Does the 2016 Volkswagen Golf have recalls?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2016 Volkswagen Golf, including Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module; Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine; Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-Theft › Control Module. Recalls are matched by model year, so check your exact VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

What are the most common 2016 Volkswagen Golf problems?

Owners filed 85 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are fuel/propulsion system (29), engine (18), air bags (10), electrical system (8).

How much does a 2016 Volkswagen Golf cost to own for 5 years?

About $36,353 over 5 years ($606/month) at an estimated $9,000 purchase price and 12,000 miles a year, including depreciation, insurance, fuel, maintenance, repairs, loan interest and taxes. Run a VIN report to personalize it.

2016 Volkswagen Golf

The 2016 Volkswagen Golf earns a fair Throttlebook Ownership Score of 63/100. Expect about $36,353 to own it for five years, or $606 a month. NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns that may apply, so check the exact VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy. Owners have filed 85 complaints.

Recalls: 9
Complaints: 85
5-yr cost: $36k
MPG (EPA): 29

Fair

Ownership Score

2016 Volkswagen Golf vs nearby years

Compare this year with the model years next to it on the same hub.

Looking at a specific Golf?

Paste its VIN for the exact trim, recalls that may apply, and a Fits / Stretch / Not yet verdict for your budget. Free.

9 recalls may apply

For the 2016 Volkswagen Golf. NHTSA matches recalls by model and year — confirm by VIN.

What's wrong: 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.

Check recalls for this exact VIN at NHTSA

Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.

5-year cost to own

Estimated $9,000 price, 20% down, 11.19% APR for 60 months (Experian avg.), 12,000 mi/yr.

$36,353

$606/month · $0.61/mile

Depreciation	$2,037
Insurance (national avg.)	$12,000
Fuel / charging	$6,930
Maintenance	$7,320
Repairs	$4,000
Loan interest	$2,526
Taxes & fees	$1,540

Estimate, not financial advice. How we calculate.

Owner complaints & safety

What real owners reported to NHTSA for this model year.

85 complaints1 involved a crash

Fuel/Propulsion System29
Engine18
Unknown Or Other14
Air Bags10
Electrical System8
Structure7

Complaint counts scale with how many were sold; compare against similar models.

NHTSA crash-test stars

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
Frontal: 4 out of 5 stars
Side: 5 out of 5 stars
Rollover: 4 out of 5 stars

Rated as: 2016 Volkswagen Golf 4 DR FWD

What to check on a used 2016 Volkswagen Golf

Ordered by what owners of this model year reported most. Reports are not proof of a defect.

Engine and transmission
- Cold start: listen for knocking, ticking or rough running.
- Shifts should be smooth with no slipping or jerking.
Airbags
- The airbag light should come on at start-up and then go out.
- Ask for proof that any airbag recalls were completed.
Electrical and lights
- Test every window, lock, light and wiper.
- Watch for warning lights that stay on after start-up.

If anything in a safety area feels wrong (brakes, steering, airbags, tires), stop driving and get it inspected before you buy or drive it further. Paste a VIN above for the full printable checklist.

Common 2016 Volkswagen Golf problems

Cheaper alternatives

FAQ

Is the 2016 Volkswagen Golf a good car to buy?: The 2016 Volkswagen Golf earns a fair Throttlebook Ownership Score of 63/100. Expect about $36,353 to own it for five years, or $606 a month. NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns that may apply, so check the exact VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy. Owners have filed 85 complaints.
Does the 2016 Volkswagen Golf have recalls?: NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2016 Volkswagen Golf, including Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module; Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine; Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-Theft › Control Module. Recalls are matched by model year, so check your exact VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
What are the most common 2016 Volkswagen Golf problems?: Owners filed 85 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are fuel/propulsion system (29), engine (18), air bags (10), electrical system (8).
How much does a 2016 Volkswagen Golf cost to own for 5 years?: About $36,353 over 5 years ($606/month) at an estimated $9,000 purchase price and 12,000 miles a year, including depreciation, insurance, fuel, maintenance, repairs, loan interest and taxes. Run a VIN report to personalize it.

Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and NCAP ratings; EPA fueleconomy.gov. Data refreshed weekly. Complaint counts scale with sales volume.