RECALLS — MAKE · MODEL · YEAR
2016 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen recalls
13 safety recall campaigns have been filed for the 2016 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen with Transport Canada and the U.S. NHTSA. Here is what both agencies say.
- Canadian recalls
- 10
- U.S. recalls
- 03
- Total campaigns
- 13
Transport Canada recalls
10- Fuel System#2024095
86,308 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, a seal for the suction jet pump inside the fuel tank could fail. As a result, fuel may flow directly into the evaporative emission control system (EVAP). If this happens, fuel could leak from the charcoal canister. Note: This problem could cause a fuel odor, the fuel nozzle to stop early and/or fuel to spill when refueling. Safety Risk: A fuel leak can create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the suction jet pump.
- Airbag#2022403
202 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, the passenger-front airbag inflator could rupture when the airbag deploys in a crash. If this happens, the airbag may not inflate properly and small pieces of metal could be propelled toward vehicle occupants. Safety Risk: An airbag inflator that ruptures can create a risk of injury or death. Corrective Actions: Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the passenger-front airbag module.
- Fabrics#2021326
96,497 units affected
Issue: On certain models, the chrome layer could peel off of the trim located around the gear shift cover. If this happens, sharp edges can be created. Safety Risk: Exposed sharp edges can create the risk of a cut. Corrective Actions: Volkswagen will contact owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the gear shift cover trim frame.
- Label#2020353
132,432 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, the warning label for the engine block heater cable is written in English only. As a result, a French user may not receive important safety information about how to use the engine block heater. A label that is not provided in both official languages could create confusion. Safety Risk: User confusion could increase the risk of injury when trying to use the block heater. Corrective Actions: The company will mail each owner a new label for the block heater cable. If you would like help installing the label, you can contact a dealer for assistance.
- Suspension#2019116
15,579 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, the rear suspension coil springs may not have been properly manufactured and could break over time. This could cause damage to a rear tire, resulting in rapid air loss and/or tire failure. Safety Risk: A rear tire failure could affect vehicle control. Additionally, a broken coil spring could also create a road hazard for other motorists. Both of these conditions may increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to have both of the rear axle coil springs replaced. If a broken coil spring is found, the rear tires should be inspected for damage and replaced as required.
- Powertrain#2018371
24,123 units affected
On certain vehicles, the park position switch may malfunction due to a problem with the electrical contacts. This could allow for removal of the ignition key without the shift lever being in the Park (P) position. If the parking brake is not applied, this could result in unintended vehicle movement, which could increase the risk of crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will install an additional park position switch and circuit board.
- Lights And Instruments#2016433
1,196 units affected
Certain vehicles equipped with lane and light assist may not conform to the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 108 - Lighting System and Retroreflective Devices. The vehicles may have been manufactured with a European standard multi-function camera that does not include a test mode required by the standard. A manufacturing change has been made to prevent this non-compliance from continuing. No corrective action is required as the non-compliance is considered not to affect safety.
- Fuel System#2016430
33,894 units affected
On certain vehicles, the suction pump inside the fuel tank designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system may be compromised. This could cause fuel to flow directly into the EVAP system which could, over time, accumulate and cause a leak through the charcoal canister filter element. Leaking fuel, in the presence of an ignition source, could lead to a fire causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the suction pump inside the fuel tank.
- Structure#2016319
1,567 units affected
On certain vehicles, rear door child safety locks could disengage due to external vehicle vibration (such as when closing a door). This would render it possible for a child to unintentionally open a door, increasing the risk of injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the child locks. Note: This recall affects Golf R models only.
- Engine#2015504
17,240 units affected
On certain vehicles, the camshaft lobe which actuates the vacuum pump may fail, causing the pump to fail to deliver further vacuum supply to the brake booster, potentially increasing stopping distances. This would also result in a reduction in available engine power. These issues could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Note: This issue would result in the Engine Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) illuminating. Correction: Dealers will update the engine control module (ECM) software.
Canadian data updated August 24, 2026
U.S. NHTSA recalls
03- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE#24V110000
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 problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister.
Risk: 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. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are VW: 20UF/Audi: 20YF. Vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-647 will need to have the new remedy completed. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 16V-647.
- AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE#22V543000
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.
Risk: 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.
- STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE#18V464000
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 to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Risk: 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.
Does this recall apply to my vehicle?
Matched by make, model, and model year. Many recalls affect only specific VIN ranges — confirm with your dealer using your full VIN.
What to do
Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer in both countries. To confirm a recall applies to your specific vehicle, or to book the work, contact your manufacturer or dealer with your full VIN, or use the official channel:
- NHTSA recall lookup (search by VIN) — U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Defects and recalls database — Transport Canada
Check a 2016 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen VIN
A VIN decode confirms your vehicle's exact model year, trim and assembly plant, then runs this same recall check against it.