2016 Volkswagen GTI Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 27%of 67 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 32,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the fuel system of the 2016 Volkswagen GTI, 27% of the 67 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 32,000 miles. 2 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.
“At the gas station, the vehicle does not allow for normal fuel up to occur. The pump nozzle keeps clicking off and I can't put more than 1/4 tank of gas without the fuel spilling out of the tank filler neck/tube. While driving, the vehicle is experiencing power loss that can be felt as a sudden bucking motion when accelerating normally and at constant cruise speeds above 40 MPH. The Volkswagen dealer diagnosis reported plugged evap canister vent lines and fuel tank and recommended replacement. The car only has 52,500 miles and I'm the original owner. …”
NHTSA complaint #11343104, filed 2020-08, 52,415 miles“Suction pump inside gas tank allowed gas to collect within the evaporative-emission system. This filled the charcoal canister filter with liquid gasoline. This gasoline spilled out into the car on the passenger side rear wheel well and on to the garage floor. I had about one quarter (1/4) of a tank of gas in the car when I parked in my home garage after a short drive to dairy queen to pick up a blizzard ice cream birthday cake. When my roommate pulled into the garage she said she smelled gas. I went back into the garage and it smelled very strongly of gas. …”
NHTSA complaint #11365177, filed 2020-10, 47,215 miles“Sometimes, after the car has warmed up and under hard acceleration there is a rattling noise coming from the lower engine area. The vw dealer investigated and confirmed it is the fuel lines rattling that is making the noise. They tried to insert some dampening material to secure the fuel lines but the noise persists.”
NHTSA complaint #11160616, filed 2018-12, 40,000 miles“Dealer performed recall service for safety recall 16v647 - suction pump. Following service service station pump trips off after filling small amount of gas and gas gauge is inoperative. Dealer has been unable to correctly problem in 3 service visits. Complaint is 2-fold: (1) dealer has been unable to carry out safety recall service correctly. (2) inability to measure fuel level is a safety hazard.”
NHTSA complaint #10927245, filed 2016-11, 7,500 miles“Fuel is leaking from near the gas tank when the car is running and creates a puddle- I took my car to the local VW dealership in February to get the Suction Jet Pump Recall completed.”
NHTSA complaint #11677730, filed 2025-08Related 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 GTI 2015–2020, Golf 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 GTI 2015–2016, Audi A3 Cabriolet 2015–2016, Volkswagen Golf 2015–2016
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.
- 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
- 10198230Jun 22, 2021Fuel Additive to Help Prevent Sporadic Misfire Faults
- 10198166Jun 21, 2021VW approved gasoline fuel additive, update to include additional models and model year applicability.
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 17% |
| 2020 | 2 | 25% |
| 2019 | 23 | 13% |
| 2017 | 20 | 38% |
| 2016 | 18 | 27% |
| 2015 | 20 | 21% |
| 2013 | 7 | 21% |
| 2012 | 4 | 10% |
| 2011 | 3 | 5% |
| 2010 | 5 | 9% |
| 2009 | 4 | 2% |
| 2008 | 6 | 9% |
| 2007 | 3 | 4% |
| 2006 | 10 | 23% |
| 2004 | 1 | 14% |
| 2003 | 3 | 6% |
| 2002 | 2 | 2% |
| 2001 | 5 | 7% |
| 2000 | 1 | 2% |
| 1999 | 1 | 13% |
| 1997 | 4 | 40% |
| 1995 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2016 Volkswagen GTI
18 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsAir bags
5 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