2016 Volkswagen Golf
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1985 | 10 |
| 1986 | 13 |
| 1987 | 4 |
| 1988 | 9 |
| 1989 | 17 |
| 1990 | 10 |
| 1991 | 8 |
| 1992 | 6 |
| 1993 | 7 |
| 1994 | 41 |
| 1995 | 43 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 1997 | 7 |
| 1998 | 18 |
| 1999 | 64 |
| 2000 | 88 |
| 2001 | 116 |
| 2002 | 73 |
| 2003 | 26 |
| 2004 | 28 |
| 2005 | 19 |
| 2006 | 12 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 69 |
| 2011 | 110 |
| 2012 | 48 |
| 2013 | 43 |
| 2014 | 11 |
| 2015 | 129 |
| 2016 | 85 |
| 2017 | 115 |
| 2018 | 29 |
| 2019 | 62 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 81 |
| 2023 | 11 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
34% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 29 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
After parking car and turning off engine, I exited vehicle and noticed a cascade of fuel falling to the pavement by the rear wheel near the fuel tank. Fire Department was called as I was in a public parking lot. Vehicle was towed to dealer.
NHTSA ODI report, 20231012
SAFETY ISSUE - 2016 EGOLF WOULD NOT MOVE AFTER A ROUTINE TRAFFIC STOP WITH "MAIN CHARGING FAILED" ERROR. DURING A NORMAL COMMUTE AFTER 3, 4 MILES OF DRIVING 30 - 40 MPH, CAR WOULDN'T MOVE AFTER A ROUTINE TRAFFIC STOP RIGHT AFTER A TRAFFIC LIGHT.
NHTSA ODI report, 20151229
21% of complaints: engine — 18 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
CONSUMING OIL
NHTSA ODI report, 20180603
SAFETY ISSUE - 2016 EGOLF WOULD NOT MOVE AFTER A ROUTINE TRAFFIC STOP WITH "MAIN CHARGING FAILED" ERROR. DURING A NORMAL COMMUTE AFTER 3, 4 MILES OF DRIVING 30 - 40 MPH, CAR WOULDN'T MOVE AFTER A ROUTINE TRAFFIC STOP RIGHT AFTER A TRAFFIC LIGHT.
NHTSA ODI report, 20151229
12% of complaints: air bags — 10 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
I am reporting a severe safety system failure regarding the airbag deployment force on a 2016 Volkswagen Golf SE. The vehicle was involved in a collision where the frontal/side air bag safety systems engaged.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260608
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180605
9% of complaints: electrical system — 8 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
SAFETY ISSUE - 2016 EGOLF WOULD NOT MOVE AFTER A ROUTINE TRAFFIC STOP WITH "MAIN CHARGING FAILED" ERROR. DURING A NORMAL COMMUTE AFTER 3, 4 MILES OF DRIVING 30 - 40 MPH, CAR WOULDN'T MOVE AFTER A ROUTINE TRAFFIC STOP RIGHT AFTER A TRAFFIC LIGHT.
NHTSA ODI report, 20151229
8% of complaints: structure — 7 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 15V705000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
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.
Campaign 16V403000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. The recall began November 2016.
Campaign 16V647000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 18V329000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Volkswagen Golf and Golf Sportwagen vehicles.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 18V464000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 19V188000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 19V615000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 22V543000 — check if this car was fixed
Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 24V110000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2016 Volkswagen Golf — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (29 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (18 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (10 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 15V705000 (engine and engine cooling, service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V403000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V647000 (engine and engine cooling, fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V329000 (unknown or other) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V464000 (electrical system, steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V188000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V615000 (electrical system, steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V543000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 24V110000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
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FAQ
Is the 2016 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2016 Volkswagen Golf is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Volkswagen Golf?
The most-reported component is fuel/propulsion system, accounting for 34% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2016 Volkswagen Golf have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.