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2016 Volkswagen Jetta

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Jetta years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta are substantially higher than the model-year median of 68.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

93 reports with mileage · 68 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

18 crash reports5 fire reports10 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

7 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2024
Air BagsCrash

Had an accident in Dec where passenger side was hit in the center. The center rail that connects 2 doors was hit so airbags deployed due to roof being pushed in by center bar. But only back airbag had a little air. Front airbag was flat. I took it to the dealer and a month later they are telling me that is normal but I took th…

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Had an accident in Dec where passenger side was hit in the center. The center rail that connects 2 doors was hit so airbags deployed due to roof being pushed in by center bar. But only back airbag had a little air. Front airbag was flat. I took it to the dealer and a month later they are telling me that is normal but I took the picture right after the accident and there is no air in front passenger bag. I told them my child is lucky to be alive. But i know its dangerous if other people are travelling in the same type car as mine. Also bag in the back has a lot of air and no fold creases because it was filled with air. Front airbag looks like it was folded and just fell out and since it has no air all the creases where it folded in roof are still there.

NHTSA ODI #11570022

62,140 miles · Oct 14, 2019
Air BagsService BrakesCrashInjury

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11268347

33,000 miles · Apr 12, 2019
Air BagsStructureWheelsCrashInjury

I WAS TRAVELING AT 40 MPH THROUGH A CITY STREET INTERSECTION. MY CAR WAS T-BONED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WITH SUCH FORCE THAT MY CAR WAS SPUN AROUND ALMOST 180 DEGREES. 80% OF THE IMPACT WAS ON THE DRIVER'S REAR DOOR, 20% ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THE SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, THIS INCLUDED A CAR EQUIPPED WITH SIDE/CURTAIN AIRBAGS. …

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I WAS TRAVELING AT 40 MPH THROUGH A CITY STREET INTERSECTION. MY CAR WAS T-BONED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WITH SUCH FORCE THAT MY CAR WAS SPUN AROUND ALMOST 180 DEGREES. 80% OF THE IMPACT WAS ON THE DRIVER'S REAR DOOR, 20% ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THE SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, THIS INCLUDED A CAR EQUIPPED WITH SIDE/CURTAIN AIRBAGS. I HAD ISSUES PREVIOUSLY WITH THE WINDOWS PROPERLY WORKING AND HAD ALL COMPONENTS MINUS THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REPLACED ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND A PASSENGER DOOR. THERE WERE A FEW OTHER ODDITIES AT TIMES WITH THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM OF THE JETTA. CONSIDERING THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT I SUSPECT AN ELECTRICAL GLITCH WITH THE SENSORS OR SOME OTHER PROBLEM THAT PREVENTED THE AIRBAGS FROM DEPLOYING. THE DAMAGE WAS EXTENSIVE ENOUGH THAT THE CAR WAS TOTALED.

NHTSA ODI #11195810

Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2019
Air Bags

VIN NUMBER NOT ON RECALL. LIGHT OF AIR BAG IS ON.

NHTSA ODI #11183843

4,000 miles · Jul 17, 2018
Air BagsService BrakesCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND STRUCK THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE RIGHT KNEE THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND STRUCK THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE RIGHT KNEE THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONDITION OF THE OCCUPANTS IN THE OTHER VEHICLE WERE UNKNOWN. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY TO A TOW LOT WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE DEALER (HANLEES HILLTOP TOYOTA, 3233 AUTO PLZ, RICHMOND, CA 94806, (510)-243-2020) WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000. *TT

NHTSA ODI #11111965

3,999 miles · Jul 16, 2018
Air BagsService BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

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 …

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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

NHTSA ODI #11111646

Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2017
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL- I AM IN DANGER BECAUSE THE AIRBAGS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY.

NHTSA ODI #11035423

Official recalls

4

20V648000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail

Oct 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: 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.

19V615000 · Electrical SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL Module; Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device

Aug 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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL Module

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."

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device

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."

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

16V403000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail

Jun 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.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: 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.

15V705000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

Oct 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.