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: vehicle speed control
12 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 28, 2024
When driving above 45 mph, at time the EPC light will pop up on the dash and power will be slightly lost to the vehicle. Almost immediately after this happens, the oil light will pop on despite the oil being changed and done on a beyond routine basis. we have brought the vehicle into be serviced at the Volkswagen dealership numerous times and the same thing continues to happen. Recently, when driving on the interstate the EPC light came on and the vehicle stalled in the middle of the interstate. Luckily, no accident was caused but it was a near miss. This has been an issue since purchasing the vehicle and the oil is required to be changed much sooner than necessary. Volkswagen keeps "fixing" it but it continues to happen but we have paid over $3500 in getting it "fixed." The problem seems to occur at random times but most notably when going over 45mph.
Vehicle speed control, Wheels, Engine, May 17, 2023
UNKNOWN; once the car started, it would not accelerate, the EPC and Engine warning lights came on; car still starts up The Tire Pressure sensor light has been going off/on, regardless of the tire pressure being correctly set
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 13, 2022
The problem happens when the car is on, and when attempting to accelerate the car will feel like it was put into neutral and you cannot do anything other than coast. The car has done this a few times while driving. Also, when trying to accelerate from a stop at a signal light, the car can suddenly stall, and you won't be able to do anything. From a safety standpoint, this is very bad since if you had to quickly accelerate to avoid a collision or other possible scenario and the car won't move, or accelerate, to reach speeds on a freeway or highway. Problem occurred last night when attempting to accelerate and merge onto the highway, felt like the car was in neutral ('D' light was blinking as well as the 'Hybrid' light). What is concerning is that VW did know about this problem and they only did a recall for very small number of vehicles. We called VW and they said no recalls on our 2016 Jetta Hybrid for this problem. I'm reporting the problem here because we have experienced the same problem multiple times and the dealer said to replace the Mechatronic J743 unit, this was very cost prohibited for us at the time.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jul 21, 2020
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.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 31, 2019, crash
MY VEHICLE HAS STARTED TO HESITATE WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE RANDOMLY. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY TIME I DRIVE BUT IT HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES PER WEEK. I WILL PRESS MY GAS, AND MY CAR WILL HESITATE, I HEAR IT REVVING BUT MY RPMS GO NOWHERE. IT'S ALMOST LIKE IT'S NOT CATCHING. THIS WILL OCCUR FOR AROUND 5 SECONDS, LEAVING ME INCAPABLE OF MOVING. IT HAS LEFT ME STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTIONS, TAKING UNSAFE TURNS OUT OF PARKING LOTS, ETC. IT IS A VERY SCARY ISSUE. HOWEVER, NO CHECK ENGINE OR OTHER LIGHTS ILLUMINATE AT THAT MOMENT, AND NO CODES ARE FOUND WHEN THE CAR IS SCANNED. I HAVE A SPRINT DRIVE DEVICE THAT IS CONSTANTLY PLUGGED IN TO THE OEM PORT AND IT HAS NEVER PICKED UP ON AN ISSUE WHICH MAKES DIAGNOSIS VERY DIFFICULT. THIS LEAVES ME IN SERIOUS FEAR OF DRIVING MY CAR THAT I JUST PURCHASED CERTIFIED USED 3 MONTHS AGO, WITH LESS THAN 30,000 MILES ON IT. I ALSO HAVE ANOTHER ISSUE WHERE THE SAME SET OF LIGHTS COME ON EVERY TIME I DRIVE- ABS, TIRE PRESSURE, AIRBAG, TRACTION/ANTI-SKID, AND STEERING WHEEL LIGHT ALL COME ON AT THE SAME TIME... BUT NOT SURE IF THEY'RE RELATED BECAUSE THEY DON'T INITIATE SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE DELAY IN ACCELERATION.
Vehicle speed control, Nov 14, 2018, crash
WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A LARGE PARKING LOT, AS SOON AS I STARTED THE TURN, MY CAR ACCELERATED DRAMATICALLY CAUSING THE CAR TO JUMP THE CURB AND HIT THE CONCRETE BASE OF A LIGHT POLE HEAD ON. AIRBAGS WERE NOT DEPLOYED. INSURANCE DECLARED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. I DID CONTACT VW CUSTOMER CARE WHO HAS TOLD ME MY ISSUE HAS BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED, HOWEVER, NEITHER VW OR MY INSURANCE COMPANY LOOKED ANY FURTHER AT THE VEHICLE FOR ISSUES.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Oct 16, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HEARD A LOUD BOOM SOUND. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED IT A TOTAL LOSS. THE DRIVER WAS SLIGHTLY INJURED ALONG WITH THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE, BUT NEITHER MOTORIST RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS KEPT BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY FROM JULY TO OCTOBER 2018 BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT LOCATE THE VEHICLE IN THE SALVAGE YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST UNTIL THEY HEARD FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jul 16, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FROM 3 MPH TO 40 MPH AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED; HOWEVER, THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED A WHIPLASH. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,999. *TT
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.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Apr 3, 2017, crash
I DROVE INTO A PARKING LOT 27MARCH 2017 AND PROCEEDED TO PARK MY JETTA IN A PARKING SPOT HOWEVER, AS I WAS DOING SO THE CAR ACCELERATED FORWARD AND LEAPED THE CURB. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL IT HIT 2 VEHICLES WITH MY FOOT PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND AS THE CAR IMPACTED THE OTHER CARS.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Aug 29, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE VEHICLE WAS SLOT TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THE BRAKES WERE ALSO SLOW TO RESPOND WHEN APPLIED, WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AFTER CHECKING THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Vehicle speed control, Apr 11, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT VIOLENTLY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE RENTAL AGENCY WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,170.