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.
Sell your 2016 Volkswagen Jetta for cash
The 2016 Volkswagen Jetta is a compact car that came with a choice of 1.4L 4-cyl, 1.8L 4-cyl and 2.0L 4-cyl engines. At 10 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.
- Free offer for your 2016 Jetta in about 30 seconds
- Free towing, running or not
- Paid at pickup
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2016 Volkswagen Jetta at a glance
| Body style | Compact Cars |
|---|---|
| Engines | 1.4L 4-cyl, 1.8L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl (turbocharged versions available) |
| Transmissions | Automatic (S6), Automatic (AM-S6), Manual 6-spd, Manual 5-spd, Automatic (AM-S7) |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline |
| Fuel economy | 23–42 city / 33–48 highway / 27–44 combined MPG |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $1,850–$2,500 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles) |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 200–333 grams per mile |
| EPA fuel economy score | 6–9 out of 10 |
| EPA greenhouse gas score | 6–9 out of 10 |
| Curb weight (NHTSA test vehicle) | 2,963 lb |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 4,101–4,431 lb |
| Versions tested by EPA | 7 configurations: Jetta, Jetta Hybrid |
| Age | 10 years |
Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data; weights from NHTSA crash-test records. Your car's exact equipment may differ.
What affects its junk value
- Age: at 10 years old, a 2016 Jetta is newer than most junk cars, so working parts like the engine, transmission and body panels are in demand from rebuilders and parts buyers.
- Weight: NHTSA's crash-test 2016 Jetta weighed 2,963 lb at curb weight. Scrap value is largely priced by weight, so this is a good starting point. See how scrap prices by weight work.
- Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
- Hybrid battery: hybrid versions also carry a high-voltage battery pack, which recyclers and rebuilders pay for.
- Recalls: NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 Jetta. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
- Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the engine, typically around 38,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.
2016 Volkswagen Jetta recalls
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls covering the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro…
Risk: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
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…
Risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.
Risk: If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Common 2016 Jetta problems
Owners have filed 162 complaints about the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta with NHTSA. 18 reports involved a crash and 5 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 14 injuries.
Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.
Most-reported components
Typical mileage when problems were reported
- Engine38,000 mi
- Unknown or Other43,000 mi
- Electrical System42,000 mi
- Fuel/Propulsion System34,000 mi
- Power Train32,000 mi
- Service Brakes34,000 mi
2016 Volkswagen Jetta crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta.
| Version | Overall | Frontal crash | Side crash | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Dr, FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 11.1% |
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP). Ratings from different model years or rating systems aren't directly comparable.
2016 Volkswagen Jetta service bulletins
Manufacturers have filed 825 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.
2 of them are warranty extensions. Warranty extensions mean the manufacturer agreed to cover a specific repair beyond the normal warranty. They rarely still apply to a car this age, but they point to known weak spots.
Most common bulletin topics
Recent bulletins
Suggested fuel additive
This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
Permission to change Daily Order upgraded to RED Order
Differences between a leak and seepage
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA opened 1 defect investigation covering the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta.
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pe
Selling a 2016 Jetta: questions
How much is a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta worth for junk?
It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.
Can I junk a 2016 Jetta that doesn't run?
Yes. We buy 2016 Jettas that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.
Can I sell a 2016 Jetta with open recalls?
Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What paperwork do I need to sell my 2016 Jetta?
Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.
Before you sell
Sources
- EPA fuel economy data (specs and MPG)fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA recallsnhtsa.gov
- NHTSA complaints, service bulletins and investigationsnhtsa.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratingsnhtsa.gov
Data retrieved October 2026.
Get cash for your 2016 Jetta today
Get a free offer in minutes. Towing is always free and you get paid at pickup.