2016 Volkswagen Golf Owner Complaints

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. While the impact speed was moderate, the airbag deployment was violently disproportionate, resulting in severe, direct injuries to the occupant rather than providing the intended safety cushioning or protection. The force of the deployment appeared heavily uncalibrated, acting as a primary source of trauma rather than an emergency restraint. In contrast, the secondary vehicle involved in the identical impact matrix sustained similar property damage but experienced a completely stable, non-injurious environment with no air bag enaged at all. I am requesting that NHTSA review this incident against existing vehicle data logs for 2016 Volkswagen Golf models to determine if there is an active trend of excessive pyrotechnic deployment force or uncalibrated SRS module sensors.

NHTSA ID

11742727

Incident

Apr 27, 2026

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 stored. Manual states to take vehicle to authorized dealership for diagnosis if light stays illuminated.

NHTSA ID

11688624

Incident

Sep 19, 2025

I was driving my vehicle on the highway when a driver stopped me and warned me that my vehicle was leaking a huge amount of gasoline. I had a technician inspect the car to see if it might be a fuel line, the technician told me the fuel.lines were good and there were no signs of the gas coming from the lines and no cracks on the tank either. I received a letter from Volkswagen about the recall and I researched it and it says that if that is the problem the car would be leaking gas and it was dangerous as an ignition might cause a fire. I towed my vehicle to the Volkswagen here in Laredo after calling and speaking to someone from service and told yes I could bring it in and the recall part would be replaced free but I would have to leave the vehicle there. When I arrived they told me I would have to pay a diagnostic of 185 dlls and the repair. Which was not what I was told when I called earlier. So I had to pay again to have the vehicle removed from the premises without having the recall part changed.

NHTSA ID

11656404

Incident

Apr 23, 2025

Car began spraying fuel upon turning the key in the ignition. Recall work pertaining to the suction jet pump was recently performed and is the only likely cause of this issue. Car did not leak when fuel pump was disengaged. Very lucky that issue occurred in a parking lot while not moving and did not lead to a fire or crash.

NHTSA ID

11627766

Incident

Nov 25, 2024

My EPC light began to appear randomly in early 2024. I received a recall notice on the gear shift trim around the same time, so called Jack Ingram VW in Montgomery to schedule a time for them to fix it (and also ensure they had the part). I asked them to also check on why the EPC light was coming on. Brought in my car on 2/28/24. Service Dept then tells me they weren't sure what was causing the EPC light to come on, and they didn't have the gear shift trim part. They quoted me a lot of work to do, which I wasn't prepared financially to have completed. EPC light continued to appear at random. Each time it did, my car would shake and it would feel like I was losing control of the vehicle. I received another recall notice for the suction jet pump inside the fuel tank. When I called Jack Ingram VW to schedule this work, I asked if this had anything to do with my EPC light coming on. They weren't sure. The recall work for both the suction jet pump inside the fuel tank and the gear shift trim were completed on 8/28/24. Car worked fine until about a month later and the EPC light came on again. Called another VW mechanic in Montgomery (Powell's Automotive) to see if they can fix it. On 9/20/24 they replaced battery, spark plugs, ignition coil, and did an oil change. Worked great until [XXX] when my engine failed and left me stranded in the road. There were no warning lights prior to the engine failing. Could not restart car. Had it towed to Powell's who could not fix it, then to Jack Ingram VW. I asked them if this had anything to do with the recall work that was done. They said this would be the first if it was. They told me the in tank fuel pump needed replacing. Work completed 10/25/24. How can they work on the suction jet pump inside the fuel tank and not get a diagnostic that the in tank fuel pump was failing? I've already paid a lot of money to try to resolve the issue, and my EPC light is still coming on. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11623672

Incident

Oct 25, 2024

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Golf. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormally strong fuel odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank suction jet pump had failed, causing damage to the fuel tank. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 36,018. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11598685

Incident

Jul 1, 2024

Mileage

36,018 mi

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated there was fuel leaking from the charcoal canister. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.

NHTSA ID

11594770

Incident

Feb 15, 2024

Mileage

41,000 mi

We are unable to fill up the gas tank due the recall issue. The dealership says we can bring it in and they will repair but at this time we would have to pay for the repair. VW has not come up with a fix for the recall problem at this time. This problem has rendered our vehicle not drivable. What is the recourse? Fuel also leaks out when trying to fill the gas tank. It could start a fire.

NHTSA ID

11590634

Incident

May 23, 2024

My vehicle is leaking fuel. I have been unable to drive it for a few weeks due to the recall not having an approved repair. The dealership did not offer me any solution other than to pay for the repair out of pocket. This has been a known issue since February and no remedy is available from Volkswagen.

NHTSA ID

11588794

Incident

Apr 24, 2024

When refueling, the gasoline spills out and can't fill the tank. Took the car to the dealer and they are asking for 2,500$ for repair.

