2016 Volkswagen GTI Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 7%of 67 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 30,581miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the air bags of the 2016 Volkswagen GTI, 7% of the 67 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,581 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.
“I bought my car with 29,000 miles and now has 41,000.. My airbag light randomly comes on and flashes and on passenger seat... Even when no one is in seat ... Volkswagen won't fix it even though I first complained to them car only had 31,000 miles and again at 35,000 miles...”
NHTSA complaint #11301522, filed 2020-01, 29,000 miles“The contact owns a 2001 buick regal. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the module was faulty. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 155,000. Consumer stated he has been unable to find a new or used module to fix the air bag light to do out on the speedometer. Updated 7/9/18”
NHTSA complaint #10917627, filed 2016-10, 2,500 miles“The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen GTI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V543000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”
NHTSA complaint #11499865, filed 2023-01Related recalls
- 22V543000Jul 27, 2022Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 Audi TT Roadster, TT Coupe, S3 Sedan, R8 Coupe, A3 Sedan, A3 Etron, A3 Cabriolet…Covers: Volkswagen GTI 2016, E-Golf 2016, Golf 2016 +7 more
Related service bulletins
- 11034621Jun 11, 2026Inquiries
- 11030826Mar 2, 2026The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent warning regarding counterfeit replacement airbag inflators that are being installed in used…
- 10231584Feb 2, 2023VW contact when reporting a Airbag or Pyrotechnic safety belt deployment. Update to model year applicability.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2 | 4% |
| 2016 | 5 | 7% |
| 2015 | 3 | 3% |
| 2014 | 1 | 10% |
| 2013 | 4 | 12% |
| 2012 | 5 | 13% |
| 2011 | 3 | 5% |
| 2010 | 2 | 4% |
| 2009 | 4 | 2% |
| 2008 | 3 | 4% |
| 2007 | 11 | 14% |
| 2006 | 7 | 16% |
| 2005 | 1 | 13% |
| 2004 | 4 | 57% |
| 2003 | 18 | 34% |
| 2002 | 23 | 19% |
| 2001 | 19 | 26% |
| 2000 | 4 | 9% |
| 1999 | 1 | 13% |
| 1998 | 2 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2016 Volkswagen GTI
18 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsForward collision avoidance
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Volkswagen GTI
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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