Recalls (4)
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2016 Volkswagen Golf R. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Front Windshield Wipers May Not Activate/FMVSS 104
- Summary
- 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."
- Consequence
- Windshield wipers that cannot be activated may lead to reduced visibility for the driver and increase the risk of a crash.
- 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.
Air Bag Inflator May Explode or Deploy Improperly
- Summary
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Rear Child Locks May Disengage
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- If an unrestrained child unexpectedly opens a door, they may fall from the vehicle increasing their risk of injury.
- 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.
Vehicle Weight Information Understated/Part 567
- Summary
- 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."
- 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.
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (12)
12 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 2 | 16.7% |
| Engine | 2 | 16.7% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 16.7% |
| Power train | 2 | 16.7% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 16.7% |
| Structure | 1 | 8.3% |
| Tires | 1 | 8.3% |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 8.3% |
| Wheels | 1 | 8.3% |
How 2016 compares with other Golf R years
Best and worst Golf R years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 | 4 | 0 |
| 2015 | 1 | 0 |
| 2016 | 12 | 4 |
| 2017 | 15 | 0 |
| 2018 | 9 | 4 |
| 2019 | 6 | 2 |
| 2022 | 10 | 5 |
| 2023 | 6 | 3 |
| 2024 | 12 | 1 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 5 stars overall
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2016 Volkswagen Golf R 4 dr awd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 25 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,300
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 347 g/mi
- EPA class
- Compact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 25 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 L 4-cyl · Automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 23 / 30 / 25 | $3,300 | 347 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manual | All-Wheel Drive | 22 / 31 / 25 | $3,300 | 354 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2016 Golf R for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2016 Volkswagen Golf R FAQ
How many recalls does the 2016 Volkswagen Golf R have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 22V831000 (electrical), 22V543000 (air bag), 16V464000 (latch), 16V337000 (equipment). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2016 Volkswagen Golf R problems?
Owners filed 12 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (2), Engine (2), Fuel/propulsion system (2) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2016 Volkswagen Golf R get?
EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · Automatic version at 23 city, 30 highway and 25 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
What safety rating did the 2016 Volkswagen Golf R get?
NHTSA rated the 2016 Volkswagen Golf R 4 dr awd 5 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (13.4% rollover risk).
How does the 2016 Golf R compare with other years?
Among the 2012–2019 Volkswagen Golf R model years at least five years old, the 2012 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2017 the most (15). The 2016 drew 12. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.