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2016 Volkswagen GTI Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 66 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Volkswagen GTI, most often about the engine (29% of complaints, typically around 52,500 miles). It is 8th of 25 GTI model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2016 Volkswagen GTI problems
Engine
19 complaints · 29%Half of these problems showed up before 52,500 miles.
At the gas station, the vehicle does not allow for normal fuel up to occur. The pump nozzle keeps clicking off and I can't put more than 1/4 tank of gas without the fuel spilling out of the tank filler neck/tube. While driving, the vehicle is experiencing power loss that can be felt as a sudden "bucking" motion when…
Waterpump had to be replaced at 49,000 miles was leaking coolant. This is a widespread issue with the ea888 engine and needs either a recall or warranties extended.
Fuel system
18 complaints · 27%Half of these problems showed up before 32,000 miles.
Sometimes, after the car has warmed up and under hard acceleration there is a rattling noise coming from the lower engine area. The vw dealer investigated and confirmed it is the fuel lines rattling that is making the noise. They tried to insert some dampening material to secure the fuel lines but the noise persists.
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stall and hesitated without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with a defective brake suction cup. The mechanic linked the failure to NHTSA campaign number…
Other or unspecified
10 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 28,000 miles.
The chrome trim detail around the gear selector base peeled up slightly right in front of the storage cubby. It is not visible from a normal seated position that it peeled up. When removing an item from the storage cubby the peeled up metal deeply sliced my finger and it bled for hours. The peeled up metal is razor…
My 2016 golf GTI se has a leaking panaormic sunroof, it leaks into the interior causing damage to the ceiling, the passenger seat, the overhead lighting controls, and the passenger visor light. This happens even when there is a minor amount of rain. This happens when the car is moving or stationary. There are so many…
Transmission
8 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 47,000 miles.
Engine thermostat and pump failure with gradual coolant leak. Coolant required refilling multiple times within 45,000 miles, sometimes coolant getting dangerously low without warning until car is on interstate. Thermostat/pump has also begun overcooling engine, not allowing it to get up to operating temp when on…
Waterpump had to be replaced at 49,000 miles was leaking coolant. This is a widespread issue with the ea888 engine and needs either a recall or warranties extended.
Visibility and wipers
7 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 31,500 miles. Parts named most often: sun/moon roof assembly.
While adjusting steering column , the high beams turn on and wiper & washer fluid turn on ...can not turn off until steering column is readjusted ....
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen golf GTI. The contact stated that while making a turn at an undisclosed speed, there was water leaking through the sunroof. The contact stated that the sunroof frame had previously been replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was…
Body and structure
5 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 5,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
Vehicle makes loud creaking noises from body-vw claims this is normal but my previous GTI did not do that. The wheels and suspension also make a loud clanking noise.
The front edge of the decorative metal trim around the gear selector sliced my finger open. This occurred on 3/12/2019 while reaching into the bin in front of the trim. The metal is extremely sharp and caused panic while driving as my finger bled.
Air bags
5 complaints · 8%The contact owns a 2001 buick regal. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the module was faulty. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 155,000. Consumer stated he has been unable…
I bought my car with 29,000 miles and now has 41,000.. My airbag light randomly comes on and flashes and on passenger seat... Even when no one is in seat ... Volkswagen won't fix it even though I first complained to them car only had 31,000 miles and again at 35,000 miles...
Electrical
3 complaints · 5%While adjusting steering column , the high beams turn on and wiper & washer fluid turn on ...can not turn off until steering column is readjusted ....
My 2016 golf GTI se has a leaking panaormic sunroof, it leaks into the interior causing damage to the ceiling, the passenger seat, the overhead lighting controls, and the passenger visor light. This happens even when there is a minor amount of rain. This happens when the car is moving or stationary. There are so many…
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 GTI 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."
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.
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 GTI
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Volkswagen GTI?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (19 complaints, typically around 52,500 miles); fuel system (18 complaints, typically around 32,000 miles); other or unspecified (10 complaints, typically around 28,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2016 Volkswagen GTI have?
- 4 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 GTI?
- It is 8th of 25 GTI model years by number of complaints, with 66 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.