2016 Volkswagen Jetta Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
60/100
#7 most-complained of 16 Jetta years
The 2016 Volkswagen Jetta has a Complaint Index of 60 and ranks 7th worst of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 161 complaints, 4 recalls, 18 crashes, and 5 fires, with Engine issues the top problem area at 34% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 161
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 18 / 5
- Injuries / deaths
- 14 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 29
- 25 city / 35.5 hwy
Top 2016 Volkswagen Jetta problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine54 (34%)
- Electrical System38 (24%)
- Other36 (22%)
- Fuel System35 (22%)
- Brakes27 (17%)
- Transmission & Powertrain22 (14%)
- Steering11 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (5%)
- Airbags7 (4%)
- Structure & Body5 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report sudden unintended acceleration while parking at low speed, sometimes jumping curbs and striking objects or other vehicles.
- Brakes reportedly fail to respond or require excessive pedal pressure, in some cases forcing use of the parking brake to stop.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in multiple frontal and side-impact crashes, including a T-bone collision.
- Owners describe an engine compartment fire starting hours after the vehicle was parked and shut off, attributed to an electrical fault.
- Some owners report the vehicle rolling away on its own after being placed in park and turned off, leading to collisions.
2016 Volkswagen Jetta recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V648000Oct 21, 2020Fuel System218,192 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 19V615000Aug 22, 2019Electrical System679,027 vehicles
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."
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.
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.
- NHTSA 16V403000Jun 6, 2016Fuel System55 vehicles
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 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.
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.
2016 Volkswagen Jetta fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 25 MPG
- Highway
- 35.5 MPG
- Combined
- 29 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,250
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2016 Jetta a Complaint Index of 60, ranking it 7th worst out of 16 model years tracked, which earns a Caution verdict relative to other Jetta years.
- What is the top problem area for the 2016 Jetta?
- Engine complaints make up 34% of all reported issues (54 of 161 complaints), with a median failure mileage of 35,558.5 miles, making it the top problem area.
- Does the 2016 Jetta have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 Jetta covering the fuel system (loose fuel rail bolts and cylinder head replacement) and an engine control module software update tied to camshaft lobe wear.
- How does the 2016 Jetta compare to other Jetta years?
- The 2016 Jetta's Complaint Index of 60 is worse than 2015 (47, Good) and 2017 (53, Caution), but much better than 2010 (93, Avoid) and 2019 (100, Avoid).
- What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Jetta?
- EPA rates the 2016 Jetta at 29 mpg combined (25 city / 35.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,250.