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The 2007 Volkwagen Jetta, of German manufacturing, has several problems to consider before purchasing the vehicle. It weathered two serious recalls, which could have greatly impaired the cars performance and even endangered the driver if not fixed. It also has many consumer complaints dealing with various aspects of the car ranging from mechanical failures to cost spent in repairing these issues.

Headlights

In Sept. 2007, a recall was issued for 2007 Volkswagen Jettas because of a malfunction in their headlights. Some vehicles may not have received a cap that disables horizontal aim of the headlights and some vehicles may have contained a cap that disabled the vertical aiming screw. This means that the nighttime illumination of the roadway would have been partially disabled and could contribute to a crash.

Driveshaft Screws

In May 2009, a recall was issued for 2007 Volkswagen Jettas because of loose screws near the driveshaft cover. These screws may not have been properly torqued and could loosen over time, creating a knocking sound when the vehicle was in motion. They could also loosen to the point where the driveshaft could detach from the gearbox. The driveshaft could cause damage to the gearbox in a moving Jetta, damaging the gearbox and causing it to leak oil onto the highway. This could be a potential threat for the driver of the Jetta and other drivers on the roadway.

Other Problems

The 2007 Jetta also has a list of other problems that were not widespread enough to cause recalls. Drivers found problems with their engine, transmission and driveline, steering and suspension, brakes, heating and air conditioning, starting and charging and car accessories. Excessive complaints have been raised about the engine. At certain times the car will not start. Aside from the problems, 2007 Jetta parts are quite expensive to buy and repair, financially setting many drivers back.

Driving a VW Jetta with a manual transmission can be fun, and it gives you more control over the car. You can use the clutch to decelerate, lower the torque to the wheels, accelerate at higher rpm and even kill the engine. The whole system hinges on a clutch, which you use to change gears in the transmission and keep them from grinding each other during the speeding up and slowing down process of driving. If the clutch begins to feel less responsive or has too much slack, you may need to adjust it.

Instructions

1

Locate the clutch adjustment mechanism in the engine bay of the car.

2

Slide the locking strap down to the top of the mechanisms protective covering.

3

Compress the adjustment mechanism and hook the straps over the lugs protruding from the side.

4

Press the clutch pedal while someone else pulls the clutch cable, taking care to keep the adjustment mechanism compressed.

5

Unhook the locking mechanism straps and depress the clutch pedal several times until the tension is good.

While Volkswagen is renowned for fine German engineering, one model in particular, the Jetta, is also known for its electrical problems. On the low-price end of VWs family sedans, the Jetta is a popular vehicle both in the U.S. and worldwide. If you are looking into purchasing a used Jetta, first do research on the year and model you are interested in, as there have been many recalls--mostly electrical.

Power Windows

Power windows have been problematic for the Jetta. There have been issues with the wiring harness insulation being damaged, causing electrical shorts. In 1996, there was a recall of 1994 Jettas because of this issue.

Brake Lights

Models produced between 1999 and 2005 have had recalls for faulty brake light switches. Malfunctioning brake light switches have caused problems in which the brake lights either fail to operate at all or they get stuck in the "on" position. If they fail to function, this could cause an accident. If the lights remain on while the car is off, this could drain the battery.

Antilock Brakes

Some models, including the 2000 and 2001 models, have trouble with the antilock brakes short circuiting. Not only can a problematic antilock braking system be a nuisance and dangerous while driving, but this short can cause a vehicle fire. The recall for this issue was announced in early 2002, and owners were notified to bring their cars to a dealership to have the entire ABS control unit replaced.

Hazard and Flasher Lights

Many Jettas in the early to mid-2000s also had recalls on the hazard lights. The wattage from the turn signal bulbs caused an electrical current overload, resulting in problems with the switch relays. The flasher lights and turn signals became operable intermittently or, over time, even completely inoperable. The recall advised replacement of the switch/relay kit to fix the problem.