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: other or unspecified
35 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Aug 28, 2026
Ignition not turning all the time leading the steering wheel to lock up.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 18, 2026
Car was great for first 100000 miles. Then it was not. While driving in heavy traffic on a three lane highway, car lost power, ability to accelerate and went into limp mode. EPC code went on. Very dangerous. Took it to several mechanics, VW dealerships, could find nothing wrong. Issue has happened over 100x since, but I am unable to afford another vehicle and pray over car continually to keep me and others on road safe. Few times car would suddenly shudder like engine was quitting. Canceled medical trip to city when this happened 50 miles from home. Have had to cancel work as well one day when this happened. Recently bought a FIXD sensor and it diagnosed issues with faulty gas cap and purge valve. Replaced both. That issue seems to have resolved. Car has been burning oil like crazy. Sometimes 1L after driving 150 miles. Fuel efficiency is terrible. Even running 91 grade fuel hasn't helped. In cold weather, around -30, sometimes driver door won't close. Literally have to drive with one hand holding steering wheel and one hand on door. Scary. Newest issue this week. While driving highway speed, low oil light flashed momentarily. Then speedometer and rpm gages quit. Then entire instrument cluster went black. Was almost at work, so prayed and got there safely. After work, instrument cluster worked, but car started and stalled immediately. Mechanic code reader pulls up nothing. My FIXD reader says it's a upstream oxygen sensor. Looking at youtube videos, the issue it describes sounds like this may have been what contributed to those EPC codes for last few years. Borrowing a vehicle from family - car is stranded at work. This is my first and likely last VW.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Oct 18, 2025
Key Ignition malfunction
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 6, 2025, crash
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 15V705000 16V403000 20V648000 20E064000 19V615000
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 13, 2024
When driving the car, it will randomly stall, lose power or not accelerate. Sometimes the EPC light and oil light will illuminate other times it gives no warning. It shut off on the interstate while going 72mph. I have taken it to the dealership since a month after I got it and they keep telling me nothing is wrong with it. I have to get oil changes every month despite not driving it much and the gas consumption is 3tines what it should be. I’m having to fill the tank up three times a week despite going to and from work which is 9 miles from my home. I have taken it to the dealership and had to pay $1000s of dollars only for it to start having the same issues within a week
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 18, 2023
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.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 30, 2023
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?
Steering, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 15, 2023
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
Other or unspecified, May 30, 2023
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.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 28, 2023
There was no incident. Engine light came on. EVAP EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM Current Engine Control module software does not always allow the N80 valve to close completely so seems like there is a small leak detected
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 7, 2022
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 .
Other or unspecified, Apr 17, 2022
Key gets stuck in ignition when turning off the engine
Other or unspecified, Jul 6, 2021
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
Structure, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jun 17, 2021, crash
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.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 5, 2020
THE CAR SEEMED TO HAVE A SUSPENSION PROBLEM. ROTORS AND STRUTS WENT OUT VERY FAST ON VEHICLE
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 25, 2020
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.
Other or unspecified, Jul 19, 2020
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.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Jul 17, 2020
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.
Other or unspecified, Feb 28, 2020
KEY GETS STUCK IN THE CAR IGNITION, MAKING IT EXTREMELY HARD TO GET KEY OUT FROM CAR
Other or unspecified, Dec 20, 2019
CAR MAKES A JOLTING/THRUSTING MOVE (DOWNSHIFTS) BETWEEN 20 AND 40 MPH. SEEMS LIKE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING SENSORS ARE ACTIVATED OR RELEASING AT THESE MPH.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 7, 2019
REAR VIEW CAMERA DOESN'T WORK ALL THE TIME SHOW ERROR ON THE SCREEN ' PARKPILOT IS CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE' I CAN'T USE THE CAMERA ON REVERSE THE REASON TO BOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE HAD A REAR CAMERA!!
Other or unspecified, Nov 6, 2019
KEY IS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AFTER TURNING OFF THE CAR. CAR HAS 21,033 MILES AND DEALERSHIP FOUND IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AND HOUSING FAILURE ON VEHICLE AND ADVISED REPLACING BOTH. DECLINED REPAIR AND WAS LATER CONTACTED WITH AN OFFER TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR FOR 50% OF THE ORIGINAL QUOTE. REPAIR HAS STILL NOT BEEN MADE WHILE I GET SMART ABOUT THIS.
Other or unspecified, Sep 3, 2019
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.
Other or unspecified, Jul 1, 2019
THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND THE CAR CANNOT BE TURNED OFF.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 17, 2019
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION. CAN NOT REMOVE IT. MY CAR WAS ON IDLE FOR 2 HOURS AND 30 MINUTES. NO ONE WAS ABLE TO REMOVE MY KEY. I DROVE IT TO SEVERAL MECHANIC SHOPS