Representative model. Photo: Elise240SX, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2016 Volkswagen Jetta recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2016 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 5
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 164
Latest campaign: Oct 21, 2020

Recall summary by component5

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Fuel system, gasoline	2	Oct 21, 2020	20V648000 16V403000
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	Sep 23, 2020	20E064000
Electrical system	1	Aug 22, 2019	19V615000
Engine and engine cooling	1	Oct 26, 2015	15V705000

Safety recalls5

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Oct 21, 2020Latest campaign


Oct 21, 202020V648000	Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system fuel rail A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire. DetailsHide details for campaign 20V648000 What's wrong 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. Campaign NHTSA 20V648000 · Oct 21, 2020
Sep 23, 202020E064000	Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components master cylinder If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 20E064000 What's wrong 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. Remedy 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. Campaign NHTSA 20E064000 · Sep 23, 2020
Aug 22, 201919V615000	Electrical system: ignition anti-theft 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… DetailsHide details for campaign 19V615000 What's wrong 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. Campaign NHTSA 19V615000 · Aug 22, 2019
Jun 6, 201616V403000	Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system fuel rail A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire. DetailsHide details for campaign 16V403000 What's wrong 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. Campaign NHTSA 16V403000 · Jun 6, 2016
Oct 26, 201515V705000	Engine and engine cooling: engine 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. DetailsHide details for campaign 15V705000 What's wrong 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. 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. Campaign NHTSA 15V705000 · Oct 26, 2015

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Volkswagen recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2016 Volkswagen Jetta? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component164

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

164Complaints filed

18Involving a crash

5Involving a fire

14Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Engine	44	27	2	1	0
Electrical system	38	23	1	2	1
Unknown or other	35	21	3	0	1
Fuel/propulsion system	28	17	2	1	1
Service brakes	24	15	9	0	9
Power train	22	13	2	0	1
Steering	12	7	0	0	0
Vehicle speed control	12	7	5	0	4
Air bags	8	5	5	0	4
Fuel system	7	4	0	1	0
Gasoline	7	4	0	1	0
Structure	4	2	2	1	1
Wheels	4	2	1	0	1
Electronic stability control (ESC)	4	2	0	0	0
Exterior lighting	3	2	0	1	0

9 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number, merged from NHTSA model names Jetta, Jetta Gli, Jetta Hev.

Latest reports

Unknown or other
“Ignition not turning all the time leading the steering wheel to lock up.”
Filed 08/28/2026 · ODI 11760223
Service brakes
“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.”
Filed 04/02/2026 · ODI 11728910
Fuel/propulsion system
“In the past I owned a 2017 jetta, which I sold approximately one year ago. It had a 1.4 liter turbo engine. At some point around 18 to 20 years ago, I started smelling gasoline fumes in the cabin.”
Filed 01/20/2026 · ODI 11712200

Other Volkswagen Jetta model years

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2016 Volkswagen Jetta recall questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta have?

NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns for the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The most recent, 20V648000 (reported October 21, 2020), concerns fuel system, gasoline. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta recalls for?

The largest group is fuel system, gasoline, with 2 campaigns. Others: service brakes, hydraulic (1), electrical system (1), engine and engine cooling (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta?

Engine is the most-reported component, named in 44 complaints out of 164 filed with NHTSA (27%). Across all complaints, owners reported 18 crashs and 5 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2016 Volkswagen Jetta?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Volkswagen recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Volkswagen dealer.

Check a specific Volkswagen by VIN

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