2016 Volkswagen Golf Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 21%of 85 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 9,829miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the engine of the 2016 Volkswagen Golf, 21% of the 85 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 9,829 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10897865, filed 2016-08, 2,658 miles“2016 vw GOLF gti mk7 engine coolant began to slowly leak from thermostat housing seal at 25,000 miles. Dealer replaced housing with rev m part just before my warranty expired. Has this every 25k mile problem been resolved yet?”
NHTSA complaint #11416209, filed 2021-05, 24,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10888512, filed 2016-07, 800 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“I have had this car since 2021, when I first bought it they had to keep it for another week due to a coolant break error? Had to fix it but later on I had to put tons of money into the car almost more money than it’s worth. And I’ve had a engine light on religiously for the entirety of the car, however my cars engine lights flash at times when I am driving and it gets hard to accelerate and reeks of gas- I’ve given up on dealerships because they have done everything else but what I have asked them to do and I still leave and the engine light turns on after. …”
NHTSA complaint #11581003, filed 2024-04Related service bulletins
- 11038146Sep 17, 2026Suggested fuel additive
- 11035762Jul 9, 2026Oil Consumption Measurement and Electronic Oil Consumption Measurement
- 11034614Jun 18, 2026Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
- 11034613Jun 18, 2026Lubricating engine components before reassembly.
- 11034617Jun 4, 2026Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards
- 11030847Mar 27, 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…
- 11025438Oct 29, 2025Turbocharger repair or replace due to stuck wastegate.
- 11025452Oct 17, 2025Coolant Bleed Procedure
- 11025437Oct 14, 2025G12Evo can now be mixed with previous coolants.
- 11025430Oct 14, 2025Engine misfire diagnostic aid.
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | 18% |
| 2022 | 10 | 12% |
| 2021 | 1 | 14% |
| 2020 | 1 | 17% |
| 2019 | 34 | 54% |
| 2018 | 3 | 10% |
| 2017 | 18 | 15% |
| 2016 | 18 | 21% |
| 2015 | 26 | 20% |
| 2014 | 2 | 17% |
| 2013 | 14 | 33% |
| 2012 | 11 | 23% |
| 2011 | 15 | 14% |
| 2010 | 7 | 10% |
| 2005 | 1 | 5% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2016 Volkswagen Golf
32 complaintsOther or unknown
14 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsElectrical system
8 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 28, 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