2016 Volkswagen GTI Fuel system Problems

NHTSA Recall 24V-110 (VW 20UF). The vehicle is in Limp Mode and experiencing low oil pressure symptoms. It is also subject to Recall 24V-110, which identifies a fire risk due to fuel leakage. Despite the safety hazard, the local Volkswagen dealership has refused to perform the recall repair or diagnose the vehicle, stating it is at their 'discretion.' I am reporting a failure by the manufacturer and the dealer to remedy an active safety defect, leaving me with an unsafe, undriveable vehicle."

NHTSA ID

11719667

Incident

Feb 6, 2026

I am reporting a safety concern related to Safety Recall 20UF on my 2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI SE and the handling of this recall by an authorized Volkswagen dealership (Pohanka Volkswagen, Capitol Heights, MD). Prior to the recall service, the vehicle exhibited loss of power, intermittent shuddering, and severe difficulty refueling (fuel pump nozzle repeatedly shut off even with a low fuel level). These symptoms were similar to prior EVAP system failures that required replacement of the charcoal canister and EVAP purge (N80) valve earlier in 2025. I brought the vehicle to the dealership on December 29, 2025, specifically requesting completion of Recall 20UF and inspection/replacement of EVAP components if necessary. The dealership initially refused to perform the recall unless I returned the vehicle with less than one-quarter tank of fuel, despite the recall documentation specifying that fuel extraction equipment (VAS5190A or equivalent) is required for this repair. A diagnostic report generated by the dealership listed a “Fuel Pump (in tank)” replacement as a customer-pay repair before later removing it once it was identified as recall-related. After significant delays, the dealership stated the recall had been completed and declined to replace any EVAP components. Since the recall service, the vehicle continues to experience intermittent shuddering and difficulty accelerating. While refueling has temporarily improved, drivability concerns persist, raising questions about whether the recall repair was properly performed and whether the vehicle remains safe to operate. I am concerned about inconsistent handling of a safety recall, improper diagnostic practices, and continued fuel-system-related drivability issues that may pose a safety risk.

NHTSA ID

11711276

Incident

Dec 29, 2025

Fuel is leaking from near the gas tank when the car is running and creates a puddle- I took my car to the local VW dealership in February to get the Suction Jet Pump Recall completed.

NHTSA ID

11677730

Incident

Aug 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen GTI. 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 contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware of fuel leaking from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with a fuel leak coming from the fuel tank suction pump. The contact was informed that the fuel tank suction pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000. VIN tool confirms part not available.

NHTSA ID

11605953

Incident

Aug 1, 2024

Mileage

45,000 mi

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally strong gasoline odor coming from the exhaust. The contact stated that while attempting to fill the tank, the tank failed to accept more than a half tank of fuel. 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 dealer was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle with a failure of the fuel pump which was replaced; however, the failure persisted. 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 but was unable to confirm when the part would be available. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11584518

Incident

Apr 22, 2024

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen GTI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that while refueling, the gasoline was leaking from the vehicle from an unknown location. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the carbon canister was clogged with fuel and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired started the vehicle was losing motive power. On another occasion, nine months later, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the purge valve, fuel tank, N80, carbon canister, and other unknown parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11581655

Incident

Jun 1, 2023

Mileage

24,000 mi

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI. The contact stated that soon after purchasing the vehicle, she had difficulty placing gas into the fuel tank as fuel would spill out during fill up. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V647000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to a dealer who informed her that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The contact was then referred to the manufacturer who also confirmed that the vehicle was not under recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11426137

Incident

Jul 2, 2021

THE CAR ON IS LEAKING GASOLINE FROM BACK OF THE GAS TANK, THE CAR VAS IN MOTION AND I SMELL GASOLINE FROM MY CAR AND MAY CAUSE A FIRE BECAUSE IS NEAR THE WHEEL.

