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Electrical systemPart report

2016 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen Electrical system Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
12%of 51 total for the year
Median mileage
36,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen, 12% of the 51 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 36,500 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Existing NHTSA recall 69l2 but on different model year - vw driver side airbag and horn/steering wheel buttons disabled. My airbag warning light came on and my horn and steering wheel buttons became disabled simultaneously as I was in motion driving down the road. Now my airbag and horn/buttons are not working including cruise control. Vw recalled earlier-model vehicles but this appears to be a problem that still hasn't been solved and affects more than just the models listed in the original recall. I called vw care to see if my vehicle was covered under a campaign or extended warranty. …”

NHTSA complaint #11406665, filed 2021-04, 66,000 miles

“The drain on retractable roof became blocked. Rainwater drained into car saturating carpets. Water flowed into control system causing an emergency dashboard alert to stop driving immediately while driving on highway. This event occurred twice: firstly in new york then two weeks later in pa. Vw service in pa replaced connectors. Vw service in brooklyn ny and westchester pa explained that there is a design fault in the drainage system in the retractable roof.”

NHTSA complaint #11118891, filed 2018-08, 23,000 miles

“Clockspring failure at 32k miles. Turned car on and got an airbag warning and all controls on the steering wheel are dead. Out of warranty and not part of the recall according to vwoa.”

NHTSA complaint #11329576, filed 2020-06, 32,000 miles

“Despite settling a class action lawsuit re: moonroof leakage, VW refuses to cover the same repair for my VW Golf Sportwagen. I have the same issue but could not participate in the class action suit due to mileage. I routinely have to bail 1/2 - 1 gallon of water out the spare tire area if its been raining. Water now also collects in the footwell behind the driver's seat/in front of my child's seat. The bolts affixing the seatbelts to the floor are rusted and there is mold under the carpet. …”

NHTSA complaint #11588747, filed 2024-05

“Clockspring failure. VW does not cover this critical safety part under warranty. Air bag is non functional (air bag light on) horn is non functional. Other controls on steering wheel not functional.”

NHTSA complaint #11576762, filed 2024-03

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2019327%
2018217%
2017718%
2016612%
20151831%

Other parts of the 2016 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen

Air bags
17 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsEngine
9 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2016 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology