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Model year record

2016 Volkswagen GTI recalls & problems

The 2016 Volkswagen GTI has 4 safety recalls and 67 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine (18 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls
Complaints67filed by owners
Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths9 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Fuel system, gasolineFeb 14, 2024

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 24V110000261,257 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
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.
Fix
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 bagsJul 27, 2022

Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

Recall 22V5430001,216 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
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.
Electrical systemAug 22, 2019

Ignition › Anti-theft › Control module

Recall 19V615000679,027 vehicles

Problem
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."
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.
Fix
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.

Components: Electrical system › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control module; Steering › Column locking › Anti-theft device

Fuel system, gasolineSep 7, 2016

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 16V647000110,042 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
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.

Components: Fuel system, gasoline; Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

GTI

28mpg combined
City / highway25 / 33 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AM-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel

GTI

28mpg combined
City / highway25 / 34 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Engine1800052,415 mi
Fuel/propulsion system1300040,000 mi
Unknown or other1000828,000 mi
Power train800047,000 mi
StructureBody60015,000 mi
Air bags500030,581 mi
Fuel system, gasoline500024,000 mi
Visibility/wiper40008,000 mi
Electrical system300030,600 mi
VisibilitySun/moon roof assembly300060,000 mi
Service brakes2100—
Steering2000—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations