2016 Volkswagen Golf Reliability & Problems
By Adrian V. LockhartUpdated All 85 NHTSA owner reports researched and classified
Owner complaints
85
2 report a crash, fire, injury or death
Recalls
9
None urgent
Most common problem
24%
of complaints: fuel leaks
Complaints per year filed
2015–2025 · peak 18
In short
Serious known problemsThe 2016 Volkswagen Golf has serious known problems: 20 owner complaints (24%) describe fuel leaks, a safety-critical failure. NHTSA has 85 owner complaints for this model year, and 2 report a crash, fire, injury or death. Owners mostly notice leaks when refueling or as a strong gasoline smell. This model year has 9 recalls.
Reliability
How Reliable Is the 2016 Volkswagen Golf?
This model year has serious known problems because of fuel leaks. About 1 in 4 owner complaints describe them, and they are rated critical because leaking gasoline is a safety risk. Most of the other complaints are spread thinly across other topics, so fuel leaks are the one problem that stands out for this Golf. Very few complaints mention a crash, fire, injury or death, which is worth knowing, but a fuel leak is still something to act on quickly.
Owners describe gasoline smelling strong, fuel pooling in the rear wheel well, gasoline dripping from the rear bumper area, and fuel splashing back or the pump shutting off while refueling. Several say the problem started after engine hesitation at higher speeds, and some saw no warning at all before it failed. Repair notes mention the EVAP canister, the purge valve and the charcoal filter being proposed or ordered. Because these reports describe similar symptoms, they point to one recurring fuel-system issue rather than many separate ones.
Two recalls in this model year deal with the fuel tank. Recall 16V647000 says that, due to a problem with the suction pump inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system, and dealers will replace the suction pump free of charge. Recall 24V110000 says a problem with a suction jet pump seal may let fuel flow into the EVAP system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister, and dealers will replace the suction pump free of charge. NHTSA also opened an investigation into the remedy of the first recall, and it closed with the second one. A separate recall covers a fuel rail that may detach from the cylinder head, and the fix is replacing the cylinder heads. Owners did not report enough repair outcomes to say whether the fixes worked, so complaints can't tell you if a recalled car is now free of the problem.
There are too few mileage reports for fuel leaks to say whether they appear early or late, so the odometer is not a dependable guide here. A low-mileage car can still have the problem, and a high-mileage car that has been fine is not guaranteed to stay that way. The better check is the car's recall history and a close look for fuel smells or stains.
Complaint counts show what owners chose to report, not how many cars are affected, and they can't show how a particular car was maintained or whether its recalls were done. If you are shopping for one, treat completed fuel recalls and a clean inspection of the rear of the car as the main conditions for buying. Other recalls on this model year, such as the rear coil springs and the key removal issue, are also worth confirming with a dealer.
Top problems
The problem owners report most
Named from 85 NHTSA complaints. Open a problem for symptoms, the fix, cost and owners' accounts.
1Fuel leaksCriticalAbout 1 in 4 complaints38,000–70,800 mi
Owners describe a heavy gasoline smell, fuel pooling in the rear wheel well, gasoline leaking from the rear bumper area, and fuel splashing at the filler or the pump shutting off while refueling. Some report it after engine hesitation at high speeds, and some had no warning. Two recalls, 16V647000 and 24V110000, address fuel flowing into the EVAP system from the suction pump.
What owners describe
- Fuel pooling near rear wheel30%
- Fuel splashing back at filler30%
- Strong gasoline smell20%
- Pump keeps shutting off10%
Fix
Most common repair owners describe: evap canister and purge valve on order (2 reports). Recalls 16V403000, 16V647000, 24V110000.
Mileage
41,000 mi
Middle half 38,000–70,800 mi · 6 reports
Repair cost
—
Fewer than 10 owners report a repair cost
How common
24%
20 of 85 complaints
By engine
- 2.0L 4-cyl60%
- 1.8L 4-cyl40%
In owners' words
“The car began to smell heavily of gasoline and I found gasoline leaking from the back right bumper just in front of the tire.”
Owner in FL1.8L 4-cylFiled 2022NHTSA 11480310 “VW is not honoring the recall in my vehicle because it notes that my VIN number is not associated with the defected part”
Owner in NV2.0L 4-cylFiled 2021NHTSA 11433810 “Eventually the car had a strong gas smell, did not allow to add/fill up gas and was leaking gas at the back of the car.”
Owner in TX2.0L 4-cylFiled 2022NHTSA 11474603
Buying one
Should you buy a used 2016 Volkswagen Golf?
What to check before you buy, based on the complaint and recall data.
Before buying, ask the seller for proof that the fuel recalls 16V647000 and 24V110000 were done, and check with a Volkswagen dealer using the VIN. Look at the rear wheel wells and the ground under the back of the car for fuel stains, and notice any gasoline smell. Test a refueling stop if you can, since many owners saw fuel splash back or the pump shut off at the filler. Also confirm the other open recalls are complete.
- 1Run the VIN for open recalls. NHTSA lists 9 recalls. Check at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- 2Test-drive for fuel leaks. It's the most common safety-critical complaint, in about 1 in 4 owner complaints, usually around 41,000 miles.
- 3Get a pre-purchase inspection. An independent mechanic can spot leaks, stored fault codes and accident repairs that a test drive misses.
Volkswagen Golf model years
Which Volkswagen Golf years to avoid? Every model year compared
Early complaints are those filed in a model year's first 3 years. They follow how many were sold, so they don't show which years are better. Each tag is that year's verdict from our research of its owner complaints.
- 201157 early complaintsAvoid
- 201224 early complaintsToo few
- 201315 early complaintsToo few
- 20141 early complaintsToo few
- 201549 early complaintsCheck recall
- 2016This year20 early complaintsAvoid
- 201724 early complaintsAvoid
- 201810 early complaintsToo few
- 201946 early complaintsAvoid
- 20202 early complaintsToo few
- 20212 early complaintsToo few
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings.
| 4 DR FWD | 2 DR FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Frontal crash | ★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Side crash | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover | ★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Rollover risk | 13% | 11% |
Owning one
If you already own one
Find your symptom, see when problems tend to show up, and check which recalls apply.
Watch for a gasoline smell, wet spots near the rear wheels or bumper, fuel splashing back at the filler, and a fuel pump that keeps clicking off. A check engine light that comes and goes has also been reported. If you see fuel pooling or dripping, stop driving and have the car inspected before using it again. Ask a dealer whether recalls 16V647000 and 24V110000 were completed on your car, because both involve the fuel tank pump.
Too few reports for a symptom finder
Only 2 symptoms reached 10 reports. If something is wrong with yours, report it at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.
of complaints that list mileage (13 of 31) came in before 25,000 miles. A low odometer reading is no guarantee.
9 recalls, newest first
Open one for the risk, the remedy and what to do now.
Fuel system, gasolineDue to a problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions…Feb 14, 2024261,257 vehicles24V110000
- Defect
- Due to a problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge.
Passenger side › Inflator moduleDuring air bag deployment, the front passenger air bag may explode or deploy improperly.Jul 27, 20221,216 vehicles22V543000
- Defect
- 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the front-passenger air bag module, free of charge.
Anti-theft › Control moduleA build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition…Aug 22, 2019679,027 vehicles19V615000
- Defect
- A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."
- Risk
- Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge.
Springs › Coil springsThe rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.Mar 6, 201956,173 vehicles19V188000
- Defect
- The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.
- Risk
- If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge.
Column locking › Anti-theft deviceThe build of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition…Jul 11, 201833,168 vehicles18V464000
- Defect
- The build of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition while the vehicle shift lever is not in "Park." As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
- Risk
- Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge.
Show all 9 recallsShow fewer recalls
Unknown or otherModifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not…May 16, 2018252 vehicles18V329000
- Defect
- 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge.
Fuel system, gasolineDue to a problem with the suction pump inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system.Sep 7, 2016110,042 vehicles16V647000
- Defect
- 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge.
Fuel injection system › Fuel railIn the affected vehicles, the fuel rail may detach from the cylinder head and result in a fuel leak.Jun 6, 201655 vehicles16V403000
- Defect
- 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the cylinder heads, free of charge.
Engine and engine cooling › EngineIn the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of…Oct 26, 201591,867 vehicles15V705000
- Defect
- 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.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software.
What to do
Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If a recall is open, any dealer will fix it free. For NHTSA's full record of a campaign, search its number there (for example 24V110000).
Reliability history
Volkswagen Golf reliability by year
Complaints filed in each model year's first 3 years, by trouble spot. Darker cells have more complaints; counts aren't adjusted for how many were sold each year.
| Trouble spot | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission & drivetrain | 2011 Transmission & drivetrain: 17 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2012 Transmission & drivetrain: 6 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2013 Transmission & drivetrain: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2014 Transmission & drivetrain: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2015 Transmission & drivetrain: 6 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2016 Transmission & drivetrain: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2017 Transmission & drivetrain: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2018 Transmission & drivetrain: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2019 Transmission & drivetrain: 13 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2020 Transmission & drivetrain: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2021 Transmission & drivetrain: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. |
| Engine | 2011 Engine: 12 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2012 Engine: 8 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2013 Engine: 6 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2014 Engine: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2015 Engine: 15 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2016 Engine: 5 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2017 Engine: 3 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2018 Engine: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2019 Engine: 32 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2020 Engine: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2021 Engine: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. |
| Fuel system & stalling | 2011 Fuel system & stalling: 27 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2012 Fuel system & stalling: 10 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2013 Fuel system & stalling: 8 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2014 Fuel system & stalling: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2015 Fuel system & stalling: 8 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2016 Fuel system & stalling: 6 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2017 Fuel system & stalling: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2018 Fuel system & stalling: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2019 Fuel system & stalling: 6 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2020 Fuel system & stalling: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2021 Fuel system & stalling: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. |
| Electrical | 2011 Electrical: 6 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2012 Electrical: 3 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2013 Electrical: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2014 Electrical: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2015 Electrical: 9 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2016 Electrical: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2017 Electrical: 4 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2018 Electrical: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2019 Electrical: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2020 Electrical: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2021 Electrical: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. |
| Driver aids & stability | 2011 Driver aids & stability: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2012 Driver aids & stability: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2013 Driver aids & stability: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2014 Driver aids & stability: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2015 Driver aids & stability: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2016 Driver aids & stability: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2017 Driver aids & stability: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2018 Driver aids & stability: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2019 Driver aids & stability: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2020 Driver aids & stability: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2021 Driver aids & stability: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. |
| Brakes | 2011 Brakes: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2012 Brakes: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2013 Brakes: 3 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2014 Brakes: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2015 Brakes: 4 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2016 Brakes: 3 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2017 Brakes: 3 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2018 Brakes: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2019 Brakes: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2020 Brakes: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2021 Brakes: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. |
| Steering | 2011 Steering: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2012 Steering: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2013 Steering: 4 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2014 Steering: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2015 Steering: 3 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2016 Steering: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2017 Steering: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2018 Steering: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2019 Steering: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2020 Steering: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2021 Steering: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. |
| Suspension | 2011 Suspension: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2012 Suspension: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2013 Suspension: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2014 Suspension: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2015 Suspension: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2016 Suspension: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2017 Suspension: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2018 Suspension: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2019 Suspension: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2020 Suspension: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2021 Suspension: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. |
| Airbags & seat belts | 2011 Airbags & seat belts: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2012 Airbags & seat belts: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2013 Airbags & seat belts: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2014 Airbags & seat belts: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2015 Airbags & seat belts: 5 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2016 Airbags & seat belts: 3 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2017 Airbags & seat belts: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2018 Airbags & seat belts: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2019 Airbags & seat belts: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2020 Airbags & seat belts: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2021 Airbags & seat belts: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. |
| Body, lights & visibility | 2011 Body, lights & visibility: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2012 Body, lights & visibility: 4 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2013 Body, lights & visibility: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2014 Body, lights & visibility: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2015 Body, lights & visibility: 6 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2016 Body, lights & visibility: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2017 Body, lights & visibility: 10 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2018 Body, lights & visibility: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2019 Body, lights & visibility: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2020 Body, lights & visibility: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2021 Body, lights & visibility: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. |
| Acceleration & speed control | 2011 Acceleration & speed control: 4 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2012 Acceleration & speed control: 3 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2013 Acceleration & speed control: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2014 Acceleration & speed control: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2015 Acceleration & speed control: 4 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2016 Acceleration & speed control: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2017 Acceleration & speed control: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2018 Acceleration & speed control: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2019 Acceleration & speed control: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2020 Acceleration & speed control: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2021 Acceleration & speed control: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. |
| Wheels & tires | 2011 Wheels & tires: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2012 Wheels & tires: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2013 Wheels & tires: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2014 Wheels & tires: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2015 Wheels & tires: 4 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2016 Wheels & tires: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2017 Wheels & tires: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2018 Wheels & tires: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2019 Wheels & tires: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2020 Wheels & tires: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2021 Wheels & tires: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. |
All problems
Every problem reported on the 2016 Golf
Every problem found in the 85 owner complaints, by area of the vehicle.
