2016 Volkswagen Jetta fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion problems

Related recalls

• Recall 20V648000Oct 21, 2020218,192 vehicles
  FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL

  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.

  Risk: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.

  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.

• Recall 16V403000Jun 6, 201655 vehicles
  FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL

  Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jetta vehicles manufactured October 31, 2015, to January 21, 2016, 2016 Passat vehicles, equipped with 1.8T engines manufactured November 13, 2015, to December 9, 2015, and 2016 Golf vehicles manufactured November 5, 2015, to November 11, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the fuel rail may detach from the cylinder head and result in a fuel leak.

  Risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.

  Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the cylinder heads, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 15F7.

What owners say

1. Filed Jan 20, 2026TXFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   In the past I owned a 2017 jetta, which I sold approximately one year ago. It had a 1.4 liter turbo engine. At some point around 18 to 20 years ago, I started smelling gasoline fumes in the cabin. It was rare and intermittent. I did not check it out as it did not seem like an urgent issue. I sold the vehicle about a year ago. I also now own a 2016 jetta TSI model, 1.8 liter turbo with about 104,000 miles. In the past few days I started smelling gasoline in the cabin while…

   NHTSA complaint #11712200 · source
2. Filed Nov 7, 2025INFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Fuel fire hazard. Safety Recall 24Gi performed 5-11-21 @ 67k miles. 4 years and 60k miles later, fuel rail bolts backed out, causing fuel to pour into engine compartment. VW’s repair solution was not adequate. Do I have any recourse?

   NHTSA complaint #11698073 · source
3. Filed Apr 30, 202571,000 miOHEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 30 MPH while driving. The ignition, the check engine, the ABS, and the camshaft warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle failed to restart as needed. The contact stated that the vehicle started temporarily and shut off after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact notified the…

   NHTSA complaint #11657757 · source
4. Filed Sep 5, 2024NJFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Fuel line to fuel filter came loose/disconnected causing a fuel leak inside my attached. Garage causing a strong smell of gasoline that remains to present day even after several attempts to clean up.

   NHTSA complaint #11612805 · source
5. Filed Apr 19, 2024NHFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Fuel rail bolts loosened, causing damage to the fuel rail, as well as fuel injector seals, resulting in leaking fuel in the engine bay.

   NHTSA complaint #11584120 · source
6. Filed Apr 13, 2024MSElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / Unknown

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11582780 · source
7. Filed Oct 18, 2023VAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / Unknown

   Even after having the fuel system replaced due to recall, I’m still smelling gas inside of my car. My EPC light and Check Engine light keep coming on and don’t always stay on but when it comes on, while driving… my car will tell me to downshift and then there is no throttle, you can mash the gas pedal to the floor and only dash lights. It has also skipped the downshift indicator and just cut completely off while driving.

   NHTSA complaint #11550661 · source
8. Filed Oct 3, 2023160,000 miCOTowedEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light and EPC warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway. The contact was able to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle would not accelerate above 15 MPH. The contact stated that there was an abnormally strong gasoline odor inside the cabin of the…

   NHTSA complaint #11548097 · source
9. Filed Jul 27, 202352,000 miILFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH and attempting to merge into another lane, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle hesitated to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11534758 · source
10. Filed Jun 30, 2023MSEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / Unknown

    We purchased the car in May 2021, within a week, the check engine light, EPC and oil lamp became illuminated. Contacted dealership who "inspected" it and said "nothing was wrong and reset the lights." A few weeks go by and the same thing. We noticed the car was "stuttering" during acceleration. We attempted to bring it to the dealership they couldn't inspect our vehicle because they didn't have "availability". My husband brought it to a local mechanic who recommended…

    NHTSA complaint #11529849 · source
11. Filed Apr 28, 2023CAFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / Unknown

    There was no incident. Engine light came on. EVAP EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM Current Engine Control module software does not always allow the N80 valve to close completely so seems like there is a small leak detected

    NHTSA complaint #11519368 · source
12. Filed Mar 20, 2023130,000 miTXTowedFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated upon entering the vehicle, there was a strong gasoline odor. Additionally, the vehicle experienced a rough start. The electronic power control (EPC) and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle; however, the gasoline odor became stronger and stronger while driving and the vehicle would not exceed 20 MPH. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact’s father…

    NHTSA complaint #11512842 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology