Worst 2016 Volkswagen Golf Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
ENGINE
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2016 Volkswagen Golf.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 29 | — | — | 16,437 mi | |
| ENGINE | 18 | — | — | 13,739 mi | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 14 | — | — | 42,700 mi | |
| AIR BAGS | 9 | — | — | 61,418 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 8 | — | — | 54,391 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 7 | — | — | 51,322 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN | 4 | — | — | 49,500 mi | |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL | 3 | — | — | 70,000 mi | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 3 | — | — | 39,339 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 3 | — | — | 28,000 mi | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 3 | — | — | 3,500 mi | |
| STEERING | 2 | — | — | 29,537 mi | |
| SUSPENSION | 2 | — | — | — | |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 1 | — | — | 44,500 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 | — | — | — | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 | — | — | — | |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT | 1 | — | — | — | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM | 1 | — | — | 9,558 mi | |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 1 | — | — | — | |
| VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY | 1 | — | — | 7,000 mi | |
| WHEELS | 1 | — | — | 16,000 mi | |
| WHEELS:RIM | 1 | — | — | — |
Recalls for 2016 Volkswagen Golf
13 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~2,147,161 vehicles.
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.
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.
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."
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."
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.
Volkswagen 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."
Volkswagen 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."
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. 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.
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.
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.
+ 3 more recalls
Other Volkswagen Golf Years
Wider context: See the full Volkswagen Golf reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2016 Volkswagen Golf
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $4.99