Fuel system & stalling
27 32%- Fuel leaksCritical20 24%typically at 41,000 mi41,000––
- Fuel will not go into tank when refuelingCritical8 9%–––
- Fuel odor in the cabinSerious5 6%–––
- Fuel economy far below advertised1 1%–––
Engine
19 22%- Coolant leakSerious9 11%–––
- EPC light with jerking and rough rideSerious4 5%–––
- Sudden violent shaking while driving1 1%–––
- Misfires or head gasket failureSerious1 1%–––
- Engine consumes oil1 1%–––
- Turbo problem with EPC light and power loss1 1%–––
Show 4 more engine problemsShow fewer engine problems
- Water pump failure1 1%–––
- Engine overheats1 1%–––
- Engine failure leaves car stranded1 1%–––
- Fuel pump or fuel injector failureCritical1 1%–––
Electrical
15 18%- Water leaks damaging electronicsSerious11 13%typically at 32,000 mi32,000––
- Many warning lights at onceMinor3 4%–––
- Main charging module failure leaves car unable to move1 1%–––
- Screen or infotainment glitchesMinor1 1%–––
Body, lights & visibility
7 8%- Sunroof glass shatters2 2%–––
- Shifter trim separates and leaves sharp edges2 2%–––
- Passenger door opens on its own1 1%–––
- Headlight bulb cannot be changed without major disassembly1 1%–––
- Rear door locks stop working1 1%–––
Airbags & seat belts
5 6%- Clockspring failure disables steering wheel controls and airbagCritical4 5%–––
- Airbag warning light stays onSerious3 4%–––
- Airbag deploys with excessive force1 1%–––
Wheels & tires
3 4%- Rear tire sidewall blowout1 1%–––
- Wheel speed sensor fault triggers false warnings1 1%–––
- All steering wheel controls stop working1 1%–––
Brakes
2 2%- Brake pedal sinks or brakes failCritical2 2%–––
Suspension
2 2%- Rear coil spring breaks2 2%–––
Acceleration & speed control
2 2%- Cruise control does not cancel when clutch is pressed1 1%–––
- Sudden or unintended accelerationCritical1 1%–––
Steering
1 1%- Power steering twitches while driving1 1%–––
34 problems found in all 85 complaints. One complaint can describe more than one problem, so counts add up to more than the total. Not counted as a defect: 3 about recall paperwork or parts delays, 1 describing no vehicle defect. Typical miles, repair cost and fix rate show only when enough owners report them.
The data
Behind the numbers
Every figure comes from NHTSA's complaint file and APIs.
- Complaints
- 85
- Recalls
- 9
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Deaths
- 0
Crashes and fires count complaints that report one; injuries and deaths count people.
Complaints by engine
Decoded from the partial VINs owners include. Not adjusted for how many of each engine were sold.
FAQ
2016 Volkswagen Golf questions
Is the 2016 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
The 2016 Volkswagen Golf has serious known problems. 24% of its 85 NHTSA complaints (20) describe fuel leaks, and an NHTSA investigation into fuel leaks from suction jet pump failure within the fuel tank (RQ23007) matches a top complaint. 2 complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death.
What are the most common 2016 Volkswagen Golf problems?
Fuel leaks are the most common problem, in 20 of 85 owner complaints (about 1 in 4). Owners also report fuel that will not go into the tank when refueling (8 complaints), coolant leaks (9) and water leaks damaging electronics (11). Fuel system and stalling is the biggest trouble spot at 32% of complaints.
How many recalls does the 2016 Volkswagen Golf have?
The 2016 Volkswagen Golf has 9 recalls, and none carries a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. They cover the fuel tank suction pump (16V647000, 24V110000), the fuel rail (16V403000), the front passenger air bag module (22V543000), key removal outside Park (19V615000, 18V464000), rear coil springs (19V188000), regulatory compliance (18V329000) and loss of brake assist (15V705000). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Does the 2016 Volkswagen Golf have fuel leak problems?
Yes, fuel leaks are the main complaint, with 20 owner complaints (24%), and they are rated critical. Owners describe a heavy gasoline smell, fuel pooling in the rear wheel well, and fuel splashing at the filler or the pump shutting off while refueling. If you see fuel pooling or dripping, stop driving and have the car inspected.
What should I check before buying a 2016 Volkswagen Golf?
Ask the seller for proof that recalls 16V647000 (fuel tank suction pump) and 24V110000 (suction jet pump seal) were done, and confirm with a Volkswagen dealer using the VIN. Look at the rear wheel wells and the ground under the back of the car for fuel stains, and notice any gasoline smell. Also confirm the other recalls are complete.
Is the 2016 Volkswagen Golf safe?
NHTSA gives the 2016 Volkswagen Golf 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. The ratings are the same for the 4 DR FWD and 2 DR FWD. Fuel leaks, however, are a safety concern for this model year.
Which Volkswagen Golf years should you avoid?
Avoid the 2010–2011, 2016–2017 and 2019 Volkswagen Golf: owner complaints for those years show serious known problems. For the 2015, make sure the recall repairs were done: an urgent recall matters more than its complaint pattern. The 2012–2014, 2018 and 2020–2021 have too few complaints to judge. Every model year is compared on the Volkswagen Golf years-to-avoid page.
Methodology
How we researched this
- Complaints. NHTSA's owner complaint file, counted as unique complaint numbers for make VOLKSWAGEN, model GOLF, model year 2016. Data through Oct 4, 2026.
- Verdict. Judged from this model year's own complaints, not against other models, using shares rather than counts. Serious known problems: one serious problem (transmission, engine or stalling, steering, brakes, airbags, fire, fuel leaks) is in a quarter or more of complaints; or a smaller but clear cluster comes with an unusual share of crash, fire, injury or loss-of-power reports or early failures; or an urgent recall or NHTSA investigation matches a top complaint. Some known problems: one of those signals on its own. No pattern of serious problems: none of them; this doesn't mean the vehicle is trouble-free. Too few complaints to judge: under 50 complaints. Why this verdict: 24% of complaints (20) describe fuel leaks; An NHTSA investigation into fuel leak due to suction jet pump failure within fuel tank (remedy effectiveness of recall 16v647) (RQ23007, closed with recall 24V110), matching a top complaint.
- No grade or class ranking. Raw complaint counts favor models that sell fewer cars, so we don't score or rank this vehicle against other models until we can adjust for sales.
- Trouble spots and history. Complaints grouped by the part owners chose when filing. The history grid counts complaints filed in each model year's first 3 years so older and newer years compare fairly; years with fewer than 3 complete years are marked too new.
- Named problems. Every one of the 85 complaints was researched and classified by its problems, severity, symptoms, repairs and any cost the owner mentions; the counts, costs and fix rates on this page are tallies of those classifications. Quotes are verbatim excerpts, checked against the original text. Engines are decoded from partial VINs with NHTSA's vPIC service.
- Repair costs and fix rates. Shown only when at least 10 owners report a repair cost, or at least 10 complaints describe whether a repair worked.
- Not adjusted for sales. Not affiliated with NHTSA. Page updated Oct 12, 2026.