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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

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

28 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2022
Fuel/propulsion System

I brought my car in for the 60k service and the check engine light had just turned on. After being told they had to run a diagnostic and keep my car for several days, the dealership came back with "it had a fault for a purge valve. Tested the purge valve with a vacuum tester and found it would not hold a vacuum." I was asked if …

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I brought my car in for the 60k service and the check engine light had just turned on. After being told they had to run a diagnostic and keep my car for several days, the dealership came back with "it had a fault for a purge valve. Tested the purge valve with a vacuum tester and found it would not hold a vacuum." I was asked if my emissions was due soon, but I had emissions completed two months ago with no problems. This issue is a big deal and I know VW has had many public issues with their emissions. I barely drive this car and to have such a major issue occur is mind blowing. The dealership quoted me $890. for this repair when I see the average cost of this repair is about $300-400 with parts. I had it completed, but no one wants to talk to me about why I was charged so much when this technically should be a recall.

NHTSA ODI #11477564

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2022
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

Fuel rail , fuel pump,fuel filter fuel driver, leak in injector

NHTSA ODI #11469955

Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2022
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

The problem happens when the car is on, and when attempting to accelerate the car will feel like it was put into neutral and you cannot do anything other than coast. The car has done this a few times while driving. Also, when trying to accelerate from a stop at a signal light, the car can suddenly stall, and you won't be able …

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The problem happens when the car is on, and when attempting to accelerate the car will feel like it was put into neutral and you cannot do anything other than coast. The car has done this a few times while driving. Also, when trying to accelerate from a stop at a signal light, the car can suddenly stall, and you won't be able to do anything. From a safety standpoint, this is very bad since if you had to quickly accelerate to avoid a collision or other possible scenario and the car won't move, or accelerate, to reach speeds on a freeway or highway. Problem occurred last night when attempting to accelerate and merge onto the highway, felt like the car was in neutral ('D' light was blinking as well as the 'Hybrid' light). What is concerning is that VW did know about this problem and they only did a recall for very small number of vehicles. We called VW and they said no recalls on our 2016 Jetta Hybrid for this problem. I'm reporting the problem here because we have experienced the same problem multiple times and the dealer said to replace the Mechatronic J743 unit, this was very cost prohibited for us at the time.

NHTSA ODI #11469028

Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2022
Fuel/propulsion SystemFire

My car started on fire as driving to work January 21 2022 at 7:30 am.After researching after the fire Not knowing how and why that happened car had been perfectly fine no warning signs or any difference with the way it drove , I came to find out about fuel rail recall on my car that will cause car to start on fire .I almost and …

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My car started on fire as driving to work January 21 2022 at 7:30 am.After researching after the fire Not knowing how and why that happened car had been perfectly fine no warning signs or any difference with the way it drove , I came to find out about fuel rail recall on my car that will cause car to start on fire .I almost and could have got stuck in the car which as i panicked was having trouble getting safety belt off and the door is so heavy that it had always closed back on me getting my leg smashed.I have not got any update from Manny the VW Man he ignores my calls and only left a message in response to my request to customer service i have lost my job because i do not have a car now my son has been missing school now about to be getting evicted as soon as the eviction lift is up i have 5 children i am a single widowed mother and need a car i was still paying on my car for 3 and a half years the bank screwd me over and insurance only covered them to pay off car for the bank i was financing it threw this is not fair i see q&a's on VW and they say yes to providing loaner vehicles to the ones that are having recall repaired why can i not get treated the same Manny response was that i had to pay for my own rental car they have to investigate my car to see if it was the recall that caused fire i sent him the fire police report . My car clearly had a recall this is ridiculous and not fair Do You think i did this on purpose expecting something back from these greedy not caring people in the world today lol yeah right . i loved my car was satisfied and had no issues until this one complete horrific incident that i almost got locked in and could of got injured or died. I was working and paying for my car i do not expect anything from anyone for free and that is why all the VW customer satisfaction guarantee literature i have read is of course just a bunch of sound good tell the customers what they want to hear and of course yeah Of coursr to good to be true !!!!

NHTSA ODI #11452882

Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2021
Fuel/propulsion System

Unknown just want to fix recall on my 2016 Jetta please help [XXX] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #11421227

40,000 miles · Feb 25, 2021
Fuel/propulsion System

GOT A RECALL FOR MY CAR'S FUEL RAIL IN DECEMBER 2020 AND I STILL HAVE NOT GOTTEN A LETTER TO GET MY CAR FIXED. I THOUGHT MY CAR WAS FINE BUT A WEEK AFTER I GOT THE RECALL PAPER, I WENT TO START MY CAR AND IT STARTED SMELLING LIKE GASOLINE AND EVER SINCE THEN, MY CAR HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY DRIVE WAY FOR 2 MONTHS NOW AND I NEED MY…

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GOT A RECALL FOR MY CAR'S FUEL RAIL IN DECEMBER 2020 AND I STILL HAVE NOT GOTTEN A LETTER TO GET MY CAR FIXED. I THOUGHT MY CAR WAS FINE BUT A WEEK AFTER I GOT THE RECALL PAPER, I WENT TO START MY CAR AND IT STARTED SMELLING LIKE GASOLINE AND EVER SINCE THEN, MY CAR HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY DRIVE WAY FOR 2 MONTHS NOW AND I NEED MY CAR FIX

NHTSA ODI #11397980

46,000 miles · Nov 5, 2020
Fuel/propulsion SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other

THE CAR SEEMED TO HAVE A SUSPENSION PROBLEM. ROTORS AND STRUTS WENT OUT VERY FAST ON VEHICLE

NHTSA ODI #11373198

98,000 miles · Oct 29, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion System

WE HAVE A 2016 VW JETTA TSI 1.4L (EA211 ENGINE) WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. AT APPROXIMATELY 98,000 MILES, FUEL STARTED LEAKING FROM THE FUEL RAIL AREA, SLOWLY AT FIRST, JUST A SCENT OF FUEL. NEXT DAY, AT THE END OF THE DAY'S DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE JUST BEFORE MY EXIT ON THE HIGHWAY WITH A STRONG SMELL OF GAS. …

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WE HAVE A 2016 VW JETTA TSI 1.4L (EA211 ENGINE) WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. AT APPROXIMATELY 98,000 MILES, FUEL STARTED LEAKING FROM THE FUEL RAIL AREA, SLOWLY AT FIRST, JUST A SCENT OF FUEL. NEXT DAY, AT THE END OF THE DAY'S DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE JUST BEFORE MY EXIT ON THE HIGHWAY WITH A STRONG SMELL OF GAS. IT LIMPED 3 MILES HOME AND DIED AS I PULLED INTO THE DRIVE. WHEN WE MANAGED TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN IT GUSHED FUEL FROM THE FUEL RAIL AREA. THERE IS A PENDING RECALL ON THIS ISSUE BUT VOLKSWAGON DECLINED TO DO ANYTHING BEYOND A NORMAL PAID-FOR REPAIR WITH POTENTIAL REIMBURSEMENT (NOT GUARANTEED) UNTIL THE RECALL ISSUES LEAVING US WITHOUT A VEHICLE. WE HAVE A VIDEO DOCUMENTING THE FUEL LEAK.

NHTSA ODI #11367077

47,000 miles · Aug 20, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

POSSIBLE FUEL RAIL SYSTEM DETACHED FROM CYLINDER FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED VEHICLE WAS IN IDLE WHEN ECM LIGHT WENT ON AND VEHICLE RPM WERE GOING CRAZY FROM 1-3 VEHICLE STALLED OUT AND SHUT OFF 4 TIMES

NHTSA ODI #11350362

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2020
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainWheels

EVER SINCE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE ONE YEAR AGO, I NOTICED THAT MY CAR HAS TROUBLE STARTING. IT IS A PUSH-TO-START CAR, AND SOMETIMES IT CUTS OFF AND I HAVE TO PUSH THE BUTTON TO HAVE IT RESTART. IT HAPPENS DURING ALL TYPES OF WEATHER, AND I'VE HAD THE BATTER TESTED AT THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS IN GOOD STANDING, AND THEY COULDN'T…

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EVER SINCE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE ONE YEAR AGO, I NOTICED THAT MY CAR HAS TROUBLE STARTING. IT IS A PUSH-TO-START CAR, AND SOMETIMES IT CUTS OFF AND I HAVE TO PUSH THE BUTTON TO HAVE IT RESTART. IT HAPPENS DURING ALL TYPES OF WEATHER, AND I'VE HAD THE BATTER TESTED AT THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS IN GOOD STANDING, AND THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. I'VE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THIS LAST ONE YEAR OF HAVING THE CAR. THE FIRST TIME I HAD TO DO THAT WAS LITERALLY WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF BUYING THE CAR. FURTHERMORE, THE RANGE FEATURE THAT GIVES YOU AN AUTOMATIC READING OF THE GAS GAUGE IS INACCURATE. WHEN I FILL UP THE TANK IF SOMETIMES READS OVER 300 MILES, AND THEN SOMETIMES IT READS OVER 400; AND THEN WHEN THE GAS IS LOW AND NEARING EMPTY, IT NOTIFIES ME AT 30 MILES LEFT TILL EMPTY BUT THEN RAPIDLY DROPS TO 15 OR LESS BY INCREMENTS OF 5.

NHTSA ODI #11344192

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.