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2016 Volkswagen Jetta

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Jetta years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta are substantially higher than the model-year median of 68.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

93 reports with mileage · 68 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.

  • Engine. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

18 crash reports5 fire reports10 injury reports

Engine complaints

43 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2026
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

Car was great for first 100000 miles. Then it was not. While driving in heavy traffic on a three lane highway, car lost power, ability to accelerate and went into limp mode. EPC code went on. Very dangerous. Took it to several mechanics, VW dealerships, could find nothing wrong. Issue has happened over 100x since, but I am unabl…

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Car was great for first 100000 miles. Then it was not. While driving in heavy traffic on a three lane highway, car lost power, ability to accelerate and went into limp mode. EPC code went on. Very dangerous. Took it to several mechanics, VW dealerships, could find nothing wrong. Issue has happened over 100x since, but I am unable to afford another vehicle and pray over car continually to keep me and others on road safe. Few times car would suddenly shudder like engine was quitting. Canceled medical trip to city when this happened 50 miles from home. Have had to cancel work as well one day when this happened. Recently bought a FIXD sensor and it diagnosed issues with faulty gas cap and purge valve. Replaced both. That issue seems to have resolved. Car has been burning oil like crazy. Sometimes 1L after driving 150 miles. Fuel efficiency is terrible. Even running 91 grade fuel hasn't helped. In cold weather, around -30, sometimes driver door won't close. Literally have to drive with one hand holding steering wheel and one hand on door. Scary. Newest issue this week. While driving highway speed, low oil light flashed momentarily. Then speedometer and rpm gages quit. Then entire instrument cluster went black. Was almost at work, so prayed and got there safely. After work, instrument cluster worked, but car started and stalled immediately. Mechanic code reader pulls up nothing. My FIXD reader says it's a upstream oxygen sensor. Looking at youtube videos, the issue it describes sounds like this may have been what contributed to those EPC codes for last few years. Borrowing a vehicle from family - car is stranded at work. This is my first and likely last VW.

NHTSA ODI #11711696

Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2025
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or OtherCrash

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 15V705000 16V403000 20V648000 20E064000 19V615000

NHTSA ODI #11678654

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2025
Engine

My camshaft sensors went bad at 77k miles had it towed to auto repair. Auto shop said my timing tensioner and chain were worn and needed replacement. Cost was 6200.00. A month later the engine blew at 81k miles. This was a lease for the first 3 years so all maintenance was done by Volkswagen. I had it serviced three times after…

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My camshaft sensors went bad at 77k miles had it towed to auto repair. Auto shop said my timing tensioner and chain were worn and needed replacement. Cost was 6200.00. A month later the engine blew at 81k miles. This was a lease for the first 3 years so all maintenance was done by Volkswagen. I had it serviced three times after that. Sits in my garage half the year as I travel by airplane or tour bus for work so no need to drive all the time. This shouldn’t be happening.

NHTSA ODI #11667875

Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2025
Engine

I bought the car brand new in 2016 had the oil changed on its scheduled maintenance and at 77000 mile my timing chain made my car go into limp mode. Now I am looking at a 4700$ in mechanic and engine work.

NHTSA ODI #11638987

Mileage unknown · May 7, 2024
EnginePower Train

The transmission failed due to mechatronics failure without warning

NHTSA ODI #11587556

Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

When driving above 45 mph, at time the EPC light will pop up on the dash and power will be slightly lost to the vehicle. Almost immediately after this happens, the oil light will pop on despite the oil being changed and done on a beyond routine basis. we have brought the vehicle into be serviced at the Volkswagen dealership nu…

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When driving above 45 mph, at time the EPC light will pop up on the dash and power will be slightly lost to the vehicle. Almost immediately after this happens, the oil light will pop on despite the oil being changed and done on a beyond routine basis. we have brought the vehicle into be serviced at the Volkswagen dealership numerous times and the same thing continues to happen. Recently, when driving on the interstate the EPC light came on and the vehicle stalled in the middle of the interstate. Luckily, no accident was caused but it was a near miss. This has been an issue since purchasing the vehicle and the oil is required to be changed much sooner than necessary. Volkswagen keeps "fixing" it but it continues to happen but we have paid over $3500 in getting it "fixed." The problem seems to occur at random times but most notably when going over 45mph.

