2016 Volkswagen Jetta Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2016 Volkswagen Jetta has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 989,141 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 249 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 20V648000 2020-10-21 218,192 affected
Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19V615000 2019-08-22 679,027 affected
Defect

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…

Consequence

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.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 16V403000 2016-06-06 55 affected
Defect

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…

Consequence

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.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 15V705000 2015-10-26 91,867 affected
Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Complaints by component

ENGINE
43
2crashes1fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
34
3crashes1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
30
1crashes2fires1injuries
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
28
2crashes1fires1injuries
POWER TRAIN
22
2crashes1injuries
SERVICE BRAKES
21
9crashes9injuries
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
12
5crashes4injuries
STEERING
11
AIR BAGS
7
5crashes4injuries
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
6
1fires
Total complaints249

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“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 another car because the brakes failed to engage when I pushed the pedal down. My car which is the vw…”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2026-03-15

“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. It was rare and intermittent. I did not check it out as it did not seem like an urgent issue. I sold…”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2026-01-15

“Car was great for first 100000 miles. Then it was not. While driving in heavy traffic on a three lane highway, car lost power, ability to accelerate and went into limp mode. Epc code went on. Very dangerous. Took it to several mechanics, vw dealerships, could find nothing wrong. Issue has happened…”

ENGINE · reported 2026-01-14

“Car was great for first 100000 miles. Then it was not. While driving in heavy traffic on a three lane highway, car lost power, ability to accelerate and went into limp mode. Epc code went on. Very dangerous. Took it to several mechanics, vw dealerships, could find nothing wrong. Issue has happened…”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2026-01-14

“Car was great for first 100000 miles. Then it was not. While driving in heavy traffic on a three lane highway, car lost power, ability to accelerate and went into limp mode. Epc code went on. Very dangerous. Took it to several mechanics, vw dealerships, could find nothing wrong. Issue has happened…”

POWER TRAIN · reported 2026-01-14

“Fuel fire hazard. Safety recall 24gi performed 5-11-21 @ 67k miles. 4 years and 60k miles later, fuel rail bolts backed out, causing fuel to pour into engine compartment. Vw’s repair solution was not adequate. Do I have any recourse?”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2025-11-06

“Key ignition malfunction”

STEERING · reported 2025-10-17

“Key ignition malfunction”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2025-10-17
Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.