RoadVitals

2015 Volkswagen E-Golf

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
29
Latest Dec 18, 2023
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest May 16, 2018
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 29 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2015 Volkswagen E-Golf, most frequently naming the electrical, fuel system and engine categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 531 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical2050.0%
  • Fuel system922.5%
  • Engine512.5%
  • Powertrain (other)410.0%
  • Driver assistance12.5%
  • Steering12.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
18V329000

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

May 16, 2018
252 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
The risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
The remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 01C5/01C6View on NHTSA.gov
16V138000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Mar 7, 2016
5,561 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 e-Golf vehicles manufactured May 21, 2014, to March 1, 2016. Oversensitive diagnostics for the high-voltage battery management system may falsely detect an electrical surge resulting in the vehicle's electric drive motor shutting down unexpectedly.
The risk: An unexpected vehicle shutdown can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will update the battery management software, free of charge. The recall began March 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 93B4.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 93B4View on NHTSA.gov
15V627000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

Oct 7, 2015
993 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Jetta vehicles manufactured September 8, 2014, to November 28, 2014, Golf vehicles manufactured April 2, 2014, to December 3, 2014, and E-Golf vehicles manufactured July 26, 2014, to October 18, 2014. The affected vehicles are equipped a Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) that may have been manufactured improperly. As a result, the front passenger seat occupant may be improperly classified or may not be detected.
The risk: In the event of a crash, if the front passenger seat occupant is incorrectly classified or non-detected, the passenger frontal air bag may deploy improperly or not at all, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
The remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PODS control module, free of charge. The recall began on November 20, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswgen's number for this recall is 69L6.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 69L6View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP22005ClosedDefect Petition

Pedestrian alert sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023
Closed Aug 7, 2023

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEMLed to recall 22V063000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 29
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 18, 2023

I was driving and the car shuddered and lost all power and would not accelerate. The car glided to a stop, but there were no shoulders so I was stuck blocking traffic. Later, the police helped push it to a side street where it was safe to park. The dashboard displayed the following error: "Error: Electrical System. Stop!" This message occured at the time of the failure. There were no symptoms or warnings prior to the failure. This message can not be found in the owners manual. Turning the car off and on does not change the situation. The vehicle has not been inspected by a dealer and is awaiting a tow to a dealer

NHTSA ID
11560661
Incident
Dec 18, 2023
Filed Dec 22, 2021

There is a known issue regarding a software update required to keep using the heat and cooling options on 2015 and older eGOLF models. Without this patch the heating and cooling of the vehicle will cease to operate. This includes the defogging capability for front and side windows in cold weather. On more than one occasion, I have had to wipe condensation from the windows while driving due to the failure of the heat pump. VW is aware of this software issue, but for vehicles out of the standard warranty will require a service diagnostic fee as well as a large repair cost for essentially a software upgrade. VW owns the diagnostic tools and software so there is no third party way to fix this issue. Affected vehicles should have the software update applied so visibility is not affected during driving. TSB attached

NHTSA ID
11444703
Incident
Nov 1, 2021
Filed Aug 2, 2021

The trim located around the gear selectors has separated leaving a sharp chrome edge that cuts your hand when reaching into the cubby beyond the shifter. This issue was corrected by VW Canada in a recall but not by VW US. It is a known issue and is prevalent across the golf lineup.

NHTSA ID
11427386
Incident
Aug 1, 2021
ElectricalFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 28, 2021

CAR WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET AND SUDDENLY LOST POWER. PULLED OFF ROAD, WAITED AND RESTARTED VEHICLE WITH NORMAL FUNCTION. EVALUATED AT VW DEALER AND TOLD THE DC-DC CONVERTOR IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND SHUTTING DOWN THE MOTOR. THIS PART WAS PART OF A PRIOR SAFETY RECALL BY NHSTA, AND THE CAR WAS EVALUATED AND SAID TO BE FIXED. CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA (CASE # 04750977) AND TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AS THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY.

NHTSA ID
11414340
Incident
Apr 17, 2021
Mileage
27,500 mi
Filed Jan 9, 2020

WHEN I WENT TO UNPLUG MY CAR IN MY GARAGE, THE CHARGING PORT WOULD NOT RELEASE THE CHARGER. WHEN I LOOKED IT UP ONLINE, I FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE WHO OWNED 2015 E-GOLFS HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND THAT NONE OF THE ELECTRICAL RESETS WOULD WORK TO GET THE CHARGING PORT TO RELEASE THE CHARGING CABLE. (HTTPS://WWW.MYVWEGOLF.COM/FORUM/VIEWTOPIC.PHP?F=12&T=839&START=60) I TRIED ALL THE ELECTRICAL RESETS ANYWAY, BUT NOTHING WORKED. THE CAR WAS LOCKED DOWN, AND IT WOULD NOT EVEN LET ME PUT IT IN NEUTRAL, SO IT COULD NOT BE ROLLED ON TO A TOW TRUCK. THE TOW TRUCK DAMAGED THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF MY CAR TRYING TO GET IT OUT OF MY GARAGE AS A RESULT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE LUTHER WESTSIDE VW DEALERSHIP IN MINNEAPOLIS, MN, AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME A DEDUCTIBLE EVEN THOUGH THE FREQUENCY OF THIS ISSUE POINTS TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE CHARGING PORT SHOULD BE RECALLED. PEOPLE ARE BEING STRANDED OVER AND OVER AGAIN BECAUSE VW WON'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS.

