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 milesRelated recalls
- 19V615000Aug 22, 2019Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible…Covers: Volkswagen Jetta 2011–2018, Beetle 2012–2019, Beetle Convertible 2012–2019 +3 more
Related service bulletins
- 11035772Jul 15, 2026This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the…
- 11030829Mar 6, 2026This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct…
- 11028490Jan 6, 2026This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct a…
- 11027254Dec 8, 2025Diagnosis for Excessive Current Draw.
- 11007398Aug 28, 2024Battery testing
- 10249136Jan 11, 2024Addressing Cybersecurity or Vehicle Hack concerns
- 10239654Jul 13, 2023Diagnostic assistance for excessive static current draw
- 10238400Jun 30, 2023This communication is a notice for software changes with the ODIS program for specific cars.
- 10239655Jun 28, 2023Battery Testing and Charging using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000 Vas Charger
- 10238308Jun 28, 2023Battery Testing and Charging using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000 Vas Charger
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 50% |
| 2025 | 3 | 9% |
| 2024 | 7 | 15% |
| 2023 | 9 | 21% |
| 2022 | 10 | 23% |
| 2021 | 13 | 19% |
| 2020 | 17 | 31% |
| 2019 | 154 | 28% |
| 2018 | 3 | 9% |
| 2017 | 33 | 21% |
| 2016 | 36 | 22% |
| 2015 | 49 | 25% |
| 2014 | 94 | 24% |
| 2013 | 148 | 29% |
| 2012 | 138 | 28% |
| 2011 | 186 | 31% |
| 2010 | 233 | 27% |
| 2009 | 107 | 12% |
| 2008 | 42 | 22% |
| 2007 | 45 | 22% |
| 2006 | 112 | 19% |
| 2005 | 48 | 19% |
| 2004 | 36 | 16% |
| 2003 | 97 | 21% |
| 2002 | 148 | 21% |
| 2001 | 117 | 18% |
| 2000 | 60 | 14% |
| 1999 | 44 | 13% |
| 1998 | 41 | 21% |
| 1997 | 17 | 31% |
| 1996 | 4 | 13% |
| 1995 | 45 | 20% |
| 1994 | 24 | 21% |
| 1993 | 2 | 12% |
| 1992 | 6 | 20% |
| 1991 | 4 | 13% |
| 1990 | 4 | 18% |
| 1988 | 1 | 5% |
| 1987 | 2 | 11% |
| 1986 | 1 | 7% |
| 1985 | 1 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
43 complaintsOther or unknown
36 complaintsFuel system
35 complaintsBrakes
23 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 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