general problems of the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta

22 problems related to electrical system have been reported for the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta based on all problems reported for the 2016 Jetta.

1 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 04/13/2024

When driving the car, it will randomly stall, lose power or not accelerate. Sometimes the epc light and oil light will illuminate other times it gives no warning. It shut off on the interstate while going 72mph. I have taken it to the dealership since a month after I got it and they keep telling me nothing is wrong with it. I have to get oil changes every month despite not driving it much and the gas consumption is 3tines what it should be. I’m having to fill the tank up three times a week despite going to and from work which is 9 miles from my home. I have taken it to the dealership and had to pay $1000s of dollars only for it to start having the same issues within a week.

2 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 01/26/2024

When driving above 45 mph, at time the epc light will pop up on the dash and power will be slightly lost to the vehicle. Almost immediately after this happens, the oil light will pop on despite the oil being changed and done on a beyond routine basis. We have brought the vehicle into be serviced at the Volkswagen dealership numerous times and the same thing continues to happen. Recently, when driving on the interstate the epc light came on and the vehicle stalled in the middle of the interstate. Luckily, no accident was caused but it was a near miss. This has been an issue since purchasing the vehicle and the oil is required to be changed much sooner than necessary. Volkswagen keeps "fixing" it but it continues to happen but we have paid over $3500 in getting it "fixed. " the problem seems to occur at random times but most notably when going over 45mph.

3 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 06/27/2023

I got off work and was on my way to the pharmacy to pick up a very critical medication. When I got to the destination I was not able to turn off my car the key was stuck in the ignition and the car was in running mode I could not turn it. I struggled with it for about 20 minutes and eventually had to leave the car running unattended to go in and and get the medication. Thankfully the car was still there when I returned so I drove it to a mechanic and they were not able to turn it off. . . There were no warning lights that came on to warn me that this would happen, by this time it was after business hours. I was stranded with a running car and no way to turn it off my only option was to let it run and run out of gas so I drove to a wolkswagen dealership planning on leaving it there overnight and letting it run out of gas. When I got there a sales representative was still on site, he could not turn the car off either the key was stuck. He had to kill the battery in order to get the car to stop running. I feel very indenjured driving this car because I don't know what to expect anymore. It was a very horifing evening. I had to figure out a way home with no warning. This is not safe and the malfunctioning part should be recalled. . . I have done some research online and there have been other people with the same problem and no warning including one of them to be a coworker of mine who had to pick up her daughter from school and was forced to leave her car unattended with the same problem. I am in very much stress over this while the dealership says they want me to pay over $ 900 hundred dollars to fix the problem. There was no warning light it is a malfunction and there should be a recaall this is not safe. Please help!.

4 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 05/16/2023

The contact’s mother owns a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked outside, the contact’s mother was notified that the vehicle had caught fire. The contact stated that upon her mother and sister approaching the vehicle, they noticed that the front driver’s side door was on fire. The contact then stated that her sister used her hand in attempt to pat the fire away. As a result, the contact’s sister sustained injury to her right hand that required medical attention. The fire department was notified, and the fire was extinguished. The fire department determined that the origin of the fire was electrical. A police report was filed. The contact stated that her mother then received recall notification of the NHTSA campaign number: 20v648000 (fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the contact stated that the dealer refused service. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 151,217.

5 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/01/2022

At 52,000 miles check engine light came on , car would not go over 50mph, epc light came on , lights went out. After having car towed to the dealer, had to have epc ,turbocharger boost rod / actuator replaced .

6 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 11/19/2021

-the front right passenger electrical system that contains the wiring in order for the front headlight and front high beam to function properly suddenly started a short circuit and caused the front passenger light system wiring to catch fire to that part and the parts that surround it. The car is available for inspection at any time. -my safety was put at risk because my vehicle caught fire in a matter of seconds and spread so fast that it was impossible to stop the fire without requesting help of the miami gardens fire department that arrived on the scene as fast as they could a few minutes later. Other vehicles waiting at the traffic light were also put at risk because of the fire, smoke, and the hazardous wastes that could've possibly led to an explosion from the fire spreading over the whole right side of the engine. -the problem hasn't been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer; however, I do have a police report that states that the miami gardens fire department confirmed it was an electrical problem that started the fire and the severity of the damage that they believed was a total loss. The vehicle fire was able to be put out once the miami dade fire rescue got there and managed to stop the fire. The police officer inspected the vehicle once the fire was extinguished and was able to write the police report and gave me the police case #. -there was one warning light on on the driver dashboard that had appeared a week prior to the vehicle catching fire and it was that the front headlight bulb was not working and had to be replaced.

