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
161 reports, newest first.
Steering, Oct 3, 2021
Unable to turn car off and remove key while ignition is in park. Cause the car to continue to run while trying to wiggle key out. Unable to remove key after moving steering wheel back and forth, placing care in neutral will not help and placing the care back in park does not fix the issue. This seems to be a known common issue and proposes a safety issue if driver is unable to turn care off. I’ve had this experience at 9pm during a time where no mechanical help is accessible. Major safety issue of leaving a care running idle for extended period of time. Issue definitely needs to be addressed
Steering, Suspension, Sep 10, 2021
Driver side strut spring snapped. Car became undrivable and pulled to the left, body is very close to tire and spring could cause tire to blow out . Spring is rusted from the inside out Car is at dealership for repairs no warning at all just a rattle then a loud snap
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
Engine, Jul 3, 2021
Excessive oil consumption over a short period of time - inspected by auto mechanic and VW dealer - no leaks and no buring of oil noted. Loosing a quart over the period of one month after an oil change - warning light comes on but when you are alone on the highway at night you cant always pull over.
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 17, 2021
Unknown just want to fix recall on my 2016 Jetta please help [XXX] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Electrical system, Jun 3, 2021
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while the vehicle was being serviced for an inspection, she was informed that the horn was not functioning properly. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and had the horn repaired however, the failure recurred. The independent mechanic informed the contact that there was water in the horn and the horn needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,937.
Tires, May 23, 2021
After owning the tires for 35000 miles the tires started to split on all four. Shaking was notice about a week before 5/22/21 when i got up to 65 miles an hour on the interstate. Tread life was good on the tires and the tire shop helped me get new ones. I had no warning and I rotated my tires every 4000 miles or so.
Electrical system, May 21, 2021
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal chemical odor entering the cabin of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer however, failure was undetermined. The contact was informed that the air conditioning assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Engine, Apr 20, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, SHE DETECTED AN ABNORMAL GASOLINE ODOR COMING FROM THE AIR VENTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. DOTHAN VOLKSWAGEN (2730 ROSS CLARK CIR, DOTHAN, AL 36301) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,700.
Electrical system, Apr 14, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DICK HANNA VOLKSWAGEN (12345 E. BURNSIDE ST, PORTLAND, OR 97233, (503) 822-3467) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HORN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY, THE KEY FOB AND ALARM FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,890.
Service brakes, Apr 2, 2021
IN APRIL 1 2021 I WAS DRIVING FROM HOME TO MY JOB IN DCH TUSTIN ACURA DELAR IS 10 MIN DRIVE WHEN I TAKE THE EXIT OF FREEWAY I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE CAR DON'T BRAKE , THE PEDAL GO ALL WAY DOWN AND THE CAR DON'T STOP , A TECHNICIAN SAID THAT IS A PROBLEM WHIT THE MASTER CYLINDER . WHAT CAN I DO NOW?.
Electrical system, Mar 8, 2021
UPON GOING TO THE BANK, I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE CAR OFF OR EVEN GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE HOME ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. UNABLE TO TURN THE CAR OFF OR GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. I HAD TOTAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WATS INFOMED THAT THEY HAD TO ORDER A PART, WHICH IS GOING TO COST A LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY.
