2016 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Owner Complaints

CLOCK SPRING FAILURE IN UNDER 2 YEARS (LESS THAN 20,000 MILES ON THE CAR). WHEN CAR WAS TURNED ON ALERTS CAME UP THAT THE AIRBAG HAD MALFUNCTIONED, AND AUTOMATIC CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTION, NONE OF THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS WORKED, AND THE HORN WAS NON-FUNCTIONAL. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH LED ME TO BELIEVE IT WAS THE CLOCK SPRING, AND I ALSO NOTICED VW HAD A CLOCK SPRING RECALL ON CARS FROM 2011-2014, SEEMS LIKE THIS MIGHT BE A LARGER ISSUE. CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED - CLOCK SPRING WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE PROBLEM.

4/10/2018

WHILE DRIVING I COMPLETED A U-TURN AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE CLOCK SPRING MECHANISM THAT FAILED AND WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. WARRANTY WAS 3 YEAR OR 43,000 MILES, MY VEHICLE HAD 48,846 MILES. THE COST WAS $545.95 TO REPLACE THE PART. I RESEARCHED THIS PART AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE PREVIOUS RECALLS DUE TO FAILURE.

7/27/2018

CLOCK SPRING FAILURE IN UNDER 2 YEARS (LESS THAN 20,000 MILES ON THE CAR). WHEN CAR WAS TURNED ON ALERTS CAME UP THAT THE AIRBAG HAD MALFUNCTIONED, AND AUTOMATIC CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTION, NONE OF THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS WORKED, AND THE HORN WAS NON-FUNCTIONAL. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH LED ME TO BELIEVE IT WAS THE CLOCK SPRING, AND I ALSO NOTICED VW HAD A CLOCK SPRING RECALL ON CARS FROM 2011-2014, SEEMS LIKE THIS MIGHT BE A LARGER ISSUE. CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED - CLOCK SPRING WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE PROBLEM.

4/10/2018

I STARTED MY CAR AND THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I THEN NOTICED THAT ALL CONTROLS ON MY STEERING WHEEL NO LONGER WORKED. THIS INCLUDES SPEED CONTROL, HORN, HANDS-FREE PHONE CONTROLS, HANDS-FREE RADIO CONTROLS AN VEHICLE INFORMATION OPTIONS. I ASSUME THAT THE AIR BAG IS ALSO NOT FUNCTIONING. WHEN I RETURNED HOME, I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT THE AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING WAS THE PROBABLE CAUSE AS IT HAD BEEN RECALLED IN PREVIOUS YEARS BUT DID NOT INCLUDE THE 2016 MODEL. I TOOK THE CAR IN ON 02/12/19. THEY DIAGNOSED ERROR CODE B10001 - INTERNAL FAILURE IN CLOCK SPRING. MY CAR HAS 39,492 MILES WHICH MAKES IT OUT OF WARRANTY. I DECLINED REPAIR ($551.29) AS I FEEL IT SHOULD BE FIXED FOR FREE. I HAVE 2 ATTACHMENTS.

2/13/2019

WHILE DRIVING, THE EPC WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND THE ENGINE LOWERS ITS SPEED. SOMETIMES ENGINE OVERHEATING WARNING ALSO COMES ON AT THE SAME TIME. HAVE TO PULL OVER AND SHUT ENGINE OFF AND RESTART TO CLEAR THE EPC WARNING LIGHT. VW SERVICE DEPT. SAYS THEY DON'T KNOW WHY THIS HAPPENS AND NO FIX CURRENTLY AVAILABLE.

6/8/2019

TOOK CAR IN FOR A USED CAR INSPECTION, COOLANT LEAK NEAR THERMOSTAT HOUSING WAS FOUND. COULD SMELL COOLANT WHILE DRIVING. FIXED UNDER WARRANTY.

3/16/2020

THE DRAIN ON RETRACTABLE ROOF BECAME BLOCKED. RAINWATER DRAINED INTO CAR SATURATING CARPETS. WATER FLOWED INTO CONTROL SYSTEM CAUSING AN EMERGENCY DASHBOARD ALERT TO STOP DRIVING IMMEDIATELY WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. THIS EVENT OCCURRED TWICE: FIRSTLY IN NEW YORK THEN TWO WEEKS LATER IN PA. VW SERVICE IN PA REPLACED CONNECTORS. VW SERVICE IN BROOKLYN NY AND WESTCHESTER PA EXPLAINED THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FAULT IN THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM IN THE RETRACTABLE ROOF.

8/10/2018

CLOCKSPRING FAILURE AT 32K MILES. TURNED CAR ON AND GOT AN AIRBAG WARNING AND ALL CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL ARE DEAD. OUT OF WARRANTY AND NOT PART OF THE RECALL ACCORDING TO VWOA. *TR

6/18/2020

May 27 and May 28: The car turned on the EPC and check engine lights while on parking mode and on. Started to loose power and didnt want to start again. Later on, the lights turned off and it started again. While trying to fill the fuel tank at the gasoline station it stopped and it was only half tank.(The system didnt allowed to continue). While driving in the highway, started to loose power and a strong smell of fuel was inside the car so the driver had to open all the windows to avoid an intoxication with emissions(as it seemed to be). When the driver got to the destination in the highway, near San Juan, the smell of fuel was so strong that had to turn off the car and call a tow truck because the return travel would be long and the smell of fuel was stronger… it seemed to be spilling fuel and it was not safe to drive the car back home. Tow truck carried the car home because the dealer was closed on Sunday. On monday 29, the car was towed again but from home to the Flagship dealer in Ponce, PR. In the dealer they say it doesnt “have anything” . It seems they didnt care about the hazzards being discussed. The dealer returned our car and insisted there wasnt a recall or issue to attend. As soon as the dealer returned the car we drove home and the fuel odor or emissions were perceived inmediately inside the car. The car was stopped at home and a fuel leak was visible on the road. We need help inmediately. It is a matter of safety and risks. Please advice us and help with this issue. It is my only car.

6/5/2023

The fuel system is completely shot, with fuel leaking from the gas tank after a ride once and pressure building up in the gas tank. Gas pumps click off after only putting one to two gallons in the tank, despite the tank being nearly empty. Mechanic replaced Evap canister and fuel suction pump, seemingly solving the problem temporarily only for them to resurface. Fuel leaking from the tank while driving severely risks my safety, as it is possible that pressure could cause the fuel to leak onto the engine, thus causing rapid combustion of the vehicle. The dealership has not assessed the problem, only a qualified mechanic has. It has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, but has been inspected by a mechanic. No warning lights or messages have appeared in relation to this problem.

8/14/2023

ON JAN. 5TH 2019 THE DASHBOARD WARNING SYSTEM SHOWED A "ERROR - TRANSMISSION". WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP - THEY SAID IT WAS THE SHIFTER UNIT, AND THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE "POWERTRAIN" WARRANTY. WE WERE TOLD IT WAS STILL SAFE TO DRIVE WHILE THEY ORDERED PARTS. WHILE DRIVING IT HOME FROM THE DEALER, IT WOULD HESITATE WHEN STARTING OFF FROM A STOP - WITH ONCOMMING TRAFFIC, THIS CAN BE A UNSAFE OPTION. LOOKING ON SEVERAL VW SUPPORT FORUMS, I SEE THIS SAME PROBLEM COME UP OFTEN - MOST ARE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY HAPPEN EARLIER THAN OURS DID (36,714 MILES). TO ME IT SEEMS VW HAS A PROBLEM WITH THESE SHIFTER UNITS, BUT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNLESS THEY ARE FORCED TO.

1/9/2019

THERMOSTAT HOUSING FOUND TO BE LEAKING WHEN CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR UNRELATED SERVICE. MANY, MANY VW GOLF/GTIS ARE AFFECTED BY THIS ISSUE.

2/26/2020

The passenger side rear coil spring snapped without any warning and with in normal highway and city street use with only 46,244 miles and 5 years of age. The was manufactured in August of 2015, was delivered in November of 2015, and the spring failed in the last week of June 2021. The vehicle is used on road and has had all maintenance done on time or early. I drove the vehicle on June 25th and when I was about 2 miles from home I slowed for an intersection and heard a clank sound from the rear of the vehicle, the remainder of the drive was uneventful. The next day when exiting our garage my wife and I heard a loud clanking sound. I test drove the car around the block and every turn, deceleration, and bump resulted in a clank from the back rear wheel area. The VW dealer confirmed the rear spring had snapped and also noted they had had a number of occurrences on MQB platform VWs and had a Tiguan (same chassis/platform) of similar age in the shop for the same reason. I drove slowly and on low roads to the dealer but it was clear the handling was compromised as it was not predictable in terms of both motions over bumps or when turning or reaction to steering inputs. I spoke with VW corporate and they confirmed an earlier recall on rear coil springs on VW Golf Sportwagens but that recall impacted the 2015. They were unable to assist with the repair but suggested I contact NHTSA. It is fortunate that the failure occurred when it did and not at highway speeds or severe weather. It is also fortunate no fragments of the spring impacted the tire or break components. I have owned many cars with significantly higher miles and managed armored and police vehicle fleets but have never had a car with so few miles have a spring snap.

7/23/2021

Both rear coil springs broken

4/24/2023

THE DRAIN ON RETRACTABLE ROOF BECAME BLOCKED. RAINWATER DRAINED INTO CAR SATURATING CARPETS. WATER FLOWED INTO CONTROL SYSTEM CAUSING AN EMERGENCY DASHBOARD ALERT TO STOP DRIVING IMMEDIATELY WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. THIS EVENT OCCURRED TWICE: FIRSTLY IN NEW YORK THEN TWO WEEKS LATER IN PA. VW SERVICE IN PA REPLACED CONNECTORS. VW SERVICE IN BROOKLYN NY AND WESTCHESTER PA EXPLAINED THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FAULT IN THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM IN THE RETRACTABLE ROOF.

8/10/2018

I PURCHASED MY 2016 VW GOLF SPORTWAGEN IN 2019. SOON AFTER, THERE WAS A RAINSTORM, AND I REALIZED THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF WAS LEAKING HEAVILY ALONG THE BACK PANEL OF THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT A MONTH, AND WAS ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, AS WELL AS REPLACE THE HEADLINER. VW ISSUED A RECALL ON THE FRONT SUNROOF DRAINS IN 2020, IN WHICH THEY MODIFIED THE DRAINS. ONCE THIS WAS PERFORMED, THE SUNROOF BEGAN LEAKING AGAIN. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR SENSORS, WHICH WERE DAMAGED DUE TO WATER DAMAGE. THIS REPAIR WAS EXTREMELY COSTLY, BUT I WAS TOLD I COULD DO NOTHING ABOUT IT, BECAUSE VW WON'T COVER COSTS FROM FAULTY PARTS. I AM NOW LOOKING AT ANOTHER COSTLY REPAIR OF THE SUNROOF, AND A SECOND HEADLINER REPLACEMENT, WITHIN 2 YEARS OF OWNING THIS VEHICLE.

4/1/2021

I STARTED MY CAR AND THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I THEN NOTICED THAT ALL CONTROLS ON MY STEERING WHEEL NO LONGER WORKED. THIS INCLUDES SPEED CONTROL, HORN, HANDS-FREE PHONE CONTROLS, HANDS-FREE RADIO CONTROLS AN VEHICLE INFORMATION OPTIONS. I ASSUME THAT THE AIR BAG IS ALSO NOT FUNCTIONING. WHEN I RETURNED HOME, I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT THE AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING WAS THE PROBABLE CAUSE AS IT HAD BEEN RECALLED IN PREVIOUS YEARS BUT DID NOT INCLUDE THE 2016 MODEL. I TOOK THE CAR IN ON 02/12/19. THEY DIAGNOSED ERROR CODE B10001 - INTERNAL FAILURE IN CLOCK SPRING. MY CAR HAS 39,492 MILES WHICH MAKES IT OUT OF WARRANTY. I DECLINED REPAIR ($551.29) AS I FEEL IT SHOULD BE FIXED FOR FREE. I HAVE 2 ATTACHMENTS.

2/13/2019

I JUST PURCHASED A PRE-OWNED 2016 SPORTSWAGEN FROM A VW DEALERSHIP IN HOUSTON TEXAS, I'VE ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 3 AND A HALF WEEKS AND MY EPC LIGHT HAD CAME ON 4 TIMES SINCE THEN ONLY THIS LAST TIME IT COMPLETELY AFFECTED MY DRIVING BY DROPPING MY SPEED ON THE FREEWAY SUBSTANTIALLY TO WHERE IT ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. I'VE BEEN READING UP ONLINE ON THESE ISSUES AND IT SEEMS TO BE A REOCCURRING ISSUE WITH A FEW OF VOLKSWAGEN'S MODELS YET NOBODY HAS ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE YET, IS HAPPENING WITH VEHICLES COMING RIGHT OFF THE LOT AND VEHICLES THAT ARE A FEW YEARS OLD. I FEEL THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BECAUSE WHO KNOWS HOW BAD IT CAN GET FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD, MAYBE NEXT TIME IT COULD HAPPEN TO A MOTHER OF FOUR AND THE VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN BECAUSE OF THE EPC FAILURE AND CAUSES HER TO GET INTO IN ACCIDENT OR WORSE CASE SCENARIO, ME WITH MY KIDS. I LOVE THIS VEHICLE BUT I DO BELIEVE SOMEONE OF HIGHER AUTHORITY SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS.

3/21/2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF SPORTWAGEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, WHILE REFUELING THE FUEL SPEWED BACK OUT OF THE FUEL FILLER NECK SOAKING THE PERSON FUELING THE VEHICLE. THE NEXT DAY WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUTOFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER CHARLES MAUND VOLKSWAGEN LOCATED AT 6900 BURNET RD, ALSTON, TX 78757, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V647000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

8/24/2020

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen. The contact stated that there was an odor of gasoline in the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle was stalling while driving. The contact stated she stopped at a gas station and attempted to add gasoline; however, the tank was already full. The contact was able to drive home safely. After the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that gasoline was leaking underneath the vehicle. The dealer was contacted and informed that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V647000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine And Engine Cooling) however, the vehicle was previously repaired under the recall. The contact was informed that the repair would be an out-of-pocket expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,400.

7/29/2022

MY FIANCE'S VEHICLE HAS THE COMMON CLOCKSPRING ISSUE WHICH RENDERED ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OF THE STEERING WHEEL INACTIVE (HORN, CRUISE CONTROL, AIR BAG, AND RADIO CONTROLS). ONE DAY SHE STARTED THE CAR AND SAW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. I SCANNED THE VEHICLE AND IT HAD THE KNOWN "B10001 DRIVER AIRBAG IGNITER: RESISTANCE TOO HIGH" CODE. THE DEALER THOUGHT IT WOULD BE COVERED SO LONG AS IT HAD THE CORRECT CODE BUT VWOA DENIED IT. THIS HAS BEEN A VERY WELL KNOWN ISSUE AND HER VEHICLE SHOULD QUALIFY UNDER THE RECALL/EXTENDED WARRANTY. SHE WAS DENIED BECAUSE HER VIN WAS NOT ON THE LIST EVEN THOUGH HER VEHICLE HAS THE EXACT SAME PARTS AS OTHERS WHICH DO QUALIFY. HER VEHICLE HAD THE SAME CODES REQUIRED ON NHTSA PDF HTTPS://WWW.GOOGLE.COM/URL?SA=T&SOURCE=WEB&RCT=J&URL=HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/TSBS/2018/MC-10149942-9999.PDF&VED=2AHUKEWIZWQZOK_ROAHXJGJQIHU3CBWAQFJABEGQICXAH&USG=AOVVAW3QKZUFKSVTKALROKUEK92M I RECIEVED A WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR MY 2017 GTI BUT FOR SOME REASON THE GOLF SPORTWAGEN IS NOT COVERED. SEEMS RIDICULOUS TO ONLY COVER SOME MODELS THAT HAVE SAME HARDWARE WHEN ALL SHOULD BE COVERED.

