2016 Volkswagen Jetta Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 160 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta overview page.
What owners report
“The problem happens when the car is on, and when attempting to accelerate the car will feel like it was put into neutral and you…”NHTSA complaint 11469028 — filed 06/13/2022
“This driver has been quoted for a new transmission by VW. There is an existing recall for 2013-2015 Jetta hybrids for the same symptoms as…”NHTSA complaint 11439238 — filed 11/03/2021
“CRACKED TRANSMISSION UNIT SAME ISSUE AS 2013-2015 JETTA HYBRIDS SAME PART USED IN ALL 2013-2016 MODELS.”NHTSA complaint 11355272 — filed 09/15/2020
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta: 22 of 160 complaints on file (13.8%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta have in total?
160 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 18 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, 14 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
