VolkswagenGolf R2016Overview/volkswagen/golf-r/2016/base/

2016 Volkswagen Golf R

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 Golf R.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (AM-S6)

The 2016 Volkswagen Golf R is a passenger car paired with a six-speed automated manual transmission (AM-S6), returning EPA fuel economy of 23 city, 30 highway, and 25 combined mpg. Its reliability record is comparatively clean: 12 total owner complaints place it well below the 194 complaints recorded for the 2017 model year—the peak across the Golf R's complaint history spanning 2012 through 2026—though four recalls and a top complaint area in the fuel/propulsion system indicate it is not without issues. For researchers, this positions the 2016 as a relatively stable entry in the generation's timeline, one where targeted scrutiny of fuel-system service history is warranted but broader reliability concerns remain modest compared to adjacent years.

Model year202620252024202320222019201820172016

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

EPA fuel economy23/30/25 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI Battery group and CCA will vary by model options and region. Refer to the appropriate service information. · Battery group and CCA will vary by model options and region. Refer to the appropriate service information. CCA battery, OE oil filter 06L115562B. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI Battery group and CCA will vary by model options and region. Refer to the appropriate service information. · Battery group and CCA will vary by model options and region. Refer to the appropriate service information. CCAOEM · verified
Tire size225/40R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter06L115562B
Engine air filter5Q0129620B
Spark plug06K905601B
Battery000915089E alt 000915089F
Front wiper blades5G1998002
Serpentine belt06L903137A
Cabin air filter5Q0819669

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AM-S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length167.3 in
Overall width70.5 in
Overall height56.7 in
Wheelbase103.5 in
Curb weight3038 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined23 / 30 / 25 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 22.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-3-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 4
Engine CoolantUse genuine VW G13 type coolant/antifreeze
Engine Coolant Capacity5.3-10.5

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts6.6
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18.4
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug22.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-3-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerVolkswagen
Spark Plug Gap.039 - .043 in
Spark Plug Torque18 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerVolkswagen
Spark Plug Torque22 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.00-1.25 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)58
Residual Pressure43.5 min pressure after 10 min psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 26; Rear: 26
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 148; Rear: 66
ABS Sensor Torque6
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementStamped on rotor
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishStamped on rotor

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
190
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts lightly with specified motor oil.

130.0 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
4Bolts 11 3.0 ft. lbs.3 ft. lbs
5Bolts 11 90 degrees90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs at 120,000 mi; coolant every 10,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 10,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBattery (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 20,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake System (inspect) · Suspension Shock or Strut (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (inspect)
Every 40,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Door Stop (lubricate) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Instrument Cluster Warning Indicator (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAir Intake Hose Debris Screen (clean) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean)
At 120,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Across this Golf R generation, federal records reveal a dramatic complaint and recall trend that spikes in 2015 with 123 complaints and 12 recalls, and again in 2017 with 194 complaints and 6 recalls. The 2016 model year sits in a distinct valley between these two peaks, dropping to just 12 complaints and 4 recalls, which implies it largely sidestepped the acute regulatory scrutiny that plagued the surrounding years. For the 2016 Golf R specifically, the top complaint areas are the Fuel/Propulsion System and Unknown Or Other categories with two complaints each, alongside single complaints for Tires and Structure, and zero crash or fire complaints; however, the data does not specify the root causes for these issues. Given its position as a low-point in an otherwise volatile generation, the 2016 model presents a statistically safer bet than its immediate neighbors. Consequently, the 2016 Golf R is a strong year to buy used, provided you ensure all four of its specific recalls have been properly resolved prior to purchase.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
556
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
12
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 12 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Fuel/Propulsion System2
Unknown Or Other2
Tires1
Structure1
Power Train1
Engine1
Visibility/Wiper1
Electrical System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V337000Equipment:Other:LabelsReported 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… Remedy: 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.

16V464000Latches/Locks/LinkagesReported 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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 556 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TT 10-18-02_22026-06-18EngineLubricating engine components before reassembly.
TT 13-20-01_32026-06-18EngineInstruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
V6919012010479_172026-06-11Air BagsInquiries
V1719012012855_812026-06-04EngineVolkswagen Engine Oil Standards
VOS-26-212026-03-27EngineThis is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Golf R. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2016 Golf R have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Golf R get?

EPA figures are 23 city / 30 highway / 25 combined mpg.