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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.

About this comparison →

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

Unknown Or Other complaints

35 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2022
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

At 52,000 miles check engine light came on , car would not go over 50mph, EPC light came on , lights went out. After having car towed to the dealer, had to have EPC ,Turbocharger Boost rod / actuator replaced .

NHTSA ODI #11472800

Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2022
Unknown Or Other

Key gets stuck in ignition when turning off the engine

NHTSA ODI #11461061

Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2021
Unknown Or Other

My car has started not letting me remove my key from the ignition i cannot turn off my car! I have seen mulitple complaints about this issue with these cars and i dont understand why theres not a recall for it I will have to pay $900 to get a new ignition switch and ignition lock for something that is a known issue!! I should no…

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My car has started not letting me remove my key from the ignition i cannot turn off my car! I have seen mulitple complaints about this issue with these cars and i dont understand why theres not a recall for it I will have to pay $900 to get a new ignition switch and ignition lock for something that is a known issue!! I should not have to pay that when all these complaints have been made for the same issue

NHTSA ODI #11423523

Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2021
StructureUnknown Or OtherVisibility/wiperCrash

I had hit snd run By this car. IT looks like that Driver had attention to hurt me Moving in same line, I Made him space behind me than he hit on back, I was tih king tha he/she was trying to escape he moved again in right line but he again started to move in left side where I was driving. I hit part of shoulder and there is a da…

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I had hit snd run By this car. IT looks like that Driver had attention to hurt me Moving in same line, I Made him space behind me than he hit on back, I was tih king tha he/she was trying to escape he moved again in right line but he again started to move in left side where I was driving. I hit part of shoulder and there is a damege on my car from the back side and both left side how he/she hit me and right side how I hit on shoulder. Than he/she was trying to run as crazy trought crowd but my car got only body damages and I was able to run after him/her and wrote down License plate. I am a Remitter agent, I was able to find only lien holder for this car but not yet the assigned owner. Hopfully I can get same help from you. Thanks.

NHTSA ODI #11421349

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

49,000 miles · Aug 25, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

MY RADIO IN MY VW IS COMPROMISED. THE INDIVIDUALS IDENTITY THEMSELVES AS FBI AGENTS AND WHEN I SPEAK BACK TO AGENTS I AM TOLD, ' I'M NOT SUPPOSE TO SPEAK BACK TO AGENTS.' (CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG) THE VOLUME IN MY CAR IS BEING ADJUSTED AT THE CONFIDENCE OF THE AGENTS. WHEN THE AGENTS PUT THE VOLUME UP I CAN HEAR LOWER THE SPEAKE…

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MY RADIO IN MY VW IS COMPROMISED. THE INDIVIDUALS IDENTITY THEMSELVES AS FBI AGENTS AND WHEN I SPEAK BACK TO AGENTS I AM TOLD, ' I'M NOT SUPPOSE TO SPEAK BACK TO AGENTS.' (CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG) THE VOLUME IN MY CAR IS BEING ADJUSTED AT THE CONFIDENCE OF THE AGENTS. WHEN THE AGENTS PUT THE VOLUME UP I CAN HEAR LOWER THE SPEAKER, WHICH INITIATES THE VOLUME BEING RAISED INSIDE MY CAR. WHEN THE VOLUME IS LOWERED INSIDE MY CAR BY THE AGENTS, IT ALLOWS THE AGENTS TO HEAR WHAT I'M SAYING INSIDE MY CAR. (MY ASSUMPTION) TODAY I TRIED ADJUSTING MY TREBLE, BASS AND MID-RANGE VOLUME AND WAS ABLE TO BUT NO CHANGES TO MY SYSTEM OCCURRED. THE SAME SITUATION IS OCCURRING WITH MY APPLE IPHONE WHEN I LISTEN TO MUSIC THROUGH AIR PODS VIA BLUETOOTH AND WIRED PODS. I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD BY THE AGENTS 'I SHOULD BEEN SHOT,' I DO FIND THIS VERY ALARMING AND A VIOLATION OF MY U.S. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT.

NHTSA ODI #11351060

34,000 miles · Jul 19, 2020
Unknown Or Other

MY KEY KEEPS GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WONT COME OUT. I HAVE TO LEAVE MY CAR RUNNING FOR HOURS UNTIL THE KEY FINALLY COMES OUT.

NHTSA ODI #11340191

85,000 miles · Jul 17, 2020
SteeringUnknown Or Other

ON JULY 1ST ,2020 UPON ARRIVAL TO A STORE ONCE IN PARK AND I TRIED TO TURN THE CAR OFF THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL MEANING THE CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO BE SHUT OFF AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES OF TRYING TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL THINKING IT WAS LOCKED I FINALLY GOT THE CAR TO SHUT OFF AFTER GOOGLING IT AND READING MANY OTHER FORUMS THAT…

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ON JULY 1ST ,2020 UPON ARRIVAL TO A STORE ONCE IN PARK AND I TRIED TO TURN THE CAR OFF THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL MEANING THE CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO BE SHUT OFF AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES OF TRYING TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL THINKING IT WAS LOCKED I FINALLY GOT THE CAR TO SHUT OFF AFTER GOOGLING IT AND READING MANY OTHER FORUMS THAT TALKED ABOUT THE SAME CAR ISSUE I WAS HAVING IT SAID TO PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND THEN TO TURN THE KEY SO I DID AND IT FINALLY SHUT OFF IT STAYED PARKED TILL JULY 6 TH THAT I WENT TO A FEW DIFFERENT MECHANICS IN TOWN I FOUND ONE THAT TRIED TO HELP SAME WITH HIM HE COULD NOT TURN THE KEY TO SHUT THE CAR OFF HE ADVISED ME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BEING THAT IT WAS AN HOUR AWAY AND I WAS LOW ON GAS I HAD TO PUMP GAS WITH THE CAR RUNNING BECAUSE I AGAIN WAS NOT ABLE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF WHICH I FELT UNSAFE DOING BUT AT THIS POINT I NO LONGER KNEW WHAT TO DO I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP BEFORE LEAVING SHE SAID THEY WERE BACKED UP BUT TO COME DOWN AND THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO HELP UPON ARRIVAL AT THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT HELP ME UNTIL FRIDAY!! WHILE THE WORKER WAS SITTING IN MY CAR AND HE HIMSELF COULD NOT SHUT OFF I TOLD HIM WHERE IN THE PARKING LOT SHOULD I LEAVE IT BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WAY THAT I COULD TAKE IT HOME AND LEAVE IT RUNNING FOR 3 DAYS THEY PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE BUILDING AND ALREADY HAD THE HOOD UP TRYING TO SHUT THE CAR OFF THEY CALLED AND SAID IT WOULD BE 740.00 PLUS TAXES MIND YOU IT ALREADY HAD A SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT FOR THE 13TH FOR 2 RECALLS IT HAD ALREADY.

NHTSA ODI #11340004

Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2020
Unknown Or Other

KEY GETS STUCK IN THE CAR IGNITION, MAKING IT EXTREMELY HARD TO GET KEY OUT FROM CAR

NHTSA ODI #11312158

Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2019
Unknown Or Other

CAR MAKES A JOLTING/THRUSTING MOVE (DOWNSHIFTS) BETWEEN 20 AND 40 MPH. SEEMS LIKE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING SENSORS ARE ACTIVATED OR RELEASING AT THESE MPH.

NHTSA ODI #11290427

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.