YearToAvoid

2016 Volkswagen Jetta Brakes Problems

NHTSA lists 27 brake complaints for the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta, 17% of that year's 161 total complaints. These complaints include 9 crashes and 9 injuries, with a median failure mileage of 32,700. No related recalls are listed for this brake issue.

Brakes complaints
27
17% of 161
Crashes reported
9
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
9
Median mileage
32,700 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the brake pedal traveling to the floor with little or no stopping power, sometimes preceded by a loud boom or crushing sound from the brake area.
  • Several drivers describe sudden unintended acceleration while the brake pedal was depressed, resulting in rear-end collisions.
  • Some owners say the brakes locked up unexpectedly during moderate braking, causing the vehicle to slide into the car ahead.
  • Multiple complaints describe delayed or unresponsive braking at highway speeds, forcing use of the parking brake to stop the vehicle.
  • A few owners noted the brake pedal felt normal with no warning lights before the brakes failed to engage.

When 2016 Volkswagen Jetta brake complaints were filed

First complaint Dec 22, 2015, latest Apr 2, 2026.

2016 Volkswagen Jetta brakes complaints: complaints filed per month3Dec 2015Sep 2016Dec 2017Oct 2018Jun 2019Oct 2019Jul 2023
27 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2015 to Apr 2026; peak Oct 2019 (3).

Brakes recalls for the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Brakes complaints by Jetta model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200517 (7%)
  2. 200634 (6%)
  3. 200745 (22%)
  4. 200827 (14%)
  5. 2009221 (25%)
  6. 201062 (7%)
  7. 201140 (7%)
  8. 201245 (9%)
  9. 201329 (6%)
  10. 201428 (7%)
  11. 201520 (10%)
  12. 201627 (17%)
  13. 201720 (13%)
  14. 20181 (3%)
  15. 201934 (6%)
  16. 20207 (13%)
  17. 202126 (38%)
  18. 202212 (28%)
  19. 202311 (26%)
  20. 202411 (26%)
  21. 20251 (4%)

Frequently asked questions

How many brake complaints does NHTSA have for the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA lists 27 brake-related complaints for the 2016 Jetta, which makes up 17% of the 161 total complaints filed for that model year.
Are there any recalls tied to the 2016 Jetta brake complaints?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this brake issue on the 2016 Jetta.
Did the 2016 Jetta brake problems cause crashes or injuries?
Yes, NHTSA data shows 9 crashes and 9 injuries linked to the brake complaints for this model year.
At what mileage do 2016 Jetta brake problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for these brake complaints is 32,700 miles.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.