2016 Volkswagen Jetta Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 14%of 162 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 35,558miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the brakes of the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta, 14% of the 162 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 35,558 miles. 9 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“In april 1 2021 I was driving from home to my job in dch tustin acura delar is 10 min drive when I take the exit of freeway I press the brake pedal and the car don't brake , the pedal go all way down and the car don't stop , a technician said that is a problem whit the master cylinder . What can I do now?.”
NHTSA complaint #11406055, filed 2021-04, 88,887 miles“I drove into a parking lot 27march 2017 and proceeded to park my Jetta in a parking spot however, as I was doing so the car accelerated forward and leaped the curb. I stepped on the brake but the car would not stop until it hit 2 vehicles with my foot pressing the brake pedal and as the car impacted the other cars.”
NHTSA complaint #10970152, filed 2017-04, 12,200 miles“My daughter was involved in a mva in which she slammed on her brakes and the brakes locked on her. She hit the rear of the other vehicle. She was going roughly 25-30 MPH. She was roughly 30-40 feet away from the other vehicle when the brakes were applied. Her airbags did not deploy which considering the amount of damage done to her car is roughly $6500. I researched both issues and it seems to be a common problem in the vw Jetta.”
NHTSA complaint #11268347, filed 2019-10, 62,140 miles“Today (nov14, 2018) when I braked to avoid running into a braking car in front of me, the car didn't seem to reduce speed at all. It resulted in a crash that deployed 5 air bags of my car. The same car had a similar accident in which brake didn't work on march 7, 2018.”
NHTSA complaint #11151631, filed 2018-11, 60,500 miles“I believe my car is the result of a recent series of bad storms to hit this country and my car. I believe my car is a flood-car that has been very well cleaned inside and out, and cleaned so well that the title got a good wash, known in the industry as title-washing. I bought this car because it carried a guarantee making it a certified used car. A car that carries a certified used title of condition then one would expect nothing less than perfection. …”
NHTSA complaint #11056312, filed 2017-12, 37,017 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11026174Nov 3, 2025Alignment sheet submission.
- 10214795Jun 22, 2022Brake Rotor, Vibration / Pulsation. Addition of mandatory brake form and reference to Volkswagen Warranty Policy and Procedures Manual.
- 10207832Feb 3, 2022Brake Rotor, Vibration / Pulsation Instruction (U.S. Only)
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 6% |
| 2024 | 13 | 28% |
| 2023 | 11 | 26% |
| 2022 | 12 | 28% |
| 2021 | 26 | 37% |
| 2020 | 7 | 13% |
| 2019 | 30 | 5% |
| 2018 | 1 | 3% |
| 2017 | 15 | 9% |
| 2016 | 23 | 14% |
| 2015 | 19 | 10% |
| 2014 | 18 | 5% |
| 2013 | 22 | 4% |
| 2012 | 37 | 7% |
| 2011 | 28 | 5% |
| 2010 | 55 | 6% |
| 2009 | 205 | 23% |
| 2008 | 23 | 12% |
| 2007 | 44 | 22% |
| 2006 | 30 | 5% |
| 2005 | 14 | 6% |
| 2004 | 12 | 5% |
| 2003 | 22 | 5% |
| 2002 | 51 | 7% |
| 2001 | 77 | 12% |
| 2000 | 45 | 10% |
| 1999 | 31 | 9% |
| 1998 | 11 | 6% |
| 1997 | 2 | 4% |
| 1996 | 2 | 6% |
| 1995 | 23 | 10% |
| 1994 | 9 | 8% |
| 1993 | 1 | 6% |
| 1992 | 2 | 7% |
| 1991 | 2 | 6% |
| 1990 | 2 | 9% |
| 1988 | 3 | 16% |
| 1987 | 1 | 6% |
| 1986 | 1 | 7% |
| 1985 | 3 | 23% |
Other parts of the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
44 complaintsElectrical system
36 complaintsOther or unknown
36 complaintsFuel system
35 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
22 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsWheels
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology