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Your vehicleHome›Volkswagen›Golf / GTI› 2016
Volkswagen · Midsize Hatchback

2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

Electric Gas
Compact Cars
9 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
F
Safety Signal
46 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Counts recalls, not crash safety — this vehicle earned 5 of 5 stars from NHTSA. A much-recalled best-seller scores low here; see the methodology.
Recalls1 critical 14
Complaints5 crash · 14 injured reported 237
Crash ratingNHTSA overall 5★
EV rangebest configuration, EPA 83 mi
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 29 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI is sold in the U.S. as an electric and gas midsize hatchback with 9 EPA-rated configurations. Its longest-range version, the e-Golf, is EPA-rated at 83 miles with 116 MPGe combined efficiency. NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 237 complaints, most often about the fuel/propulsion system. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Volkswagen Golf GTI — photograph via Wikimedia Commons
Volkswagen Golf GTI · Photo: Charles01 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombRangekWh/100miCharge (240V)Annual fuel*
e-GolfElectricFWD85 kW AC PMSM126105116 MPGe83 mi29.23.7 h$650
GolfGasFWD1.8L 4-cyl turbo253529———$2,300
GolfGasFWD1.8L 4-cyl turbo253629———$2,300
Golf SportWagenGasFWD1.8L 4-cyl turbo253429———$2,300
GTIGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo253328———$2,400
GTIGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo253428———$2,400
Golf SportWagenGasFWD1.8L 4-cyl turbo253528———$2,400
Golf RGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo233025———$3,300
Golf RGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo223125———$3,300

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 36834, 36575, 36576, 36587, 36573, 36574, 36588, 36401, 36402.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
e-Golf10 / 10Federal Tier 3 Bin 0All 50 states (federal, all altitudes)SmartWay Elite
GTI, Golf, Golf SportWagen9 / 10Bin 2 / PZEVAll 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standardsSmartWay
Golf R5–6 / 10Bin 5 / LEV-II ULEVAll 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body styleHatchback/Liftback/Notchback
Doors4
GVWR classClass 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)

Engine Basics

Cylinders4
Displacement1.8 L

Engine Output

Horsepower170 hp

Fuel Economy

FuelGasoline

Transmission

TransmissionManual/Standard
Transmission speeds5

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: 1.8 TSI S, SE, SEL, Limited Ed./TDI S, SE, SEL, 2.0T Base, Performace Pkg. S, SE, Autobahn, Base, S, Base, S, SE , SEL/TDI S, SE SEL). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada
Length167.3–179.5 in
Width (body, without mirrors)70.5–70.9 in
Height56.7–58.3 in
Wheelbase103.5 in
Track, front60.6–61.0 in
Track, rear59.4–59.8 in
Curb weight2,906–3,186 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear59/41 to 60/40

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 6 configurations: 2-door Hatch, 2-door Hatch 1.8 Tsi, 4-door / R Hatch, 4-door Hatch 1.8 Tsi, 4-door Hatch Tdi, 4-door Wagon/Tdi Wagon. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

Also on file Beside the 2016 Golf / GTI
Head to head vs the 2016 Toyota Prius v Other years The 2027 Golf / GTI Recalls Volkswagen recalls
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Factory warranty running out?

The 2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI is in the years where high-voltage electronics and module repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.

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Recalls (14)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

VW: 20UF/AUDI:20YF
261,257 vehicles 57% reported repaired
Problem 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. Fix 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 re
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 24V110000 reported Feb 14, 2024 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Visibility/Wiper

91EN
5 vehicles 40% reported repaired
Problem 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. Fix 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 with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 22V831000 reported Nov 9, 2022 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Air Bags

69DY, 61C1
1,216 vehicles 63% reported repaired
Problem 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. Fix 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 with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 22V543000 reported Jul 27, 2022 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Steering

37M2
679,027 vehicles 49% reported repaired built Mar 29, 2014 – Jul 23, 2015
Problem 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. Fix 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 with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 19V615000 reported Aug 22, 2019 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Suspension

42J5
56,173 vehicles 90% reported repaired built Jan 14, 2015 – Oct 27, 2018
Problem 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. Fix 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 with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 19V188000 reported Mar 6, 2019 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Steering

37L5
33,168 vehicles 77% reported repaired built Mar 28, 2014 – Jul 22, 2017
Problem 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. Fix 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 with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 18V464000 reported Jul 11, 2018 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Unknown Or Other

01C5/01C6
252 vehicles 78% reported repaired built Mar 2, 2011 – Nov 8, 2014
Problem 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. Risk If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury. Fix Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 18V329000 reported May 16, 2018 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Air Bags

VW: 69P4; Audi 69P2
5,947 vehicles 86% reported repaired built Jul 27, 2016 – Aug 9, 2016
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly. Risk In the event of a crash, if the air bags and/or the seat belt pretensioners do not inflate or function properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury. Fix Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bags and seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 16V955000 reported Dec 29, 2016 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Engine And Engine Cooling

20Y6/20Y5
110,042 vehicles
Problem 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. Risk As fuel accumulates in the EVAP system, it may leak out through the charcoal canister filter element. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. Fix Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. The recall began November 2016. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298, Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 20Y6 and 20Y5. This recall has been fully superseded by recall 24V-110.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 16V647000 reported Sep 7, 2016 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Latches/Locks/Linkages

58C9
5,658 vehicles 78% reported repaired built Nov 25, 2015 – Jan 28, 2016
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 CC vehicles manufactured January 12, 2016, to February 3, 2016, Golf R and Tiguan vehicles manufactured November 25, 2015, to January 28, 2016, and e-Golf vehicles manufactured November 25, 2015, to January 11, 2016. Vibrations, such as those created by opening and closing a vehicle door, may cause the rear child door locks to disengage, allowing a child to open a rear door while inside the vehicle. Risk If an unrestrained child unexpectedly opens a door, they may fall from the vehicle increasing their risk of injury. Fix Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the child lock(s), free of charge. The recall began on August 22, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 58C9.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 16V464000 reported Jun 24, 2016 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

15F7
55 vehicles 80% reported repaired built Nov 5, 2015 – Nov 11, 2015
Problem 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. Risk A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire. Fix Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the cylinder heads, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 15F7.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 16V403000 reported Jun 6, 2016 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
○minor

Equipment

01B5
11 vehicles 82% reported repaired built Mar 17, 2016 – Mar 23, 2016
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 Golf R vehicles manufactured March 17, 2016 to March 23, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with a Federal Certification Label that lists an incorrect rear axle weight limit. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification." Risk The listed weight limit is low enough that the vehicle owner may ignore the weight limits and overload the vehicle and exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), thereby increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected certification label, free of charge. The recall began July 2016. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01B5.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 16V337000 reported May 23, 2016 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Engine And Engine Cooling

93B4
5,561 vehicles 91% reported repaired built May 21, 2014 – Mar 1, 2016
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 e-Golf vehicles manufactured May 21, 2014, to March 1, 2016. Oversensitive diagnostics for the high-voltage battery management system may falsely detect an electrical surge resulting in the vehicle's electric drive motor shutting down unexpectedly. Risk An unexpected vehicle shutdown can increase the risk of a crash. Fix Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will update the battery management software, free of charge. The recall began March 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 93B4.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 16V138000 reported Mar 7, 2016 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

23R1
91,867 vehicles 93% reported repaired built Nov 20, 2014 – Jul 17, 2015
Problem 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. Risk If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 15V705000 reported Oct 26, 2015 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

NHTSA defect investigations

Fuel System, Gasoline — Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647) closed

On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (MY) 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced SJP Version 1.0 with an improved version, Version 1.1. The SJP is designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system. VW’s recall filing stated the SJP may have been damaged during assembly, which c

Opened Dec 12, 2023 · closed Jul 1, 2024 · action RQ23007 · the investigation’s page →

Electrical System:Propulsion System — Pedestrian alert sounds closed

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021. On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject mat

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005 · the investigation’s page →

Whether any of this applies to one specific Golf / GTI

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2016 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Volkswagen publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →Volkswagen’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.

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Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
237complaints filed

5 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 14 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2015: 2 · 2016: 19 · 2017: 14 · 2018: 22 · 2019: 30 · 2020: 33 · 2021: 26 · 2022: 23 · 2023: 30 · 2024: 23 · 2025: 9 · 2026: 6

Most-cited components

Fuel/Propulsion System → 63
Engine → 55
Unspecified 43
Electrical System 28
Air Bags 28
Structure 12

In depth: fuel system problems → · engine problems →

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

Two miles into my morning commute, I accelerated to 65 mph when the following message appeared on the instrument display "Error: electrical system. Stop!" At the same time, the vehicle lost all electrical motor drive and began to coast and decelerate.
Engine Oct 14, 2022 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11489309
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - fuel system/gas tank - yes How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk?
Fuel/Propulsion System Dec 2, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11628365
While the vehicle is attached to A/C power for charging, the forced air heating system does not warm the car. This can leave the occupants without heat for an extended period of time while charging in a remote location which could be life threatening.
Electrical System Nov 20, 2022 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11494331
Chrome trim around the shifter began peeling and exposed sharp edges. Sharp edges of raised trim are close to a storage cubby so there is a risk of touching them and being cut, something which has happened to me (driver). Issue has not been inspected by a dealer or manufacturer etc. No warning lamps or other symptoms were present.
Structure Jul 28, 2022 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11476305
1. I believe the driver's side airbag may have failed or been disabled during a recent collision that occurred on 5/25/21. A deer struck the front end of my vehicle while traveling on a 55mph state highway. The vehicle is currently at a collision repair shop getting an estimate.
Air Bags May 27, 2021 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11418740
I discovered a coolant leak after moving my car from my garage. Brought the car to the dealership and upon their testing the thermostat housing and water pump were determined to be defective. It appears Volkswagen has modified the part to compensate for this design flaw. The car was stationary.
Power Train at 56,117 miles Mar 8, 2021 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11399858

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by Volkswagen itself: 126 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 140 injured, as claimed, not verified. Every Golf / GTI model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

When owners reported it

Reported at 34k

miles, typically

Half the 123 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 16,000 and 50,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.

under 10k 27
10k–20k 9
20k–30k 14
30k–40k 22
40k–50k 21
50k–60k 7
60k–70k 10
70k–80k 5
80k–90k 5
90k–100k 1
100k–150k 2
150k + 0

Median mileage by component

ComponentReportsMedian milesVs same age
Engine2847,0000.76×
Fuel/Propulsion System2236,0180.77×
Air Bags2241,0000.97×
Electrical System2129,0000.64×
Unspecified2030,000—
Power Train1447,0000.9×

Vs same age is this model year’s median for the system divided by the median of every 2016-model-year complaint about the same system, all makes: under 1× means owners of this car reported it at lower mileage. Here, owners reported earlier than same-age vehicles: electrical system (0.64×). Which systems go early across the whole fleet: the component study.

Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
2 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆11%
2 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆11%
4 DR AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆13%
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆13%
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆13%
SW FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆13%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Extended coverage on file 2 filings by the manufacturer with NHTSA naming this model year

The term and the vehicles it covers are the manufacturer’s, as NHTSA’s summary of each filing states them; a dealer checks one particular car by its VIN. Every Volkswagen warranty extension (9) → · Every warranty extension on file, all makes →

Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 3,422
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-09-17
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 3351 service bulletins, 51 others, 18 warranty extensions

Most often about: Equipment, Engine, Electrical System, Visibility/Wiper, Power Train.

  • V0116152014815_20 Service bulletin
    2026-09-17 · Engine
  • Suggested fuel additive
  • 2026-09-09 · Unknown Or Other
  • This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
  • 2026-08-06 · Unknown Or Other
  • Permission to change Daily Order upgraded to RED Order
  • V0026012081638_2 Service bulletin
    2026-08-04 · Unknown Or Other
  • Differences between a leak and seepage
  • V4823022072282_3 Service bulletin
    2026-08-03 · Steering
  • Clean and install an additional plastic "ring" to prevent ingress of dirt,hair. Foreign bodies into the clock spring.
  • VOS-26-42 Service bulletin
    2026-07-15 · Electrical System
  • This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the issue: DA 0019 - Hotfix 12-V battery test(s) – No battery diagnosis - Inconclusive test result.
  • V1718062017813_24 Service bulletin
    2026-07-09 · Engine
  • Oil Consumption Measurement and Electronic Oil Consumption Measurement
  • TT 13-20-01_3 Service bulletin
    2026-06-18 · Engine
  • Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints

Codes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.

