2016 Volkswagen Jetta

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Engine

Engine leads by volume: 44 of 162 complaints (27%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Brakes include more reported injuries (9) than those mentioning any other identified area.

Complaints filed fell from 195 in 2015 to 162 in 2016.

Data last changed Sep 16, 2026. Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 5 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.
Category	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	vs. 2016 Compact Cars
Annual fuel cost ($)	1,750–3,000	1,750–3,000	1,750–2,300	1,900–2,300	1,900–2,300
Combined MPG	25–44	26–44	27–44	27–33	27–33
City / Highway MPG	23–41 / 29–48	22–41 / 32–48	23–42 / 33–48	23–28 / 33–40	24–28 / 33–40
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)	200–344	200–340	200–333	271–335	271–326
Complaints filed	440	195	162	159	31	Not compared
Recalls issued	8	9	5	7	3	Not compared
Crash-involved complaints	24	8	18	18	1	Not compared
Fire-involved complaints	2	1	5	3	0	Not compared
Injuries reported	22	9	14	9	0	Not compared
Deaths reported	0	0	0	1	0	Not compared
Configurations compared	9	9	7	5	4

Common questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta have?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

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

Engine: 44 of 162 NHTSA complaints (27%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta get?

EPA rates it 27–44 MPG combined across 7 configurations.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta?

EPA estimates $1,750–$2,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

Similar Vehicles

EPA-Rated Configurations (7)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
Configuration	Transmission	Cylinders	Displacement	Drivetrain	Fuel Type	Vehicle Class	City	Highway	Combined	Annual Fuel Cost	CO₂
Configuration 1	Automatic (S6)	4	1.8L	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Compact Cars	25 mpg	35 mpg	29 mpg	$2,150	307 g/mi
Configuration 2	Automatic (AM-S6)	4	2.0L	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Compact Cars	24 mpg	33 mpg (low)	27 mpg (low)	$2,300 (high)	327 g/mi
Configuration 3	Manual 6-spd	4	2.0L	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Compact Cars	23 mpg (low)	33 mpg (low)	27 mpg (low)	$2,300 (high)	333 g/mi (high)
Configuration 4	Manual 5-spd	4	1.8L	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Compact Cars	25 mpg	36 mpg	29 mpg	$2,150	307 g/mi
Configuration 5	Automatic (AM-S7)	4	1.4L	Front-Wheel Drive	Premium	Compact Cars	42 mpg (high)	48 mpg (high)	44 mpg (high)	$1,750 (low)	200 g/mi (low)
Configuration 6	Automatic (S6)	4	1.4L	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Compact Cars	28 mpg	39 mpg	32 mpg	$1,950	284 g/mi
Configuration 7	Manual 5-spd	4	1.4L	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Compact Cars	28 mpg	40 mpg	33 mpg	$1,900	276 g/mi

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
Category	Complaints	Crash-Involved	Fire-Involved	Injuries
Engine	44	2	1	0
Transmission & Drivetrain	22	2	0	1
Fuel System	35	2	2	1
Electrical	37	1	2	1
Brakes	28	9	0	9
Steering	11	0	0	0
Suspension, Wheels & Tires	8	1	0	1
Airbags & Restraints	9	5	0	4
Driver Assistance & Speed Control	12	5	0	4
Body, Seats & Latches	5	2	1	2
Visibility & Lighting	5	1	1	0
Other	36	3	1	2

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (5)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL · Campaign 20V648000 · Oct 22, 2020
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER · Campaign 20E064000 · Sep 8, 2020
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.
Consequence: 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.
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE · Campaign 19V615000 · Aug 22, 2019
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."
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:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL · Campaign 16V403000 · Jun 6, 2016
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.
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · Campaign 15V705000 · Oct 26, 2015
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.