Problems · by component

2016 Volkswagen Jetta electrical system problems

37 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta cite electrical system, 23% of all 164 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
37
23% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became stiff and started to seize, making it difficult to steer the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering column and ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 10, 2024Steering, Electrical systemODI 11600983
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 13, 2024Electrical system, Unknown or other, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11582780
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 28, 2024Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11568336
“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.…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 5, 2023Electrical systemODI 11530363
“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 an attempt to pat the fire away. As a result, the contact’s sister sustained an 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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 30, 2023Electrical system, FirerelatedFire reportedODI 11524524
“The car horn has stopped working along with my alarm horn. Not the first jetta ive had this issue with. My previous one had the same issue where one day it wud work and then stop working.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 2, 2023Electrical systemODI 11515029

Showing 6 of 37 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Electrical system: control module

Free remedy

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."

Electrical systemReported Aug 22, 2019NHTSA 19V615000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Other 2016 Jetta problem areas