Research Another Vehicle

Executive Vehicle Verdict

The 2016 Volkswagen Jetta is associated with 162 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 5 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database.

The most frequently reported component area is Electrical System, accounting for 19 reports (12% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 7 certified vehicle configurations spanning 1.4L 4-Cyl hybrid, 1.4l 4-cyl, 1.8l 4-cyl, and 2l 4-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 27 to 44 MPG combined. The 2016 Volkswagen Jetta belongs to the 6th generation (A6 / Typ 1B) Jetta platform spanning model years 2015–2018.

Platform Architecture: 6th Generation (A6 / Typ 1B) • Production Span: 2015–2018 • Platform Code: PQ35 • Lifecycle Note: Facelift (2015–2018)
Official Federal Record Profile
  • • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 162 consumer reports filed
  • • Safety Recall Campaigns: 5 official campaigns
  • • Primary Defect Domain: Electrical System (19 / 12%)
  • • Field Incident Signals: 18 crash / 5 fire / 10 injury reports
  • • NCAP Crash Safety: 5 / 5 Stars Overall Laboratory Score
  • • EPA Certified Range: 27–44 MPG across 7 powertrain trims
Directly compiled from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA NCAP, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.

What is the fuel economy and range of the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta?

Official EPA laboratory test ratings, electric driving range, and annual energy cost estimates by certified vehicle variant

Variant Engine Drivetrain Transmission City Highway Combined EV Range Est. Annual Fuel Cost
Jetta Hybrid Hybrid 1.4L 4-Cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (AM-S7) 42 MPG 48 MPG 44 MPG — $1,750 / yr
Jetta 1.4L 4-Cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd 28 MPG 40 MPG 33 MPG — $1,850 / yr
Jetta 1.4L 4-Cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) 28 MPG 39 MPG 32 MPG — $1,900 / yr
Jetta 1.8L 4-Cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) 25 MPG 35 MPG 29 MPG — $2,100 / yr
Jetta 1.8L 4-Cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd 25 MPG 36 MPG 29 MPG — $2,100 / yr
Jetta 2L 4-Cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (AM-S6) 24 MPG 33 MPG 27 MPG — $2,300 / yr
Jetta 2L 4-Cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd 23 MPG 33 MPG 27 MPG — $2,300 / yr
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.

What are the crash test safety ratings for the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta?

Official 5-Star Safety Ratings evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant Overall Rating Frontal Crash Side Crash Rollover Rating Rollover Risk
4 DR FWD 11.1%
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as No in official NHTSA records for tested 2016 Volkswagen Jetta models.
View complete 2016 Volkswagen Jetta crash test & safety breakdown →

What defect complaints are reported for the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta?

Summary of 162 verified consumer defect submissions filed with the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Total Complaints
162
Crash Reports
18
Fire Reports
5
Complaints w/ Injury
10
Total Injuries
14

Top Reported Problem Categories

Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA

Electrical System 19 complaints
Engine 15 complaints (1 crash)
Fuel & Propulsion System 14 complaints
Powertrain 9 complaints
Service Brakes 9 complaints (4 crashes)

Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.

View all 2016 Volkswagen Jetta problems & component breakdown (64 categories) →

Are there open safety recalls on the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta?

Manufacturer safety recall campaigns monitored and recorded by NHTSA

NHTSA Campaign #20V648000 Active Recall
Affected Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL

Defect Summary: 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.

Free Manufacturer 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.
NHTSA Campaign #20E064000 Active Recall
Affected Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

Defect Summary: 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.

Free Manufacturer 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.
NHTSA Campaign #19V615000 Active Recall
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE

Defect Summary: 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."

Free Manufacturer 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.
View all 2016 Volkswagen Jetta recalls & campaign history (5 campaigns) →
Search Intelligence

Quick Answers: Key Questions Drivers Ask About the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta

Direct, deterministic answers synthesized from verified United States government databases for the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta

How many safety recalls does the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta have?

The 2016 Volkswagen Jetta is associated with 5 official NHTSA safety recall campaigns in AutoUtility's current federal records.

If your individual vehicle is affected by an open safety recall, NHTSA advises owners to contact an authorized franchised dealership for the recall remedy at no charge. Because recall campaigns apply to specific production runs and equipment batches, vehicle owners should verify their 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov.

View all 5 recall campaigns & remedy details →
Source: NHTSA Safety Recalls Database (49 U.S.C. 30118)

What are the most common problems reported for the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta?

NHTSA records list 162 consumer defect complaints for the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The most frequently referenced vehicle system is Electrical System, appearing in 19 filings (12% of submissions).

Consumer complaints represent unverified owner submissions filed under federal reporting guidelines and describe reported component behavior rather than audited failure rates.

Explore full 2016 Volkswagen Jetta defect complaint breakdown →
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta?

Under the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta earned an Overall Safety Rating of 5 out of 5 stars across 1 tested configuration(s).

Laboratory evaluations include a 35 mph frontal barrier crash, side barrier and pole impact tests, and static rollover resistance assessments.

View detailed crash test laboratory breakdown →
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)

What fuel economy (MPG) does the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta get?

Official EPA laboratory estimates for the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta range from 27 to 44 MPG combined (55% city / 45% highway weighted) depending on engine, transmission, and drivetrain configuration.

Using AutoUtility's standardized operating cost model (15,000 miles/year, $3.50/gal gas, $0.16/kWh electricity), annual energy expenditures range across certified configurations based on official EPA laboratory test baselines.

Compare MPG ratings across all certified trims →
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov Certified Database
Official US Government Data Provenance

The specifications, safety ratings, defect reports, and recall campaigns published on this page are retrieved directly from official United States Government agency databases:

  • NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI): Consumer complaints and defect reports.
  • NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP): Frontal, side, and rollover 5-Star crash safety test ratings.
  • U.S. EPA / FuelEconomy.gov: Standardized multi-cycle dynamometer fuel economy, MPGe, and electric driving range ratings.

Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.