In the past I owned a 2017 jetta, which I sold approximately one year ago. It had a 1.4 liter turbo engine. At some point around 18 to 20 years ago, I started smelling gasoline fumes in the cabin. It was rare and intermittent. I did not check it out as it did not seem like an urgent issue. I sold the vehicle about a year ago. I also now own a 2016 jetta TSI model, 1.8 liter turbo with about 104,000 miles. In the past few days I started smelling gasoline in the cabin while operating the vehicle. It was not serviced in many months so it’s not likely to have anything to do with bad mechanical service and the vehicle runs well. I checked the internet and discovered a massive vw/audi recall for 260,000 vehicles around 2024, having something to do with a seal related to some sort of a fuel pump, which included 2017 model vehicles. I contacted two vw dealerships expecting them to check the problem and handle this serious hazard. Both dealerships decline to check the vehicle other than for cash. They confirmed my vehicle was not subject to a recall. I took my problem to the Volkswagen company today. I was told that there was no fuel related recall for my vin number and they would not accommodate my request. But I was advised that I should not drive the vehicle going forward, but have it towed. This dangerous condition was exhibited by 2 separate jettas I owned. The likelihood of this condition being found in 2 separate vehicles is mere coincidence and not indicative of a dangerous problem created in the manufacturing process is beyond a plausible explanation. Please follow up ASAP as I am being effectively deprived of the use of this vehicle. My phone number is [XXX] . Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2016 Volkswagen Jetta: gas smell in the cabin
7 of the 162 complaints about the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta describe gas smell in the cabin.
- owner complaints
- 7
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- typical mileage
- 98,000
- recalls
- 2
Gas smell in the cabin by model year
What owners say
Fuel line to fuel filter came loose/disconnected causing a fuel leak inside my attached. Garage causing a strong smell of gasoline that remains to present day even after several attempts to clean up.
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light and EPC warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway. The contact was able to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle would not accelerate above 15 MPH. The contact stated that there was an abnormally strong gasoline odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel rail and fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact had the vehicle towed to the same dealer. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated upon entering the vehicle, there was a strong gasoline odor. Additionally, the vehicle experienced a rough start. The electronic power control (EPC) and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle; however, the gasoline odor became stronger and stronger while driving and the vehicle would not exceed 20 MPH. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact’s father met her on the side of the road and upon inspecting the vehicle, he noticed that gasoline was leaking out of the fuel rail upon starting the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel rail needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V648000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under the recall and recall repairs were completed one-time free of charge. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised as the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
The contact owned a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at 15-25 MPH, she smelled a strong burning gas odor. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact felt an intense heat on her legs. The contact saw a flame on the driver's side of the hood and quickly exited the vehicle. The contact stated that there was also fire underneath the driver's side of the hood. The fire was extinguished with the assistance of the fire department. There were no injuries sustained. A fire department report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where it was totaled. A police report was not filed. The contact became aware that her VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V648000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that while driving, she detected an abnormal gasoline odor coming from the air vents inside the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. Dothan volkswagen (2730 ross clark cir, dothan, al 36301) and the manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 97,700.
We have a 2016 vw jetta tsi 1.4l (ea211 engine) with a manual transmission. At approximately 98,000 miles, fuel started leaking from the fuel rail area, slowly at first, just a scent of fuel. Next day, at the end of the day's driving, the vehicle went into limp mode just before my exit on the highway with a strong smell of gas. It limped 3 miles home and died as I pulled into the drive. When we managed to get it started again it gushed fuel from the fuel rail area. There is a pending recall on this issue but volkswagon declined to do anything beyond a normal paid-for repair with potential reimbursement (not guaranteed) until the recall issues leaving us without a vehicle. We have a video documenting the fuel leak.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rail bolts and, as necessary, the fuel rail. The recall began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24Gi.
Recall number 20V648000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail
- What is wrong
- 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 affected vehicles, the fuel rail may detach from the cylinder head and result in a fuel leak.
- Risk
- A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the cylinder heads, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑822‑8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 15F7.
Recall number 16V403000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta fuel smell
Is gas smell in the cabin a common problem on the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta?
7 of 162 owner complaints about the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta (4%) mention gas smell in the cabin. The model year with the most reports is 2017.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta?
There are 2 recalls and 0 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
Check engine light 21Stalling 8ABS 6No deployment 6Fire or smoke 6Headlights 6Loss of power 6Oil consumption 6Brake failure 5Transmission failure 5
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