2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    key fob and immobilizer

    1 stranded, 13 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    16
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 52,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "KEY IS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AFTER TURNING OFF THE CAR. CAR HAS 21,033 MILES AND DEALERSHIP FOUND IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AND HOUSING FAILURE ON VEHICLE AND ADVISED REPLACING BOTH. DECLINED REPAIR AND WAS LATER CONTACTED WITH AN OFFER TO…"~21,033 mi, complaint #1618537
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE AND TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF. THE POLICE WAS CONTACTED FOR ASSISTANCE, AND AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS, AN OFFICER REM…"~41,300 mi, complaint #1667698
    • "KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN TURNING OFF THE ENGINE."~48,860 mi, complaint #1478828
    • "OFTEN IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE KEY BACK TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF; SEEMS TO BE MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON AND PERVASIVE PROBLEM WITH PEOPLE REPORTING BEING UNABLE TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF FOR HOURS. WILL HAVE TO…"~61,000 mi, complaint #1672144
    • "ON MY HOME STOP BY WALMART AND THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. DIDN'T GO IN THE STORE AGAIN JUST WENT HOME AND IT STILL WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. SINCE MY NEIGHBOR HAS 2 VW CARS I WENT TO HIS HOUSE AND I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A…"~69,000 mi, complaint #1520746
  2. #2

    fuel tank and lines

    12 unsafe

    12
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=12, median 98,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND PARKING IT, A VERY STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS DETECTED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC F…"~32,000 mi, complaint #1471873
    • "VEHICLE ABRUPTLY BOGGED OUT AND DIED DRIVING STRAIGHT AHEAD AT NORMAL SURFACE ROAD TRAFFIC SPEED (CITY STREET), SUBSEQUENT RESTART ATTEMPTS, TWICE (2) PRODUCED STRONG ODOR OF FUEL AND LARGE PUDDLE OF FUEL UNDERNEATH AUTOMOBILE. FUEL RAIL, MANIFOLD AND ASS…"~60,709 mi, complaint #1642031
    • "VOLKSWAGON RELEASED RECALL NUMBER 24GI ON OCTOBER 14, 2020, THE SUMMARY OF WHICH STATES, "THE FUEL RAIL BOLTS ON AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY BECOME LOOSE OVER TIME. THIS CAN RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK. SAFETY RISK: LEAKING FUEL, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, M…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1720786
    • "WE HAVE A 2016 VW JETTA TSI 1.4L (EA211 ENGINE) WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. AT APPROXIMATELY 98,000 MILES, FUEL STARTED LEAKING FROM THE FUEL RAIL AREA, SLOWLY AT FIRST, JUST A SCENT OF FUEL. NEXT DAY, AT THE END OF THE DAY'S DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO LIM…"~98,000 mi, complaint #1703184
    • "The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated upon entering the vehicle, there was a strong gasoline odor. Additionally, the vehicle experienced a rough start. The electronic power control (EPC) and check engine warning lights were illuminated.…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1881546
  3. #3

    other

    6 unsafe, 4 annoyance

    10
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "I BELIEVE MY CAR IS THE RESULT OF A RECENT SERIES OF BAD STORMS TO HIT THIS COUNTRY AND MY CAR. I BELIEVE MY CAR IS A FLOOD-CAR THAT HAS BEEN VERY WELL CLEANED INSIDE AND OUT, AND CLEANED SO WELL THAT THE TITLE GOT A GOOD WASH, KNOWN IN THE INDUSTRY AS TITLE-W…"~37,017 mi, complaint #1435027
    • "THE JETTA WHEN TRAVELING ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR WAS HIT BY A CHRYSLER 300 TOURING GOING ABOUT 20 MILES PER HOUR NEAR THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE WITH THE GRILL OF THE CAR. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL ONTO THE TOP OF THE CAR. A CAR THIS LOW TO THE GROUND AN…"~51,780 mi, complaint #1574588
    • "THE KEY GOT STUCK IN THE IGNITION. I COULD NOT TURN THE CAR OFF. I HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION LOCK HOUSING."~83,000 mi, complaint #1568433
  4. #4

    transmission automatic

    1 stranded, 9 unsafe

    10
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WITH 1.8 L.TURBO ENGINE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AFTER TOTALLY STOPPING CAR AT AN INTERSECTION AND THEN APPLYING A LITTLE THROTTLE THE CAR WILL START MOVING OUT INTO INTERSECTION, BUT IF I HAVE TO LET OFF ON THROTTLE AFTER STARTING O…"~500 mi, complaint #1381602
    • "3 TIMES CAR POPPED OUT OF 3RD GEAR WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION, NOTHING IN PARTICULAR BROUGHT THIS ON (NO BUMP IN ROAD, ETC), CAR HAS LESS THAN 7K MILES, BROUGHT TO VW DEALERSHIP AND AFTER DRIVING IT ONLY TWO MILES, THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT EVEN INSPECT THE TRANS…"~6,869 mi, complaint #1426298
    • "THIS CAR CONTINUES TO SPORADICALLY GO IN REVERSE WHILE I AM IN DRIVE. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE WAITING IN LIKE AT A DRIVE THROUGH, FOOT ON BREAK WHILE IN DRIVE WHILE WAITING FOR FOOD, THEN TOLD TO PULL UP ONLY TO NEARLY BACK INTO THE CAR IN LINE BEHIND ME. HAD…"~11,400 mi, complaint #1385887
    • "CAR PUTTERS AT STOPS AND SHAKES WITH INITIAL ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED OUT SHORTLY AFTER. CODE READ TRANSMISSION FLUID PRESSURE."~80,000 mi, complaint #1653164
  5. #5

    brake hydraulics

    8 unsafe

    8
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=11, median 3,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND EMITTED AN ABNORMAL GRINDIN…"~500 mi, complaint #1247161
    • " I AM A VW FAN AND I AM HAVING SERIOUS ISSUES WITH REGARDS TO MY VW JETTA 2016 1.4. EVER SINCE MY 1ST SERVICE I ADVISED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT MY BREAKS ARE MAKING A NOISE AND EVERY TIME THEY SAY IT WAS FINE. THERE IS A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE…"~2,789 mi, complaint #1370537
    • "I DROVE INTO A PARKING LOT 27MARCH 2017 AND PROCEEDED TO PARK MY JETTA IN A PARKING SPOT HOWEVER, AS I WAS DOING SO THE CAR ACCELERATED FORWARD AND LEAPED THE CURB. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL IT HIT 2 VEHICLES WITH MY FOOT PRESSI…"~12,200 mi, complaint #1368122
    • "TODAY (NOV14, 2018) WHEN I BRAKED TO AVOID RUNNING INTO A BRAKING CAR IN FRONT OF ME, THE CAR DIDN'T SEEM TO REDUCE SPEED AT ALL. IT RESULTED IN A CRASH THAT DEPLOYED 5 AIR BAGS OF MY CAR. THE SAME CAR HAD A SIMILAR ACCIDENT IN WHICH BRAKE DIDN'T WORK ON MA…"~60,500 mi, complaint #1515627
    • "IN APRIL 1 2021 I WAS DRIVING FROM HOME TO MY JOB IN DCH TUSTIN ACURA DELAR IS [REDACTED ADDRESS] WHEN I TAKE THE EXIT OF FREEWAY I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE CAR DON'T BRAKE , THE PEDAL GO ALL WAY DOWN AND THE CAR DON'T STOP , A TECHNICIAN SAID THAT IS A…"~88,887 mi, complaint #1738147
  6. #6

    engine stall or no start

    8 unsafe

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON CITY STREETS AND ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH THE CAR SUDDENLY BECOMES UNRESPONSIVE AND SLOWS TO A STOP. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND THE ACCELERATOR DOES NOT WORK. THE CAR WILL NOT IMMEDIATELY RESTART. IF THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND ALLO…"~5,100 mi, complaint #1448027
    • "WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE'S ENGINE SHUTS OFF UNEXPECTEDLY THEN BRAKES AND STEERING WON'T WORK PROPERLY. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON! VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART. CALLED VW ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND HAD IT TOWED TO SOUTH MOTORS VW DEALERSHIP ON SOUTH DIXIE A…"~17,044 mi, complaint #1646825
    • "KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION. CAN NOT REMOVE IT. MY CAR WAS ON IDLE FOR 2 HOURS AND 30 MINUTES. NO ONE WAS ABLE TO REMOVE MY KEY. I DROVE IT TO SEVERAL MECHANIC SHOPS"~38,000 mi, complaint #1575815
    • "ON JULY 1ST ,2020 UPON ARRIVAL TO A STORE ONCE IN PARK AND I TRIED TO TURN THE CAR OFF THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL MEANING THE CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO BE SHUT OFF AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES OF TRYING TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL THINKING IT WAS LOCKED I FINALLY GOT TH…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1677791
  7. #7

    airbag system

    7 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "I WAS TRAVELING AT [REDACTED ADDRESS] INTERSECTION. MY CAR WAS T-BONED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WITH SUCH FORCE THAT MY CAR WAS SPUN AROUND ALMOST 180 DEGREES. 80% OF THE IMPACT WAS ON THE DRIVER'S REAR DOOR, 20% ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THE SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPL…"~33,000 mi, complaint #1557365
    • "The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal chemical odor entering the cabin of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer however, fa…"~36,000 mi, complaint #1748447
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ENGAGED IN PARK AND TURNED OFF, IT ROLLED AWAY AND CRASHED INTO TWO OTHER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED…"~57,000 mi, complaint #1600232
    • "MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A MVA IN WHICH SHE SLAMMED ON HER BRAKES AND THE BRAKES LOCKED ON HER. SHE HIT THE REAR OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. SHE WAS GOING ROUGHLY 25-30 MPH. SHE WAS ROUGHLY 30-40 FEET AWAY FROM THE OTHER VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. HER…"~62,140 mi, complaint #1611988
  8. #8

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=21, median 29,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "AT ANY TIME, DAY OR NIGHT, ANY TIME OF THE YEAR, WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR ATTEMPTING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, THIS CAR WILL FAIL TO ACCELERATE WHEN PRESSING DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE DELAY CAN BE AS LONG AS 5 SECONDS AND SINCE I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WI…"~3,200 mi, complaint #1413473
    • "VEHICLE PAUSES FOR UP TO 5 SECONDS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE ACROSS AN INTERSECTION OR WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PASS ANOTHER CAR ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS FAILURE HAPPENS SPORADICALLY WHETHER ON A PUBLIC STREET OR HIGHWAY. I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL OCCUR BUT HAVE…"~3,300 mi, complaint #1423867
    • "VEHICLE PAUSES FOR A DANGEROUS NUMBER OF SECONDS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE ESPECIALLY WHEN CROSSING A VERY BUSY STREET INTERSECTION OR HIGHWAY. IT HAPPENS WHILE MOVING AT ANY TIME. IS UNPREDICTABLE."~9,500 mi, complaint #1559392
    • "I JUST BOUGHT MY JETTA A WEEK AGO AND AS I DRIVING I'M NOTICING THE CAR TAKES AT LEAST A GOOD 5 SECONDS TO ACCELERATE AND WHEN IT DOES ACCELERATE IT TAKES OFF ALSO WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES THEY DON'T WORK I DON'T BELIEVE A CAR WITH 34,000 MILES SHOULD BE HAVING T…"~34,100 mi, complaint #1609125
    • "The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH and attempting to merge into another lane, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle hesitated to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated th…"~52,000 mi, complaint #1913560
  9. #9

    engine oil consumption

    4 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "BEGINNING AT 60K MILES I REALIZED THAT MY JETTA SPORT 1.8L BEGAN TO CONSUME OIL AT A MUCH HIGHER RATE THAN USUAL SO MUCH SO THAT I TOOK IT TO MY NEARBY DEALERSHIP AND HAD IT LOOKED AT. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO LEAKS AND THAT THE OLDER VW'S GET THE MORE TH…"~64,000 mi, complaint #1731252
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GUNTHER VOLKSWAGEN OF COCONUT CREEK (4300 FL-7, COCONUT CREEK, FL 33073) FOR A SOFTWARE UPDATE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V705000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SERVICE BRAKES HYDRAUL…"~78,000 mi, complaint #1574115
  10. #10

    unintended acceleration

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 4,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FROM 3 MPH TO 40 MPH AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICL…"~3,999 mi, complaint #1483118
    • "TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT VIOLENTLY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE RENTAL AGENCY WAS NOTIFIED OF…"~4,170 mi, complaint #1274533
    • "WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A LARGE PARKING LOT, AS SOON AS I STARTED THE TURN, MY CAR ACCELERATED DRAMATICALLY CAUSING THE CAR TO JUMP THE CURB AND HIT THE CONCRETE BASE OF A LIGHT POLE HEAD ON. AIRBAGS WERE NOT DEPLOYED. INSURANCE DECLARED THE VEHIC…"~24,398 mi, complaint #1515464
    • "WAS TRAVELING AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED PREPARING TO PARK CAR WITH FOOT ON BREAK. WHEN SUDDENLY CAR ACCELERATED WELL MY FOOT WAS ON THE BREAK AND HOPED THE CURB. CAR WOULD NOT STOP AND HAD TO USE THE E BRAKE."~31,300 mi, complaint #1491580
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HEARD A LOUD BOOM SOUND. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOW…"~38,000 mi, complaint #1506932
  11. #11

    engine cooling

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "THIS IS THE BASE MODEL S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 1.4 TSI. THIS VEHICLE DOESN'T HAVE A GAUGE FOR MEASURING THE TEMPERATURE. UNABLE TO MAKE A DECISION PROMPTLY IF THE CAR STARTS TO HEAT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. THE CAR APPARENTLY HAS A MECHANISM TO LOWER THE RPMS IF…"complaint #1253697
    • "2016 JETTA SE1.4 NEW FOR 18 YEAR OLD SON FOR COLLEGE. WITHIN A WEEK CAR WAS IN THE SHOP WITH ELECTRICAL ISSUES FOR LIGHTER AND USB SHORTING OUT PHONE + RADAR WHILE THE CAR WAS DRIVING. NO ISSUE FOUND WE DROVE 1000+MILES TO SCHOOL, CENTER CONSOLE WOULD BLINK ON…"complaint #1342843
    • "TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR A KNOWN ISSUE THAT THE ACTIVE GRILL SHUTTERS ARE STUCK IN THE OPEN OR CLOSE POSITION. THIS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO OVER HEAT. THIS CAN HAPPEN WHEN CAR IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION."complaint #1700360
    • "Water pump and thermostat housing inspected and needing to be replaced according to inspection by Volkswagen Welsey Chapel on this 2016 Jetta. The quoted repair needs immediate attention and costs $1025.46. A leaking water pump could also cause the engine to s…"complaint #1793146
  12. #12

    engine turbo supercharger

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE (USED AT AROUND 73K MILES) THE TURBO FAILED. I THOUGHT THAT WAS ODD AT THE MILEAGE SO I ATTEMPTED TO SUBMIT A CLAIM TO VOLKSWAGEN. I WAS DENIED. MY HUSBAND WAS ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE TURBO FAILED AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW…"~73,000 mi, complaint #1706783
    • "I DRIVE A 2016 VW JETTA ,MY EPC LIGHT CAME ON.WHEN I MADE AN APPT WITH THE VW DEALER, THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC ON MY CAR WITH THE CODE P22630,WHICH IS THE TURBOCHARGER /BOOST. THE COST FOR THE PART IS ABOUT $ 2500. FOR A CAR THAT IS ONLY A FEW YEARS OLD AND HAVI…"~126,000 mi, complaint #1675644
  13. #13

    evap system

    3 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR A STATE EMISSIONS TEST AND WAS GIVEN A CODE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HERITAGE VOLKSWAGEN OF WEST ATLANTA ([REDACTED ADDRESS], LITHIA SPRINGS, GA 30122) AND WAS INFORMED T…"complaint #1562425
    • "I brought my car in for the 60k service and the check engine light had just turned on. After being told they had to run a diagnostic and keep my car for several days, the dealership came back with "it had a fault for a purge valve. Tested the purge valve with…"complaint #1830954
    • "- Evap System, it is available for inspection upon request. - The check engine light will not turn off because of electrical wiring due to a faulty connection with the Evap system. It has been checked and there are no leaks and I have been told by three locati…"complaint #1866585
    • "There was no incident. Engine light came on. EVAP EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM Current Engine Control module software does not always allow the N80 valve to close completely so seems like there is a small leak detected"complaint #1891058
  14. #14

    horn

    1 unsafe, 1 broken, 2 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "JUNE 1, 2019. HORN STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING, NOW WORKS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING OR STATIONARY. BY THE TIME I CAN SCHEDULE SERVICE FROM VW THE HORN STARTS WORKING AGAIN. MARCH 15, 2020. HORN COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING OR STATIONARY.…"~12,000 mi, complaint #1663751
    • "ABOUT A MONTH AGO, I WAD AT AN INTERSECTION WITH MY JETTA WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE PROMPTED ME TO SLAM ON MY HORN. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO USE MY HORN, NO SOUND EMINATED FROM THE VEHICLE. UPON ARRIVING HOME, I BEGAN TESTING THE HORN TO NO AVAIL. DUE O THIS ELECTRICAL…"~41,600 mi, complaint #1572380
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DICK HANNA VOLKSWAGEN ([REDACTED ADDRESS], PORTLAND, OR 97233, [REDACTED PHONE]) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TH…"~46,890 mi, complaint #1741048
  15. #15

    steering column

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO TURN OFF AND THE KEY FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE NYLON BUSHING HAD FRACTURED AND JAMMED THE KEY…"~44,000 mi, complaint #1371427
  16. #16

    wiring harness

    3 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL HOURS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A FI…"~46,000 mi, complaint #1571534
    • "MY CAR ALARM GOES OFF CONSISTENTLY WITHOUT ANY SIGNS OF BEING TAMPERED WITH. IF I TOUCH THE FUSE BOX OR OPEN MY DOORS THE ALARM WILL GO OFF WITH THE CAR UNLOCKED. WHILE THE CAR IS STARTED THE ALARM WILL GO OFF. ALL HOURS OF THE NIGHT MY ALARM IS GOING OFF. IT…"~69,892 mi, complaint #1713080
    • "The contact’s mother owns a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked outside, the contact’s mother was notified that the vehicle had caught fire. The contact stated that upon her mother and sister approaching the vehicle, the…"~151,217 mi, complaint #1898476
  17. #17

    fuel pump

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "JETTA ENGINE QUIT RUNNING WITH NO NOTICE IN BUSY HIGHWAY. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. CAR WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THREE WEEKS. THEY CITED LACK OF FUEL SYSTEM MANAGEMENT COMPUTER MODULE. IT WOULD TAKE 5-7 BUSINESS DAYS TO GET. FUEL COMPUTER MODULE AND FUEL…"~1,200 mi, complaint #1257777
  18. #18

    hv system fault reduced power

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. START/STOP HYBRID MOTOR STARTING EVERY THREE SECONDS WHEN VEHICLE STOPPED. APPLICATION OF BRAKES MEETS WITH OCCASIONAL SURGE IN SPEED."~26,950 mi, complaint #1379418
  19. #19

    timing belt or chain

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "We purchased the car in May 2021, within a week, the check engine light, EPC and oil lamp became illuminated. Contacted dealership who "inspected" it and said "nothing was wrong and reset the lights." A few weeks go by and the same thing. We noticed the car…"complaint #1906293
    • "I bought the car brand new in 2016 had the oil changed on its scheduled maintenance and at 77000 mile my timing chain made my car go into limp mode. Now I am looking at a 4700$ in mechanic and engine work. "complaint #2060238
    • "My camshaft sensors went bad at 77k miles had it towed to auto repair. Auto shop said my timing tensioner and chain were worn and needed replacement. Cost was 6200.00. A month later the engine blew at 81k miles. This was a lease for the first 3 years so all m…"complaint #2101968
  20. #20

    tire failure

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "BOUGHT THESE TIRES AND TWICE NOTICED BUBBLES ON SIDEWALL APPEAR. HAPPENS 1 MONTH AFTER BEING NEW. MAYBE TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE. HAD GET THEM REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY WITH LOW MILEAGE. TIRE BRAND MAVIS TIRE TRACTION CONTROL. "~81,000 mi, complaint #1699620
  21. #21

    control module

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE SENSORS ON THE VEHICLE FAILED, AND THE INDICATORS FOR THE TURN SIGNALS, BRAKES, AND DOORS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ALSO, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE BACK…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1577912
    • "WHEN THE CAR GETS STARTED I HAVE AIRBAG LIGHT, POWER STEERING LIGHT, TIRE, PRESSURE LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ALL ON. THE LIGHTS STAY ON. BUT THE CAR DRIVES OKAY. THE LIGHTS DO NOT GO OFF. FOR A WHILE THEY WOULD TURN OFF AFTER A FEW MINS. NO…"~40,900 mi, complaint #1603277
  22. #22

    fuel injector

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "POSSIBLE FUEL RAIL SYSTEM DETACHED FROM CYLINDER FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED VEHICLE WAS IN IDLE WHEN ECM LIGHT WENT ON AND VEHICLE RPM WERE GOING CRAZY FROM 1-3 VEHICLE STALLED OUT AND SHUT OFF 4 TIMES"~47,000 mi, complaint #1686134
  23. #23

    lighting exterior

    1 unsafe, 1 broken

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, the contact became aware that the front and rear exterior lights were not functioning as needed. The headlamp warning light was illuminated. The v…"~128,000 mi, complaint #1965460
    • "HEADLIGHT AND DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT WIRING MELTED HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY"~130,000 mi, complaint #1598757
  24. #24

    suspension struts shocks

    1 unsafe, 1 broken

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "THE CAR SEEMED TO HAVE A SUSPENSION PROBLEM. ROTORS AND STRUTS WENT OUT VERY FAST ON VEHICLE"~46,000 mi, complaint #1704540
  25. #25

    abs module

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE, SKID, AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMIN…"~69,000 mi, complaint #1594787
  26. #26

    backup camera

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "REAR VIEW CAMERA DOESN'T WORK ALL THE TIME SHOW ERROR ON THE SCREEN ' PARKPILOT IS CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE' I CAN'T USE THE CAMERA ON REVERSE THE REASON TO BOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE HAD A REAR CAMERA!!"~56,024 mi, complaint #1618849
  27. #27

    battery and charging

    1 stranded

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE ORIGINAL VW BATTERY LEAKED AND CORRODED RTHE CABLES SHORTING OUT THE CAR REQUIRING A TOW. IT WOULD NOT TAKE A JUMP AND AFTER TAKING IT TO A VW DEALERSHIP, THE BATTERY, CABLES AND STARTER HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN THIS HAPPENED.…"~14,000 mi, complaint #1453567
  28. #28

    brake booster

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "I JUST PURCHASED A 2016 VW JETTA S 1.4 GASOLINE TURBO ENGINE ON 3/5/16. IT HAS UNDER 400 MILES ON IT WITH LIGHT DRIVING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITHIN A WEEK OF PURCHASE AND WAS TAKEN TO VW DEALER SERVICE IMMEDIATELY. I WAS TOLD ISSUE WAS "DEFECTIVE BR…"complaint #1268955
  29. #29

    brake pads and rotors

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "THE REAR BRAKES CREATE A SUBSTANTIAL RESIDUE THAT IS NOTICEABLE OVER THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AFTER EACH DRIVE. THE REAR BRAKES SQEAK AND SEEM TO BE WORN FROM THE GRINDING SOUND YET THE DISCS LOOK FINE. THE BRAKES DEFINITELY ARE FAULTY AND THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS…"complaint #1433057
  30. #30

    engine head gasket

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "DIAGNOSED BY VW AS HAVING A CRACK. THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE AS WITH THEIR 2013-2015 MODELS AND THE SAME SYSTEM."~132,000 mi, complaint #1690811
  31. #31

    engine internal

    1 stranded

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I got this vehicle at 36,000 miles and I have put 23,000 on it in one year. There have been no warning messages. I was in idle and my RPMs started jumping I put it in reverse ( jumping stopped) , then drive to have the vehicle get a mile or two down the road…"complaint #1779859
  32. #32

    heater core and blower

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "MY THING IS WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR WHEN THE HEATER WAS TURNED ON YOU SMELL SOMETHING BURNING... TOLD THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID IT WAS PROBABLY SAND GETTING IN THE HEATER...BUT MY CO WORKERS NOTICED IT ALSO IT WENT FROM THAT TO THE WINDOW NOT GOING UP AND DOWN…"~7,000 mi, complaint #1600784
  33. #33

