The 2016 Volkswagen Golf R has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 6,890 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM22V8310002022-11-095 affected
Defect
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,…
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 BAGS22V5430002022-07-271,216 affected
Defect
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.
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…
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.
EQUIPMENT16V3370002016-05-2311 affected
Defect
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…
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.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2
ENGINE
2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2
POWER TRAIN
2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2
2injuries
STRUCTURE:BODY
1
TIRES
1
VISIBILITY/WIPER
1
WHEELS
1
Total complaints14
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“The shifter surround started peeling near the cubby storage hole below the climate control. The part that peeled up is so sharp that it sliced my hand open when grabbing for my phone. Apparently this is a super common problem causing some people to need to get stitches. I had to try to stop the…”
“Chrome trim around the shifter began peeling and exposed sharp edges. Sharp edges of raised trim are close to a storage cubby so there is a risk of touching them and being cut, something which has happened to me (driver). Issue has not been inspected by a dealer or manufacturer etc. No warning…”
“Trim around the shifter boot has delaminated, and when reaching into the storage compartment causes lacerations to the hand. Razor sharp metal protrudes and cuts fingers and hands on all 2016 golf r and gti vehicles”
“I discovered a coolant leak after moving my car from my garage. Brought the car to the dealership and upon their testing the thermostat housing and water pump were determined to be defective. It appears volkswagen has modified the part to compensate for this design flaw. The car was stationary. If…”
“During normal driving conditions the cel turned on and the car indicated it was low on coolant. I topped of the reservoir and a couple of weeks later it had gone back down.”
Defect investigations
InvestigationRQ23007 Opened 2023-12-12 · closed 2024-07-01
Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)
On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a…
InvestigationRQ23007 Opened 2023-12-12 · closed 2024-07-01
Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)
On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a…
InvestigationRQ23007 Opened 2023-12-12 · closed 2024-07-01
Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)
On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2016 Volkswagen Golf R as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.