2016 Volkswagen Jetta Recalls, Complaints & Specs
4 safety recalls list the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta, and owners have filed 161 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
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4 safety recalls for the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Fuel rail (fuel system)
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.
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.…
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Anti-theft device (steering) and electrical system: 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…
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.…
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Fuel rail (fuel system)
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…
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…
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Engine (engine and engine cooling) and vacuum (service brakes)
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.
Remedy: 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.
161 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta have filed 161 complaints with NHTSA; 18 describe a crash and 5 describe a fire. Reports cite 14 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 48,251 miles. Complaints peaked in 2019 with 31 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Ignition not turning all the time leading the steering wheel to lock up.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 28, 2026 · Unknown or other
“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 anoth”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 2, 2026 · Service brakes
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta (Jetta Hybrid). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 27–44 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 23–42 / 33–48 |
| Fuel | Premium, Regular |
| EPA class | Compact Cars |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 1.4/1.8/2 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (AM-S6); Automatic (AM-S7); Automatic (S6); Manual 5-spd; Manual 6-spd |
Compare Volkswagen Jetta model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Volkswagen Jetta model year in NHTSA's database.
Checking a specific 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
How do I know if my 2016 Volkswagen Jetta has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 4 campaigns currently list the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Volkswagen dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 15V705000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Volkswagen models
- Passat7,705 complaints
- Beetle2,596 complaints
- Tiguan2,300 complaints
- Atlas1,999 complaints
- Golf1,439 complaints
- GTI1,405 complaints
- ID.41,007 complaints
- Cc983 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.