2007 Volkswagen GTI Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 9%of 77 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 22,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2007 Volkswagen GTI, 9% of the 77 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 22,500 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The 3rd brake like on my 2007 Volkswagen GTI formed condensation and had to be replaced at the dealer by cutting off the spoiler since it was not removable from the outside surface. The process outlined by vw warns of possible body damage during this process, which I also found after the repair. This part is not user serviceable, and is very costly if it has to be done outside of warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #10246379, filed 2008-10, 12,000 miles“There were no specific events leading to the failure, only time. The high mounted 3rd brakelight on my 2007 vw GTI is failing. It's full of condensation, and that's causing the bulbs inside it to fail. When I went to replace them, the owners manual informed me that only the dealer could do so. Upon taking it to the dealer, they informed me that they would have the car several days as they had to dismount several body panels, cut them open, then replace the bulbs and glue everything back together. …”
NHTSA complaint #10252334, filed 2008-12, 25,000 miles“I want to complaint about the 3rd high mount brake light on my 07 Volkswagen GTI that I have one of the light out among the light and I try to replace the light in a Volkswagen dealership and they said that they would not replace it because I only have one light out unless I need four light out which I think it is impossible to make all lights are out within the warranty period. I think think have responsibility to fix it because even though one light is out it already not out of the factory condition. I have no idea that they need to wait 4 lights are out to fixed it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10247981, filed 2008-11, 19,999 miles“The 3rd brake light has failed to work and while there is power to the power module there is no way to access the LED brake light panel without removing the rear spoiler and replacing it with a new one with a cost of $500 to change the light for inspection.”
NHTSA complaint #10418171, filed 2011-08, 62,500 miles“Rear high mounted stop lamp assembly failed( LED's burned out) due to moisture getting in. When asked about replacing the lamp, vw's response is that the old spoiler containing the stop lamp has to be cut off of the hatch. This is a violation of fmvss 108 which requires that replacing the bulbs be simple and require only common tools. The car is less than a year old and they want me to pay 700 dollars to replace a brake lamp.”
NHTSA complaint #10246426, filed 2008-10, 30,000 milesRelated recalls
- 07V442000Sep 24, 2007Certain vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."…Covers: Volkswagen GTI 2006–2008, Jetta 2005–2008, Rabbit 2006–2008 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 10210225Apr 7, 2022Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation. Update model year applicability to include 2022.
- 10188562Mar 2, 2021Exterior lighting moisture in lens updated to exclude LED lighting.
- 10158533Feb 18, 2019Condensation and or water droplets visible on inside of exterior light lenses. TB updated to include model year 2019 applicability.
- 10121257Mar 27, 2015Technical Bulletin: Condensation and or water droplets becomming visible on inside of exterior light lenses issue is discussed in this document
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2012 | 1 | 3% |
| 2011 | 2 | 4% |
| 2010 | 1 | 2% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2008 | 7 | 10% |
| 2007 | 7 | 9% |
| 2006 | 2 | 5% |
| 2004 | 1 | 14% |
| 2003 | 2 | 4% |
| 2002 | 4 | 3% |
| 2001 | 6 | 8% |
| 2000 | 1 | 2% |
| 1995 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2007 Volkswagen GTI
40 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2007 Volkswagen GTI
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology