2016 Volkswagen Jetta: owner complaints and recalls
Analysis of 160 owner complaints filed with NHTSA and 5 recall campaigns. Updated 2026-07-25.
160
Complaints
5
Recalls
18
Crash reports
5
Fire reports
14
Injuries
133.8
Severity index
Severity index 133.8 - High. This weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints; see methodology.
Among the 140 2016 vehicles we track with at least 40 complaints on file, the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta ranks 12 of 140 by severity, where 1 is the worst. Its severity is higher than 91% of its model-year peers. See the full 2016 ranking.
What actually fails
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints citing it |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 43 | 26.9% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 36 | 22.5% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 34 | 21.2% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 28 | 17.5% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 23 | 14.4% |
| POWER TRAIN | 22 | 13.8% |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 12 | 7.5% |
| STEERING | 11 | 6.9% |
The single most-reported system is ENGINE, cited in 43 of 160 complaints (26.9%). One complaint can name several systems, so these shares overlap and do not total 100%.
Complaints filed per year
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 14 |
| 2018 | 17 |
| 2019 | 31 |
| 2020 | 24 |
| 2021 | 19 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2023 | 16 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 (year to date) | 3 |
Complaint volume is broadly steady year over year.
Recall campaigns
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20V648000 | 21/10/2020 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL | 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. |
| 20E064000 | 23/09/2020 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER | 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 insufficien |
| 19V615000 | 22/08/2019 | 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 e |
| 16V403000 | 06/06/2016 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL | 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 manu |
| 15V705000 | 26/10/2015 | 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 |
Source. US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports; volume is influenced by how many units were sold and how long the vehicle has been on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.