2016 Volkswagen Golf: raw data

Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.

vehicle2016 / volkswagen / golf
known issues5 clusters (reviewed 2026-08-27)
complaints85 on file (2015-12-29 → 2026-06-08)
recalls9
investigations1
fars11 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
indexedyes
licenseCC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

Thermostat housing coolant leakENGINE12 complaints2020-11 → 2023-11golf-2016-thermostat-housing-leak
  • 11509371 The vehicle overheated during normal driving. The car advised the driver to stop immediately. The car was inspected later the same day by a VW dealer service department that determined the water pump and thermostat housing required replacement. Estimated cost is $1400
  • 11423690 The thermostat housing and water pump are leaking due to a known manufacturing defect. I had the water pump and thermostat housing replaced around 65,000 miles from an independent Volkswagen mechanic. He informed me that it appears the water pump had been replaced prior to my
  • 11452318 At 49,086, our 2016 Volkswagen Golf developed a leak in the thermostat assembly housing. The Volkswagen dealership, Elk Grove Volkswagen in Elk Grove, CA, strongly recommended the replacement of the thermostat assembly housing which included replacement of the thermostat
Panoramic sunroof water leakSTRUCTURE8 complaints2017-08 → 2023-03golf-2016-panoramic-sunroof-water-leak
  • 11234534 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
  • 11376865 SUNROOF LEAKS INTO HEADLINER AND DOWN THE SIDE PILLARS. OCCURS WHEN STATIONARY AND IN MOTION DURING PERIODS OF EXTENDED RAIN. RESULTS IN DAMAGE TO ELECTRONICS, SOUND SYSTEM AND FABRIC/BODY COMPONENTS
  • 11270298 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
Fuel tank suction jet pump leakFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM24 complaints2017-03 → 2025-04golf-2016-fuel-tank-suction-pump-leak
  • 11433810 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
  • 11517819 Fuel was found to be leaking from the rear passenger side wheel well. A secondary flame source could cause a significant fire risk. Issue is being investigated by local VW dealer. There are no warning lamps or messages prior to the failure. Dealer recommends a replacement of the
  • 11571071 The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, there was an abnormally strong gasoline odor in the cabin of the vehicle. The contact drove to the residence and became aware that there was a puddle of gasoline under the passenger’s
Clock spring failure disabling airbag and hornAIR BAGS5 complaints2018-06 → 2023-05golf-2016-clock-spring-failure
  • 11099933 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
  • 11110420 THE CLOCK SPRING ON MY CAR WENT BAD AFTER 46,000 MILES. MAKES AIRBAG UNUSEABLE AND STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS DO NOT WORK EITHER
  • 11383440 ALL STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS INOPERATIVE. THIS INCLUDES AIRBAG, HORN, CRUISE CONTROL, RADIO CONTROLS, ETC
EPC light with stutter and loss of powerENGINE5 complaints2016-07 → 2025-09golf-2016-epc-light-power-loss
  • 11469525 EPC light comes on whenever turbo is engages, loss of power (no turbo). EPC light goes off when car is restarted, back on after a few minutes of driving. Error codes indicate turbo issues. Vehicle has 40K odometer mikes. Chat forums have numerous similar reports from other
  • 10885240 TWO PRIMARY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AT THIS TIME: 1. EPC (ENGINE POWER CONTROL) LIGHT COMES ON FREQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT STREET AND FREEWAY SPEEDS. WHEN THE LIGHT COMES ON THE CAR JERKS FORWARD AND RIDES ROUGH. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS CAR AND IT NOT RUNNING
  • 11688624 The EPC light has luminated 3 times in the last several months. The vehicle stutters and will not accelerate past 25 MPH. Shutting off the engine and restarting it clears the light and vehicle drives normally. The check engine light does not illuminate and no OBDII codes are

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

countearliest_datelatest_datecrash_flaggedfire_flaggedtop_components
852015-12-292026-06-0810FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM:29; ENGINE:18; UNKNOWN OR OTHER:14; AIR BAGS:10; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:8

Recalls all years →

campaign_numberreport_received_datecomponentsummaryconsequenceremedy
18V46400011/07/2018STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICEVolkswagen 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."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.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.
18V32900016/05/2018UNKNOWN OR OTHERVolkswagen 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.If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.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.
19V18800006/03/2019SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGSVolkswagen 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.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.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.
19V61500022/08/2019ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULEVolkswagen 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."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.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.
16V40300006/06/2016FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAILVolkswagen 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.A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.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.
16V64700007/09/2016FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEVolkswagen 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.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.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.
15V70500026/10/2015ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINEVolkswagen 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.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.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.
22V54300027/07/2022AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULEVolkswagen 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.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.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.
24V11000014/02/2024FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEVolkswagen 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.A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.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.

Investigations all years →

action_numberstatussubjectcomponentsopenedclosedrecall_campaignsummary
RQ23007closedFuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS:CANISTER2023-12-122024-07-0124V110On 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 emiss

FARS occupant deaths all years →

crash_yearsoccupant_deathsmatch_typevpic_recovered
2010-202411legacy-code0

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.

Cite this

Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.

Wrench.Pro (2026). 2016 Volkswagen Golf vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2016/volkswagen/golf
@misc{wrenchpro_2016_volkswagen_golf_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2016 Volkswagen Golf},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2016/volkswagen/golf}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

hub · known-issues · methodology · license · research (interpretation)