2016 Volkswagen Golf Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 32about this part
- Share
- 38%of 85 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 31,546miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 32 complaints about the fuel system of the 2016 Volkswagen Golf, 38% of the 85 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 31,546 miles. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Raw fuel smell in cabin. It seems to happen after a short trip. I stop and restart within a few minutes and it is quite a heavy smell like a fuel leak. This has happened before this month.”
NHTSA complaint #11385092, filed 2020-12, 28,000 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“Fuel odor in car cabin usually after the car is started after being run and sitting briefly off. The problem has persisted after suction pump recall work was done.”
NHTSA complaint #10968443, filed 2017-03, 300 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“We are unable to fill up the gas tank due the recall issue. The dealership says we can bring it in and they will repair but at this time we would have to pay for the repair. VW has not come up with a fix for the recall problem at this time. This problem has rendered our vehicle not drivable. What is the recourse? Fuel also leaks out when trying to fill the gas tank. It could start a fire.”
NHTSA complaint #11590634, filed 2024-05Related recalls
- 24V110000Feb 14, 2024Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan, 2015-2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020…Covers: Volkswagen Golf 2015–2020, GTI 2015–2020, Audi A3 2015–2020 +2 more
- 16V647000Sep 7, 2016Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf, Golf SportWagen, GTI, Audi A3 sedan and A3 Cabriolet…Covers: Volkswagen Golf 2015–2016, Audi A3 Cabriolet 2015–2016, Volkswagen GTI 2015–2016
- 16V403000Jun 6, 2016Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jetta vehicles manufactured October 31, 2015, to January 21, 2016, 2016…Covers: Volkswagen Golf 2016, Jetta 2016, Passat 2016
Related service bulletins
- 11011371Nov 5, 2024This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed and only order the successor parts going forward.
- 10247540Dec 13, 2023Diesel Fuel System and Repair
- 10238298Jun 15, 2023Gasoline fuel additive
- 10214745Jun 23, 2022Gasoline quality check. Update to model and model year applicability.
- 10214485Jun 15, 2022Gasoline quality.
- 10203676Nov 22, 2021This Document was revised to include 2022 Model Year information
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 9% |
| 2020 | 1 | 17% |
| 2019 | 7 | 11% |
| 2018 | 10 | 34% |
| 2017 | 56 | 48% |
| 2016 | 32 | 38% |
| 2015 | 22 | 17% |
| 2014 | 2 | 17% |
| 2013 | 14 | 33% |
| 2012 | 14 | 29% |
| 2011 | 48 | 44% |
| 2010 | 32 | 46% |
| 2006 | 1 | 8% |
| 2005 | 5 | 26% |
| 2004 | 7 | 25% |
| 2003 | 1 | 4% |
| 2002 | 3 | 4% |
| 2001 | 3 | 3% |
| 2000 | 7 | 8% |
| 1999 | 12 | 19% |
| 1995 | 2 | 5% |
| 1994 | 1 | 2% |
| 1993 | 1 | 14% |
| 1992 | 2 | 33% |
| 1991 | 1 | 13% |
| 1986 | 4 | 31% |
| 1985 | 2 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2016 Volkswagen Golf
18 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 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