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Electrical systemPart report

2016 Volkswagen Jetta Electrical system Problems

Complaints
36about this part
Share
22%of 161 total for the year
Median mileage
41,600miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 36 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta, 22% of the 161 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 41,600 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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 complaint #11383278, filed 2020-12, 69,892 miles

“About a month ago, I wad at an intersection with my Jetta when another vehicle prompted me to slam on my horn. When I attempted to use my horn, no sound eminated from the vehicle. Upon arriving home, I began testing the horn to no avail. Due o this electrical failure, I've been forced to drive without a horn in the state of florida which is illegal and have been put at extreme risk with the inability to alert other drivers with my vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #11218098, filed 2019-06, 41,600 miles

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11277234, filed 2019-10, 23,000 miles

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11351060, filed 2020-08, 49,000 miles

“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 complaint #11253895, filed 2019-09, 7,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026350%
202539%
2024715%
2023921%
20221023%
20211319%
20201731%
201915428%
201839%
20173321%
20163622%
20154925%
20149424%
201314829%
201213828%
201118631%
201023327%
200910712%
20084222%
20074522%
200611219%
20054819%
20043616%
20039721%
200214821%
200111718%
20006014%
19994413%
19984121%
19971731%
1996413%
19954520%
19942421%
1993212%
1992620%
1991413%
1990418%
198815%
1987211%
198617%
198518%

Other parts of the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta

Engine
43 complaints
Other or unknown
36 complaints
Fuel system
35 complaints
Brakes
23 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
22 complaints
Vehicle speed control
12 complaints
Steering
11 complaints
Air bags
7 complaints
Electronic stability control
4 complaints
Body and structure
4 complaints
Wheels
4 complaints
Exterior 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 29, 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