NHTSA ID

11413570

Incident

Apr 9, 2021

THE SUCTION PUMP (PART 5Q0-201-029) IN THE EVAP EMISSION CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE FAILED ON FEBRUARY 7 2021 CAUSING FUEL TO BE BROUGHT INTO THE CHARCOAL CANISTER AND THEN INTO THE PURGE VALVE. THIS LED TO HEAVY FUEL SMELL IN MY VEHICLE AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF SUCTION PUMP, CHARCOAL CANISTER AND PURGE VALVE. NOTE THAT THIS FAILURE WITH EXACT SAME DESCRIPTION WAS IDENTIFIED AS PART OF THE SAFETY RECALL 20Y6 (HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/RCL/2016/RCRIT-16V647-1179.PDF) ISSUED BY NHSTA ON OCTOBER 13 2016 AND MY VEHICLE WAS PART OF THIS RECALL. IT WAS CLAIMED THAT THE ISSUE WAS FIXED ON MY VEHICLE ON JUNE 28 2017 AS PART OF THIS RECALL BY VW DEALERSHIP. HOWEVER, THE SUCTION PUMP WHICH FAILED ON FEBRUARY 7 2021 HAD THE MANUFACTURING DATE STAMP OF 15.08.15 WHICH INDICATES THAT PERHAPS VW DIDN'T REPLACE THE SUCTION PUMP AS PART OF THE RECALL REPAIR OR REPLACED IT WITH ANOTHER FAULTY SUCTION PUMP WHICH STILL HAD THE ISSUE (SINCE THE MANUFACTURING DATE OF THE FAILED SUCTION PUMP IS ALMOST 2 YEARS BEFORE THE DATE OF RECALL REPAIR). VW OF AMERICA HASN'T PROVIDED ME CLEAR ANSWERS TO MY QUESTIONS STATED BELOW (SEE ATTACHED LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 13 2021, THAT I SENT TO VW OF AMERICA RAISING THESE CONCERNS): I) WOULD THIS SUCTION PUMP THAT FAILED AND WHICH WAS MANUFACTURED ON 15.08.15 WILL HAVE THE FIX FOR THE ISSUE IDENTIFIED IN 20Y6? II) WHAT WAS THE MANUFACTURING DATE OF THE SUCTION PUMP ORIGINALLY INSTALLED ON MY VEHICLE BEFORE THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED? VW OF AMERICA REPLIED TO ME ON FEBRUARY 15 2021 STATING THAT THEY WON'T HELP ME WITH THIS REPAIR AS THE PART WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THEY DIDN'T PROVIDE ME ANSWERS TO THE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS I RAISED. IF THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT DONE PROPERLY, ISN'T VW STILL RESPONSIBILE TO FIX THE ISSUE THAT MY VEHICLE SUFFERED AND I WOULD ALSO LIKE THEM TO PROVIDE ME CLEAR ANSWERS TO THE ABOVE TWO QUESTIONS.

NHTSA ID

11396358

Incident

Feb 7, 2021

Mileage

18,090 mi

IT SUCKS IN TOO MUCH AIR AND FAILS AS IF IT HAD A SPARKPLUG FAULT IT WASTES TOO MUCH GAS AND SOMETIMES SUFFOCATES AND WANTS TO TURN OFF

NHTSA ID

11383274

Incident

Aug 12, 2020

SUCTION PUMP INSIDE GAS TANK ALLOWED GAS TO COLLECT WITHIN THE EVAPORATIVE-EMISSION SYSTEM. THIS FILLED THE CHARCOAL CANISTER FILTER WITH LIQUID GASOLINE. THIS GASOLINE SPILLED OUT INTO THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL AND ON TO THE GARAGE FLOOR. I HAD ABOUT ONE QUARTER (1/4) OF A TANK OF GAS IN THE CAR WHEN I PARKED IN MY HOME GARAGE AFTER A SHORT DRIVE TO DAIRY QUEEN TO PICK UP A BLIZZARD ICE CREAM BIRTHDAY CAKE. WHEN MY ROOMMATE PULLED INTO THE GARAGE SHE SAID SHE SMELLED GAS. I WENT BACK INTO THE GARAGE AND IT SMELLED VERY STRONGLY OF GAS. I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND THERE WAS A GOOD SIZE PUDDLE OF GAS UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE. I BACKED THE CAR OF MY HOME GARAGE AND DROVE STRAIGHT TO THE NEAREST OPEN MECHANIC SHOP. THEY REMOVED THE REAR TIRE AND THE INNER FENDER WELL. THEN WE COULD SEE THE CHARCOAL CANNISTER WAS LEAKING LIQUID GASOLINE. I CHECKED THE VIN NUMBER WITH VW ONLINE AND THERE WAS RECALLS FOR 2015-2016 VW GTI BUT THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE MY CAR SPECIFIC VIN NUMBER. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE CANNISTER AND FUEL TANK. VW HAD A NEW PART NUMBER FOR A NEW DESIGN TANK THAT SUPERSEDED THE OLD PART NUMBER AND REQUIRED NEW GAS LINES TOO. CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRED WITH MY ONW MONEY AND SEEMS TO RUN FINE WITH NO SMELL OF GAS OR VISIBLE LEAKS. I SPOKE WITH THE VW DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR THIS MORNING AND THEN SPOKE WITH VW CUSTOMER CARE THIS AFTERNOON. THEY BOTH SAID ONCE A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED I CAN SUBMIT FOR REIMBURSEMENT. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE WITH ME IN THE CAR OR PARKED IN MY HOME GARAGE COULD HAVE INJURED MY FAMILY AND OUR DOG. *LN*JB VIN [XXX} was not included in the recall. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”

NHTSA ID

11365177

Incident

Oct 19, 2020

Mileage

47,215 mi

TURBO FAILED AFTER 65,000 MILES.