CodeWhat it meansMost often filed underWhere it appears
P013E
P013E on Volkswagen →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Equipment75 bulletins
P0420
P0420 on Volkswagen →		The catalytic converter on bank 1 is not cleaning up the exhaust as well as it should.Equipment · Catalytic converter →57 bulletins
P0430
P0430 on Volkswagen →		The catalytic converter on bank 2 is not cleaning up the exhaust as well as it should.Equipment · Catalytic converter →57 bulletins
P2407
P2407 on Volkswagen →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Equipment33 bulletins
P309D
P309D on Volkswagen →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Equipment26 bulletins
P309F
P309F on Volkswagen →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Equipment26 bulletins
P0456
P0456 on Volkswagen →		A very small leak in the evaporative emissions system.Visibility/Wiper · Gas cap →20 bulletins
P164B
P164B on Volkswagen →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Equipment15 bulletins
P0496
P0496 on Volkswagen →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Visibility/Wiper · Wiper blades →14 bulletins
P0011
P0011 on Volkswagen →		Camshaft timing on bank 1 is more advanced than commanded.Equipment11 bulletins
P0016
P0016 on Volkswagen →		The crankshaft and camshaft are not where they should be relative to each other — timing, chain or phaser.Equipment11 bulletins
P0100Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Fuel/Propulsion System · Fuel pump →11 bulletins

Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.

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At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI failed the emissions check on 4.6% of first inspections — close to the 4.2% for every 2016 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 2.4% (every 2016 vehicle: 2.2%).

New York inspections 4.6%

failed emissions

1,630 initial inspections of 1,586 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2016 Golf / GTIEvery 2016 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check4.6%4.2%1,594
Failed the safety inspection2.4%2.2%1,630
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0.18%0.27%1,630
Miles driven a year9,12710,028odometer at inspection
Average odometer93,637103,109odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2016 vehicle” is every 2016 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

Compare the 2016 Golf / GTI with

Any vehicle, your weights →
Head-to-headVerdict
2016 Toyota Prius v · Midsize Hatchback · grade AGolf / GTI +4.6

Golf / GTI by model year

all years, side by side →
Year Safety Recalls Complaints
2027 A 0 0 28 mpg2026 A 0 4 27 mpg2025 A 1 0 27 mpg2024 B 2 41 27 mpg2023 C 5 23 28 mpg2022 C 6 119 28 mpg2021 A 2 11 33 mpg2020 B 3 14 32 mpg2019 D 7 284 Do not drive2018 F 10 76 Do not drive2017 D 7 301 125 mi2016 this page F 14 237 83 mi

Common questions about the 2016 Golf / GTI

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 14 recall campaigns for the 2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI, 1 of them rated critical. The most serious on file is 22V543000, covering Air Bags. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI?

NHTSA gave the 2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI 5 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 4-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 4-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it F (46/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI?

Across the 9 EPA-rated configurations of the 2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI, the best EPA combined figure is 29 mpg (MPGe on the electrified versions) and the longest EPA range is 83 miles on a charge. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI?

Transport Canada measured it at 167.3–179.5 in long, 70.5–70.9 in wide (body, without mirrors), 56.7–58.3 in tall, on a 103.5 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 2,906–3,186 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI?

Owners have filed 237 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI, most often about fuel/propulsion system, engine, unspecified. Of those, 5 involved a crash, 14 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI?

The EPA smog rating for the 2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI runs 5 to 10 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — Bin 2, Bin 5, Federal Tier 3 Bin 0, LEV-II ULEV, PZEV — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI?

The manufacturer has filed 3422 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI, most often covering equipment, engine, electrical system. The most recent is dated 2026-09-17. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI failed the emissions check on 4.6% of first inspections — close to the 4.2% for every 2016 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 2.4% (every 2016 vehicle: 2.2%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

Is the 2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI better than the 2016 Toyota Prius v?

The Volkswagen Golf / GTI edges it, 71.6 to 67, on fuel & range, performance. The Toyota Prius v is ahead on safety. Raise the safety weight from 4 to 4.8 and it flips. We publish a full side-by-side of the 2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI against the 2016 Toyota Prius v — specifications by family, equipment feature by feature, safety record and ownership costs. You can re-weight what matters to you and the verdict recalculates.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations9 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates9 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls14NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints237NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings6 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins3422NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations2NHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationOpen and closed defect investigations, with the agency's own narrative.
Driver-assist crash reportsnoneNHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like.
Specifications filed with NHTSA9 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions7 fieldsTransport Canada, Canadian Vehicle SpecificationsLength, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Where to go next

pages beside this one
Head to head 2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI vs 2016 Toyota Prius v Scored on price, fuel, safety, space, performance and warranty — the weights are yours.Other years The 2027 Golf / GTI The Golf / GTI model year with the cleanest record on file — grade A, 0 recalls.Recalls Every Volkswagen recall on file All campaigns filed against Volkswagen vehicles, newest first, with the manufacturer's own number.Recall Watch Watch this Golf / GTI by VIN Give it the VIN and you hear the night a campaign is filed — from $29 a month for a lot, free for ten.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

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