Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 85 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Volkswagen Golf, and it carries 9 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion system | 20 | 24% |
| Engine | 10 | 12% |
| Unknown or other | 9 | 11% |
| Engine | 5 | 6% |
| Air bags | 4 | 5% |
| Structure | 4 | 5% |
| Power train | 4 | 5% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 4% |
| Wheels | 2 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I am reporting a severe safety system failure regarding the airbag deployment force on a 2016 Volkswagen Golf SE. The vehicle was involved in a collision where the frontal/side air bag safety systems engaged. While the i
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The EPC light has luminated 3 times in the last several months. The vehicle stutters and will not accelerate past 25 MPH. Shutting off the engine and restarting it clears the light and vehicle drives normally. The che
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I was driving my vehicle on the highway when a driver stopped me and warned me that my vehicle was leaking a huge amount of gasoline. I had a technician inspect the car to see if it might be a fuel line, the technician t
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
Car began spraying fuel upon turning the key in the ignition. Recall work pertaining to the suction jet pump was recently performed and is the only likely cause of this issue. Car did not leak when fuel pump was disengag
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
My EPC light began to appear randomly in early 2024. I received a recall notice on the gear shift trim around the same time, so called Jack Ingram VW in Montgomery to schedule a time for them to fix it (and also ensure t
NHTSA complaint: Engine
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Golf. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated there was fuel leaking from the charcoal canister. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the pa
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
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 p
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2016 Volkswagen Golf. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Volkswagen Golf and Golf Sportwagen vehicles. The build of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition while the vehicle shift lever is not in "Park." As such, the
Risk: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period ma
Risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Golf Sportwagen, 2019 Jetta, 2015-2019 Golf, and 2018-2019 Tiguan vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.
Risk: If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall began April 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of
Risk: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1
| Reliability raw | 62 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 65 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 58 | average |
| Performance | 50 | average |
| Efficiency | 51 | average |
| Safety | 93 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 85 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and fuel/propulsion system is the most reported area with 20 of them (24%). There are 9 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 62/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 65/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2016 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 65/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.