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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
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

52,000 miles · Jul 27, 2023
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH and attempting to merge into another lane, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle hesitated to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The dealer and the manufactur…

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The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH and attempting to merge into another lane, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle hesitated to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.

NHTSA ODI #11534758

Mileage unknown · Jul 5, 2023
Electrical System

I got off work and was on my way to the pharmacy to pick up a very critical medication. When I got to the destination I was not able to turn off my car the key was stuck in the ignition and the car was in running mode I could not turn it. I struggled with it for about 20 minutes and eventually had to leave the car running unatte…

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I got off work and was on my way to the pharmacy to pick up a very critical medication. When I got to the destination I was not able to turn off my car the key was stuck in the ignition and the car was in running mode I could not turn it. I struggled with it for about 20 minutes and eventually had to leave the car running unattended to go in and and get the medication. Thankfully the car was still there when I returned so I drove it to a mechanic and they were not able to turn it off...there were no warning lights that came on to warn me that this would happen, by this time it was after business hours. I was stranded with a running car and no way to turn it off my only option was to let it run and run out of gas so I drove to a wolkswagen dealership planning on leaving it there overnight and letting it run out of gas. When I got there a sales representative was still on site, he could not turn the car off either the key was stuck. He had to kill the battery in order to get the car to stop running. I feel very indenjured driving this car because I don't know what to expect anymore. It was a very horifing evening. I had to figure out a way home with no warning. This is not safe and the malfunctioning part should be recalled...I have done some research online and there have been other people with the same problem and no warning including one of them to be a coworker of mine who had to pick up her daughter from school and was forced to leave her car unattended with the same problem. I am in very much stress over this while the dealership says they want me to pay over $ 900 hundred dollars to fix the problem. There was no warning light it is a malfunction and there should be a recaall this is not safe. Please help!

NHTSA ODI #11530363

Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2023
Service Brakes

Emergency brake handle button came off, rendering the emergency brake not functional.

NHTSA ODI #11530050

Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 2023
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

We purchased the car in May 2021, within a week, the check engine light, EPC and oil lamp became illuminated. Contacted dealership who "inspected" it and said "nothing was wrong and reset the lights." A few weeks go by and the same thing. We noticed the car was "stuttering" during acceleration. We attempted to bring it to th…

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We purchased the car in May 2021, within a week, the check engine light, EPC and oil lamp became illuminated. Contacted dealership who "inspected" it and said "nothing was wrong and reset the lights." A few weeks go by and the same thing. We noticed the car was "stuttering" during acceleration. We attempted to bring it to the dealership they couldn't inspect our vehicle because they didn't have "availability". My husband brought it to a local mechanic who recommended bringing it to the dealership again because of the codes it was throwing. We scheduled an appt which was 4 months out. During that time the oil was changed every 1.5 months because the lights kept coming on. Moved to Mississippi and the issues became worse. The vehicle would seem to lose power while driving on the interstate causing a Semi to veer into the other lane because the car went from 70mph to 20mph in a matter of seconds. Brought it to VW of South MS, was told Timing case, sealant, rail, tensioner, gasket, and several other things were needed to be replaced. Was told the vehicle was burning oil, lower timing cover was replaced and found bolts from tensioner broken and metal shavings. Was charged over $2500. 1 week later same exact issues occurred again. Brought it in, reset lights told us "it's fine" Few weeks of the car not being driven, happens again. We bring it back and they inform us of an array of "new issues" charges us $2000 and within a week the car is back for the same exact issue. I reviewed the recalls but it is saying none of them apply to my vehicle but they are the exact things that are going on. It is unsafe to drive the car. My husband will not allow me to drive it out of fear that it will stall and result in a serious MVA. Why isn't VW doing anything about this issue? How many people have to get injured or killed for them to conduct an investigation for this issue?

NHTSA ODI #11529849

Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2023
EngineSteeringUnknown Or Other

Key stuck in Ignition lock cylinder; stuck in the on position with engine running and cannot switch to the off position to remove ignition key. -ALSO, CAR DOORS WILL NOT LOCK WITH KEY IN IGNITION- Note: Other complaints for this same issue are listed under: UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, STEERI…

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Key stuck in Ignition lock cylinder; stuck in the on position with engine running and cannot switch to the off position to remove ignition key. -ALSO, CAR DOORS WILL NOT LOCK WITH KEY IN IGNITION- Note: Other complaints for this same issue are listed under: UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, STEERING, ENGINE VW dealer estimated a $1100 repair

NHTSA ODI #11527214

Mileage unknown · May 30, 2023
Unknown Or Other

I returned the 1st car I got because it was a little bit too expensive.I started the process of buying a vehicle through carviana a month ago. I returned the 1st car I got because it was a little hard to drive. The 2nd vehicle a kia opitima i received had mechanical issues. the car would constantly try to turn over when you pu…

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I returned the 1st car I got because it was a little bit too expensive.I started the process of buying a vehicle through carviana a month ago. I returned the 1st car I got because it was a little hard to drive. The 2nd vehicle a kia opitima i received had mechanical issues. the car would constantly try to turn over when you pushed the push start and it wouldn't catch for a good 5 seconds. So I return the optima for a jetta. When I looked at the mileage on the Kia Optima I noticed that the mileage that was showing on the screen was way off from what they posted online. But I figured it was just a one time mistake. Now the 2016 jetta that was delivered on May 24th 2023, came with no headlight, a radio/navigation system that didn't work, the brakes were bad and they used some type of editing software on their photos and blurred out the ripped and torn leather seat. I called and they reluctantly agreed to take it back and allow me to purchase a 2018 Honda Civic. So I cleaned my stuff out from the jetta. I am supposed to meet them tomorrow at 7 PM. I looked at the mileage so I could try to figure out if I was going to owe them any money because I have had the car since the 24th of May. I live right next door to where I work and I only left a few times to go to my father's who lives a 1/2 hour from me. Online carvana stated that this car came with 80XXX miles. When I looked down at the dash I see that the car is at 83XXX miles. Now I have proof of me on camera,my boss can vouch for me, my roommate can vouch for me, my father can vouch for me and I can show on video that there's no way possible that I had time to drive 3000 miles. Carvana puts the wrong odometer reading. And this is now the 2nd car that this has happened with. I bet i am not the only consumer who they have done this to. Carvana purposefully posts the milage as less so if/when you exchange the car they charge you $1 for miles that you never drove.

NHTSA ODI #11524557

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.