The EPC light has luminated 3 times in the last several months. The vehicle stutters and will not accelerate past 25 MPH. Shutting off the engine and restarting it clears the light and vehicle drives normally. The check engine light does not illuminate and no OBDII codes are stored. Manual states to take vehicle to authorized dealership for diagnosis if light stays illuminated.
2016 Volkswagen Golf engine problems
19 complaints (22% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 17,000.
- owner complaints
- 19
- of this car's complaints
- 22%
- typical mileage
- 17,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Volkswagen Golf engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 Volkswagen Golf engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.
- Risk
- If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑822‑8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.
Recall number 15V705000 · Recall details
What 2016 Volkswagen Golf owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
My EPC light began to appear randomly in early 2024. I received a recall notice on the gear shift trim around the same time, so called Jack Ingram VW in Montgomery to schedule a time for them to fix it (and also ensure they had the part). I asked them to also check on why the EPC light was coming on. Brought in my car on 2/28/24. Service Dept then tells me they weren't sure what was causing the EPC light to come on, and they didn't have the gear shift trim part. They quoted me a lot of work to do, which I wasn't prepared financially to have completed. EPC light continued to appear at random. Each time it did, my car would shake and it would feel like I was losing control of the vehicle. I received another recall notice for the suction jet pump inside the fuel tank. When I called Jack Ingram VW to schedule this work, I asked if this had anything to do with my EPC light coming on. They weren't sure. The recall work for both the suction jet pump inside the fuel tank and the gear shift trim were completed on 8/28/24. Car worked fine until about a month later and the EPC light came on again. Called another VW mechanic in Montgomery (Powell's Automotive) to see if they can fix it. On 9/20/24 they replaced battery, spark plugs, ignition coil, and did an oil change. Worked great until [XXX] when my engine failed and left me stranded in the road. There were no warning lights prior to the engine failing. Could not restart car. Had it towed to Powell's who could not fix it, then to Jack Ingram VW. I asked them if this had anything to do with the recall work that was done. They said this would be the first if it was. They told me the in tank fuel pump needed replacing. Work completed 10/25/24. How can they work on the suction jet pump inside the fuel tank and not get a diagnostic that the in tank fuel pump was failing? I've already paid a lot of money to try to resolve the issue, and my EPC light is still coming on. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I have had this car since 2021, when I first bought it they had to keep it for another week due to a coolant break error? Had to fix it but later on I had to put tons of money into the car almost more money than it’s worth. And I’ve had a engine light on religiously for the entirety of the car, however my cars engine lights flash at times when I am driving and it gets hard to accelerate and reeks of gas- I’ve given up on dealerships because they have done everything else but what I have asked them to do and I still leave and the engine light turns on after. I did some research and learned my car has a recall since 2/14/2024 and I’ve had no update on my vehicles recall or if it’s repairable. My car will refuse to start at times and I’ve told this dealership this car will most likely kill me since I’ve put so much money into it for nothing to be fixed? And if it’s been this recall error what do I do? Please help me bought from Allen web Mitsubishi. All the symptoms are there but I’m scared
Gff test plan on stored engine light. Recommend replacing thermostat housing causing the check engine light. Recommned replace thermostat housing. Seep/slight cooling leak. Advised to watch coolant levels until fixed.
Thermostat and Gasket repair quoted by VW dealership. The coolant is leaking according to their inspection. Car could malfunction unexpectedly and leave me stranded as a road hazard Many more claims in this thread. They quote $1,600 to repair. https://www.reddit.com/r/GolfGTI/comments/drna5m/mk775_thermostat_housing_issue_and_coolant_loss/
Dealer found thermostat housing leak and recommended housing and pump replacement at a cost of over $2K. Thermostat is housing leak could cause loss of coolant which could strand you in the middle of the road. There were no warning lamps active. This appears to be a common issue with these vehicles. The thermostat should not be having problems like this at this mileage. The component has not been inspected by insurance, manufacturer, or police, only the dealer.
The vehicle overheated during normal driving. The car advised the driver to stop immediately. The car was inspected later the same day by a VW dealer service department that determined the water pump and thermostat housing required replacement. Estimated cost is $1400.
Water Pump Failed twice
The car had a few hiccup on the freeway. Eventually the car had a strong gas smell, did not allow to add/fill up gas and was leaking gas at the back of the car. The car could have caught fire without us knowing. The problem was reproduced and known to the dealers. The second dealer Hewlett had seen another 3 cars with same issue as my car! Please see all invoices showing the parts and issues with car. suction pump in the fuel tank, fuel pump gasket, purge valve, evap canister, N80 valve. There is a recall for same issue but my car was never recalled! Recall 16V647000 Summary Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf, Golf SportWagen, GTI, Audi A3 sedan and A3 Cabriolet vehicles. Due to a problem with the suction pump inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system. Recall 16V647000 Consequence As fuel accumulates in the EVAP system, it may leak out through the charcoal canister filter element. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. Recall 16V647000 Solution Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. The recall began November 2016. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298, Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 20Y6 and 20Y5.
EPC light comes on whenever turbo is engages, loss of power (no turbo). EPC light goes off when car is restarted, back on after a few minutes of driving. Error codes indicate turbo issues. Vehicle has 40K odometer mikes. Chat forums have numerous similar reports from other owners. Seems to be a known turbo issue with early MK7 GTIs
Questions about the 2016 Volkswagen Golf engine
Does the 2016 Volkswagen Golf have engine problems?
Owners have filed 19 complaints about the engine of the 2016 Volkswagen Golf, 22% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2016 Volkswagen Golf engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 17,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Volkswagen Golf engine?
Yes, 1 recall: 15V705000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Volkswagen Golf have bad engine?
The Volkswagen Golf model years with the most engine complaints are 2019 (35 complaints), 2015 (28 complaints) and 2011 (26 complaints).
Other 2016 Volkswagen Golf problems
Fuel system 32Airbags 10Electrical 8Body 7Transmission 5Brakes 4Driver assistance 4Acceleration 3Steering 2Suspension 2Visibility 2Wheels 2Lights 1
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