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2016 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 51 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen, most often about the air bags (33% of complaints, typically around 41,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Golf Sportwagen model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2016 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen problems
Air bags
17 complaints · 33%Half of these problems showed up before 41,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen. While driving at a slow speed, the clockspring cable fractured and rendered the horn, air bags, and other steering wheel functions inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred twice. The first failure was covered…
I started my car and the airbag warning light came on. I then noticed that all controls on my steering wheel no longer worked. This includes speed control, horn, hands-free phone controls, hands-free radio controls an vehicle information options. I assume that the air bag is also not functioning. When I returned home…
Other or unspecified
10 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 41,500 miles.
Vw service action 60e5 applies to the front sunroof drain cleaning and modification. We had unseasonably heavy rains over the last 2 days. The rainwater began pouring out under the steering wheel/fuse box area and came through the entire perimeter of the sunroof into the cabin of the car. Vw told me that all repairs…
I started my car and the airbag warning light came on. I then noticed that all controls on my steering wheel no longer worked. This includes speed control, horn, hands-free phone controls, hands-free radio controls an vehicle information options. I assume that the air bag is also not functioning. When I returned home…
Engine
10 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles.
Thermostat housing leaking with just a little over 60k miles - just outside of warranty. Cost is about $1000 as it is poorly placed for replacement. Have read many other complaints of this.
2016 vw Golf Sportwagen experienced a coolant leak at the thermostat housing/water pump at approximately 76,000 miles. This seems to be a common issue with the 1.8 engine. Diagnosed by the vw dealer as well as a separate independent repair shop. Both recommended replacement of the thermostat housing/water pump.
Fuel system
9 complaints · 18%The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the odor of fuel was present inside the cabin of the vehicle. Also, while refueling the fuel spewed back out of the fuel filler neck soaking the person fueling the vehicle. The next day while at a stop light, the…
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen. The contact stated that there was an odor of gasoline in the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle was stalling while driving. The contact stated she stopped at a gas station and attempted to add gasoline; however, the tank was already full. The contact was able to…
Electrical
6 complaints · 12%The drain on retractable roof became blocked. Rainwater drained into car saturating carpets. Water flowed into control system causing an emergency dashboard alert to stop driving immediately while driving on highway. This event occurred twice: firstly in new york then two weeks later in pa. Vw service in pa replaced…
Clockspring failure at 32k miles. Turned car on and got an airbag warning and all controls on the steering wheel are dead. Out of warranty and not part of the recall according to vwoa.
Suspension
5 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: rear.
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen. The contact stated while driving at high speeds, the vehicle started to shake abnormally. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an auto body shop where it was diagnosed and determined that the rear axle coil springs had fractured and needed to…
Transmission
4 complaints · 8%On jan. 5th 2019 the dashboard warning system showed a "error - transmission". We had it towed to the dealership - they said it was the shifter unit, and that it was not covered under the "powertrain" warranty. We were told it was still safe to drive while they ordered parts. While driving it home from the dealer, it…
2016 vw Golf Sportwagen experienced a coolant leak at the thermostat housing/water pump at approximately 76,000 miles. This seems to be a common issue with the 1.8 engine. Diagnosed by the vw dealer as well as a separate independent repair shop. Both recommended replacement of the thermostat housing/water pump.
Body and structure
3 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: body.
The drain on retractable roof became blocked. Rainwater drained into car saturating carpets. Water flowed into control system causing an emergency dashboard alert to stop driving immediately while driving on highway. This event occurred twice: firstly in new york then two weeks later in pa. Vw service in pa replaced…
I purchased my 2016 vw Golf Sportwagen in 2019. Soon after, there was a rainstorm, and I realized the panoramic sunroof was leaking heavily along the back panel of the car. The dealership I purchased the vehicle from had the car for about a month, and was able to correct the problem, as well as replace the headliner.…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2016 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen recalls
Fuel system: fuel system, gasoline
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. Final owner notification letters for audi owners were mailed on july 25, 2024. Final owner letters for vw owners were mailed on august 13, 2024. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are vw: 20uf/audi: 20yf. Vehicles that were previously recalled under 16v-647 will need to have the new remedy completed. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 16v-647.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 audi a3 sedan, 2015-2019 audi a3 cabriolet, 2019-2020 volkswagen jetta gli, 2018 golf sportwagen gp, 2018-2019 golf sportwagen a7, 2015-2017 golf sportwagen, 2015-2020 golf gti, and 2015-2020 golf a7 vehicles. Due to a problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (evap) system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. An improper air bag deployment may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front-passenger air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed december 16, 2022. Owners may contact volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69dy and 61c1.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 audi tt roadster, tt coupe, s3 sedan, r8 coupe, a3 sedan, a3 etron, a3 cabriolet, 2016 golf sportwagen, golf r, golf gti, golf a7, and e golf vehicles. During air bag deployment, the front passenger air bag may explode or deploy improperly.
Electrical: control module
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.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began march 19, 2019. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37l5.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2018 volkswagen golf and golf sportwagen vehicles. The build of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition while the vehicle shift lever is not in "park." as such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) number 114, "theft protection and rollaway prevention."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Fuel leak due to suction jet pump failure within fuel tank (remedy effectiveness of recall 16v647)
Summary
On december 12, 2023, the office of defects investigations (odi) opened rq23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of volkswagen (vw) recall 16v-647. Recall 16v-647 was issued on september 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (sjp) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the sjp could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (my) 2015-2016 volkswagen golf and audi a3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced sjp version 1.0 with an improved version, version 1.1. The sjp is designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emissions (evap) system. Vwâs recall filing stated the sjp may have been damaged during assembly, which
Questions about the 2016 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (17 complaints, typically around 41,000 miles); other or unspecified (10 complaints, typically around 41,500 miles); engine (10 complaints, typically around 65,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2016 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 14, 2024 (fuel system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2016 a bad year for the Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Golf Sportwagen model year since 2000, with 51 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.