Model year record

2016 Volkswagen Golf R

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 15 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 22V831000

Electrical system: body control module: software

Component
Electrical system: body control module: software
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
5
Reported to NHTSA
2022-11-09
Owners notified
2022-12-15

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 risk

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 22V543000

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module

Component
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
1,216
Reported to NHTSA
2022-07-27
Owners notified
2022-12-16

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 risk

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V464000

Latches/locks/linkages

Component
Latches/locks/linkages
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
5,658
Reported to NHTSA
2016-06-24
Owners notified
2016-08-22

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 risk

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V337000

Equipment: other: labels

Component
Equipment: other: labels
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
11
Reported to NHTSA
2016-05-23
Owners notified
2016-07-19

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 risk

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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system2200 mi
Engine2200 mi
Fuel/propulsion system2
Power train2200 mi
Tires2
Unknown or other2
Structure: body1
Visibility/wiper1
Wheels118,000 mi

The 2015 model has 8 times as many complaints as this one. The 2017 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.