2016 Volkswagen Jetta
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 161 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 18th highest complaint count among 26 Jetta model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 18 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 14 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Fuel system, gasoline, fuel injection system, fuel railOct 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.
A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 20V648000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, master cylinderSep 23, 2020
Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles. The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.
If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact Tenneco customer service at 1-800-625-9319.
Campaign 20E064000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, ignition, anti-theft, control moduleAug 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."
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.
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.
Campaign 19V615000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, fuel injection system, fuel railJun 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.
A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
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.
Campaign 16V403000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engineOct 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 15V705000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: fuel/propulsion system
28 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 10, 2017
VEHICLE PAUSES FOR UP TO 5 SECONDS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE ACROSS AN INTERSECTION OR WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PASS ANOTHER CAR ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS FAILURE HAPPENS SPORADICALLY WHETHER ON A PUBLIC STREET OR HIGHWAY. I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL OCCUR BUT HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT BY OTHER VEHICLES SEVERAL TIMES.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 10, 2017
AT ANY TIME, DAY OR NIGHT, ANY TIME OF THE YEAR, WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR ATTEMPTING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, THIS CAR WILL FAIL TO ACCELERATE WHEN PRESSING DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE DELAY CAN BE AS LONG AS 5 SECONDS AND SINCE I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN, I FEEL THE VEHICLE IS VERY UNSAFE. IT CAN FAIL TO ACCELERATE IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WITH TRAFFIC COMING AT YOU FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS AND YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THEIR WAY. I FEEL I TAKE MY LIFE IN MY HANDS EVERY TIME I STEP INTO THIS VEHICLE AND RECOMMEND THAT ON ONE EVER BUY ONE OF THESE DEATH TRAPS!!!!
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 2, 2016
JETTA ENGINE QUIT RUNNING WITH NO NOTICE IN BUSY HIGHWAY. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. CAR WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THREE WEEKS. THEY CITED LACK OF FUEL SYSTEM MANAGEMENT COMPUTER MODULE. IT WOULD TAKE 5-7 BUSINESS DAYS TO GET. FUEL COMPUTER MODULE AND FUEL PUMP WERE REPLACED. HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN CAR SAFETY. VW WILL NOT REPLACE PER MY REQUEST. MY WIFE IS FEARFUL OF DRIVING CAR SINCE SHE WAS TRAUMATIZED.