The Lemon IndexAll cars · Volkswagen Jetta · 2016
2016 Volkswagen Jetta. Advanced data.
The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.
Engines and drivetrains 7
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / hwy / combined | Fuel | Fuel cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | FWD | 28 / 40 / 33 | Regular | $1,900 |
| 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | Auto (S6) | FWD | 28 / 39 / 32 | Regular | $1,950 |
| 1.4L 4-cyl turbo hybrid | Auto (AM-S7) | FWD | 42 / 48 / 44 | Premium | $1,750 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl turbo | Auto (S6) | FWD | 25 / 35 / 29 | Regular | $2,150 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | FWD | 25 / 36 / 29 | Regular | $2,150 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Auto (AM-S6) | FWD | 24 / 33 / 27 | Regular | $2,300 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | FWD | 23 / 33 / 27 | Regular | $2,300 |
EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.
Failure mileage by system
Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 17,000 and 69,000 miles. Median 41,600, from 95 complaints with a mileage.
| System | Median | Middle half | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 39,500 | 3,800–81,800 | 24 |
| Electrical | 41,400 | 21,500–58,000 | 26 |
| Fuel or ev drive system | 34,100 | 3,300–47,000 | 11 |
| Brakes | 32,700 | 3,200–59,300 | 16 |
| Transmission & drivetrain | 32,000 | 6,900–80,000 | 11 |
Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.
Complaints by system
| System | Share of complaints |
|---|---|
| Brakes | 26% |
| Electrical | 25% |
| Engine | 22% |
| Speed control | 11% |
| Transmission & drivetrain | 11% |
One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.
Severity, all complaints
| Total | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Tows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 164 | 18 | 5 | 10 | 0 | 19 |
As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.
Recall campaigns 5
20V648000 Oct 2020 Fuel System, Gasoline / Fuel Injection System / Fuel Rail
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.
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.
20E064000 Sep 2020 Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Foundation Components / Master Cylinder
Defect. 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.
19V615000 Aug 2019 Electrical System / Ignition / Anti-Theft / Control Module
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 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.
16V403000 Jun 2016 Fuel System, Gasoline / Fuel Injection System / Fuel Rail
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 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.
15V705000 Oct 2015 Engine And Engine Cooling / Engine
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.
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.
Manufacturer communications 825
Volkswagen filed 825 service communications for this car with NHTSA.
- Tech Tips (Comfort Module (J393) or BCM (J519) Replacement): This document informs if a…
- Informational publication discribing the manufacturing use of rust inhibitors and anti seize…
- Mil-on, fault p309f or p309d, no electric drive mode customer states crank no start and/or…
Crash ratings by version
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Volkswagen Jetta HEV 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Safety equipment
| Electronic stability | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Optional | No |
Nearby model years
Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Updated
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