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.
Power train, Sep 8, 2020
DIAGNOSED BY VW AS HAVING A CRACK. THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE AS WITH THEIR 2013-2015 MODELS AND THE SAME SYSTEM.
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 20, 2020
POSSIBLE FUEL RAIL SYSTEM DETACHED FROM CYLINDER FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED VEHICLE WAS IN IDLE WHEN ECM LIGHT WENT ON AND VEHICLE RPM WERE GOING CRAZY FROM 1-3 VEHICLE STALLED OUT AND SHUT OFF 4 TIMES
Power train, Wheels, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 9, 2020
EVER SINCE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE ONE YEAR AGO, I NOTICED THAT MY CAR HAS TROUBLE STARTING. IT IS A PUSH-TO-START CAR, AND SOMETIMES IT CUTS OFF AND I HAVE TO PUSH THE BUTTON TO HAVE IT RESTART. IT HAPPENS DURING ALL TYPES OF WEATHER, AND I'VE HAD THE BATTER TESTED AT THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS IN GOOD STANDING, AND THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. I'VE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THIS LAST ONE YEAR OF HAVING THE CAR. THE FIRST TIME I HAD TO DO THAT WAS LITERALLY WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF BUYING THE CAR. FURTHERMORE, THE RANGE FEATURE THAT GIVES YOU AN AUTOMATIC READING OF THE GAS GAUGE IS INACCURATE. WHEN I FILL UP THE TANK IF SOMETIMES READS OVER 300 MILES, AND THEN SOMETIMES IT READS OVER 400; AND THEN WHEN THE GAS IS LOW AND NEARING EMPTY, IT NOTIFIES ME AT 30 MILES LEFT TILL EMPTY BUT THEN RAPIDLY DROPS TO 15 OR LESS BY INCREMENTS OF 5.
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.
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.
Engine, Jul 9, 2020
I DRIVE A 2016 VW JETTA ,MY EPC LIGHT CAME ON.WHEN I MADE AN APPT WITH THE VW DEALER, THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC ON MY CAR WITH THE CODE P22630,WHICH IS THE TURBOCHARGER /BOOST. THE COST FOR THE PART IS ABOUT $ 2500. FOR A CAR THAT IS ONLY A FEW YEARS OLD AND HAVING A MAJOR REPAIR ISSUE ,IAM SO DISAPPOINTED AND FEEL NOT SAFE AT ALL. HOW CAN A TURBO CHARGER BOOST BREAK ALREADY!!!! THATS MY COMPLAINT. ANYONE ELSE HAS A PROBLEM LIKE THAT?
Electrical system, Jun 25, 2020
OFTEN IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE KEY BACK TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF; SEEMS TO BE MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON AND PERVASIVE PROBLEM WITH PEOPLE REPORTING BEING UNABLE TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF FOR HOURS. WILL HAVE TO HAVE THIS FIXED AT PROBABLY GREAT EXPENSE, AS IT IS OBVIOUSLY NOT SAFE TO HAVE A CAR IDLE UNATTENDED FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 8, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE AND TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF. THE POLICE WAS CONTACTED FOR ASSISTANCE, AND AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS, AN OFFICER REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOMS RIVER VOLKSWAGEN (256 NJ-37, TOMS RIVER, NJ 08753) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE DIAGNOSED PRIOR TO ANY REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,300.
Electrical system, May 18, 2020
JUNE 1, 2019. HORN STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING, NOW WORKS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING OR STATIONARY. BY THE TIME I CAN SCHEDULE SERVICE FROM VW THE HORN STARTS WORKING AGAIN. MARCH 15, 2020. HORN COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING OR STATIONARY. *TR
Power train, Mar 9, 2020
CAR PUTTERS AT STOPS AND SHAKES WITH INITIAL ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED OUT SHORTLY AFTER. CODE READ TRANSMISSION FLUID PRESSURE.
