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, Jun 13, 2019, crash
THE JETTA WHEN TRAVELING ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR WAS HIT BY A CHRYSLER 300 TOURING GOING ABOUT 20 MILES PER HOUR NEAR THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE WITH THE GRILL OF THE CAR. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL ONTO THE TOP OF THE CAR. A CAR THIS LOW TO THE GROUND AND SIZE SHOULD HAVE CAUSED IT TO SPIN NOT ROLL OVER. THIS HAPPENED ON A DRY CITY STREET JETTA WAS GOING STRAIGHT.VEHICLE WAS IN GOOD REPAIR
Other or unspecified, Engine, May 22, 2019
THE KEY GOT STUCK IN THE IGNITION. I COULD NOT TURN THE CAR OFF. I HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION LOCK HOUSING.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 19, 2019
VEHICLE PAUSES FOR A DANGEROUS NUMBER OF SECONDS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE ESPECIALLY WHEN CROSSING A VERY BUSY STREET INTERSECTION OR HIGHWAY. IT HAPPENS WHILE MOVING AT ANY TIME. IS UNPREDICTABLE.
Other or unspecified, Jan 25, 2019
THE IGNITION WHEN AUTOMOBILE IS IN PARK YOU CAN'T TURN OFF ENGINE . THIS HAS HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST WEEK
Other or unspecified, Jun 27, 2018
KEY STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN TURNING OFF THE ENGINE WHEN I STOPPED. I CANNOT TURN OFF THE ENGINE, I CANNOT TAKE KEY OUT OF IGNITION.
Other or unspecified, Jun 27, 2018
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION. WILL NOT SHUT OFF
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Engine, Dec 24, 2017
I BELIEVE MY CAR IS THE RESULT OF A RECENT SERIES OF BAD STORMS TO HIT THIS COUNTRY AND MY CAR. I BELIEVE MY CAR IS A FLOOD-CAR THAT HAS BEEN VERY WELL CLEANED INSIDE AND OUT, AND CLEANED SO WELL THAT THE TITLE GOT A GOOD WASH, KNOWN IN THE INDUSTRY AS TITLE-WASHING. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE IT CARRIED A GUARANTEE MAKING IT A CERTIFIED USED CAR. A CAR THAT CARRIES A CERTIFIED USED TITLE OF CONDITION THEN ONE WOULD EXPECT NOTHING LESS THAN PERFECTION. HOW I CAME TO KNOW ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF A FLOOD-CAR WAS THERE WAS WHAT LOOKED LIKE RIVER GRAVEL DEEP IN THE CARS DOOR SEAL AND THERE WAS A CLEAR WATER-LINE BEHIND WHERE THE MOVING PART OF THE STEERING-WHEEL ATTACHED TO THE CAR. NOW I'M UNSURE IF Y'ALL ARE ABLE TO HELP ME WITH THIS SITUATION, EVEN IF IT'S TO STEER ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO FIND RESOLUTION TO MY FLOOD-CAR ISSUE. I REALLY WANT ALL MY MONEY BACK AND START ALL OVER WITH SOMETHING LESS PRONE TO FLOOD WATERS.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Jun 19, 2017
THIS CAR CONTINUES TO SPORADICALLY GO IN REVERSE WHILE I AM IN DRIVE. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE WAITING IN LIKE AT A DRIVE THROUGH, FOOT ON BREAK WHILE IN DRIVE WHILE WAITING FOR FOOD, THEN TOLD TO PULL UP ONLY TO NEARLY BACK INTO THE CAR IN LINE BEHIND ME. HAD TO PUT CAR IN PARK AND SHUT OFF ENGINE- RESTART TO CORRECT PROBLEM. HAS HAPPENED WHILE FOOT ON BREAK AT RED LIGHT WHILE IN DRIVE, TOOK FOOT OFF BREAK WHEN LIGHT TURNED GREEN - CAR WENT INTO REVERSE WHILE DRIVE SHAFT "D" STILL LIT UP ALMOST BACKING INTO CAR BEHIND ME. AND AGAIN THIS HAPPENED WHILE BACKING UP IN MY APARTMENT PARKING LOT, PUT CAR INTO REVERSE TO BACK OUT, BREAK, WHEN TO PUT CAR INTO DRIVE AND CAR WENT INTO REVERSE. EACH TIME THE CAR HAS WENT INTO REVERSE WHILE IN DRIVE I HAVE HAD TO TURN OFF THE CAR COMPLETELY AND RESTART TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD AND THREATENING TO MY CAR, MY SAFETY, AND OTHER DRIVERS. DEALERSHIP CANNOT RECREATE PROBLEM AND SAYS THEREFORE THERE IS NO PROBLEM, VW CUSTOMER CARE IS NO HELP EITHER AS THEY SIMPLY KEEP TELLING ME TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP.
Other or unspecified, May 21, 2017
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. START/STOP HYBRID MOTOR STARTING EVERY THREE SECONDS WHEN VEHICLE STOPPED. APPLICATION OF BRAKES MEETS WITH OCCASIONAL SURGE IN SPEED.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Apr 12, 2017
I AM A VW FAN AND I AM HAVING SERIOUS ISSUES WITH REGARDS TO MY VW JETTA 2016 1.4. EVER SINCE MY 1ST SERVICE I ADVISED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT MY BREAKS ARE MAKING A NOISE AND EVERY TIME THEY SAY IT WAS FINE. THERE IS A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT SIDE WHEN IT IS SWITCHED ON AND STAYS ON AND GETS WORSE AS YOU DRIVE. WHEN I PURCHASE THE CAR THAT SOUND WAS NOT PRESENT. AGAIN I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT, IT IS THAT WAY WAS MEAN TO SOUND THAT WAY AND THAT WAS NORMAL. I THEN DID SOME RESEARCH AND SPOKE TO VARIOUS PEOPLE THAT HAVE KNOWLEDGE ON VW AS WELL AS A PREVIOUS SERVICE MANAGER WHO TOLD ME THAT IS AN ISSUE THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO NO FACE IT. I WAS NOT PLEASE TO THEIR RESPOND THE CAR HAS 2,780 MILES ON IT AND 6 MONTHS SINCE I DROVE IT OUT OF THE LOT I ASK THAT SOMEONE DO REALLY NEED TO ADDRESS THIS. THEN I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WILL BE A REPRESENTATIVE FROM VW CORPORATION THAT WILL BE COMING AND THAT HE WOULD BE THE ONE TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. THIS SAY IN OCTOBER 2016 TODAY IS APRIL 2 2017. I AM STILL WAITING FOR THAT TO HAPPEN TO HAVE THE CAR INSPECTED I AM SURE I WILL TOLD NOW IS CLOSE TO YEAR OH YOUR WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THAT I WILL SIT WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF FIXING IT MYSELF. I SEE THAT HAPPENING I WANT MY CAR FIXED PROPERLY AS I NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH VW BEFORE BUT I AM HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED AND WORRY ABOUT MY SAFETY. I COMPLAIN AND COMPLAIN AND NOBODY GIVE A DAME OR NOBODY SEEMS TO CARE.