The 2016 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 295,641 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 72 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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…
Consequence
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. Final owner notification letters for Audi owners were mailed on July 25, 2024. Final owner letters for VW owners were mailed on August 13, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. …
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 2015-2018 Volkswagen Golf and Golf Sportwagen vehicles. The build of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition while the vehicle shift lever is not in "Park." As such, these vehicles fail…
Consequence
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.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37L5.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
15
2crashes
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
10
ENGINE
9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
6
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
6
POWER TRAIN
4
SUSPENSION
4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
3
STRUCTURE:BODY
3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
3
Total complaints72
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The fuel pump on my 2016 volkswagen golf sportwagen failed approximately three months after a safety recall repair for the suction jet pump (recall 20y6). My independent mechanic explained that failure of the suction jet pump can cause fuel leakage or vapor transfer into the evap system, which may…”
“The fuel pump on my 2016 volkswagen golf sportwagen failed approximately three months after a safety recall repair for the suction jet pump (recall 20y6). My independent mechanic explained that failure of the suction jet pump can cause fuel leakage or vapor transfer into the evap system, which may…”
“The fuel pump on my 2016 volkswagen golf sportwagen failed approximately three months after a safety recall repair for the suction jet pump (recall 20y6). My independent mechanic explained that failure of the suction jet pump can cause fuel leakage or vapor transfer into the evap system, which may…”
“Junction between thermostat and water pump failed leading to total loss of coolant. At the time I was driving north on I-75 in heavy morning traffic at 65 mph. I was able to steer the vehicle off the road without hitting anyone or coming to a complete stop. Had the vehicle towed to jim ellis vw of…”
“Component: sunroof / roof assembly - water ingress make / model / year: 2016 volkswagen golf sportwagen vin: [xxx] mileage: ~40,000 sunroof leaks water while closed and glass intact. First replacement frame arrived damaged. Repair extended into second week. Known manufacturer defect (vw bulletin…”
“My car started smelling like gas 10 days ago. There was no visible leak. We took it to the shop still can’t figure out the issues. Took it to pick up my son from school, it started leaking fuel (I had 1/4 of a tank left). I turned off the car and it stopped leaking fuel. Needing a fix quick, I…”
“See attached document for complaint.”
“Vw usa is offering no help in getting our recall work done. Their only suggestion is for us to work with our shipper. Our car is located in italy because we are an active duty family stationed under orders at naval air station sigonella. Our shipper has contacted vw italy, and they refuse to help.…”
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 Sportwagen as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.