2016 Volkswagen Golf Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 9%of 85 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 62,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 Volkswagen Golf, 9% of the 85 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns on record are 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.
“Despite a 2015 recall, 2016 golfs are still being affected by faulty clock spring setups and a lack of some type of cover that is preventing debris from getting inside and breaking them. While driving the car, the airbag warning light went on. I then noticed that none of the control features on the steering wheel worked.. No cruise control, not horn, no system data, etc. Upon further investigation I discovered that the clock spring was the reason for the problem and that this has been an ongoing problem that vw has known about since 2011. …”
NHTSA complaint #11099933, filed 2018-06, 54,000 miles“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 rush hour traffic, got the car towed to nearby vw dealer. …”
NHTSA complaint #10816865, filed 2015-12, 975 miles“First, the airbag warning light came on, then followed by the horn not working and cruise control was lost. I also suspecting the power steering is also gone. This is related to the clock spring failure from my research online. This should have been recall because this is a safety hazard.”
NHTSA complaint #11503331, filed 2023-01“Airbag light came on, then all electrics to steering wheel failed, including the horn. Clock spring failed. Safety issue with no airbag and no horn. Known that VWs have a problem with clock spring failure. Should be a recall.”
NHTSA complaint #11521624, filed 2023-05“My VW golf has experienced rear door lock issues where both rear dock locks no longer work (lock or unlock) when pressing the lock button on the key or inside the vehicle. The only way to get the doors to lock is by manually locking the doors via a little slot in the door sill on each side. While it can be unlocked internally by just pulling the handle one time. This is a safety issue as door locks are a necessity for a vehicle to prevent theft of vehicle or items inside. It can also cause safety concerns for passengers in the rear(which is usually children. …”
NHTSA complaint #11577026, filed 2024-03Related recalls
- 19V615000Aug 22, 2019Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible…Covers: Volkswagen Golf 2015–2016, 2018–2019, Jetta 2011–2018, Beetle 2012–2019 +3 more
- 18V464000Jul 11, 2018Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Volkswagen Golf and Golf Sportwagen vehicles. The build of silicate on the shift…Covers: Volkswagen Golf 2015–2018, Golf Sportwagen 2015–2018
Related service bulletins
- 11035772Jul 15, 2026This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the…
- 11030829Mar 6, 2026This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct…
- 11028490Jan 6, 2026This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct a…
- 11027254Dec 8, 2025Diagnosis for Excessive Current Draw.
- 11022719Aug 25, 2025This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed and only order the successor parts going forward.
- 11007398Aug 28, 2024Battery testing
- 11005823Jul 18, 2024KESSY Key adaptation
- 10249136Jan 11, 2024Addressing Cybersecurity or Vehicle Hack concerns
- 10239654Jul 13, 2023Diagnostic assistance for excessive static current draw
- 10239655Jun 28, 2023Battery Testing and Charging using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000 Vas Charger
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 6 | 55% |
| 2022 | 11 | 14% |
| 2021 | 3 | 43% |
| 2020 | 2 | 33% |
| 2019 | 5 | 8% |
| 2018 | 2 | 7% |
| 2017 | 10 | 9% |
| 2016 | 8 | 9% |
| 2015 | 18 | 14% |
| 2014 | 1 | 8% |
| 2013 | 7 | 16% |
| 2012 | 6 | 13% |
| 2011 | 18 | 16% |
| 2010 | 5 | 7% |
| 2006 | 1 | 8% |
| 2005 | 2 | 11% |
| 2004 | 4 | 14% |
| 2003 | 4 | 15% |
| 2002 | 11 | 15% |
| 2001 | 15 | 13% |
| 2000 | 5 | 6% |
| 1999 | 9 | 14% |
| 1998 | 5 | 28% |
| 1995 | 12 | 28% |
| 1994 | 9 | 22% |
| 1993 | 3 | 43% |
| 1992 | 1 | 17% |
| 1991 | 3 | 38% |
| 1990 | 2 | 20% |
| 1989 | 2 | 12% |
| 1988 | 2 | 22% |
| 1986 | 1 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2016 Volkswagen Golf
32 complaintsEngine
18 complaintsOther or unknown
14 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsForward collision avoidance
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Volkswagen Golf
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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