MYRModel Year Report

2016 Volkswagen GTI

● Typical for this model
2016 Volkswagen GTI
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:45:51.094Z

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
67
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2016

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine

27% of complaints

Complaints per year

1985: 2 complaints 1985 1986: 2 complaints 1987: 2 complaints 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 0 complaints 1990: 0 complaints 1990 1991: 1 complaint 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 0 complaints 1994: 0 complaints 1995: 18 complaints 1995 1996: 9 complaints 1997: 10 complaints 1998: 10 complaints 1999: 8 complaints 2000: 45 complaints 2000 2001: 74 complaints 2002: 124 complaints 2003: 53 complaints 2004: 7 complaints 2005: 8 complaints 2005 2006: 43 complaints 2007: 77 complaints 2008: 67 complaints 2009: 167 complaints 2010: 53 complaints 2010 2011: 55 complaints 2012: 40 complaints 2013: 34 complaints 2014: 10 complaints 2015: 97 complaints 2016: 67 complaints 2016 67 2017: 52 complaints 2018: 17 complaints 2019: 179 complaints 2020: 8 complaints 2021: 4 complaints 2022: 29 complaints 2023: 6 complaints 2024: 29 complaints 2025: 0 complaints 2025
1985: 2 complaints 1985 1986: 2 complaints 1987: 2 complaints 1988: 0 complaints 1988 1989: 0 complaints 1990: 0 complaints 1991: 1 complaint 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 0 complaints 1994: 0 complaints 1994 1995: 18 complaints 1996: 9 complaints 1997: 10 complaints 1997 1998: 10 complaints 1999: 8 complaints 2000: 45 complaints 2000 2001: 74 complaints 2002: 124 complaints 2003: 53 complaints 2003 2004: 7 complaints 2005: 8 complaints 2006: 43 complaints 2006 2007: 77 complaints 2008: 67 complaints 2009: 167 complaints 2009 2010: 53 complaints 2011: 55 complaints 2012: 40 complaints 2012 2013: 34 complaints 2014: 10 complaints 2015: 97 complaints 2016: 67 complaints 2016 67 2017: 52 complaints 2018: 17 complaints 2019: 179 complaints 2020: 8 complaints 2021: 4 complaints 2021 2022: 29 complaints 2023: 6 complaints 2024: 29 complaints 2024 2025: 0 complaints
1985: 2 complaints 1985 1986: 2 complaints 1987: 2 complaints 1987 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 0 complaints 1989 1990: 0 complaints 1991: 1 complaint 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 0 complaints 1993 1994: 0 complaints 1995: 18 complaints 1995 1996: 9 complaints 1997: 10 complaints 1997 1998: 10 complaints 1999: 8 complaints 1999 2000: 45 complaints 2001: 74 complaints 2001 2002: 124 complaints 2003: 53 complaints 2003 2004: 7 complaints 2005: 8 complaints 2005 2006: 43 complaints 2007: 77 complaints 2007 2008: 67 complaints 2009: 167 complaints 2009 2010: 53 complaints 2011: 55 complaints 2011 2012: 40 complaints 2013: 34 complaints 2013 2014: 10 complaints 2015: 97 complaints 2016: 67 complaints 2016 67 2017: 52 complaints 2018: 17 complaints 2019: 179 complaints 2019 2020: 8 complaints 2021: 4 complaints 2021 2022: 29 complaints 2023: 6 complaints 2023 2024: 29 complaints 2025: 0 complaints 2025

2016: 67 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19852
19862
19872
19880
19890
19900
19911
19920
19930
19940
199518
19969
199710
199810
19998
200045
200174
2002124
200353
20047
20058
200643
200777
200867
2009167
201053
201155
201240
201334
201410
201597
201667
201752
201817
2019179
20208
20214
202229
20236
202429
20250

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine

27% · 18 reports

Fuel/propulsion system

19% · 13 reports

Power train

12% · 8 reports
Show complaint excerpts

In very hot weather (Over 110 f) the transmission does not shift properly. It stays in low gears and rev's the engine far too much. At cooler temps it drives fine. Took it into the dealer in July 2016 and was told it was fine.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-07-19

Structure

9% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing body.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

On sunday october 18 i was having lunch inside my car and the sunroof exploded out of no where,i got out of the car to see what fell on it and nothing was around, i called my insurance and they told me that they don't cover that because they work...

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-10-27

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen GTI. While driving 40 MPH, there were abnormal noises coming from the top part of both rear doors and the hatchback of the vehicle. The failure recurred on numerous occasions.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-09-14

Fuel system, gasoline

7% · 5 reports
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen GTI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that while refueling, the gasoline was leaking from the vehicle from an unknown location.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-04-08

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2016-10-31Engine and engine cooling, fuel system, gasoline16V647000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2019-11-19Electrical system, steering19V615000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2022-12-16Air bags22V543000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2023-12-12Recall queryClosed 2024-07-01 Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)
  5. R
    2024-07-25Fuel system, gasoline24V110000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2016 Volkswagen GTI — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine: 18 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel/propulsion system: 13 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 8 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 16V647000 · Engine and engine cooling, fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 19V615000 · Electrical system, steering
  • Recall 22V543000 · Air bags
  • Recall 24V110000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2016 Volkswagen GTI reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2016 Volkswagen GTI is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Volkswagen GTI?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 27% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2016 Volkswagen GTI have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.