Recall 16V337 affects 11 2016 Volkswagen Golf R vehicles for an incorrect rear axle weight label. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
Volkswagen is recalling 11 2016 Golf R vehicles because the federal certification label lists the wrong rear axle weight limit. The incorrect label can lead an owner to overload the vehicle beyond its Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, increasing crash risk; Volkswagen dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The certification label on a 2016 Volkswagen Golf R is the factory label that lists key weight ratings for the vehicle. One of those ratings is the rear axle weight limit, which tells an owner, dealer, or inspector how much weight the rear axle is certified to carry. That number matters when loading the vehicle or checking whether it meets federal labeling rules.
On the recalled Golf R vehicles, the rear axle itself is not described as the defective part. The problem is the label. Volkswagen traced the mistake to newly installed printing machines that used a default value instead of the correct rear axle weight limit, so the label showed inaccurate weight information even though corrected labels show the proper value.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner would not feel this issue while driving, because the problem is the printed certification information, not a noise, warning light, or change in handling.
Who's affected?
| 2016 Volkswagen Golf R | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 11 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2016 Volkswagen Golf R hatchback is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific hatchback is included.
What's the safety risk?
An incorrect weight label can lead an owner to overload the Golf R beyond its Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. An overloaded vehicle is operating outside its certified limit, increasing the risk of a crash. Until the label is corrected, avoid loading the vehicle near the stated limit. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Volkswagen Golf R is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule the free corrected certification-label installation, which fixes the incorrect rear axle weight limit on the label.
- Bring the recall notice if Volkswagen mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V337 and Volkswagen recall 01B5 when you call.
- Avoid overloading the vehicle until the label is corrected; follow the GVWR and axle-weight information in your owner's materials.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Volkswagen technician installs a corrected federal certification label with the proper rear axle weight limit. The label replacement and labor are free under the recall, and the remedy is available now. Volkswagen says reimbursement is not offered for this campaign because the action does not involve an owner paid part repair or replacement. If you have questions about the label, ask the service desk to confirm the corrected label was installed before you leave.
| Reimbursement | No separate reimbursement |
|---|
Timeline
| May 23, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 19, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V337?
Recall 16V337 covers 11 2016 Volkswagen Golf R vehicles with a federal certification label that lists the wrong rear axle weight limit. The incorrect label can lead an owner to overload the vehicle and exceed the GVWR, increasing crash risk.
What should I do if my 2016 Volkswagen Golf R is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Golf R is included in recall 16V337. If it is, contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer and ask for recall 01B5. The dealer will install a corrected certification label for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires Volkswagen to correct this defect at no cost. A franchised Volkswagen dealer will install the corrected certification label free of charge, regardless of where you bought the vehicle.
What is the safety risk in recall 16V337?
The safety risk is overloading the vehicle because the rear axle weight limit on the certification label is wrong. If the Golf R is loaded beyond its Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, the overload increases the risk of a crash.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V337000 |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen customer service | 1-800-893-5298 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V337 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V337000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →