Model year guide

2016 Volkswagen Golf R

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2016 Volkswagen Golf R is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 7 on record.

2016 Volkswagen Golf R — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2016 Volkswagen Golf R at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints12
Combined25 mpg
Typical price$28,062

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2016 Volkswagen Golf R recalls 4

Equipment:other:labels NHTSA Campaign #16V337000 · 23/05/2016

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."

Fix: 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.

Latches/locks/linkages NHTSA Campaign #16V464000 · 24/06/2016

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, allow…

Fix: 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.

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #22V543000 · 27/07/2022

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.

Fix: 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.

Visibility/wiper NHTSA Campaign #22V831000 · 09/11/2022

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."

Fix: 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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2016 Volkswagen Golf R common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

2016 Volkswagen Golf R MPG & running costs

Combined25 mpg
City23 mpg
Highway31 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,300

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

What's a 2016 Volkswagen Golf R worth?

Low
$24,995
Typical price
$28,062
High
$30,800

From 6 comparable 2016 Volkswagen Golf R listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2016 Volkswagen Golf R costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$16,500
Depreciation (5 yrs)$4,450
Total$20,950
Per mile$0.28

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($28,062) with the same model 4 model-years older ($24,509), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2016 Volkswagen Golf R trims & engines on record

Trims
Base, Base w/ DCC & Nav.
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl 292 hp

2016 Volkswagen Golf R vehicles on record

Other Volkswagen Golf R model years

2016 Volkswagen Golf R — frequently asked questions

Does the 2016 Volkswagen Golf R have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2016 Volkswagen Golf R. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Volkswagen Golf R?

Across all 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are fuel/propulsion system, power train, engine.

What gas mileage does the 2016 Volkswagen Golf R get?

The 2016 Volkswagen Golf R has a U.S. EPA estimate of 25 mpg combined (23 city / 31 highway).

How much is a 2016 Volkswagen Golf R worth?

Comparable 2016 Volkswagen Golf R listings run roughly $24,995–$30,800, typically around $28,062 (from 6 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.