Every 2016 Volkswagen Jetta recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA 20V648000
Oct 21, 2020Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
- 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 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24Gi.
Full recall details for 20V648000 →Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA 20E064000
Sep 23, 2020Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder
- Problem
- 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 insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.
- Risk
- If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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 cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact Tenneco customer service at 1-800-625-9319.
Full recall details for 20E064000 →Electrical System · NHTSA 19V615000
Aug 22, 2019Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module
- Problem
- 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."
- Risk
- 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.
- 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 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.
Full recall details for 19V615000 →Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA 16V403000
Jun 6, 2016Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
- 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 service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 15F7.
Full recall details for 16V403000 →Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA 15V705000
Oct 26, 2015Engine and Engine Cooling:Engine
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
- 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 recall is 23R1.
Full recall details for 15V705000 →
2016 Volkswagen Jetta complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 164 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta, reporting 18 crashes, 5 fires, 14 injuries. Volkswagen has issued at least 825 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Engine44
- Electrical System38
- Unknown Or Other35
- Fuel/Propulsion System28
- Power Train22
- Service Brakes22
Service bulletins by component
- Equipment (537)
- Electrical System (251)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (186)
- Engine (139)
- Unknown Or Other (73)
- Power Train (61)
Read Volkswagen Jetta owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in one investigation. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
What people reported
Owners have filed 164 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Injury reportedCrash
“I tried to stop my car and the brake pedal went completely to the floor and did not stop at all. There were no warning lights on, I keep my brakes and car well maintained. My car hit the rear of another car because the brakes failed to engage when I pushed the pedal down.”
2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTAApr 2, 2026 · AL
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11728910
“THE KEY PERIODICALLY GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION OR THE IGNITION WILL NOT TURN. SOME TIMES WIGGLING THE IGNITION, STEERING WHEEL, SHIFT SELECTOR, PRESSING ON THE BREAK OR ROCKING THE CAR IS NECESSARY.”
2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLIMar 6, 2019
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11184590
“STARTED THE CAR AND CHIMES STARTED RANDOMLY GOING OFF.... THEN SUDDENLY, WHILE TRAVELING, THE ABS, LITES, HYBRID, TIRE PRESSURE, AND AIR BAG LITES ALL CAME ON AND THE CAR STARTED JERKING AS IF THE BRAKES WERE BEING JAMMED.”
2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA HYBRIDApr 11, 2018
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11084486
Crash
“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.”
2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTAFeb 5, 2024
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11570022
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLI. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.”
2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLINov 28, 2017
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11048853
Check your Jetta by VIN
Not every 2016 Volkswagen Jetta is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Volkswagen dealer.
Run a free VIN recall check →