NHTSA ID

11351096

Incident

Jul 1, 2020

Mileage

65,000 mi

AT THE GAS STATION, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ALLOW FOR NORMAL FUEL UP TO OCCUR. THE PUMP NOZZLE KEEPS CLICKING OFF AND I CAN'T PUT MORE THAN 1/4 TANK OF GAS WITHOUT THE FUEL SPILLING OUT OF THE TANK FILLER NECK/TUBE. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING POWER LOSS THAT CAN BE FELT AS A SUDDEN "BUCKING" MOTION WHEN ACCELERATING NORMALLY AND AT CONSTANT CRUISE SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH. THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER DIAGNOSIS REPORTED PLUGGED EVAP CANISTER VENT LINES AND FUEL TANK AND RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT. THE CAR ONLY HAS 52,500 MILES AND I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER. MANY OWNERS OF THIS YEAR MODEL IN OTHER STATES ARE REPORTING THE EXACT SAME FUEL UP ISSUE ON INTERNET AUTO FORUMS.

NHTSA ID

11343104

Incident

Jul 31, 2020

Mileage

52,415 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALL AND HESITATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A DEFECTIVE BRAKE SUCTION CUP. THE MECHANIC LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V647000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. CLAY COOLEY VOLKSWAGEN OF PARK CITIES (5555 LEMMON AVE, DALLAS, TX 75209, (469) 240-6240) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER SUGGESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ASSISTANCE, WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.*DT *JS

NHTSA ID

11337144

Incident

Jun 22, 2020

Mileage

24,000 mi

SOMETIMES, AFTER THE CAR HAS WARMED UP AND UNDER HARD ACCELERATION THERE IS A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE LOWER ENGINE AREA. THE VW DEALER INVESTIGATED AND CONFIRMED IT IS THE FUEL LINES RATTLING THAT IS MAKING THE NOISE. THEY TRIED TO INSERT SOME DAMPENING MATERIAL TO SECURE THE FUEL LINES BUT THE NOISE PERSISTS.

NHTSA ID

11160616

Incident

Dec 1, 2018

Mileage

40,000 mi

I GOT A RECALL LETTER FROM VOLKSWAGEN REGARDING SUCTION PUMP IN EARLY NOVEMBER 2016. I IMMEDIATELY ASKED FOR AN APPOINTMENT AND FIRST DEALER IN FAIR LAWN, NEW JERSEY GAVE ME THE APPOINTMENT 2 WEEKS LATER THEN AGAIN RESCHEDULED TO 12/10/2016. UNFORTUNATELY, TODAY I CALLED AGAIN BUT PART IS STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY WILL HAVE IT. I EVEN ASKED VOLKSWAGEN TO SWAP MY CAR WITH ANOTHER VOLKSWAGEN BUT THEY ASKED MORE MONEY AND REJECTED MY OFFER. WE STILL SMELL GAS IN THE CAR AND WE ARE SCARED. NOW, MY AND MY FAMILY'S LIFE UNDER RISK. WHO WILL BE RESPONSIBLE IF CAR GOT FIRE AND WE ALL DIE..PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT TO DO AND HOW TO GIVE THIS CAR BACK WITHOUT ANY COST TO ME?

NHTSA ID

10934176

Incident

Dec 9, 2016

DEALER PERFORMED RECALL SERVICE FOR SAFETY RECALL 16V647 - SUCTION PUMP. FOLLOWING SERVICE SERVICE STATION PUMP TRIPS OFF AFTER FILLING SMALL AMOUNT OF GAS AND GAS GAUGE IS INOPERATIVE. DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO CORRECTLY PROBLEM IN 3 SERVICE VISITS. COMPLAINT IS 2-FOLD: (1) DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO CARRY OUT SAFETY RECALL SERVICE CORRECTLY. (2) INABILITY TO MEASURE FUEL LEVEL IS A SAFETY HAZARD.

NHTSA ID

10927245

Incident

Nov 4, 2016

Mileage

7,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL NEAR THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,000.

NHTSA ID

10907164

Incident

Sep 9, 2016

Mileage

1,000 mi