2016 Volkswagen Jetta Problems, Recalls & Reliability
249 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta, alongside 5 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 27/100 on the trouble index — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Engine leads the reports, typically around 64,000 miles.
Typical
Where 2016 sits among all Jetta years
What owners report
“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 .”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 Jetta
“The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, the contact became aware that the front and rear exterior lights were not functioning as needed. The headlamp warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 Jetta
“Key stuck in ignition when turning off the engine when i stopped. I cannot turn off the engine, i cannot take key out of ignition.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 Jetta
“Fuel rail bolts loosened, causing damage to the fuel rail, as well as fuel injector seals, resulting in leaking fuel in the engine bay.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 Jetta
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 135 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 40,900 miles. Half of those reports fall between 17,044 and 69,892 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (5)
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.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Technical service bulletins
820 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on engine and electrical — are on file for the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
The 2016 Volkswagen Jetta drew 249 complaints in federal safety records — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Its trouble index is 27/100, scored against the model's worst year (2002).
What are the most common 2016 Volkswagen Jetta problems?
The top reported problems for the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta are engine (44 complaints), electrical (39), and other (39).
At what mileage do 2016 Volkswagen Jetta problems show up?
Owners most often report 2016 Volkswagen Jetta problems around 40,900 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 17,044 and 69,892 miles.
Does the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta have recalls?
5 recall campaigns apply to the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.