2016 Chevrolet Cruze vs 2016 Volkswagen Golf
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2016 Chevrolet Cruze | 2016 Volkswagen Golf |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 247 | 85 |
| Recall campaigns | 4 | 9 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 1,330 | 855 |
| Investigations | 0 | 1 |
| Crash reports | 19 | 1 |
| Fire reports | 6 | 0 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 32–34 | 29 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 59,000 mi | 30,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chevrolet Cruze | Volkswagen Golf |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 100 | 18 |
| Electrical System | 58 | 8 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 34 | 29 |
| Power Train | 31 | 5 |
| Air Bags | 21 | 10 |
| Steering | 18 | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 17 | 3 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 16 | 1 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Check engine light | 33 | 0 |
| Stalling | 23 | 0 |
| Overheating | 21 | 0 |
| Vibration / shaking | 7 | 0 |
| Loss of power | 6 | 0 |
| Airbag warning light | 6 | 0 |
| Won’t start | 5 | 0 |
2016 Chevrolet Cruze
2016 Volkswagen Golf
Compare all Chevrolet Cruze vs Volkswagen Golf years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.