The Verdict
Worst problem area
Fuel System
Fuel System leads by volume: 50 of 152 complaints (33%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 228 in 2015 to 152 in 2016.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 152
- Recall campaigns
- 9
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $2,150–$3,100
- Combined MPG
- 25–29
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | vs. 2016 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,400–3,100 | 2,150–3,000 | 2,150–3,100 | 2,150–3,100 | 2,150–3,200 | |
| Combined MPG | 25–32 | 26–35 | 25–29 | 25–29 | 24–29 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 21–29 / 30–39 | 23–31 / 30–43 | 22–25 / 30–36 | 22–25 / 30–36 | 21–25 / 29–34 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 315–361 | 292–343 | 305–354 | 305–354 | 309–366 | |
| Complaints filed | 22 | 228 | 152 | 169 | 46 | |
| Recalls issued | 5 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 6 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 1 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 2 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 41 | 11 | 7 | 4 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Volkswagen Golf/GTI have?
9 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2016 Volkswagen Golf/GTI?
Fuel System: 50 of 152 NHTSA complaints (33%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Volkswagen Golf/GTI get?
EPA rates it 25–29 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Volkswagen Golf/GTI?
EPA estimates $2,150–$3,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (9)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AM-S6) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 23 mpg | 30 mpg (low) | 25 mpg (low) | $3,100 (high) | 347 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 22 mpg (low) | 31 mpg | 25 mpg (low) | $3,100 (high) | 354 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (AM-S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 25 mpg (high) | 33 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,200 | 319 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 25 mpg (high) | 34 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,200 | 311 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 25 mpg (high) | 35 mpg | 29 mpg (high) | $2,150 (low) | 309 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 25 mpg (high) | 36 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | $2,150 (low) | 305 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 25 mpg (high) | 34 mpg | 29 mpg (high) | $2,150 (low) | 310 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 25 mpg (high) | 35 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,200 | 313 g/mi |
| Configuration 9 | Automatic (A1) | — | — | Front-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Compact Cars | 126 MPGe | 105 MPGe | 116 MPGe | $650 | 0 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 38 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 13 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 50 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 15 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 13 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 24 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (9)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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. 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 replaces previous recall number 16V-647.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
- Defect
- 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."
- Consequence
- 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
- 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.
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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
- 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.
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
- Defect
- 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."
- Consequence
- 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
- 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.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
- Remedy
- 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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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
- 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.