmission slipped changing in to second and other gears. Vehicle would not get up to speed causing other cars to have to slow way down behind her. The vehicle only has 88,000 miles.”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2018
“"takata recall" (?) srs warning light stays on after starting vehicle. 65000 miles on vehicle. Code (00591) indicates fault in driver's side seat/safety belt.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2018
“Driver's seat belt buckle not reading that seat belt is buckled causing yellow seat belt /air bag light to remain on and making air bags inoperable I'm guessing. Dearler recommends new driver's side seat belt assembly.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jan 2018
“The back glass window on the soft top convertible is coming loose. If I drive the glass window will drop and shatter. If parked outside, and it rains, the entire back seat and trunk will get wet.”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2017
“There has been an issue with the trunk - not opening - the key doesn't work or the button on the door ? I'm taking it to get checked but this has happened several times”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Beetle by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2007 Volkswagen Beetle reliable?
NHTSA has 56 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2007 Volkswagen Beetle. The most complained-about area is air bags (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2007 Volkswagen Beetle problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 54,000 miles or less.
Does the 2007 Volkswagen Beetle have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:brake lights:switch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.