Other or unspecified, Feb 28, 2020
KEY GETS STUCK IN THE CAR IGNITION, MAKING IT EXTREMELY HARD TO GET KEY OUT FROM CAR
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Feb 16, 2020
WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE'S ENGINE SHUTS OFF UNEXPECTEDLY THEN BRAKES AND STEERING WON'T WORK PROPERLY. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON! VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART. CALLED VW ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND HAD IT TOWED TO SOUTH MOTORS VW DEALERSHIP ON SOUTH DIXIE AND 179 ST. MIAMI. VW CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHATS WRONG WITH THE CAR.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 29, 2020
VEHICLE ABRUPTLY BOGGED OUT AND DIED DRIVING STRAIGHT AHEAD AT NORMAL SURFACE ROAD TRAFFIC SPEED (CITY STREET), SUBSEQUENT RESTART ATTEMPTS, TWICE (2) PRODUCED STRONG ODOR OF FUEL AND LARGE PUDDLE OF FUEL UNDERNEATH AUTOMOBILE. FUEL RAIL, MANIFOLD AND ASSOCIATED COMPONENTS FAILURE PER REPAIR ORDER FROM DEALER SERVICE.
Seats, Jan 14, 2020
THE HEATED SEAT PAD HAS BEGUN BURNING A HOLE INTO DRIVER SIDE SEAT. IF NOT CAREFUL, WILL BURN SKIN WHILE FABRIC IS STILL OVER THE PAD. THIS IS HAPPENING WHEN THE SEAT IS TURNED ON AND IS CAUSING A BURNING SMELL IN THE VEHICLE.
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.
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.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 31, 2019
I BOUGHT MY CAR CERTIFIED PREOWNED FROM A VW DEALERSHIP IN JUNE WITH 20,000 MILES. WITHIN A MONTH OF PURCHASE, ACCESSORY LIGHTS BEGAN ILLUMINATING RANDOMLY AND THEN SWITCHING BACK OFF. IT IS ALWAYS THE SAME SET OF LIGHTS- ABS, TIRE PRESSURE, AIRBAG, TRACTION/ANTI-SKID, AND STEERING WHEEL LIGHT ALL COME ON AT THE SAME TIME. NOW THEY COME ON EVERY TIME I DRIVE AND NEVER TURN OFF. I DON'T NOTICE A DIFFERENCE IN THE DRIVING, BUT THE LIGHTS ARE WORRISOME. I ALSO HAVE ANOTHER ISSUE WHERE OCCASIONALLY WHEN I ACCELERATE THE CAR FAILS TO "PICK UP" OR ACCELERATE FOR LIKE 5 SECONDS, AND THEN IT CATCHES AND THE CAR CONTINUES TO RUN SMOOTHLY FROM THEN ON... BUT I'M UNSURE IF THEY'RE RELATED.
Steering, Oct 24, 2019
IGNITION CYLINDER AND HOUSING ISSUES . KEY GOT STUCK IN IGNITION AND WOULD NOT SHUT OFF THE CAR . THE CAR WAS ON AND RUNNING FOR 4 HOURS STRAIGHT WHILE I WAITED FOR AAA TO TOW IT TO THE DEALERSHIP . I HAD TO REPLACE THE CYLINDER , BOLT AND STEER LOCK .
Air bags, Service brakes, Oct 14, 2019, crash
MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A MVA IN WHICH SHE SLAMMED ON HER BRAKES AND THE BRAKES LOCKED ON HER. SHE HIT THE REAR OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. SHE WAS GOING ROUGHLY 25-30 MPH. SHE WAS ROUGHLY 30-40 FEET AWAY FROM THE OTHER VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. HER AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH CONSIDERING THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE DONE TO HER CAR IS ROUGHLY $6500. I RESEARCHED BOTH ISSUES AND IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE VW JETTA.
Electrical system, Oct 8, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 30 MPH, MULTIPLE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CAPITAL VOLKSWAGEN (LOCATED AT 3963 W TENNESSEE ST, TALLAHASSEE, FL 32304, (850) 692-5609) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Service brakes, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 4, 2019
I JUST BOUGHT MY JETTA A WEEK AGO AND AS I DRIVING I'M NOTICING THE CAR TAKES AT LEAST A GOOD 5 SECONDS TO ACCELERATE AND WHEN IT DOES ACCELERATE IT TAKES OFF ALSO WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES THEY DON'T WORK I DON'T BELIEVE A CAR WITH 34,000 MILES SHOULD BE HAVING THESE UNSAFE PROBLEMS I'M ALMOST SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR