IllustrationTHE CAR SEEMED TO HAVE A SUSPENSION PROBLEM. ROTORS AND STRUTS WENT OUT VERY FAST ON VEHICLE
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Jetta years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
270–25K
2725–50K
2150–75K
1175–100K
5100–150K
2150K+
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 reportsWE 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.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR A KNOWN ISSUE THAT THE ACTIVE GRILL SHUTTERS ARE STUCK IN THE OPEN OR CLOSE POSITION. THIS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO OVER HEAT. THIS CAN HAPPEN WHEN CAR IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION.
BOUGHT THESE TIRES AND TWICE NOTICED BUBBLES ON SIDEWALL APPEAR. HAPPENS 1 MONTH AFTER BEING NEW. MAYBE TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE. HAD GET THEM REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY WITH LOW MILEAGE. TIRE BRAND MAVIS TIRE TRACTION CONTROL.
CRACKED TRANSMISSION UNIT SAME ISSUE AS 2013-2015 JETTA HYBRIDS SAME PART USED IN ALL 2013-2016 MODELS. *DT*JB
DIAGNOSED BY VW AS HAVING A CRACK. THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE AS WITH THEIR 2013-2015 MODELS AND THE SAME SYSTEM.
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.
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
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THE EPS, BRAKES, CHECK ENGINE, TPMS, AND FRONT ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ALSO INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THE EPS, BRAKES, CHECK ENGINE, TPMS, AND FRONT ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ALSO INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TWO UNKNOWN SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Official recalls
420V648000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.