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2016 Volkswagen Golf Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 85 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Volkswagen Golf, most often about the fuel system (38% of complaints, typically around 31,500 miles). It is 6th of 24 Golf model years by number of complaints and has 9 recalls.
Most common 2016 Volkswagen Golf problems
Fuel system
32 complaints · 38%Half of these problems showed up before 31,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen gti s 4d auto. While driving 45 MPH, the contact noticed an abnormal fuel odor coming from the fuel tank without warning. The contact managed to drive the vehicle and noticed fuel leaking from the fuel tank. The vehicle was towed by the contact's insurance company to flagship…
Raw fuel smell in cabin. It seems to happen after a short trip. I stop and restart within a few minutes and it is quite a heavy smell like a fuel leak. This has happened before this month.
Engine
19 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 10,000 miles.
Engine misfired and cause the car to stutter with loss of performance. This happened to me when making a left hand turn nearly causing an accident because the car was not moving at the normal speed due to loss of performance. This is the 3rd time the engine has misfired since I bought the car. It has less than 2,800…
2016 vw Golf gti mk7 engine coolant began to slowly leak from thermostat housing seal at 25,000 miles. Dealer replaced housing with rev m part just before my warranty expired. Has this every 25k mile problem been resolved yet?
Other or unspecified
14 complaints · 17%I was driving on the freeway and heard a loud pop like a gun shot. I looked up and it was my moon roof. It was as if it had blown out. I was not under an underpass or near any vehicles that could have thrown a rock. It happened like combustion. So random and scary! If I wouldn't have had the shade closed, I would have…
Panoramic sunroof leaks into the interior a frame pillars. It leaks in the rain, the snow, and even the car wash. The leak starts as a damp spot in the interior where the headliner meets the a frame pillar. The sunroof will leak if the car is stationary or moving. The leak will make its way down the pillar and across…
Air bags
10 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 54,000 miles.
Despite a 2015 recall, 2016 golfs are still being affected by faulty clock spring setups and a lack of some type of cover that is preventing debris from getting inside and breaking them. While driving the car, the airbag warning light went on. I then noticed that none of the control features on the steering wheel…
The left rear wheel speed sensor malfunctioned resulting in false warnings of air bag, stabilization control, ABS system, and tire pressure failures. A replacement part is on back order and/or unavailable. This will result in disregard of any of the above warnings in the future even if they are genuine. This problem…
Electrical
8 complaints · 9%Despite a 2015 recall, 2016 golfs are still being affected by faulty clock spring setups and a lack of some type of cover that is preventing debris from getting inside and breaking them. While driving the car, the airbag warning light went on. I then noticed that none of the control features on the steering wheel…
Sunroof drain reinforcement steel has developed stress cracks. Which has let water leak inside vehicle, onto headliner and down a-pillars saturating front side curtain airbags making them defective. Vehicle can be stationary or operated, it will leak either way. Volkswagen refuses to address issue with airbags and…
Body and structure
7 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: body.
Sunroof frame leaks water into the car. The water drips on to the center console hardware/electronics and hardware/electronics located on the windshield. The leak is a known defect for vw Golf 2016, as vw previously sent out a recall for the sunroof frame. The leak occurs after heavy rainfall. The water drips right on…
Sunroof drain reinforcement steel has developed stress cracks. Which has let water leak inside vehicle, onto headliner and down a-pillars saturating front side curtain airbags making them defective. Vehicle can be stationary or operated, it will leak either way. Volkswagen refuses to address issue with airbags and…
Transmission
5 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
Coolant leak from the water pump and thermostat housing. The water pump and thermostat were replaced under warrant. I believe it is leaking again as it was replaced with the same faulty parts and I have noticed a slight drop in coolant and a smell, which was the issue originally.
Brakes
4 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: power assist.
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Golf. While driving approximately 20 to 25 MPH, the contact heard a crackling noise when the brake pedal was depressed. The brakes failed without warning. The contact had to apply the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. It was diagnosed that…
Brake failure. The car was being driven around 20mph, when a 'brake: fluid low see owner's manual' message came on. After seeing this message pressure was applied to the brake pedal and the pedal went to the floor. The pedal made a 'chattering noise' as it moved through the pedal stroke. The parking brake was used to…
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 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 november 19, 2019. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37m2.
Full defect summary
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 switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "park."
Suspension: coil springs
Risk: If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall began april 12, 2019. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42j5.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 golf sportwagen, 2019 jetta, 2015-2019 golf, and 2018-2019 tiguan vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.
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."
Other: unknown or other
Risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began november 29, 2018. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 eos, 2012 passat, 2012-2016 cc, 2015-2016 e-golf, 2011-2015 touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 tiguan, and 2011-2016 golf and 2011-2013 gti vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
Fuel system: fuel system, gasoline
Risk: As fuel accumulates in the evap system, it may leak out through the charcoal canister filter element. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. The recall began november 2016. Volkswagen owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298, audi owners may contact audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 20y6 and 20y5. This recall has been fully superseded by recall 24v-110.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 volkswagen golf, golf sportwagen, gti, audi a3 sedan and a3 cabriolet vehicles. Due to a problem with the suction pump inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (evap) system.
Fuel system: fuel rail
Risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine
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.
Fix: Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began march 2016. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23r1.
Full defect summary
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.
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
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Volkswagen Golf?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (32 complaints, typically around 31,500 miles); engine (19 complaints, typically around 10,000 miles); other or unspecified (14 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2016 Volkswagen Golf have?
- 9 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?
- It is 6th of 24 Golf model years by number of complaints, with 85 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.