2016 Volkswagen Jetta problems and recalls

Owners have filed 161 complaints on the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta, and NHTSA has issued 5 recalls. The most cited component is the Engine (43 complaints).

161
Complaints
5
Recalls
18
Crash reports
5
Fire reports
14
Injuries
105.3
Severity index

Severity index 105.3 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 105.3p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 11 of 141 by severity index among 2016 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 92% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2016 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 43 complaints (26.7%)43 27%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 36 complaints (22.4%)36 22%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 35 complaints (21.7%)35 22%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 28 complaints (17.4%)28 17%Service BrakesService Brakes: 23 complaints (14.3%)23 14%Power TrainPower Train: 22 complaints (13.7%)22 14%Vehicle Speed ControlVehicle Speed Control: 12 complaints (7.5%)12 7%SteeringSteering: 11 complaints (6.8%)11 7%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE4326.7%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3622.4%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3521.7%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2817.4%
SERVICE BRAKES2314.3%
POWER TRAIN2213.7%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL127.5%
STEERING116.8%

Complaints filed per year

016312015: 12016: 72017: 142018: 172019: 312020: 242021: 192022: 112023: 162024: 92025: 82026: 4 (partial year)15161718193120212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20151
20167
201714
201817
201931
202024
202119
202211
202316
20249
20258
2026 (year to date)4
Filings in 2023 to 2025 were close to 2020 to 2022 (33 against 54).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
20V64800021/10/2020FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAILVolkswagen 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.
20E06400023/09/2020SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDERTenneco 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 insufficien
19V61500022/08/2019ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULEVolkswagen 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 e
16V40300006/06/2016FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAILVolkswagen 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 manu
15V70500026/10/2015ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINEVolkswagen 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

Other Volkswagen Jetta model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 14 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-01. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.