4/21/2020

MY STEERING CLOCK SPRING FAILED AT 37K MILES, THERE'S A RECALL BUT VW SAID MY CAR IS NOT AFFECTED, HOWEVER MANY PEOPLE ON THE FORUMS AND CAR GROUPS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE MORE THAN ONCE, SOME COVERED SOME NOT.

2/3/2021

THE DRAIN ON RETRACTABLE ROOF BECAME BLOCKED. RAINWATER DRAINED INTO CAR SATURATING CARPETS. WATER FLOWED INTO CONTROL SYSTEM CAUSING AN EMERGENCY DASHBOARD ALERT TO STOP DRIVING IMMEDIATELY WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. THIS EVENT OCCURRED TWICE: FIRSTLY IN NEW YORK THEN TWO WEEKS LATER IN PA. VW SERVICE IN PA REPLACED CONNECTORS. VW SERVICE IN BROOKLYN NY AND WESTCHESTER PA EXPLAINED THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FAULT IN THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM IN THE RETRACTABLE ROOF.

8/10/2018

PANORAMIC SUNROOF IS LEAKING WATER IN MULTIPLE PLACES. WHILE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND EXPOSED TO RAIN OR SNOW THE INSIDE OF PASSENGER CABIN GETS FILED WITH WATER, SPECIFICALY ON REAR RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE AND TRUNK AREA. THE SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT GET FILLED UP WITH WATER EVERY TIME IT RAINS.

1/3/2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF SPORTWAGEN. WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED, THE CLOCKSPRING CABLE FRACTURED AND RENDERED THE HORN, AIR BAGS, AND OTHER STEERING WHEEL FUNCTIONS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,669.

1/8/2019

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen. The contact stated that there was an odor of gasoline in the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle was stalling while driving. The contact stated she stopped at a gas station and attempted to add gasoline; however, the tank was already full. The contact was able to drive home safely. After the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that gasoline was leaking underneath the vehicle. The dealer was contacted and informed that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V647000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine And Engine Cooling) however, the vehicle was previously repaired under the recall. The contact was informed that the repair would be an out-of-pocket expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,400.

7/29/2022

My driver seat belt comes unbuckled when i'm driving. It's intermittent and random, and i'm very careful to lock in the belt and i pull on it before i start driving to make sure it's locked in, and it still comes undone. I then have to relock it while i'm driving, which is distracting, as well as worrisome that i am without a seatbelt until i can lock it again, especially if i'm on the freeway. I've taken it to my mechanic who drove the car and said the same thing happened to him several times while he was driving.

3/2/2023

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen. The contact stated while driving at high speeds, the vehicle started to shake abnormally. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an auto body shop where it was diagnosed and determined that the rear axle coil springs had fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

9/28/2023

Despite settling a class action lawsuit re: moonroof leakage, VW refuses to cover the same repair for my VW Golf Sportwagen. I have the same issue but could not participate in the class action suit due to mileage. I routinely have to bail 1/2 - 1 gallon of water out the spare tire area if its been raining. Water now also collects in the footwell behind the driver's seat/in front of my child's seat. The bolts affixing the seatbelts to the floor are rusted and there is mold under the carpet. The car now has electrical issues, including the alarm no longer sounding when I am reversing and someone is approaching in my blind spot. In addition, when the weather has been wet, the back up camera does not work and, mid trip, the car alarms sound, indicating the car must be serviced and the brakes and airbags are not working. These problems disappear after a few days of dry weather.

5/14/2024