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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

What owners actually said

161 reports
40,900 miles · Sep 16, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

WHEN THE CAR GETS STARTED I HAVE AIRBAG LIGHT, POWER STEERING LIGHT, TIRE, PRESSURE LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ALL ON. THE LIGHTS STAY ON. BUT THE CAR DRIVES OKAY. THE LIGHTS DO NOT GO OFF. FOR A WHILE THEY WOULD TURN OFF AFTER A FEW MINS. NOW THEY STAY ON WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11255698

7,000 miles · Sep 7, 2019
Electrical System

MY THING IS WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR WHEN THE HEATER WAS TURNED ON YOU SMELL SOMETHING BURNING... TOLD THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID IT WAS PROBABLY SAND GETTING IN THE HEATER...BUT MY CO WORKERS NOTICED IT ALSO IT WENT FROM THAT TO THE WINDOW NOT GOING UP AND DOWN WHEN YOU MASH THE BUTTON TO NOT GOING ALL THE WAY DOWN...THEN THE A/C…

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MY THING IS WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR WHEN THE HEATER WAS TURNED ON YOU SMELL SOMETHING BURNING... TOLD THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID IT WAS PROBABLY SAND GETTING IN THE HEATER...BUT MY CO WORKERS NOTICED IT ALSO IT WENT FROM THAT TO THE WINDOW NOT GOING UP AND DOWN WHEN YOU MASH THE BUTTON TO NOT GOING ALL THE WAY DOWN...THEN THE A/C NOT PUTTING OUT COOL AIR.... THE DEALERSHIP WAS TOLD ABOUT THIS AS WELL AND DID ASK IF A RECALL WAS DONE... NONE WAS DONE THEY NO OFF. THIS VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION.

NHTSA ODI #11253895

57,000 miles · Sep 5, 2019
Electrical SystemPower TrainCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ENGAGED IN PARK AND TURNED OFF, IT ROLLED AWAY AND CRASHED INTO TWO OTHER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE HIS CHILD AND ANOTHER CHILD WERE OCCUPYING THE REAR SEATS WHE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ENGAGED IN PARK AND TURNED OFF, IT ROLLED AWAY AND CRASHED INTO TWO OTHER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE HIS CHILD AND ANOTHER CHILD WERE OCCUPYING THE REAR SEATS WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V615000 (STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT CALLED AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, OTHER 2016 JETTAS WERE INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,000.

NHTSA ODI #11253426

55,000 miles · Sep 3, 2019
Unknown Or Other

THIS IS AN IGNITION PROBLEM. WHILE BEING PARKED HAVING TROUBLE TURNING OFF ENGINE, KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION, STEERING WHEEL IS NOT LOCKED. SPARE KEY DOES THE SAME THING. THE SAFETY MECHANISM THAT PREVENTS YOU FROM TURNING THE KEYS FURTHER WHEN CAR IS ALREADY ON IS NO LONGER SHUTTING THE CAR OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11252927

130,000 miles · Aug 30, 2019
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHT AND DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT WIRING MELTED HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY

NHTSA ODI #11252375

69,000 miles · Aug 16, 2019
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE, SKID, AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WALLACE VOLKSWAGEN (2805 SE FEDERAL HWY…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE, SKID, AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WALLACE VOLKSWAGEN (2805 SE FEDERAL HWY, STUART, FL 34994, (772) 219-0007) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW WHEEL SPEED SENSOR NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT ANOTHER WHEEL SPEED SENSOR NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

NHTSA ODI #11244395

55,765 miles · Aug 9, 2019
Service BrakesCrash

"BRAKE FAILURE" SON WAS DRIVING VEHICLE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM STARTED TO GO HE SLOWLY FOLLOWED. HE WAS GOING ABOUT 10-15MPH, AND THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF HIM SLAMMED ON BRAKES SUDDENLY. WHEN CAUSED HIM TO HAVE TO BRAKE. WHEN HE HIT THE BRAKES HE HEARD A BOOM ( SOUNDED LIKE A TIN CAN CRUSHING) AND THE C…

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"BRAKE FAILURE" SON WAS DRIVING VEHICLE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM STARTED TO GO HE SLOWLY FOLLOWED. HE WAS GOING ABOUT 10-15MPH, AND THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF HIM SLAMMED ON BRAKES SUDDENLY. WHEN CAUSED HIM TO HAVE TO BRAKE. WHEN HE HIT THE BRAKES HE HEARD A BOOM ( SOUNDED LIKE A TIN CAN CRUSHING) AND THE CONTINUED TO SLIDE INTO THE TOYOTA TACOMA IN FRONT OF HIM. THE JETTA IS A TOTAL LOSS.

NHTSA ODI #11242906

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2019
Tires

THE HANKOOK TIRES I HAVE ARE BOLDING WAY TOO EARLY. THEY STARTED TO AT 32,000 FOR THE FIRST 2 TIRES AND 18,000 FOR THE OTHER 2. THE TIRES ARE RATED FOR 70,000 MILES AND I'M NOT GETTING ANYWHERE NEAR THAT. EVERY TIME IT RAINS I HYDROPLANE AND ITS NOW UNSAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE MY CAR. I HAVE CONTACTED HANKOOK AND WAS TOLD TO GO TO T…

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THE HANKOOK TIRES I HAVE ARE BOLDING WAY TOO EARLY. THEY STARTED TO AT 32,000 FOR THE FIRST 2 TIRES AND 18,000 FOR THE OTHER 2. THE TIRES ARE RATED FOR 70,000 MILES AND I'M NOT GETTING ANYWHERE NEAR THAT. EVERY TIME IT RAINS I HYDROPLANE AND ITS NOW UNSAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE MY CAR. I HAVE CONTACTED HANKOOK AND WAS TOLD TO GO TO THE PLACE OF PURCHASE. SO I GO TO VW AND THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ALL 4 BUT ONLY THE 2. AFTER SOME ARGUING THEY TELL ME TO DRIVE AROUND ON MY BOLDING TIRES AND WERE THEM DOWN MORE AND THEY WILL TRY TO GET ME NEW TIRES BUT I WOULD STILL HAVE TO PAY. THIS IS UNSAFE FOR A CAR DEALER TO TELL ME TO CONTINUE DRIVING ON THE, EVEN AFTER THEY SEEN HOW WORN DOWN THEY WERE! THIS IS ALSO THE 2ND SET OF TIRES I HAD FOR THIS CAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CAR ONLY HAS 52000 MILES NOW.

NHTSA ODI #11230129

63,000 miles · Jul 1, 2019
Unknown Or Other

THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND THE CAR CANNOT BE TURNED OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11228849

40,000 miles · Jun 24, 2019
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE SENSORS ON THE VEHICLE FAILED, AND THE INDICATORS FOR THE TURN SIGNALS, BRAKES, AND DOORS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ALSO, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE BACKUP CAMERA FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE SENSORS ON THE VEHICLE FAILED, AND THE INDICATORS FOR THE TURN SIGNALS, BRAKES, AND DOORS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ALSO, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE BACKUP CAMERA FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI #11222265

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.