2016 Volkswagen GOLF R: complaints, problems and recalls

- 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 *ANY* APPLE IPHONE. - INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM IS SOMETIMES NOT TURNING ON - KEYLESS START IS INTERMITENTLY FUNCTIONING. CANNOT GET CAR TO START DESPITE THE KEY BEING PLACED NEXT TO STEERING COLUMN. - REVERSING CAMERA FAILS TO ENGAGE OFTEN. - LOCKING (BEEP) CONFIRMATION IS NOT WORKING CONSISTENTLY. VW OF AMERICA WILL NOT BUY BACK THIS CAR…

Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10821238 at NHTSA ↗

CURRENT GENERATION OF VW GOLF R (AKA MK7) WAS SOLD IN 2016 IN SINGLE WHEEL/TIRE COMBINATION. DEFAULT SELECTION CONSIST OF 19" CADIZ WHEELS PAIRED WITH LOW PROFILE SUMMER TIRES. THERE ARE NO ALTERNATIVE CONFIGURATIONS AVAILABLE. PREVIOUS MODELS WERE OFFERED WITH MORE DURABLE 18" COMBINATION. COMPLAINT IS THREEFOLD: 1. VOLKSWAGEN DECIDED TO OFFER NO SPARE TIRE (ALTHOUGH ONE CAN BE ADDED (FROM AUDI A3) BY SMALL RETROFIT). THIS FORCES DISABLED VEHICLE TO CREATE OBSTRUCTION POSSIBLY FOR EXTENDED PERIOD AS IT REQUIRES ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FOR TOWING …

Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10969818 at NHTSA ↗

REAR VIEW CAMERA OPERATION IS INTERMITTENT. WHEN PARKED AND ACTIVATING REVERSE, THE DISPLAY SCREEN SOMETIMES DISPLAYS "PARK PILOT CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE" AND THE REAR CAMERA IS DISABLED. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT ONE TIME IN EVERY 10 TIMES THE CAMERA IS USED. IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES IN THE 1 YEAR, 5 MONTHS THAT I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. BACKING UP WITHOUT A VIEW TO THE BACK IS VERY DANGEROUS IN MANY SITUATIONS. THE DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM SIX TIMES WITH NO SUCCESS. A LEMON LAW COMPLAINT (FLORIDA) HAS BEEN MADE.

Owner-reported narrative. 1,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11032692 at NHTSA ↗

THE BACKUP CAMERA INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO OPERATE, DISPLAYING THE MESSAGE "PARKPILOT IS CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE." THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO REVERSE AND OCCURS AT RANDOM. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE YEARS AND THEY HAVE FAILED TO FIX IT EVERY TIME. THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE SINCE INITIAL PURCHASE IN 2016 AND NO SOLUTION HAS BEEN FOUND TO DATE. THEY HAVE PERFORMED SOFTWARE UPDATES, WORKED ON THE HEAD-UNIT, AND REPLACED THE BACKUP CAMERA, AND NOTHING HAS SOLVED THIS PROBLEM. MY BUY B…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11222620 at NHTSA ↗

DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS THE CEL TURNED ON AND THE CAR INDICATED IT WAS LOW ON COOLANT. I TOPPED OF THE RESERVOIR AND A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER IT HAD GONE BACK DOWN.

Owner-reported narrative. 27,244 miles reported. Look up ODI 11349286 at NHTSA ↗

I DISCOVERED A COOLANT LEAK AFTER MOVING MY CAR FROM MY GARAGE. BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND UPON THEIR TESTING THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING AND WATER PUMP WERE DETERMINED TO BE DEFECTIVE. IT APPEARS VOLKSWAGEN HAS MODIFIED THE PART TO COMPENSATE FOR THIS DESIGN FLAW. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY. IF THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES THE CAR COULD BECOME STRANDED IF IT LOSES ENOUGH COOLANT AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATS.

Owner-reported narrative. 56,117 miles reported. Look up ODI 11399858 at NHTSA ↗

Trim around the shifter boot has delaminated, and when reaching into the storage compartment causes lacerations to the hand. Razor sharp Metal protrudes and cuts fingers and hands on all 2016 Golf R and GTI vehicles

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11422404 at NHTSA ↗

The shifter surround started peeling near the cubby storage hole below the climate control. The part that peeled up is so sharp that it sliced my hand open when grabbing for my phone. Apparently this is a super common problem causing some people to need to get stitches. I had to try to stop the bleeding while still keeping my hands on the steering wheel and shifting the shifter (my car is manual) as well. Not safe!

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11466651 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2016-05-23 (May 23, 2016)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 Golf R vehicles manufactured March 17, 2016 to March 23, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with a Federal Certification Label that lists an incorrect rear axle weight limit. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

Consequence: The listed weight limit is low enough that the vehicle owner may ignore the weight limits and overload the vehicle and exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected certification label, free of charge. The recall began July 2016. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01B5.

Reported: 2016-06-24 (June 24, 2016)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 CC vehicles manufactured January 12, 2016, to February 3, 2016, Golf R and Tiguan vehicles manufactured November 25, 2015, to January 28, 2016, and e-Golf vehicles manufactured November 25, 2015, to January 11, 2016. Vibrations, such as those created by opening and closing a vehicle door, may cause the rear child door locks to disengage, allowing a child to open a rear door while inside the vehicle.

Consequence: If an unrestrained child unexpectedly opens a door, they may fall from the vehicle increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the child lock(s), free of charge. The recall began on August 22, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 58C9.

Reported: 2022-07-27 (July 27, 2022)

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.

Reported: 2022-11-09 (November 9, 2022)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 Golf R vehicles. Incorrect front windshield wiper software was installed which may prevent the wipers from activating. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 104, "Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems."

Consequence: Windshield wipers that cannot be activated may lead to reduced visibility for the driver and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 15, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91EN.