Model year record

2016 Volkswagen Jetta recalls & problems

The 2016 Volkswagen Jetta has 5 safety recalls and 161 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine (43 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls

Complaints161filed by owners

Crashes · fires18 · 5reported in complaints

NHTSA overall5 ★crash-test stars

2016 Volkswagen Jetta in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Fuel system, gasolineOct 21, 2020

Fuel injection system › Fuel rail

Recall 20V648000218,192 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.

Service brakes, hydraulicSep 23, 2020

Foundation components › Master cylinder

Recall 20E06400038 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.

Electrical systemAug 22, 2019

Ignition › Anti-theft › Control module

Recall 19V615000679,027 vehicles

Problem: 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."
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Components: Electrical system › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control module; Steering › Column locking › Anti-theft device

Fuel system, gasolineJun 6, 2016

Fuel injection system › Fuel rail

Recall 16V40300055 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
Fix: 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.

Engine and engine coolingOct 26, 2015

Engine

Recall 15V70500091,867 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Components: Engine and engine cooling › Engine; Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2016 Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD

Overall★★★★★

Frontal crash	★★★★★
Side crash	★★★★★
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	11.1%

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: No

2016 Volkswagen Jetta HEV 4 DR FWD

Overall★★★★★

Frontal crash	★★★★★
Side crash	★★★★★
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	11.1%

2016 Volkswagen Jetta NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

2016 Volkswagen Jetta NHTSA side pole crash test — NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Jetta Hybrid Hybrid

44mpg combined

City / highway	42 / 48 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

1.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AM-S7) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $1,850/year to fuel

Jetta

33mpg combined

City / highway	28 / 40 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,050/year to fuel

Jetta

32mpg combined

City / highway	28 / 39 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,100/year to fuel

Jetta

29mpg combined

City / highway	25 / 35 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,300/year to fuel

Jetta

29mpg combined

City / highway	25 / 36 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,300/year to fuel

Jetta

27mpg combined

City / highway	24 / 33 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AM-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

Jetta

27mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 33 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine	43	2	1	0	38,000 mi
Electrical systemHorn; Ignition	36	1	2	1	41,600 mi
Unknown or other	35	3	0	1	42,731 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	28	2	1	1	34,100 mi
Power train	22	2	0	1	32,000 mi
Service brakes	21	9	0	9	32,700 mi
Vehicle speed control	12	5	0	4	18,299 mi
Steering	11	0	0	0	46,000 mi
Air bags	7	5	0	4	18,500 mi
Fuel system, gasolineFuel injection system › Fuel rail	7	0	1	0	97,850 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)	4	0	0	0	20,022 mi
Wheels	4	1	0	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Unknown or other
Ignition not turning all the time leading the steering wheel to lock up.
Aug 1, 2024
Service brakesCrash4 injuries
I tried to stop my car and the brake pedal went completely to the floor and did not stop at all. There were no warning lights on, I keep my brakes and car well maintained. My car hit the rear of another car because the brakes failed to engage when I pushed the pedal down. My car which is the vw jetta was totaled in the accident. My insurance company GEICO has the car sitting at copart and it should be able to be inspected. I know the 2015-2016 vw Jetta had a recall for brake failure due to brake vacuum pump.But my 2016 doesnât have any recalls on it. The police officer inspected the brakes at the scene.
Mar 15, 2026
Fuel/propulsion system
In the past I owned a 2017 jetta, which I sold approximately one year ago. It had a 1.4 liter turbo engine. At some point around 18 to 20 years ago, I started smelling gasoline fumes in the cabin. It was rare and intermittent. I did not check it out as it did not seem like an urgent issue. I sold the vehicle about a year ago. I also now own a 2016 jetta TSI model, 1.8 liter turbo with about 104,000 miles. In the past few days I started smelling gasoline in the cabin while operating the vehicle. It was not serviced in many months so itâs not likely to have anything to do with bad mechanical service and the vehicle runs well. I checked the internet and discovered a massive vw/audi recall…
Jan 15, 2026
Engine
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…
Jan 14, 2026
Fuel/propulsion system
Fuel fire hazard. Safety Recall 24Gi performed 5-11-21 @ 67k miles. 4 years and 60k miles later, fuel rail bolts backed out, causing fuel to pour into engine compartment. VWâs repair solution was not adequate. Do I have any recourse?
Nov 6, 2025
Steering
Key Ignition malfunction
Oct 17, 2025
Fuel/propulsion systemCrash
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 15V705000 16V403000 20V648000 20E064000 19V615000
Aug 1, 2025
Power train
Vehicle begins to shudder and slow with no response to attempts to accelerate and eventually stop completely though engine is still on. This has happened on multiple occasions and in many driving situations including on busy streets or in the middle of turning which is a huge risk for an accident! Can restart with regular acceleration after a few minutes. Service indicators will come on with codes indicating transmission related issues. Have had transmission flushed without significant change with transmission replacement as next step.
Sep 26, 2024

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.