2016 Volkswagen GOLF: complaints, problems and recalls

SAFETY ISSUE - 2016 EGOLF WOULD NOT MOVE AFTER A ROUTINE TRAFFIC STOP WITH "MAIN CHARGING FAILED" ERROR. DURING A NORMAL COMMUTE AFTER 3, 4 MILES OF DRIVING 30 - 40 MPH, CAR WOULDN'T MOVE AFTER A ROUTINE TRAFFIC STOP RIGHT AFTER A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THIS IS EVENING 6PM RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, CAR JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. WHILE REST OF THE SYSTEMS SEEM TO BE FUNCTIONING, THE CAR IGNITION IS ON, PRESSING ACCELERATOR PEDAL DOESN'T DO ANYTHING WITH "ELECTRICAL ERROR , STOP" MESSAGE ON THE DASH. AFTER GETTING STUCK IN A LANE FOR AN HOUR IN RUS…

Owner-reported narrative. 975 miles reported. Look up ODI 10816865 at NHTSA ↗

ON MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT DEACTIVATE WHEN DEPRESSING CLUTCH, CHANGING GEAR. ONCE CLUTCH IS RELEASED CRUISE AUTOMATICALLY RE ENGAGES. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY LIABILITY. VW CALLS IT A NEW FEATURE, THIS FEATURE HAS CAUSED A FEW NEAR MISSES.. THIS FEATURE WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT I'VE BEEN DRIVING MANUAL TRANSMISSION CARS FOR OVER 20 YEARS AND EVERY TIME THE CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED CRUISE TURNS OFF AND WILL ONLY RE-ENGAGE ONCE THE BUTTON IS DEPRESSED.

Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10853372 at NHTSA ↗

TWO PRIMARY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AT THIS TIME: 1. EPC (ENGINE POWER CONTROL) LIGHT COMES ON FREQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT STREET AND FREEWAY SPEEDS. WHEN THE LIGHT COMES ON THE CAR JERKS FORWARD AND RIDES ROUGH. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS CAR AND IT NOT RUNNING CORRECTLY. THE CAR MANUAL INDICATES THAT WHEN THE EPC LIGHT IS DISPLAYED THE ENGINE IS MALFUNCTIONING. 2. THE BLUETOOTH/INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM WILL INTERMITTENTLY FREEZE AND THE PHONE WILL NOT DISCONNECT AND THE RADIO WILL WORK. THIS IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE I HAVE T…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10885240 at NHTSA ↗

SUDDEN VIOLENT SHAKING WHILE DRIVING. THEY REPLACED ALL FOUR FUEL INJECTORS, SECOND TIME HAPPENED A MONTH LATER. SHAKING WHILE DRIVING. THEY CANNOT FIX. MILES JUST UNDER 2000 ON SECOND OCCURRENCE.

Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10888512 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CRACKLING NOISE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A MECHANICAL FAILURE IN THE VACUUM PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,558. THE CONSUMER STATED THE CONCERN WAS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED WITH …

Owner-reported narrative. 9,558 miles reported. Look up ODI 10897131 at NHTSA ↗

ENGINE MISFIRED AND CAUSE THE CAR TO STUTTER WITH LOSS OF PERFORMANCE. THIS HAPPENED TO ME WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING AT THE NORMAL SPEED DUE TO LOSS OF PERFORMANCE. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THE ENGINE HAS MISFIRED SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. IT HAS LESS THAN 2,800 MILES ON IT.

Owner-reported narrative. 2,658 miles reported. Look up ODI 10897865 at NHTSA ↗

BRAKE FAILURE. THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN AROUND 20MPH, WHEN A 'BRAKE: FLUID LOW SEE OWNER'S MANUAL' MESSAGE CAME ON. AFTER SEEING THIS MESSAGE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE PEDAL MADE A 'CHATTERING NOISE' AS IT MOVED THROUGH THE PEDAL STROKE. THE PARKING BRAKE WAS USED TO STOP THE CAR. THIS WAS EASILY RECREATED IN A PARKING LOT AND AT THE LOCAL DEALER. THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON EACH TIME THE CAR WAS STARTED AFTER THE INITIAL INCIDENT, AND WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE PEDAL, THE PEDAL EASILY WEN…

Owner-reported narrative. 11,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10948507 at NHTSA ↗

STEERING POWER ASSIST "TWITCHES" WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION. HAPPENS AT RANDOM TIMES, SPEEDS AND STEERING CONDITIONS WHILE DRIVING....ENOUGH TO JERK THE CAR INTO THE NEXT LANE. MIGHT BE TIED TO VW'S DSR OR DYNAMIC STEERING RECOMMENDATION SETTING IN THE VEHICLE COMPUTER.

Owner-reported narrative. 5,074 miles reported. Look up ODI 10955589 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2015-10-26 (October 26, 2015)

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.

Reported: 2016-06-06 (June 6, 2016)

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.

Reported: 2016-09-07 (September 7, 2016)

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.

Reported: 2018-05-16 (May 16, 2018)

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.

Reported: 2018-07-11 (July 11, 2018)

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.

Reported: 2019-03-06 (March 6, 2019)

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.

Reported: 2019-08-22 (August 22, 2019)

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.

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: 2024-02-14 (February 14, 2024)

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.