What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2016 Volkswagen GTI

Typical pattern

4.8% of complaints about the 2016 Volkswagen GTI came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2016 vehicle — around the middle of the 199 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 4.3 yr in service. The most-reported system is engine (18 complaints), typically at 4.8 yr or about 52,415 miles.

Complaints
84
Median age at failure
4.3 yr
Median mileage
33,000 n=61
Crash / fire / tow
9.5% of reports
Safety recalls
4

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Engine
18 reports · 52,415 mi
4.8 yr
5.6%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

24V110000 2024-02-14
Fuel system

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan, 2015-2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, 2018 Golf Sportwagen GP, 2018-2019 Golf Sportwagen A7, 2015-2017 Golf Sportwagen, 2015-2020 Golf GTI, and 2015-2020 Golf A7 vehicles. Due to a problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister.

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

22V543000 2022-07-27
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

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.

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.

19V615000 2019-08-22
Electrical system:ignition:anti-theft:control module

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 silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."

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.

16V647000 2016-09-07
Fuel system

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf, Golf SportWagen, GTI, Audi A3 sedan and A3 Cabriolet vehicles. Due to a problem with the suction pump inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system.

As fuel accumulates in the EVAP system, it may leak out through the charcoal canister filter element. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

In owners’ own words

Engine 49,000 mi 3.6 yr in service
WATERPUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 49,000 MILES WAS LEAKING COOLANT. THIS IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE WITH THE EA888 ENGINE AND NEEDS EITHER A RECALL OR WARRANTIES EXTENDED.
Engine mileage not reported 3.4 yr in service
WENT INTO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AT 44,999 MILES ON FEB 6, 2019 AND VOLKSWAGEN FOUND THAT THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING AND SHOULD BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THERMOSTAT AND WATER PUMP REPLACED. NOT TOO LONG AFTER, NOTICED LOW COOLANT LIGHT GO ON. WENT BACK INTO VOLKSWAGEN FOR MAINTENANCE AT 53,339 MILES ON MAY 16, 2019 AND VOLKSWAGEN CONFIRMED THAT THE WATER PUMP WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AGAIN UNDER WARRANTY.
Engine 80,000 mi 4.2 yr in service
COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AT 80K MILES.OIL CHANGED REGULARLY. SERVICE AT DEALER ONLY. P000A CAMSHAFT POSITIONER BANK 1 INTAKE - SLOW RESPONSE P0016 CMP SENSOR/ENGINE SPEED SENSOR INCORRECT CORRELATION P0068 MAP/MAF < THROTTLE POSITION CORRELATION P164D OIL PRESSURE SWITCH FOR REDUCED OIL PRESSURE NO AFTERMARKET PARTS, COMPLETELY STOCK. DEALER SAYS I NEED A NEW ENGINE. $12,000.00

Other GTI model years

20222019201720162015201120102009200820072003200220012000

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