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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2016 Volkswagen Golf R Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2016 Volkswagen Golf R has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 12 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Volkswagen dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2016 Volkswagen Golf R, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2016 Volkswagen Golf R owner complaints

Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Volkswagen Golf R, describing incidents dated January 8, 2016 to February 11, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Electrical System 2 complaints
  • Engine 2 complaints
  • Fuel/Propulsion System 2 complaints
  • Power Train 2 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 2 complaints
  • Structure 1 complaint

Together, the 12 complaints on file report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11718914 · Filed

    On 04/24, I purchased 4 P235/40ZR18 Bridgestone Potenza Sport tires from Tire Rack. The tires have approx 15000 miles on them. I discovered the tires started to show approx 1/2 in cracks all around the tire where the tread transitions to the sidewall. This appears to be a safety issue because if the…

  • ODI #11628365 · Filed

    What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - fuel system/gas tank - yes How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - smell of fuel in the car, can't fill up the tank without auto shut off Has the problem been reproduced or…

  • ODI #11579504 · Filed

    I'm not entirely sure what is wrong with the car but I was sitting in my car waiting for an appointment for about an hour. I backed out of my parking space and found that there was a large puddle of gas where I was parked. I moved back into the parking space and stopped the car. I found that there…

Read all 12 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2016 Volkswagen Golf R in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Front Windshield Wipers May Not Activate/FMVSS 104

NHTSA #22V831000 · Visibility/Wiper · NHTSA notice

Reported November 9, 2022 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 5 vehicles

Repair completion: 40% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Volkswagen campaign 91EN · Owners notified December 15, 2022

Defect description

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 Golf R vehicles. Incorrect front windshield wiper software was installed which may prevent the wipers from activating. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 104, "Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems."

Safety consequence

Windshield wipers that cannot be activated may lead to reduced visibility for the driver and increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 15, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91EN.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Air Bag Inflator May Explode or Deploy Improperly

NHTSA #22V543000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported July 27, 2022 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 1,216 vehicles

Repair completion: 66.69% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Volkswagen campaign 69DY, 61C1 · Owners notified December 16, 2022 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 Audi TT Roadster, TT Coupe, S3 Sedan, R8 Coupe, A3 Sedan, A3 Etron, A3 Cabriolet, 2016 Golf Sportwagen, Golf R, Golf GTI, Golf A7, and E Golf vehicles. During air bag deployment, the front passenger air bag may explode or deploy improperly.

Safety consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. An improper air bag deployment may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will replace the front-passenger air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69DY and 61C1.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Rear Child Locks May Disengage

NHTSA #16V464000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages · NHTSA notice

Reported June 24, 2016 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 5,658 vehicles

Repair completion: 78.33% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Volkswagen campaign 58C9 · Owners notified August 22, 2016 · Vehicles built November 25, 2015 – January 28, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 CC vehicles manufactured January 12, 2016, to February 3, 2016, Golf R and Tiguan vehicles manufactured November 25, 2015, to January 28, 2016, and e-Golf vehicles manufactured November 25, 2015, to January 11, 2016. Vibrations, such as those created by opening and closing a vehicle door, may cause the rear child door locks to disengage, allowing a child to open a rear door while inside the vehicle.

Safety consequence

If an unrestrained child unexpectedly opens a door, they may fall from the vehicle increasing their risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the child lock(s), free of charge. The recall began on August 22, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 58C9.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Vehicle Weight Information Understated/Part 567

NHTSA #16V337000 · Equipment — Other — Labels · NHTSA notice

Reported May 23, 2016 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 11 vehicles

Repair completion: 81.82% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Volkswagen campaign 01B5 · Owners notified July 19, 2016 · Vehicles built March 17, 2016 – March 23, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 Golf R vehicles manufactured March 17, 2016 to March 23, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with a Federal Certification Label that lists an incorrect rear axle weight limit. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

Safety consequence

The listed weight limit is low enough that the vehicle owner may ignore the weight limits and overload the vehicle and exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected certification label, free of charge. The recall began July 2016. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01B5.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Other Volkswagen Golf R model years

Check your 2016 Volkswagen Golf R VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Volkswagen Golf R at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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