NHTSA ODI #11568336

Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2024
Engine

There is an issue with the amount of engine oil used. It is burned up at a rapid pace. This has caused my car to malfunction (EPC light turns on). This happened to me driving on the highway it put myself and my passengers in danger as the car would slow down and jerk abruptly. My car has been inspected by a VW dealership. They …

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There is an issue with the amount of engine oil used. It is burned up at a rapid pace. This has caused my car to malfunction (EPC light turns on). This happened to me driving on the highway it put myself and my passengers in danger as the car would slow down and jerk abruptly. My car has been inspected by a VW dealership. They found no issue on it. However, when taking it to an independent VW mechanic shop, I was informed this is a common issue in this car. They engine oil burns drastically. This has caused me to spend a significant amount of money to replenish the oil level every week. My current situation is using about 3 quartz of oil every 1500 miles! Otherwise, my car will run with no oil which could lead to permanent engine problems and dangerous driving conditions. The low oil warning goes off almost all the time. I was quoted a repair cost from an independent shop of more than $3,000 to fix this well known issue by reconstructing parts of the car to mirror newer models for which VW fixed this problem. This indicates to me VW is aware of this factory defect. Moreover, tons of people are reporting this issue online. I recall is in order.

NHTSA ODI #11563762

87,000 miles · Dec 29, 2023
EnginePower TrainService Brakes, Air

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while accelerating from idling, the vehicle jolted with the check engine, ABS, and Tire Pressure Monitoring System warning lights illuminated. Additionally, while driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the vehicle began decelerating to approximately 30 MPH. The contact …

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The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while accelerating from idling, the vehicle jolted with the check engine, ABS, and Tire Pressure Monitoring System warning lights illuminated. Additionally, while driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the vehicle began decelerating to approximately 30 MPH. The contact pulled to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle but could not identify the cause of the failure. The vehicle was driven, and the contact became aware that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. After waiting for a while, the electrical power returned but the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The mechanic suggested that the transmission might be the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000.

NHTSA ODI #11562561

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2023
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

Even after having the fuel system replaced due to recall, I’m still smelling gas inside of my car. My EPC light and Check Engine light keep coming on and don’t always stay on but when it comes on, while driving… my car will tell me to downshift and then there is no throttle, you can mash the gas pedal to the floor and only dash …

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Even after having the fuel system replaced due to recall, I’m still smelling gas inside of my car. My EPC light and Check Engine light keep coming on and don’t always stay on but when it comes on, while driving… my car will tell me to downshift and then there is no throttle, you can mash the gas pedal to the floor and only dash lights. It has also skipped the downshift indicator and just cut completely off while driving.

NHTSA ODI #11550661

160,000 miles · Oct 3, 2023
EngineFuel System, Gasoline

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light and EPC warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway. The contact was able to restart the vehicle …

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The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light and EPC warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway. The contact was able to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle would not accelerate above 15 MPH. The contact stated that there was an abnormally strong gasoline odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel rail and fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact had the vehicle towed to the same dealer. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

NHTSA ODI #11548097

Official recalls

4

20V648000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail

Oct 21, 2020

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Jetta vehicles. The fuel rail bolts may become loose over time, allowing fuel to leak.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rail bolts and, as necessary, the fuel rail. The recall began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24Gi.

19V615000 · Electrical SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL Module; Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device

Aug 22, 2019

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL Module

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."

Consequence: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.

Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."

Consequence: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.

16V403000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail

Jun 6, 2016

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jetta vehicles manufactured October 31, 2015, to January 21, 2016, 2016 Passat vehicles, equipped with 1.8T engines manufactured November 13, 2015, to December 9, 2015, and 2016 Golf vehicles manufactured November 5, 2015, to November 11, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the fuel rail may detach from the cylinder head and result in a fuel leak.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the cylinder heads, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 15F7.

15V705000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

Oct 26, 2015

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.

Consequence: If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.

Consequence: If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.

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.