Representative model. Photo: Cutlass, Wikimedia Commons, CC0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2016 Volkswagen Golf recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2016 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 12
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 219
Latest campaign: Feb 14, 2024

Recall summary by component12

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Fuel system, gasoline	3	Feb 14, 2024	24V110000 16V647000 16V403000
Visibility/wiper	1	Nov 9, 2022	22V831000
Air bags	1	Jul 27, 2022	22V543000
Electrical system	1	Aug 22, 2019	19V615000
Suspension	1	Mar 6, 2019	19V188000
Steering	1	Jul 11, 2018	18V464000
Unknown or other	1	May 16, 2018	18V329000
Latches/locks/linkages	1	Jun 24, 2016	16V464000
Equipment	1	May 23, 2016	16V337000
Engine and engine cooling	1	Oct 26, 2015	15V705000

Safety recalls12

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Feb 14, 2024Latest campaign


Feb 14, 202424V110000	Fuel system, gasoline A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. DetailsHide details for campaign 24V110000 What's wrong 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. Filed under Golf, Golf Sportwagen Campaign NHTSA 24V110000 · Feb 14, 2024
Nov 9, 202222V831000	Visibility/wiper Windshield wipers that cannot be activated may lead to reduced visibility for the driver and increase the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 22V831000 What's wrong Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 Golf R vehicles. Incorrect front windshield wiper software was installed which may prevent the wipers from activating. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 104, "Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems." Risk Windshield wipers that cannot be activated may lead to reduced visibility for the driver and increase the risk of a crash. Remedy Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 15, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91EN. Filed under Golf R Campaign NHTSA 22V831000 · Nov 9, 2022
Jul 27, 202222V543000	Air bags: frontal passenger side An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. DetailsHide details for campaign 22V543000 What's wrong 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. Filed under Golf, Golf R, Golf Sportwagen Campaign NHTSA 22V543000 · Jul 27, 2022
Aug 22, 201919V615000	Electrical system: ignition anti-theft 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… DetailsHide details for campaign 19V615000 What's wrong 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. Filed under Golf Campaign NHTSA 19V615000 · Aug 22, 2019
Mar 6, 201919V188000	Suspension: rear springs 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. DetailsHide details for campaign 19V188000 What's wrong 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. Risk 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. Remedy 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. Filed under Golf Campaign NHTSA 19V188000 · Mar 6, 2019
Jul 11, 201818V464000	Steering: column locking anti-theft device 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… DetailsHide details for campaign 18V464000 What's wrong 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." 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 March 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37L5. Filed under Golf, Golf Sportwagen Campaign NHTSA 18V464000 · Jul 11, 2018

Merged from NHTSA model names: Golf, Golf Sportwagen, Golf R. Not every vehicle of a model year is affected by every campaign.

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Volkswagen recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2016 Volkswagen Golf? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component219

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

219Complaints filed

5Involving a crash

0Involving a fire

13Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Injuries
Fuel/propulsion system	50	23	0	0
Engine	47	21	0	0
Unknown or other	38	17	0	10
Air bags	33	15	4	1
Electrical system	20	9	0	0
Power train	19	9	0	1
Structure	16	7	0	1
Fuel system	11	5	0	0
Gasoline	11	5	0	0
Suspension	9	4	0	0
Visibility/wiper	7	3	0	0
Steering	7	3	0	0
Vehicle speed control	6	3	0	0
Service brakes	6	3	1	0
Wheels	4	2	0	0

9 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number, merged from NHTSA model names Golf, Golf GTI, Golf R, Golf Sportwagen.

Latest reports

Air bags
“SRS/airbag warning light illuminated. A diagnostic scan (VCDS) confirmed stored fault codes for both front airbag crash sensors: driver's side 'short to ground' and passenger's side 'open or short to plus.' Upon further…”
Filed 08/05/2026 · ODI 11754963
Air bags
“I am reporting a severe safety system failure regarding the airbag deployment force on a 2016 Volkswagen Golf SE. The vehicle was involved in a collision where the frontal/side air bag safety systems engaged.”
Filed 06/08/2026 · ODI 11742727
Steering
“While driving my 2016 Volkswagen GTI MK7 Autobahn Edition with approximately 37,000 miles, the power steering suddenly and without warning failed completely.”
Filed 03/02/2026 · ODI 11721581

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2016 Volkswagen Golf recall questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Volkswagen Golf have?

NHTSA lists 12 safety recall campaigns for the 2016 Volkswagen Golf. The most recent, 24V110000 (reported February 14, 2024), concerns fuel system, gasoline. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2016 Volkswagen Golf recalls for?

The largest group is fuel system, gasoline, with 3 campaigns. Others: visibility/wiper (1), air bags (1), electrical system (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2016 Volkswagen Golf?

Fuel/propulsion system is the most-reported component, named in 50 complaints out of 219 filed with NHTSA (23%). Across all complaints, owners reported 5 crashs and 0 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2016 Volkswagen Golf?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Volkswagen recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Volkswagen dealer.

Check a specific Volkswagen by VIN

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Recall summary by component12

Safety recalls12

Fuel system, gasoline

Visibility/wiper

Air bags: frontal passenger side

Electrical system: ignition anti-theft

Suspension: rear springs

Steering: column locking anti-theft device