NHTSA ID

11586168

Incident

Apr 1, 2024

I have had this car since 2021, when I first bought it they had to keep it for another week due to a coolant break error? Had to fix it but later on I had to put tons of money into the car almost more money than it’s worth. And I’ve had a engine light on religiously for the entirety of the car, however my cars engine lights flash at times when I am driving and it gets hard to accelerate and reeks of gas- I’ve given up on dealerships because they have done everything else but what I have asked them to do and I still leave and the engine light turns on after. I did some research and learned my car has a recall since 2/14/2024 and I’ve had no update on my vehicles recall or if it’s repairable. My car will refuse to start at times and I’ve told this dealership this car will most likely kill me since I’ve put so much money into it for nothing to be fixed? And if it’s been this recall error what do I do? Please help me bought from Allen web Mitsubishi. All the symptoms are there but I’m scared

NHTSA ID

11581003

Incident

Apr 1, 2024

My VW golf has experienced rear door lock issues where both rear dock locks no longer work (lock or unlock) when pressing the lock button on the key or inside the vehicle. The only way to get the doors to lock is by manually locking the doors via a little slot in the door sill on each side. While it can be unlocked internally by just pulling the handle one time. This is a safety issue as door locks are a necessity for a vehicle to prevent theft of vehicle or items inside. It can also cause safety concerns for passengers in the rear(which is usually children. This also poses a danger to children due to the ease of unlocking from inside the rear passenger seats. The problem was confirmed to be the rear door latches via a dealer on 2/23/2024, however after replacing both latches with new parts, nothing was resolved. This issue is not the first time, as it is known that VW locks and many electrical components may randomly stop working, I have experienced the issue with a previous Volkswagen vehicle as well (2009 VW Jetta). There are no warning lights on the dashboard or other signs of the failure.

NHTSA ID

11577026

Incident

Feb 2, 2023

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 side rear wheel nearby the fuel tank. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.

NHTSA ID

11571071

Incident

Feb 1, 2024

Mileage

41,000 mi

I have a leak in my trunk from water leaking from my pressure valve in the rear of my car. Found that this is a common issue with my car. The seal around the pressure valve doesn't prevent water from entering into the trunk of my car. I got a flat tire on the highway and opened the hatch to get my spare and there was water flooded there and it rusted my spare tools. I could not put on my spare tire.

NHTSA ID

11568365

Incident

Jan 28, 2024

GFF TEST PLAN ON STORED ENGINE LIGHT. RECOMMEND REPLACING THERMOSTAT HOUSING CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. RECOMMNED REPLACE THERMOSTAT HOUSING. SEEP/SLIGHT COOLING LEAK. ADVISED TO WATCH COOLANT LEVELS UNTIL FIXED.

NHTSA ID

11556624

Incident

Nov 23, 2023

After parking car and turning off engine, I exited vehicle and noticed a cascade of fuel falling to the pavement by the rear wheel near the fuel tank. Fire Department was called as I was in a public parking lot. Vehicle was towed to dealer.

NHTSA ID

11549709

Incident

Oct 12, 2023

aftermarket/replacement rim purchased from CAR-ID in May 2023 and installed on vehicle in May 2023. On September 15, 2023, wheel/rim suffered a total and catastrophic failure. The wheel/rim face separated from the rest of the rim while driving.

NHTSA ID

11544872

Incident

Sep 15, 2023

The headlight assembly design, prevents owners from changing a light bulb own their own. Per the law, a car must have functioning headlights. The design on the HID headlight assembly, requires hours of work, removing the bumper, the grill, other parts that require many tools and skilled knowledge of the brand. Considering this is a headlight that is required to be street legal, an owner can't change the bulb in emergencies. An owner must wait for an appointment with a dealer or certified Volkswagen mechanic with the proper training to change a light bulb. Regulation should prevent such designs, as the current design can make it dangerous for the driver. Just as when a driver needs to change a tire that's flat, and use the spare, a light bulb is just as critical to prevent accidents.

NHTSA ID

11539859

Incident

Aug 21, 2023

My vehicle is unable to fuel up, when attempting to fuel at the pump the fuel will build up in the filler neck causing the pump ti stop and fuel spill out from the filler neck and when driven, fuel will begin to leak from the EVAP canister located on the right rear of the vehicle. Dealership is unwilling to correct this issue as it is a known issue to them of the problem

NHTSA ID

11530543

Incident

Jun 25, 2023

Thermostat and Gasket repair quoted by VW dealership. The coolant is leaking according to their inspection. Car could malfunction unexpectedly and leave me stranded as a road hazard Many more claims in this thread. They quote $1,600 to repair. https://www.reddit.com/r/GolfGTI/comments/drna5m/mk775_thermostat_housing_issue_and_coolant_loss/

NHTSA ID

11529540

Incident

Jun 29, 2023

Dealer found thermostat housing leak and recommended housing and pump replacement at a cost of over $2K. Thermostat is housing leak could cause loss of coolant which could strand you in the middle of the road. There were no warning lamps active. This appears to be a common issue with these vehicles. The thermostat should not be having problems like this at this mileage. The component has not been inspected by insurance, manufacturer, or police, only the dealer.

NHTSA ID

11524045

Incident

May 26, 2023

Airbag light came on, then all electrics to steering wheel failed, including the horn. Clock spring failed. Safety issue with no airbag and no horn. Known that VWs have a problem with clock spring failure. Should be a recall.

NHTSA ID

11521624

Incident

May 10, 2023

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 charcoal filter and N80 valve in order to have the ability to test the fuel pressure and fuel pump. My particular VIN number is not part of an existing recall on the fuel pump where fuel leak, bad charcoal canister, and N80 valve are symptomatic (secondary failures) of a bad fuel pump (primary failure). I question if the parts under the existing recall should be expanded to include a larger population.

NHTSA ID

11517819

Incident

Apr 15, 2023

While driving down the highway around 60 mph, nowhere near any other vehicles or pedestrians, the sunroof spontaneously shattered. The break goes outward/upward from the cabin.

NHTSA ID

11514895

Incident

Mar 31, 2023

Sunroof Frame Cracked. Leaky sunroof. Drains are cleaned. A pillars get wet where airbags and wiring are located. Could cause a short.

NHTSA ID

11511460

Incident

Mar 12, 2023