    infotainment head unit

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "MY RADIO IN MY VW IS COMPROMISED. THE INDIVIDUALS IDENTITY THEMSELVES AS FBI AGENTS AND WHEN I SPEAK BACK TO AGENTS I AM TOLD, ' I'M NOT SUPPOSE TO SPEAK BACK TO AGENTS.' (CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG) THE VOLUME IN MY CAR IS BEING ADJUSTED AT THE CONFIDENCE OF THE…"~49,000 mi, complaint #1687043
  34. #34

    instrument cluster

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "GAUGE BACKLIGHT INTENSITY CONTROL VIOLATES "49 CFR 571.101 - STANDARD NO. 101; CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS" THIS REPORT IS ECHO FROM NHTSA ID NUMBER: 11025444 THAT ANOTHER JETTA HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. FIRST, BASIC ISSUE IS, AUTOMATIC GAUGE BACKLIGHT INTE…"~11,000 mi, complaint #1412957
  35. #35

    interior trim

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE HEATED SEAT PAD HAS BEGUN BURNING A HOLE INTO DRIVER SIDE SEAT. IF NOT CAREFUL, WILL BURN SKIN WHILE FABRIC IS STILL OVER THE PAD. THIS IS HAPPENING WHEN THE SEAT IS TURNED ON AND IS CAUSING A BURNING SMELL IN THE VEHICLE."~72,000 mi, complaint #1637232
  36. #36

    parking brake

    1 broken

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Emergency brake handle button came off, rendering the emergency brake not functional."complaint #1906607
  37. #37

    parking sensors

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 30 MPH, MULTIPLE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CAPITAL VOLKSWAGEN (LOCATED AT [REDACTED ADDRESS], TALLAHASSEE, FL 32304, [REDACTED PHONE]) WHERE I…"~34,000 mi, complaint #1610317
  38. #38

    software or update

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE VIN NUMBER FOR MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL TO UPDATE THE SOFTWARE THAT AFFECTS THE BRAKE BOOSTER. SINCE ABOUT 2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR IT STARTED TO TRIGGER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT."~3,000 mi, complaint #1529996
  39. #39

    stability and traction control

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "I BOUGHT MY CAR CERTIFIED PREOWNED FROM A VW DEALERSHIP IN JUNE WITH 20,000 MILES. WITHIN A MONTH OF PURCHASE, ACCESSORY LIGHTS BEGAN ILLUMINATING RANDOMLY AND THEN SWITCHING BACK OFF. IT IS ALWAYS THE SAME SET OF LIGHTS- ABS, TIRE PRESSURE, AIRBAG, TRACTION/A…"~23,000 mi, complaint #1617006
  40. #40

    starter

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "EVER SINCE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE ONE YEAR AGO, I NOTICED THAT MY CAR HAS TROUBLE STARTING. IT IS A PUSH-TO-START CAR, AND SOMETIMES IT CUTS OFF AND I HAVE TO PUSH THE BUTTON TO HAVE IT RESTART. IT HAPPENS DURING ALL TYPES OF WEATHER, AND I'VE HAD THE BATTER T…"complaint #1683324
  41. #41

    throttle and pedal

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE VEHICLE WAS SLOT TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THE BRAKES WERE ALSO SLOW TO RESPOND WHEN APPLIED, WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUP…"complaint #1312527
  42. #42

    transmission manual clutch

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "AT 32,000 MILES THE CLUTCH STARTED SLIPPING. EVEN THOUGH COVERED UNDER WARRANTY I WAS TOLD MY MY LOCAL VW DEALER AND BY VW OF AMERICA THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO PULL THE CAR APART TO DETERMINE IF IT IS COVERED. IF THEY DETERMINE IT IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR IT WO…"~32,000 mi, complaint #1504887
  43. #43

    trunk or liftgate

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "When I drive, the trunk pops open. Forward or reverse. No problems found with wiring in trunk or door but keeps happening. Began months ago and mechanics keep saying that they can't find anything wrong. Scary to drive"complaint #2086729

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for VOLKSWAGEN JETTA directly.