RoadVitals

2016 Volkswagen Jetta Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
36
Latest Jul 10, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
23%
of 160 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 36 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

The 25 most recent of 36, in the owner's own words

ElectricalSteering
Filed Jul 10, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID
11600983
Incident
Jul 10, 2024
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Apr 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

NHTSA ID
11582780
Incident
Apr 13, 2024
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 28, 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.

NHTSA ID
11568336
Incident
Jan 26, 2024
Electrical
Filed Jul 5, 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!

NHTSA ID
11530363
Incident
Jun 27, 2023
ElectricalOther / unspecified
Filed May 30, 2023
Fire reported1 injury reported

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.

NHTSA ID
11524524
Incident
May 16, 2023
Mileage
151,217 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 2, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID
11515029
Incident
Mar 15, 2023
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 18, 2023

- 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.

NHTSA ID
11502491
Incident
Oct 27, 2018
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 7, 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 .

NHTSA ID
11472800
Incident
Jul 1, 2022
Body & structureElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jan 8, 2022
Fire reported

-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.

NHTSA ID
11446701
Incident
Nov 19, 2021
Electrical
Filed Jun 3, 2021

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while the vehicle was being serviced for an inspection, she was informed that the horn was not functioning properly. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and had the horn repaired however, the failure recurred. The independent mechanic informed the contact that there was water in the horn and the horn needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,937.

NHTSA ID
11419548
Incident
Mar 1, 2021
Mileage
38,937 mi
Electrical
Filed May 21, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID
11418015
Incident
Mar 1, 2020
Mileage
36,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 14, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DICK HANNA VOLKSWAGEN (12345 E. BURNSIDE ST, PORTLAND, OR 97233, (503) 822-3467) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HORN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY, THE KEY FOB AND ALARM FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,890.

NHTSA ID
11408073
Incident
Apr 1, 2019
Mileage
46,890 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 8, 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.

NHTSA ID
11399836
Incident
Feb 16, 2021
Electrical
Filed Dec 14, 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.

NHTSA ID
11383278
Incident
Dec 12, 2020
Mileage
69,892 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 25, 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.

NHTSA ID
11351060
Incident
Aug 3, 2020
Mileage
49,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jul 21, 2020

TL* 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.

NHTSA ID
11340653
Incident
Jun 1, 2020
Mileage
70,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 25, 2020

OFTEN IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE KEY BACK TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF; SEEMS TO BE MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON AND PERVASIVE PROBLEM WITH PEOPLE REPORTING BEING UNABLE TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF FOR HOURS. WILL HAVE TO HAVE THIS FIXED AT PROBABLY GREAT EXPENSE, AS IT IS OBVIOUSLY NOT SAFE TO HAVE A CAR IDLE UNATTENDED FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID
11330903
Incident
Jun 25, 2020
Mileage
61,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 8, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE AND TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF. THE POLICE WAS CONTACTED FOR ASSISTANCE, AND AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS, AN OFFICER REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOMS RIVER VOLKSWAGEN (256 NJ-37, TOMS RIVER, NJ 08753) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE DIAGNOSED PRIOR TO ANY REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,300.

NHTSA ID
11327745
Incident
Jun 6, 2020
Mileage
41,300 mi
Electrical
Filed May 18, 2020

JUNE 1, 2019. HORN STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING, NOW WORKS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING OR STATIONARY. BY THE TIME I CAN SCHEDULE SERVICE FROM VW THE HORN STARTS WORKING AGAIN. MARCH 15, 2020. HORN COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING OR STATIONARY. *TR

NHTSA ID
11324980
Incident
Jun 1, 2019
Mileage
12,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 16, 2020

WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE'S ENGINE SHUTS OFF UNEXPECTEDLY THEN BRAKES AND STEERING WON'T WORK PROPERLY. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON! VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART. CALLED VW ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND HAD IT TOWED TO SOUTH MOTORS VW DEALERSHIP ON SOUTH DIXIE AND 179 ST. MIAMI. VW CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHATS WRONG WITH THE CAR.

NHTSA ID
11309462
Incident
Feb 11, 2020
Mileage
17,044 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 7, 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!!

NHTSA ID
11278581
Incident
Nov 1, 2019
Mileage
56,024 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Oct 31, 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.

NHTSA ID
11277234
Incident
Jul 5, 2019
Mileage
23,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 8, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 30 MPH, MULTIPLE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CAPITAL VOLKSWAGEN (LOCATED AT 3963 W TENNESSEE ST, TALLAHASSEE, FL 32304, (850) 692-5609) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11267101
Incident
Oct 7, 2019
Mileage
34,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 7, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID
11253895
Incident
Oct 25, 2016
Mileage
7,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 5, 2019
Crash reported

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 WERE OCCUPYING THE REAR SEATS WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V615000 (STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT CALLED AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, OTHER 2016 JETTAS WERE INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,000.

NHTSA ID
11253426
Incident
Aug 26, 2019
Mileage
57,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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