NHTSA ID
11298298
Incident
Jan 6, 2020
Mileage
15,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Oct 14, 2019

THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT UNLOCK/RELEASE THE CHARGING CONNECTOR FROM THE CONNECTION PORT. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE EMERGENCY RELEASE PROCEDURE FOR THE VEHICLE WILL NOT RELEASE THE CHARGING CONNECTOR. THE CHARGING STATUS INDICATOR IS RED. EVENTUALLY CONNECTOR FINALLY RELEASES BUT AFTER EITHER HOURS OF WAITING OR SOMETIMES HITTTING THE CONNECTOR TO JAR IT FREE. DURING THE LOCKED CONDITION, THE VEHICLE IS NOT MOVEABLE - WILL NOT OPERATE. IF IT OCCURS AT A PUBLIC CHARGER, THE CAR IS LITERALLY TIED TO THE CHARGER AND BUILDING, UNABLE EVEN TO BE TOWED. CHARGERS CAN BE IN SOME KIND OF BLEAK, SCARY PLACES. NOT ALWAYS WHERE YOU WANT TO BE TRAPPED ALONE AT NIGHT. THERE ARE MANY REPORTS BY OTHER OWNERS/DRIVERS OF THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL, SEE: HTTPS://WWW.MYVWEGOLF.COM/FORUM/VIEWTOPIC.PHP?F=12&T=839&START=10 OR HTTPS://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?9292185-NOW-CHARGER-PORT-WON-T-RELEASE-CHARGER-CONNECTER! OR HTTPS://WWW.MYVWEGOLF.COM/FORUM/VIEWTOPIC.PHP?F=12&T=158&START=30 . THERE ARE OTHERS ALSO.

NHTSA ID
11268374
Incident
Oct 14, 2019
Mileage
25,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 16, 2019

THE 2015 EGOLF LOCKS THE CHARGING CONNECTOR ONTO THE VEHICLE DURING CHARGING. THIS FUNCTIONALITY HAS TWO (AT LEAST) BENEFITS TO THE VEHICLE OPERATOR. ONE BENEFIT IS THAT THE (VERY EXPENSEIVE) CAR CHARGER'S POWER SUPPLY CAN'T EASILY BE STOLEN DURING CHARGING. A SECOND, SAFETY-CENTRIC, FUNCTION IS DERIVED BY NOT ALLOWING THE CHARGING PORT TO SEPARATE WHILE A CHARGE IS UNDERWAY PREVENTING POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL ARCS AND ELECTROCUTION. THE LOCKING MECHAISM INTERMITTENLY FAILS TO UNLOCK TOGETHER WITH THE REST OF THE DOORS AND FUNCTIONS ON THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS SEVERAL POTENTIAL DANGERS TO A VEHICLE OPERATOR. WHEH THE CHARGE CONNECTER WILL NOT RELEASE, THE VEHICLE WILL START AND MIGHT CREATE A SITUATION OF BEING STRANDED AT NIGHT IN A PUBLC CHARGING LOCATION. TJRTRRWERT---9RR-RRWPWRHIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME. TRYING TO RELEASE THE PLUG REQUIRES A STRONG LONG NARROW OBJECT (USUALLY METAL) BE INSERTED INTO THE SHIELDED AREA OF THE LOCKING MECHANISM. THE MECHANISM CAN SOMETIMES BE OVER-RIDDEN THROUGH TRIAL AND ERROR. EVENAUALLY, THOUGH AN OOPERATOR IS GOING TO ACCIDENTALLY CONTACT ONE OF THE HIGH VOLTAGE TERMINALS.AND BE SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. CLIPPERCREEK CHARGING EQUIPMENT SEEMS MORE LIKELY TO CAUSRE THIS CONDITION. OUR HSC-40 UNIT AND THE SMALLER 120V TRAVEL MODEL THESE ARE OTHER SIMILAR REPORTS FOUND ONLINE: HTTPS://WWW.MYVWEGOLF.COM/FORUM/VIEWTOPIC.PHP?F=12&T=839 ' HTTPS://WWW.MYVWEGOLF.COM/FORUM/VIEWTOPIC.PHP?F=12&T=839#P7764 ' HTTPS://WWW.MYVWEGOLF.COM/FORUM/VIEWTOPIC.PHP?F=12&T=839#P7764

NHTSA ID
11255767
Incident
Sep 2, 2019
Mileage
47,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 6, 2019

EV CHARGER WILL NOT DISENGAGE FROM PORT EVEN WHEN CAR IS UNLOCKED WITH REMOTE. RED LIGHT INDICATING CHARGING FAILURE REMAINS AND CHARGER MUST BE REMOVED USING EMERGENCY DISENGAGE PIN WHICH IS DIFFICULT TO ACCESS AND CAR IS IMMOBILIZED WHILE CHARGER REMAINS STUCK. ELECTRICAL ERROR MESSAGE REQUESTING SERVICE COMES UP ON DASHBOARD TWO DAYS BUT DISAPPEARS UPON RESTART OF VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
11241947
Incident
Aug 3, 2019
Mileage
26,415 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

VOS-26-42

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the issue: DA 0019 - Hotfix 12-V battery test(s) – No battery diagnosis - Inconclusive test result.

V1718062017813_24

ENGINE

Oil Consumption Measurement and Electronic Oil Consumption Measurement

TT 10-18-02_2

ENGINE

Lubricating engine components before reassembly.

TT 13-20-01_3

ENGINE

Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.

V6919012010479_17

AIR BAGS

Inquiries

V1719012012855_81

ENGINE

Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Volkswagen E-Golf by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2020000—
2019600—
2018111—
2017121—
2016185151.4
2015Viewing293145.8

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.