Sixth generation (A6, Mk6)
2016 Volkswagen Jetta
The most reported problem on the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta is brake wear, with 23 complaints, usually around 38,000 miles.
- 161owner complaints
- 5recalls
- 18involved a crash
- 46,000median miles at failure
Newest report Aug 28, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
Problem sheets
No single problem on the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta has enough owner reports for a sheet of its own yet. The counts below still cover every complaint on file.
Is the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
The 2016 Volkswagen Jetta has 161 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, below the median of 232 for 2016 sedans on this site. Of the 12 Jetta model years since 2014, it has the 4th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2017
- At 15 complaints for each year on the road, the 2016 runs close to the 2017 (16). That's the only adjacent model year with enough complaints to set beside it.
- Top problem
- No problem dominates. The largest, brake wear, covers 23 of the 161 complaints (14%), and misfire is next with 16 (one complaint can fall under more than one problem, so these overlap). A quarter of the 16 owners who gave a mileage for brake wear saw it by about 12,000 miles, and half by about 38,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 24 of the 161 complaints (15%) report a crash, a fire or an injury. The typical vehicle on this site sits at 6%, so this one runs well above it. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 18 reports mention a crash, 5 mention a fire and 14 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 9 of 18, fall under brake wear.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- 5 recalls are on file, but no problem here has enough reports to set against them.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2019 at 31 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 8. So far in 2026, 4 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: brakes grind, pulse or wear early, 23 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
161 complaints is 1.6 times fewer than the median 2016 model on this site and 1.4 times fewer than the median 2016 sedan. Among the 5 Jetta model years here it ranks 4th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen filed 823 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. 39 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 4 bulletins · 23 complaints
Brake Rotor, Vibration / Pulsation. Addition of mandatory brake form and reference to Volkswagen Warranty Policy and Procedures Manual.
Brake Rotor, Vibration / Pulsation Instruction (U.S. Only)
2 more on this problem
Technical Bulletin (Vibration or Noise When Braking): Vibration or noise when braking may be due to brake disc corrosion protection which has not been completely removed by normal braking or surface rust built up during transportation.
Tech Tips (ABS/TPMS light is on due to wheel speed sensor fault as a result of the Front Wheel Bearing / Wheel Speed Sensor swapping issue): This document informs of the Damage caused from swapping the speed sensors left to right (or vice versa) during ...
Check engine light or misfire 22 bulletins · 16 complaints
Engine misfire diagnostic aid.
Fuel Additive to prevent sporatic misfire
20 more on this problem
Fuel additive to help with misfire faults
Diagnostic Aid for engine misfire.
Recommended fuel additive to avoid engine misfires.
Engine Misfire Diagnostic Aid. Updated to include additional model and model year applicability.
Fuel Additive to Help Prevent Sporadic Misfire Faults
No Crank/No Start with P06EF and/or P06E9 Customer states MIL-on with P0463 Customer states MIL-on with P0496 Customer states MIL-on with P04F0 P0441 Customer states MIL-on with P2440 Customer states MIL-on with U0284 Customer states MIL-on with P02CC, P02CE, ...
Gasoline Engine Misfire Diagnosis document
Coolant leak at the coolant pump, Yellow oil warning light on with any of the following faults P0196 P0198 B104129 B104135, Customer states the sunroof is making noise, squeak & rattle, MIL-on with P0300-P0304 in the ECM AFTER software level 0003, Damaged ...
Water leaks from the sunroof/overhead light console area, Park distance to sensitive to control, coolant leak at the coolant pump, Yellow oil warning light on with any of the following faults P0196 P0198 B104129 B104135, Side mirror glass cracked, cluctch ...
Water leaks from the sunroof/overhead light console area, sunshade is to blinding, MIL-on P0441 in the ECM, coolant leak at the coolant pump, Yellow oil warning light on with any of the following faults P0196 P0198 B104129 B104135, Side mirror glass cracked, ...
Plus 10 older ones not listed here.
Airbag warning light or recall 3 bulletins · 7 complaints
Grinding noises can be heard from the area of the steering wheel/driver airbag or steering column when maneuvering OR Various controls, warnings or fault indicators, such as airbag, electronic stabilization programming (ESP), steering assist etc., light up ...
UPDATE Technical Bulletin (Airbag Control Module Software Update): During vehicle startup, the airbag control module may misidentify engine vibrations and/or vehicle movement due to an overly sensitive self-test of the rollover sensor.
1 more on this problem
VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP COMMUNICATION (Airbag Control Module Software Update): During vehicle startup, the airbag control module may misidentify engine vibrations and/or vehicle movement due to an overly sensitive self-test of the rollover sensor.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 8 bulletins · 6 complaints
Tips to address MIB2 infotainment functionality concerns
Updated diagnostic direction to address new concerns in regards to Apply CarPlay Connection on MIBII equipped vehicles. Update models and model year applicability.
6 more on this problem
Update to existing information to address phone concerns via bluetooth resulting from saved emoji information
Repair direction to address fault code B201A that sets after replacement of the J794 infotainment module. Include model year 2017 for all models with MIB2 radios
OPERATIONAL INFORMATION EXPLAINING RADIO RECEPTION CONCERNS AS A RESULT OF NORMAL SIGNAL CHARACTERISTICS. PROVIDED TO PREVENT UNNECESSARY REPAIRS.
INITIAL PUBLICATION DISCRIBING A SYMPTOM WHICH MAY DEVELOP WITH ANDROID AUTO CONNECTION ISSUE AFTER UPDATING SOME SAMSUNG PHONES TO ANDROID SW VERSION 6.0.1 MARSHMALLOW
Technical Bulletin (Discover Media and MIB2 PQ Composition Media Radio Malfunctions): This document discusses customer reporting of the following symptoms.
Tech Tips (Customer concerns of their iPhone not connecting or having sporadic connections when using Apple CarPlay in the AppConnect environment): Ensure a cable certified by Apple is being used (a cable purchased from Apple or the cable that came with the ...
Turbo failure or loss of boost 2 bulletins · 5 complaints
Oil leak at oil inlet hose of turbocharger. 1.4L (CZTA) engine only.
Incorrect removal of Turbocharger oil feed line may cause engine damage
Complaints filed by year
31 complaints came in 2019, 1.8 times the year before. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
All 5 recalls on the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta?
Brake wear, with 23 of the 161 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 38,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2016 Volkswagen Jetta problems start?
Of the 99 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 24,000 miles and half by about 46,000.
Is the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta better or worse than the 2017?
Counted per year on the road, the 2016 has about as many complaints as the 2017: 15 a year against 16.
How many 2016 Volkswagen Jetta complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
24 of them (15%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for brake wear on the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta?
Yes, NHTSA lists a recall on the same system: 20E-064. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.