Engine, Mar 4, 2021
BEGINNING AT 60K MILES I REALIZED THAT MY JETTA SPORT 1.8L BEGAN TO CONSUME OIL AT A MUCH HIGHER RATE THAN USUAL SO MUCH SO THAT I TOOK IT TO MY NEARBY DEALERSHIP AND HAD IT LOOKED AT. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO LEAKS AND THAT THE OLDER VW'S GET THE MORE THEY BURN OIL. HOWEVER, THEY REFERRED TO THE OIL BURNING AT AROUND A QUART EVERY 5,000 MILES BUT MY CAR IS BURNING OIL AT 5 TIMES THAT SPEED OF A QUART EVERY 1,000 MILES. I HAVE TO KEEP A QUART OF OIL IN MY CAR AT ALL TIMES AND IT IS BEGINNIGN TO BECOME EXPENSIVE. I TRAVEL BETWEEN STATES OFTEN AND DO THE ARIZONA-INDIANA AND BACK TRIP ONCE A YEAR SO IT DOES HAVE MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES ON IT.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 25, 2021
GOT A RECALL FOR MY CAR'S FUEL RAIL IN DECEMBER 2020 AND I STILL HAVE NOT GOTTEN A LETTER TO GET MY CAR FIXED. I THOUGHT MY CAR WAS FINE BUT A WEEK AFTER I GOT THE RECALL PAPER, I WENT TO START MY CAR AND IT STARTED SMELLING LIKE GASOLINE AND EVER SINCE THEN, MY CAR HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY DRIVE WAY FOR 2 MONTHS NOW AND I NEED MY CAR FIX
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 22, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V648000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS CONTACTED BY MIKE STEVEN VOLKSWAGEN (11211 E KELLOGG DR N, WICHITA, KS 67207) WHO SUGGESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TRADED. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT DECLINED THE TRADE IN OFFER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine, Jan 19, 2021
VOLKSWAGON RELEASED RECALL NUMBER 24GI ON OCTOBER 14, 2020, THE SUMMARY OF WHICH STATES, "THE FUEL RAIL BOLTS ON AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY BECOME LOOSE OVER TIME. THIS CAN RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK. SAFETY RISK: LEAKING FUEL, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE." AS OF THE DATE JANUARY 19,2021, A REMEDY FOR THIS ISSUE IS STILL NOT AVAILABLE FROM EITHER THE MANUFACTURER OR THE DEALER
Electrical system, Dec 14, 2020
MY CAR ALARM GOES OFF CONSISTENTLY WITHOUT ANY SIGNS OF BEING TAMPERED WITH. IF I TOUCH THE FUSE BOX OR OPEN MY DOORS THE ALARM WILL GO OFF WITH THE CAR UNLOCKED. WHILE THE CAR IS STARTED THE ALARM WILL GO OFF. ALL HOURS OF THE NIGHT MY ALARM IS GOING OFF. IT KEEPS NOT ONLY MY FAMILY AWAKE BUT ALSO MY NEIGHBORS.
Seat belts, Engine, Dec 8, 2020
SEAT BELTS NO LONGER WORKING EXCEPT FOR THE DRIVER SIDE. PASSAGES SIDE WILL NOT LOCK AND POPS OUT. ALL THREE BACK SEAT BELTS ARE STUCK AND WILL NOT RELEASE. I'VE HAD THE CAR ONLY A YEAR PURCHASED FROM DRIVETIME. THEN MY KEY GOT STUCK IN MY IGNITION AND COULD NOT TURN CAR OFF HAD TO RUSH TO DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT THE ISSUES HAD TO PAY FOR SOMETHING I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER. THEN HAD ISSUES WITH THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, AND TRUBO SUPERCHARGER ISSUES LOSING POWER. ALMOST WAS HIT MY A SEMI TRUCK ON THE FREEWAY FOR LOSING POWER TO MY CAR. THESE ISSUES I FEEL HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH ME A A CUSTOMER TO HAVE TO PAY FOR ONLY HAVING THE CAR A YEAR. THESE ISSUES ARE LIFE THREATENING. I WAS FORCED TO PURCHASED GAP AND THIS EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR NOTHING TO BE COVERED! THIS CAR IS A LEMON, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT HAS IGNITION AND ENGINE ISSUES. THE CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD.
Engine, Nov 16, 2020
SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE (USED AT AROUND 73K MILES) THE TURBO FAILED. I THOUGHT THAT WAS ODD AT THE MILEAGE SO I ATTEMPTED TO SUBMIT A CLAIM TO VOLKSWAGEN. I WAS DENIED. MY HUSBAND WAS ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE TURBO FAILED AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW AND LAG WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. HE PULLED OVER AND CALLED TGE TOW TRUCK AND WHEN I TOOK IT IN TO VOLKWAGEN THE SERVICE MANAGER SUGGESTED THAT I REACH OUT TO VOLKSWAGEN TO SUBMIT A CLAIM BECAUSE HE THOUGHT IT WAS TOO EARLY FOR THAT KIND OF FAILURE.
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
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 29, 2020
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.
Engine, Oct 17, 2020
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.
Tires, Oct 14, 2020
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.
Power train, Sep 15, 2020
CRACKED TRANSMISSION UNIT SAME ISSUE AS 2013-2015 JETTA HYBRIDS SAME PART USED IN ALL 2013-2016 MODELS. *DT*JB