7 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/16/2021

Upon going to the bank, I was unable to turn the car off or even get the key out of the ignition. I proceeded to drive home only to have the same problem. Unable to turn the car off or get the key out of the ignition. I had totake the car to the dealer and wats infomed that they had to order a part, which is going to cost a large amount of money.

8 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 12/12/2020

My car alarm goes off consistently without any signs of being tampered with. If I touch the fuse box or open my doors the alarm will go off with the car unlocked. While the car is started the alarm will go off. All hours of the night my alarm is going off. It keeps not only my family awake but also my neighbors.

9 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/03/2020

My radio in my vw is compromised. The individuals identity themselves as fbi agents and when I speak back to agents I am told, � I'm not suppose to speak back to agents. � (correct me if I'm wrong) the volume in my car is being adjusted at the confidence of the agents. When the agents put the volume up I can hear lower the speaker, which initiates the volume being raised inside my car. When the volume is lowered inside my car by the agents, it allows the agents to hear what I'm saying inside my car. (my assumption) today I tried adjusting my treble, bass and mid-range volume and was able to but no changes to my system occurred. The same situation is occurring with my apple iphone when I listen to music through air pods via bluetooth and wired pods. I have also been told by the agents �I should been shot,� I do find this very alarming and a violation of my u. S. Constitutional right.

10 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 06/01/2020

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated the eps, brakes, check engine, tpms, and front adaptive headlight system warning lights were illuminated. The cruise control was also inoperable. The contact stated while driving 20 mph with the accelerator pedal depressed, the vehicle decelerated independently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the two unknown sensors needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 70,000.

11 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/29/2020

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal chemical odor entering the cabin of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer however, failure was undetermined. The contact was informed that the air conditioning assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.

12 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 11/01/2019

Rear view camera doesn't work all the time show error on the screen � parkpilot is currently not available� I can't use the camera on reverse the reason to bought it was because had a rear camera!!.

13 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 10/07/2019

Tl-the contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while his daughter was driving 30 mph, when multiple warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to local dealer capital Volkswagen located at 3963 w tennessee st, tallahassee, FL 32304, (850) 692-5609, where it was diagnosed with needing the rear passenger sensor to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer has been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 34,000. The VIN number was not available. Dp.

14 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/26/2019

Tl- the contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that when the vehicle was engaged in park, the vehicle rolled away and crashed into two other vehicles with 2 passengers in the back seat. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. No one sustained injuries. The contact stated that the vehicle went into neutral. The contact referenced the NHTSA campaign number: 19v615000 (steering, electrical system). The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for a diagnostic test or repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was appropriately 57,000. Dr.

15 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/05/2019

I bought my car certified preowned from a vw dealership in June with 20,000 miles. Within a month of purchase, accessory lights began illuminating randomly and then switching back off. It is always the same set of lights- abs, tire pressure, airbag, traction/anti-skid, and steering wheel light all come on at the same time. Now they come on every time I drive and never turn off. I don't notice a difference in the driving, but the lights are worrisome. I also have another issue where occasionally when I accelerate the car fails to "pick up" or accelerate for like 5 seconds, and then it catches and the car continues to run smoothly from then on. . . But I'm unsure if they're related.

16 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 11/30/2018

On my home stop by walmart and the key would not come out of the ignition. Didn't go in the store again just went home and it still would not come out of the ignition. Since my neighbor has 2 vw cars I went to his house and I was informed that there was a recall for the 2016 passet. He checked on my car and tried to get the key out after we called stokes vw on ashley phosphate rd. The service person suggested bringing it in an leave it but didnt have a loaner car for me to get to work. . He suggested jiggling the key while turning the wheel because thats what thet do. The vehicle was stationary. In a store parking lot. Also the window would not go up this incident happen about a month after I purchase the car. I thought maybe because it was after 5 in the morning. It happen again and then it happen again and this time it would not go up it was over 8 hours before it did and I needed to go back to work and leave my car window down. Very disappointed in vw.

17 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 10/27/2018

- evap system, it is available for inspection upon request. - the check engine light will not turn off because of electrical wiring due to a faulty connection with the evap system. It has been checked and there are no leaks and I have been told by three locations that it is a electrical wiring issue. Since the check engine light will not turn off I can not be notified if there are other issues that may cause a check engine light to turn on and my family's safety is at risk because I do not know if it is only because of a electrical wiring issue. - the problem has been checked by three local auto shops who have all smoked the evap system but have never found a leak and have each individually told me it is a wiring issue. - it has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others to my knowledge because the car was sold to me by a dealership anything prior to that event I am not aware of. - they first appeared one week and a half from purchase from the dealership. The dealership said it would not fix it because it wasn't in their books. The check engine light turned on when I turned on the car after that time period. I was not driving when it had turned on.

18 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 06/27/2018

Key gets stuck in ignition when turning off the engine.

19 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 10/25/2016

My thing is when I first got the car when the heater was turned on you smell something burning. . . Told the dealership they said it was probably sand getting in the heater. . . But my CO workers noticed it also it went from that to the window not going up and down when you mash the button to not going all the way down. . . Then the a/c not putting out cool air. . . . The dealership was told about this as well and did ask if a recall was done. . . None was done they no off. This vehicle was in motion.

20 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/02/2016

2016 Jetta se1. 4 new for 18 year old son for college. Within a week car was in the shop with electrical issues for lighter and usb shorting out phone + radar while the car was driving. No issue found we drove 1000+miles to school, center console would blink on and off during the trip. New dealer also did not find any issues. Car then started shutting off while driving under 5 mph in traffic in nyc. When coming out of the driveway the rear view camera turned off, the car turned off. Vw was called they had him turn off the power by holding the pushbutton and break which restarted the car. New dealer still no issue found. The car continues to loose power all except auxiliary several incidents very unsafe. Was going up a hill and the car shifted into neutral and started rolling back, applied the handbreak the back wheels locked and the car stopped thankfully it was at night and no traffic. Two days later at jfk in the arrival line the car shut off while creeping forward. Took it to another new dealer they kept the car for one week, no issue found. Issues conitued now including slipping out of gear revving to 8000rpm, having to push far down for the break to engage. All the lights turn off while driving intermittently very unsafe. Took it to new dealer they found no issue I refused to pick it up and called vw corp they had them drive the car for 50 miles finally an error message. They replaced the transmission cylinoid. It is still having issues. The car overheated and the electrical stopped working. He smelled the coolant threw the vents he was about to pull over when the car reved to 8000 rpm and dropped out of gear so he pulled over and slowed down the lights and radio turned off. When he looked the exhaust manifold was glowing red. The car took an hr to cool down and electrical to come back. Back to the dealer again no issues again called vw corp for complaint.

21 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 01/21/2016

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The vehicle was slot to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was applied. The brakes were also slow to respond when applied, which caused the contact to apply force to the brake pedal. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure after checking the brake system. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was not available.

22 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 01/17/2016

This is the base model s automatic transmission 1. 4 tsi. This vehicle doesn't have a gauge for measuring the temperature. Unable to make a decision promptly if the car starts to heat is a safety problem. The car apparently has a mechanism to lower the rpms if the car starts heating and has a light indicating that something is wrong with the cooling system but it is unacceptable that in 2016 you can't see the engine temerature. I didn't notice this while testing the car before doing the purchase and thought it was a matter of configuration but confirmed this with the manual. This car has 85 miles and when running through a slope in rural area if it decides to down shift theres a bump or a knock in the transmutation as if you were abusing the car and the motor or transmission mounts can't hold its force. It really feels awful when this happens. This should happen smoothly but it doesn't. I understand that it will make its own decision of what is the best gear in order to provide enough torque to manage the slope but this is not normal. This could be a sing of future failure and of course an accident can occur. Would like this two points to be investigated by NHTSA.


Other Electrical System related problems of the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta


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Jetta Safety Recalls
Jetta Defect Investigations