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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

161 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2022
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

At 52,000 miles check engine light came on , car would not go over 50mph, EPC light came on , lights went out. After having car towed to the dealer, had to have EPC ,Turbocharger Boost rod / actuator replaced .

NHTSA ODI #11472800

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2022
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

Fuel rail , fuel pump,fuel filter fuel driver, leak in injector

NHTSA ODI #11469955

Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2022
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

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 …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11469028

Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2022
Unknown Or Other

Key gets stuck in ignition when turning off the engine

NHTSA ODI #11461061

Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2022
Fuel/propulsion SystemFire

My car started on fire as driving to work January 21 2022 at 7:30 am.After researching after the fire Not knowing how and why that happened car had been perfectly fine no warning signs or any difference with the way it drove , I came to find out about fuel rail recall on my car that will cause car to start on fire .I almost and …

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My car started on fire as driving to work January 21 2022 at 7:30 am.After researching after the fire Not knowing how and why that happened car had been perfectly fine no warning signs or any difference with the way it drove , I came to find out about fuel rail recall on my car that will cause car to start on fire .I almost and could have got stuck in the car which as i panicked was having trouble getting safety belt off and the door is so heavy that it had always closed back on me getting my leg smashed.I have not got any update from Manny the VW Man he ignores my calls and only left a message in response to my request to customer service i have lost my job because i do not have a car now my son has been missing school now about to be getting evicted as soon as the eviction lift is up i have 5 children i am a single widowed mother and need a car i was still paying on my car for 3 and a half years the bank screwd me over and insurance only covered them to pay off car for the bank i was financing it threw this is not fair i see q&a's on VW and they say yes to providing loaner vehicles to the ones that are having recall repaired why can i not get treated the same Manny response was that i had to pay for my own rental car they have to investigate my car to see if it was the recall that caused fire i sent him the fire police report . My car clearly had a recall this is ridiculous and not fair Do You think i did this on purpose expecting something back from these greedy not caring people in the world today lol yeah right . i loved my car was satisfied and had no issues until this one complete horrific incident that i almost got locked in and could of got injured or died. I was working and paying for my car i do not expect anything from anyone for free and that is why all the VW customer satisfaction guarantee literature i have read is of course just a bunch of sound good tell the customers what they want to hear and of course yeah Of coursr to good to be true !!!!

NHTSA ODI #11452882

98,000 miles · Feb 16, 2022
Fuel System, GasolineFire

The contact owned a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at 15-25 MPH, she smelled a strong burning gas odor. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact felt an intense heat on her legs. The contact saw a flame on the driver's side of the hood and quickly exited the vehicle. The contact state…

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The contact owned a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at 15-25 MPH, she smelled a strong burning gas odor. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact felt an intense heat on her legs. The contact saw a flame on the driver's side of the hood and quickly exited the vehicle. The contact stated that there was also fire underneath the driver's side of the hood. The fire was extinguished with the assistance of the fire department. There were no injuries sustained. A fire department report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where it was totaled. A police report was not filed. The contact became aware that her VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V648000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

NHTSA ODI #11452241

Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2022
Engine

Water pump and thermostat housing inspected and needing to be replaced according to inspection by Volkswagen Welsey Chapel on this 2016 Jetta. The quoted repair needs immediate attention and costs $1025.46. A leaking water pump could also cause the engine to stop functioning while the car is in motion. Even if the driver pulled …

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Water pump and thermostat housing inspected and needing to be replaced according to inspection by Volkswagen Welsey Chapel on this 2016 Jetta. The quoted repair needs immediate attention and costs $1025.46. A leaking water pump could also cause the engine to stop functioning while the car is in motion. Even if the driver pulled over, being stranded on the side of a highway waiting for a tow could be dangerous. I notified VW customer care and was directed NHTSA as there is no recall for this cars year. There were not warnings of this issue until noticed at inspection. Volkswagen has yet to issue a recall for this severe problem.

NHTSA ODI #11450829

Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2022
Electrical SystemExterior LightingStructureFire

-The front right passenger electrical system that contains the wiring in order for the front headlight and front high beam to function properly suddenly started a short circuit and caused the front passenger light system wiring to catch fire to that part and the parts that surround it. The car is available for inspection at any …

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-The front right passenger electrical system that contains the wiring in order for the front headlight and front high beam to function properly suddenly started a short circuit and caused the front passenger light system wiring to catch fire to that part and the parts that surround it. The car is available for inspection at any time. -My safety was put at risk because my vehicle caught fire in a matter of seconds and spread so fast that it was impossible to stop the fire without requesting help of the Miami Gardens Fire Department that arrived on the scene as fast as they could a few minutes later. Other vehicles waiting at the traffic light were also put at risk because of the fire, smoke, and the hazardous wastes that could've possibly led to an explosion from the fire spreading over the whole right side of the engine. -The problem hasn't been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer; however, I do have a police report that states that the Miami Gardens Fire Department confirmed it was an electrical problem that started the fire and the severity of the damage that they believed was a total loss. The vehicle fire was able to be put out once the Miami Dade Fire Rescue got there and managed to stop the fire. The police officer inspected the vehicle once the fire was extinguished and was able to write the police report and gave me the police case #. -There was one warning light on on the driver dashboard that had appeared a week prior to the vehicle catching fire and it was that the front headlight bulb was not working and had to be replaced.

NHTSA ODI #11446701

Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2021
EngineCrash

I got this vehicle at 36,000 miles and I have put 23,000 on it in one year. There have been no warning messages. I was in idle and my RPMs started jumping I put it in reverse ( jumping stopped) , then drive to have the vehicle get a mile or two down the road and completely die. I was rear ended . Got it into a repair shop to be…

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I got this vehicle at 36,000 miles and I have put 23,000 on it in one year. There have been no warning messages. I was in idle and my RPMs started jumping I put it in reverse ( jumping stopped) , then drive to have the vehicle get a mile or two down the road and completely die. I was rear ended . Got it into a repair shop to be told by a certified mechanic it was throwing codes for the camshaft as well as needing an evap purge at just under 60,000 miles.

NHTSA ODI #11441394

Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2021
Power Train

This driver has been quoted for a new transmission by VW. There is an existing recall for 2013-2015 Jetta hybrids for the same symptoms as listed below. The issue was preceded by a check engine light and a service hybrid system light and inconsistent braking force that would often pose a system risk as regenerative braking woul…

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This driver has been quoted for a new transmission by VW. There is an existing recall for 2013-2015 Jetta hybrids for the same symptoms as listed below. The issue was preceded by a check engine light and a service hybrid system light and inconsistent braking force that would often pose a system risk as regenerative braking would often stop working forcing the driver to quickly apply more pressure unexpectedly (almost resulting in front end accidents). Now , the car is jerky while stopping and still unpredictable in its application of brake force. When taking off from lights, occasionally the transmission will stop providing power from the hybrid system to the wheels forcing driver to stop and restart the car in the intersection resulting in near accidents. The car’s gas engine often will fail to start while driving resulting in a loss of power when the car’s hybrid battery is depleted. The driver has had to pull over to stop and restart the car. Failure to start often happens on first startup as well. The car will no longer remain in electric mode due to this issue and often cycles the engine on and off many times while sitting at red lights.

NHTSA ODI #11439238

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.