Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Volkswagen Golf, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Fuel/propulsion system29
- Engine18
- Unknown or other14
- Air bags10
- Electrical system8
- Structure7
- Power train5
- Forward collision avoidance3
- Fuel system, gasoline3
- Service brakes3
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 2 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2016 Volkswagen Golf failed the safety check 2.01% of the time — 2% more often than the average 2016 passenger car (1.97%). Median odometer at inspection: 70,050 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Registered new in Europe in 2016
548,029 new Volkswagen Golf cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2016; the largest markets were Germany (236,489), the United Kingdom (63,003), Italy (46,666).
- Average mass
- 1,375 kg
- Average power
- 106 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Petrol 50% · Diesel 46% · Natural gas 2.3% · Petrol/electric 1.2%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Engines
The most common engines in 2016 Volkswagen Golf cars on Dutch roads are the 1.0 petrol (85 kW, 114 hp), 1.2 petrol (81 kW, 109 hp) and 1.4 petrol (92 kW, 123 hp), out of 12 versions with at least 20 cars.
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 petrol | 85 kW 114 hp | 4,626 |
| 1.2 petrol | 81 kW 109 hp | 3,303 |
| 1.4 petrol | 92 kW 123 hp | 2,517 |
| 1.6 diesel | 81 kW 109 hp | 1,723 |
| 1.4 petrol | 110 kW 148 hp | 1,287 |
| 1.4 hybrid | 110 kW 148 hp | 1,018 |
| 1.2 petrol | 63 kW 84 hp | 836 |
| 2.0 petrol | 169 kW 227 hp | 294 |
| 2.0 petrol | 221 kW 296 hp | 227 |
| 2.0 diesel | 135 kW 181 hp | 220 |
| 2.0 diesel | 110 kW 148 hp | 198 |
| 2.0 petrol | 162 kW 217 hp | 178 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
16,991 first registered in 2016 are on Dutch roads; 43% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €30,967.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde10,122
- Band onvoldoende profiel5,156
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld3,816
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm3,119
- Band beschadigd1,731
- Mechanische delen van het remsysteem vertonen slijtage1,289
- Schokdemper aanwezig die lekkage vertoont1,088
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht1,070
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
65,585 cars built in 2016 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 972 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 65,758 of these cars first registered in 2016 took their annual MOT test. 86% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2016 the figure was 79%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2016 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 6.1% | 6.2% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 2.6% | 6.1% |
| Brakes | 2.2% | 4.3% |
| Visibility | 2.1% | 3.5% |
| Suspension | 2.1% | 4.9% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.0% | 1.7% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
5,606 of these cars first registered in 2016 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 147,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
1,907 2016 cars are on the New Zealand register; 35% arrived as used imports, 64% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 2 variants; 2 of 2 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 Volkswagen Golf 2 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | 11.1 % |
| 2016 Volkswagen Golf 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | 13.4 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Optional
- Lane departure warning
- Optional
- Best overall rating
- 5 / 5
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 6 variants: combined 8.0–8.5 L/100 km (about 28–29 mpg US), CO₂ 187–198 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golf · Compact · Regular gasoline | 9.3 | 6.4 | 8.0 |
| Golf · Compact · Regular gasoline | 9.3 | 6.5 | 8.1 |
| Golf Sportwagon · Station wagon: Small · Regular gasoline | 9.4 | 6.8 | 8.2 |
| Golf Sportwagon · Station wagon: Small · Regular gasoline | 9.5 | 6.6 | 8.2 |
| Golf GTI · Compact · Regular gasoline | 9.4 | 6.9 | 8.3 |
| Golf GTI · Compact · Regular gasoline | 9.5 | 7.2 | 8.5 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
10 Transport Canada recalls for the 2016 Volkswagen Golf.
| 2024095 14 Feb 2024 | Fuel System Issue: On certain vehicles, a seal for the suction jet pump inside the fuel tank could fail. As a result, fuel may flow directly into the evaporative emission… |
| 2022403 27 Jul 2022 | Airbag Issue: On certain vehicles, the passenger-front airbag inflator could rupture when the airbag deploys in a crash. If this happens, the airbag may not inflate … |
| 2021326 26 May 2021 | Fabrics Issue: On certain models, the chrome layer could peel off of the trim located around the gear shift cover. If this happens, sharp edges can be created. Sa… |
| 2020353 4 Aug 2020 | Label Issue: On certain vehicles, the warning label for the engine block heater cable is written in English only. As a result, a French user may not receive importa… |
| 2019116 6 Mar 2019 | Suspension Issue: On certain vehicles, the rear suspension coil springs may not have been properly manufactured and could break over time. This could cause damage to a r… |
| 2018371 11 Jul 2018 | Powertrain On certain vehicles, the park position switch may malfunction due to a problem with the electrical contacts. This could allow for removal of the ignition key wi… |
| 2016433 7 Sept 2016 | Lights And Instruments Certain vehicles equipped with lane and light assist may not conform to the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 108 - Lighting System and Retroreflec… |
| 2016430 2 Sept 2016 | Fuel System On certain vehicles, the suction pump inside the fuel tank designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system may be compromised. This could ca… |
| 2016319 22 Jun 2016 | Structure On certain vehicles, rear door child safety locks could disengage due to external vehicle vibration (such as when closing a door). This would render it possible… |
| 2015504 23 Oct 2015 | Engine On certain vehicles, the camshaft lobe which actuates the vacuum pump may fail, causing the pump to fail to deliver further vacuum supply to the brake booster, … |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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 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 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 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.
Volkswagen 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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Volkswagen told its dealers about the 2016 Volkswagen Golf: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11011377 | This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication for the airbag control module. For trouble code DTC B10001B. Driver airbag igniter resistance too high -N95 |
| 11011371 | This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed and only order the successor parts going forward. |
| 11010024 | Lack of paint under roof |
| 11010022 | Engine Oil Standards |
| 11010021 | Additional reporting |
| 11010011 | Vehicle Concerns Before Recall Repair Available |
| 11008861 | Fluid requirements |
| 11008860 | Manual transmission noise diagnosing |
| 11008858 | A list of engine oil that meet Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards |
| 11008857 | How to perform the engine oil consumption measurement |
| 11008856 | Checking Engine Oil and correctly reading dip stick |
| 11008853 | How to manage software versions using VW diagnostic Tool |
| 11008852 | Recommended Gasoline Quality |
| 11008851 | Engine Misfire Diagnostic Aid |
| 11008850 | Fuel additive to help with misfire faults |
| 11008846 | Wind & Water Leak Checking |
| 11007398 | Battery testing |
| 11007393 | Engine Oil Standards |
| 11005825 | Engine oil quality standards |
| 11005823 | KESSY Key adaptation |
| 11005820 | Engine Assembly Tip |
| 11005819 | Engine Replacement Tip |
| 11002875 | Engine oil quality standards |
| 11001522 | These documents are for the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) Limited Warranty Extension as part of the Class Action Settlement |
| 11001508 | Engine oil quality standards |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation