VehicleVerdict

2016 Volkswagen Jetta electrical system problems

The 2016 Volkswagen Jetta has 40 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 16% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

40

Electrical System complaints

16%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Jetta electrical system complaints by model year271 complaints1985: 1 complaints1986: 1 complaints1987: 2 complaints1988: 1 complaints1990: 4 complaints1991: 4 complaints1992: 6 complaints1993: 2 complaints1994: 27 complaints1995: 57 complaints1996: 38 complaints1997: 38 complaints1998: 45 complaints1999: 50 complaints2000: 75 complaints2001: 130 complaints2002: 156 complaints2003: 102 complaints2004: 42 complaints2005: 52 complaints2006: 121 complaints2007: 47 complaints2008: 48 complaints2009: 202 complaints2010: 271 complaints2011: 213 complaints2012: 152 complaints2013: 157 complaints2014: 104 complaints2015: 50 complaints2016: 40 complaints2017: 40 complaints2018: 3 complaints2019: 156 complaints2020: 17 complaints2021: 11 complaints2022: 10 complaints2023: 9 complaints2024: 4 complaints2025: 3 complaints2026: 1 complaints
Jetta electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

19V615000Electrical SystemAugust 22, 2019 · 679,027 units

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.

What owners report

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ENGAGED IN PARK AND TURNED OFF, IT ROLLED AWAY AND CRASHED INTO TWO OTHER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE HIS CHILD AND ANOTHER CHILD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 26, 2019 · crash

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta have?

NHTSA has 40 complaints about the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta electrical system — 16% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta electrical system?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the electrical system: 19V615000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.