RoadVitals

2016 Volkswagen Golf Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
85
Latest Jun 8, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
14
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2016 Volkswagen Golf, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Engine1918.8%
  • Airbags109.9%
  • Body & structure76.9%
  • Driver assistance76.9%
  • Brakes44.0%
  • Powertrain (other)44.0%
  • Visibility22.0%
  • Other / unspecified22.0%
  • Steering22.0%
  • Suspension22.0%
  • Transmission11.0%
  • Exterior lighting11.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

32
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Sep 20, 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 · filed Apr 23, 2025
All 32 reports naming fuel system

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

19
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Sep 20, 2025

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 · filed Nov 5, 2024
All 19 reports naming engine

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jun 8, 2026

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 · filed May 11, 2023
All 10 reports naming airbags

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Mar 12, 2024

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 · filed May 11, 2023
All 8 reports naming electrical

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Mar 12, 2024

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 · filed Aug 21, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed May 11, 2023

First, the airbag warning light came on, then followed by the horn not working and cruise control was lost. I also suspecting the power steering is also gone. This is related to the clock spring failure from my research online. This should have been recall because this is a safety hazard.

NHTSA ID 11503331 · filed Jan 24, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Vehicle exhibits multiple electrical and systems faults related to the airbags, TMPS, ABS, etc, as similarly described in 07/26/2019 Volkswagen Technical Tip 97-1902TT. Vehicle interior and sunroof tray is wet in various places. These issues raise concerns as they relate to safety and drivability. Upon inspection, the plastic sunroof tray is apparently cracked in multiple places as described in 12/06/2016 Volkswagen TSB 2045403 (supersedes V601608 November 22, 2016) and referenced again in Volkswagen Update 60C7. According to dealership records, the sunroof tray was claimed repaired per Volkswagen Update 60C7. This does not seem to be true.

NHTSA ID 11497479 · filed Dec 14, 2022

THE LEFT REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED RESULTING IN FALSE WARNINGS OF AIR BAG, STABILIZATION CONTROL, ABS SYSTEM, AND TIRE PRESSURE FAILURES. A REPLACEMENT PART IS ON BACK ORDER AND/OR UNAVAILABLE. THIS WILL RESULT IN DISREGARD OF ANY OF THE ABOVE WARNINGS IN THE FUTURE EVEN IF THEY ARE GENUINE. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS RANDOMLY AT ANY SPEED.

NHTSA ID 11119886 · filed Aug 14, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Sep 20, 2025

EPC light illuminated on dash board. Vehicle was taken to dealer and it was determined that the thermostat housing had failed. Would have caused the vehicle to overheat had it been driven for any length of time with the failure

NHTSA ID 11440745 · filed Nov 17, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Apr 1, 2023

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED WATER TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN NUMEROUS TIMES TO AN UNKNOWN VOLKSWAGEN DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SUN ROOF SEALANT, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUN ROOF RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

NHTSA ID 11018861 · filed Aug 22, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Sep 16, 2023

CONTINENTAL PROCONTACT' TX 195/65R15 RT REAR TIRE SIDE WALL BLEW OUT WITH NO WARNING. CAR HAS 16000 MILES AND HAS BEEN DEALER SERVICED SINCE NEW. CAR WAS ACCELERATING ON FREEWAY ON RAMP WHEN VIBRATION AND THUMP WERE FELT INSIDE THE CAR. DRIVER PULLED INTO SECURE AREA AND SAW THAT TIRE SIDEWALL HAD BLOWN OUT ON INSIDE AND OUTSIDE SIDEWALLS. TIRE WAS REPLACED BY VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP AT OWNERS EXPENSE.

NHTSA ID 11105166 · filed Jul 2, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 CONTROL FEATURES ON THE STEERING WHEEL WORKED.. NO CRUISE CONTROL, NOT HORN, NO SYSTEM DATA, ETC. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I DISCOVERED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING WAS THE REASON FOR THE PROBLEM AND THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAT VW HAS KNOWN ABOUT SINCE 2011. ONLY AFTER AN INVESTIGATION WAS VW FORCED INTO DOING A RECALL IN 2015. THE PROBLEM OBVIOUSLY STILL EXISTS SINCE THERE ARE A NUMBER OF CONTINUED COMPLAINTS STILL BEING FILED.

NHTSA ID 11099933 · filed Jun 5, 2018

STEERING POWER ASSIST "TWITCHES" WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION. HAPPENS AT RANDOM TIMES, SPEEDS AND STEERING CONDITIONS WHILE DRIVING....ENOUGH TO JERK THE CAR INTO THE NEXT LANE. MIGHT BE TIED TO VW'S DSR OR DYNAMIC STEERING RECOMMENDATION SETTING IN THE VEHICLE COMPUTER.

NHTSA ID 10955589 · filed Feb 20, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

While accelerating from a traffic light, loud bang from left rear corner of car. Investigation found left rear coil spring had broken at the lower bas of the spring where it contacts the lower control arm

NHTSA ID 11510372 · filed Mar 6, 2023

While driving car on highway heard a loud boom from rear right side. Stopped car and inspected, but no obvious damage. Resumed driving, and began hearing a repeated squeaking noise and some body lean in corners. Took vehicle to tire shop, where they removed right rear tire and found the right rear spring had snapped at the mounting location near the top of the spring. The attached photo of the spring suggests the mount may have been defective. Dealer confirmed spring damage and is now replacing both rear springs. However, no coverage of the damaged part even though multiple 2016 VW Golf’s have been recalled for rear spring issues.

NHTSA ID 11484279 · filed Sep 13, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I am having the same safety issue that is outlined in this safety recall: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2022/MC-10206794-0001.pdf However, Volkswagen says that my VIN number is not included. Pictures: https://imgur.com/a/TKfal3R I would like my car included in this safety recall. The foil cracked initially from a manufacturing defect and has now cut me to the point of bleeding multiple times.

NHTSA ID 11480145 · filed Aug 19, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Aug 21, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .