2016 Volkswagen Golf fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

24 owners have reported fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion problems with the 2016 Volkswagen Golf, 39% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 38,509 mi.

Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion complaints
24
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Related recalls
3
Median mileage
38,509 mi

Specific components reported

Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion covers: Fuel system (gas/diesel), fuel pump, hybrid and electric propulsion and battery.

ComponentComplaints
Fuel/propulsion system21
Fuel system, gasoline3

Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion complaints across Volkswagen Golf years

32011120131201413201524201654201792018220191202012023
Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion complaints by model year. The 2016 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

Under 10k110k–30k330k–60k60k–100k100k–150k150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

  • Recall 24V110000Feb 14, 2024261,257 vehicles
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

    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.

    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.

  • Recall 16V647000Sep 7, 2016110,042 vehicles
    ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

    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.

    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.

  • Recall 16V403000Jun 6, 201655 vehicles
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL

    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.

    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.

What owners say

  1. Filed Sep 20, 2025TNEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain
    The EPC light has luminated 3 times in the last several months. The vehicle stutters and will not accelerate past 25 MPH. Shutting off the engine and restarting it clears the light and vehicle drives normally. The check engine light does not illuminate and no OBDII codes are stored. Manual states to take vehicle to authorized dealership for diagnosis if light stays illuminated.
    NHTSA complaint #11688624 · source
  2. Filed Apr 23, 2025TXFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    I was driving my vehicle on the highway when a driver stopped me and warned me that my vehicle was leaking a huge amount of gasoline. I had a technician inspect the car to see if it might be a fuel line, the technician told me the fuel.lines were good and there were no signs of the gas coming from the lines and no cracks on the tank either. I received a letter from Volkswagen about the recall and I researched it and it says that if that is the problem the car would be…
    NHTSA complaint #11656404 · source
  3. Filed Nov 27, 2024NYFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    Car began spraying fuel upon turning the key in the ignition. Recall work pertaining to the suction jet pump was recently performed and is the only likely cause of this issue. Car did not leak when fuel pump was disengaged. Very lucky that issue occurred in a parking lot while not moving and did not lead to a fire or crash.
    NHTSA complaint #11627766 · source
  4. Filed Nov 5, 2024ALEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    My EPC light began to appear randomly in early 2024. I received a recall notice on the gear shift trim around the same time, so called Jack Ingram VW in Montgomery to schedule a time for them to fix it (and also ensure they had the part). I asked them to also check on why the EPC light was coming on. Brought in my car on 2/28/24. Service Dept then tells me they weren't sure what was causing the EPC light to come on, and they didn't have the gear shift trim part. They quoted…
    NHTSA complaint #11623672 · source
  5. Filed Jul 3, 202436,018 miFLFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Golf. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormally strong fuel odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank suction jet pump had failed, causing damage to the fuel tank. The vehicle was not repaired.…
    NHTSA complaint #11598685 · source
  6. Filed Jun 17, 202441,000 miTXFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated there was fuel leaking from the charcoal canister. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was…
    NHTSA complaint #11594770 · source
  7. Filed May 24, 2024SDFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    We are unable to fill up the gas tank due the recall issue. The dealership says we can bring it in and they will repair but at this time we would have to pay for the repair. VW has not come up with a fix for the recall problem at this time. This problem has rendered our vehicle not drivable. What is the recourse? Fuel also leaks out when trying to fill the gas tank. It could start a fire.
    NHTSA complaint #11590634 · source
  8. Filed May 14, 2024VAFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    My vehicle is leaking fuel. I have been unable to drive it for a few weeks due to the recall not having an approved repair. The dealership did not offer me any solution other than to pay for the repair out of pocket. This has been a known issue since February and no remedy is available from Volkswagen.
    NHTSA complaint #11588794 · source
  9. Filed Apr 30, 2024PRFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    When refueling, the gasoline spills out and can't fill the tank. Took the car to the dealer and they are asking for 2,500$ for repair.
    NHTSA complaint #11586168 · source
  10. Filed Apr 3, 2024OREngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    I have had this car since 2021, when I first bought it they had to keep it for another week due to a coolant break error? Had to fix it but later on I had to put tons of money into the car almost more money than it’s worth. And I’ve had a engine light on religiously for the entirety of the car, however my cars engine lights flash at times when I am driving and it gets hard to accelerate and reeks of gas- I’ve given up on dealerships because they have done everything else but…
    NHTSA complaint #11581003 · source
  11. Filed Feb 9, 202441,000 miTXTowedFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, there was an abnormally strong gasoline odor in the cabin of the vehicle. The contact drove to the residence and became aware that there was a puddle of gasoline under the passenger’s side rear wheel nearby the fuel tank. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel…
    NHTSA complaint #11571071 · source
  12. Filed Oct 12, 2023PRFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    After parking car and turning off engine, I exited vehicle and noticed a cascade of fuel falling to the pavement by the rear wheel near the fuel tank. Fire Department was called as I was in a public parking lot. Vehicle was towed to dealer.
    NHTSA complaint #11549709 · source

Other 2016 Volkswagen Golf problem areas

  • Engine (13)
  • Other / Unknown (11)
  • Airbags (6)
  • Electrical System (5)
  • Transmission & Drivetrain (5)
  • Body & Structure (5)
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech (3)
  • Suspension (2)
  • Wheels & Tires (1)
  • Brakes (1)
  • Lighting (1)
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control (1)
  • Visibility & Wipers (1)

Back to all 2016 Volkswagen Golf problems →

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology