2016 Volkswagen GTI

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Volkswagen GTI has 84 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.1x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (23% of all complaints), specifically: 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..

9 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ENGINE

19 complaints

23%

• 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.
• 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 FO
• 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

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

18 complaints

21%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL NEAR THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER
• DEALER PERFORMED RECALL SERVICE FOR SAFETY RECALL 16V647 - SUCTION PUMP. FOLLOWING SERVICE SERVICE STATION PUMP TRIPS OFF AFTER FILLING SMALL AMOUNT OF GAS AND GAS GAUGE IS INOPERATIVE. DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO CORRECTLY PROBLEM IN 3 SERVICE VISITS. COMPLAINT IS 2-FOLD: (1) DEALER HAS BEEN
• I GOT A RECALL LETTER FROM VOLKSWAGEN REGARDING SUCTION PUMP IN EARLY NOVEMBER 2016. I IMMEDIATELY ASKED FOR AN APPOINTMENT AND FIRST DEALER IN FAIR LAWN, NEW JERSEY GAVE ME THE APPOINTMENT 2 WEEKS LATER THEN AGAIN RESCHEDULED TO 12/10/2016. UNFORTUNATELY, TODAY I CALLED AGAIN BUT PART IS STILL NOT

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL NEAR THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

10 complaints

12%

• I WAS DRIVING AT AROUND 15MPH IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA WHEN I HEARD THE LOUD SOUND LIKE A GUNSHOT. I STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AND WENT OUTSIDE TO FIND THAT MY SUNROOF WAS SHATTERED. THAT WAS NOTHING ON THE GROUND THAT COULD'VE HIT THE SUNROOF OR WAS THERE ANYTHING HIGH NEARBY (TREES, BUILDINGS, ETC.) THAT S
• REPEATED HARD KNOCK COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR WHEN ACCELERATING QUICKLY FROM A DEAD STOP. SUSPECTED THE ENGINE MOUNT AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS. SIMILAR REPORTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED BY OTHER OWNERS ONLINE. NOISE DOES NOT OCCUR ONCE THE CAR IS IN MOTION.
• THE CHROME TRIM DETAIL AROUND THE GEAR SELECTOR BASE PEELED UP SLIGHTLY RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE STORAGE CUBBY. IT IS NOT VISIBLE FROM A NORMAL SEATED POSITION THAT IT PEELED UP. WHEN REMOVING AN ITEM FROM THE STORAGE CUBBY THE PEELED UP METAL DEEPLY SLICED MY FINGER AND IT BLED FOR HOURS. THE PEELE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“I WAS DRIVING AT AROUND 15MPH IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA WHEN I HEARD THE LOUD SOUND LIKE A GUNSHOT. I STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AND WENT OUTSIDE TO FIND THAT MY SUNROOF WAS SHATTERED. THAT WAS NOTHING ON THE GROUND THAT COULD'VE HIT THE SUNROOF OR WAS THERE ANYTHING HIGH NEARBY (TREES, BUILDINGS, ETC.) THAT S”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

8 complaints

10%

• IN VERY HOT WEATHER (OVER 110 F) THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. IT STAYS IN LOW GEARS AND REV'S THE ENGINE FAR TOO MUCH. AT COOLER TEMPS IT DRIVES FINE. TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER IN JULY 2016 AND WAS TOLD IT WAS FINE.
• SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING, AT ANY SPEED, A WARNING IS DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. VW HAS IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED MY SHIFTER ASSEMBLY BUT THE ISSUE PERSISTS.
• 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.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“IN VERY HOT WEATHER (OVER 110 F) THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. IT STAYS IN LOW GEARS AND REV'S THE ENGINE FAR TOO MUCH. AT COOLER TEMPS IT DRIVES FINE. TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER IN JULY 2016 AND WAS TOLD IT WAS FINE.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

VISIBILITY

7 complaints

• WINDSHIELD SEEMS VERY WEAK. HAD 3 BAD CRACKS WITHIN 6 MONTHS (8000 MILES) OF BUYING CAR, DRIVING THE SAME ROADS I HAD ZERO CRACKS OVER 4 1/2 YEAR AND 60K+ MILES IN MY PREVIOUS VEHICLE.
• FRONT WINDSHIELD HAS "SPARKLES" /" SCRATCHES" IN IT. THIS IS EXTREMELY VISIBLE IN THE SUN AND THIS HAS BEEN PROMINENT SINCE 10,000 MILES. CAR AHS 31,000 NOW. TALKED WITH VW SERVICE MANGER ABOUT THIS ISSUE, NOTHING HAS BEEN RESOLVED. I USE THE SAME BRAND CLEANERS FOR MY OTHER CARS AND NO ISSUES. TH
• THIS CAR HAS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED UP, STATIONARY, WITH PARKING BRAKE ON, I SHIFT INTO REVERSE TO EXIT MY GARAGE. THE REAR-VIEW CAMERA SWINGS INTO POSITION, BUT THE VIDEO IMAGE SOMETIMES FAILS TO APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD MONITOR. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WINDSHIELD SEEMS VERY WEAK. HAD 3 BAD CRACKS WITHIN 6 MONTHS (8000 MILES) OF BUYING CAR, DRIVING THE SAME ROADS I HAD ZERO CRACKS OVER 4 1/2 YEAR AND 60K+ MILES IN MY PREVIOUS VEHICLE.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 84 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: 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.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL NEAR THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: I WAS DRIVING AT AROUND 15MPH IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA WHEN I HEARD THE LOUD SOUND LIKE A GUNSHOT. I STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AND WENT OUTSIDE TO FIND THAT MY SUNROOF WAS SHATTERED. THAT WAS NOTHING ON THE GROUND THAT COULD'VE HIT THE SUNROOF OR WAS THERE ANYTHING HIGH NEARBY (TREES, BUILDINGS, ETC.) THAT S
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: IN VERY HOT WEATHER (OVER 110 F) THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. IT STAYS IN LOW GEARS AND REV'S THE ENGINE FAR TOO MUCH. AT COOLER TEMPS IT DRIVES FINE. TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER IN JULY 2016 AND WAS TOLD IT WAS FINE.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)