The Lemon Index2016 Volkswagen Golf.
The 2016 Volkswagen Golf is worse than average by owner complaints: 87 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 139, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 9 recalls, and it gets 25 to 29 mpg combined. The best Volkswagen Golf year is 2014.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 237 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Volkswagen Golf year. 2016 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 12K to 49K miles on the car (125 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 2K–56K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 32K–49K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 1K–48K miles
Recalls 9
- fuel system, gasoline 2024
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.
- airbags 2022
During air bag deployment, the front passenger air bag may explode or deploy improperly.
- electrical 2019
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.".
Show all 9 recalls
- suspension 2019
The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.
- steering 2018
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 requiremen…
- unknown or other 2018
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.
- fuel system, gasoline 2016
Due to a problem with the suction pump inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system.
- fuel system, gasoline 2016
In the affected vehicles, the fuel rail may detach from the cylinder head and result in a fuel leak.
- engine 2015
In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Volkswagen told dealers about
Volkswagen sent dealers 911 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Tech Tips (Comfort Module (J393) or BCM (J519) Replacement): This document informs if a…
- Mil-on, fault p309f or p309d, no electric drive mode mil-on, fault p013e in the ecm customer…
- Informational publication discribing the manufacturing use of rust inhibitors and anti seize…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedFuel leak due to suction jet pump failure within fuel tank (remedy effectiveness of recall 16v647)2023–2024
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Golf 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Volkswagen Golf 2 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Volkswagen Golf GTI 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Volkswagen Golf GTI 2 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2200–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.8L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Clockspring failure on 2016 VW gti resulting in non functioning airbag
2016 Volkswagen Golf owner · NHTSA complaint 11133194
More owner reports
Without warning the car died in the middle of the freeway while I was driving. The engine would not restart and the car had to be towed.
NHTSA complaint 10967595
- vehicle is getting 19mpg (mostly highway). Mpg on car is well below published range of 22-31. Vw tell me that I will only get the published mpg after 9000 miles!! - carplay system is not connecting to
NHTSA complaint 10821238
Quick answers
Is the 2016 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 139; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Volkswagen Golf year by this measure is 2014.
What are the most common 2016 Volkswagen Golf problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (18%), engine (17%) and airbags (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Volkswagen Golf have?
9 safety recalls (latest: fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Volkswagen Golf get?
25 to 29 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2016 Volkswagen Golf safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2016 Volkswagen Golf problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 12,800 and 49,500 miles. The middle report was at 33,700 miles, from 125 complaints.
Does the 2016 Volkswagen Golf have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 8% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2016 Volkswagen Golf cost in fuel a year?
About $2200 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 Volkswagen Golf have?
1.8L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
What Volkswagen Golf year is better than the 2016?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2014, 2020 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works