2016 Volkswagen Golf Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
72/100
#6 most-complained of 19 Golf years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2016 Volkswagen Golf has 85 owner complaints and 9 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 72 out of 100 — #6 highest of 19 Golf model years (verdict: Caution). The most reported problem area is fuel system (32 complaints, 38% of the total). Complaints report 1 crash and 2 injuries.
- Complaints
- 85
- Recalls
- 9
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 29
- 25 city / 35.5 hwy
Top 2016 Volkswagen Golf problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System32 (38%)
- Engine22 (26%)
- Other14 (16%)
- Airbags10 (12%)
- Electrical System9 (11%)
- Structure & Body7 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (6%)
- Brakes4 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (4%)
2016 Volkswagen Golf recalls
9 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V110000Feb 14, 2024Fuel System261,257 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline
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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
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. 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.
- NHTSA 22V543000Jul 27, 2022Airbags1,216 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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.
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.
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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69DY and 61C1.
- NHTSA 19V615000Aug 22, 2019Electrical System679,027 vehicles
Electrical system:ignition:anti-theft:control module
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."
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.
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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.
2016 Volkswagen Golf fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 25 MPG
- Highway
- 35.5 MPG
- Combined
- 29 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,250
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other Golf years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Volkswagen Golf a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 Volkswagen Golf ranks #6 of 19 among Golf model years (Complaint Index 72/100, verdict: Caution). It has 85 complaints and 9 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Volkswagen Golf?
- The most reported problem areas are fuel system (32 complaints), engine (22 complaints), and airbags (10 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 30,000 miles.
- Does the 2016 Volkswagen Golf have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2016 Volkswagen Golf, most recently reported 2024, covering fuel system, airbags, electrical system, and suspension, wheels & tires.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Volkswagen Golf?
- EPA rates the 2016 Volkswagen Golf at 29 MPG combined (25 city / 35.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,250. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.