RoadVitals

2016 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.
18
Latest Oct 23, 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.
5
Latest Jul 27, 2022
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
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 18 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Volkswagen E-Golf, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and driver assistance categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 526 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

  • Electrical1144.0%
  • Engine520.0%
  • Driver assistance28.0%
  • Fuel system28.0%
  • Powertrain (other)28.0%
  • Steering28.0%
  • Brakes14.0%

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

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

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
22V543000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jul 27, 2022
1,216 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 Audi TT Roadster, TT Coupe, S3 Sedan, R8 Coupe, A3 Sedan, A3 Etron, A3 Cabriolet, 2016 Golf Sportwagen, Golf R, Golf GTI, Golf A7, and E Golf vehicles. During air bag deployment, the front passenger air bag may explode or deploy improperly.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. An improper air bag deployment may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the front-passenger air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69DY and 61C1.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 69DY, 61C1View 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
16V955000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW; SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER

Dec 29, 2016
5,947 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.
The risk: In the event of a crash, if the air bags and/or the seat belt pretensioners do not inflate or function properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.
The remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bags and seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number VW: 69P4; Audi 69P2View 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 18
Brakes
Filed Oct 23, 2023

The regenerative braking system on my car shut off for about half a second before re engaging automatically. I was slowing down at a red light and had a car in front of me. As I applied the brakes, I hit a bump in the road and the brakes completely stopped working, causing me to almost hit the car in front of me. I do not believe that this issue is known among these vehicles, and I don't know if it has been confirmed by a dealer or testing lab. There were no warning signs for this event, the brakes just shut off for half a second.

NHTSA ID
11551421
Incident
Oct 21, 2023
Electrical
Filed Nov 20, 2022

While the vehicle is attached to A/C power for charging, the forced air heating system does not warm the car. This can leave the occupants without heat for an extended period of time while charging in a remote location which could be life threatening. There used to be a "work around" using CarNET functions for this car, but that service has been discontinued for the 2016 model year. It should also be noted that other battery electric vehicles allow heating and cooling while plugged in to A/C power.

NHTSA ID
11494331
Incident
Nov 18, 2022
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Oct 14, 2022

Two miles into my morning commute, I accelerated to 65 mph when the following message appeared on the instrument display "Error: electrical system. Stop!" At the same time, the vehicle lost all electrical motor drive and began to coast and decelerate. As I coasted there was a clicking noise in the drivetrain and remained audible while I changed lanes to the shoulder and made a safe full stop. I powered the vehicle OFF then ON three time or until the error disappeared. The vehicle was driven to a service location and scanned which revealed 14 error codes (ref. attachment) related to electric drivetrain. This error is a safety related fault and needs to be investigated by a NHTSA and a VW safety engineer.

NHTSA ID
11489309
Incident
Sep 29, 2022
Electrical
Filed Jun 9, 2022

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen E-Golf. The contact stated that while charging the vehicle with the level 3 charger, the female connector on the vehicle became loosened due to a failure with the 4 tabs holding the connector in place on the vehicle. The level 3 charger loosened and exposed the plug with live current going to the part. The contact stated that he smelled a burnt electrical odor and the charger was now inoperable. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer however, there were no trained technicians available to fix the vehicle. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.

NHTSA ID
11468478
Incident
Apr 23, 2022
Mileage
43,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalSteering
Filed Nov 17, 2020

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE CAR HALTED ALL OF A SUDDEN. AN ERROR APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD THAT SAID ELECTRIC FAILURE. STOP. LUCKILY NO CARS WERE BEHIND ME OR IT WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR WOULD NOT START BACK UP FOR 30-40 MINUTES.

NHTSA ID
11375152
Incident
Nov 10, 2020
Mileage
79,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 5, 2020

THE DROP DOWN V-CLAMP ON THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AT THE ENGINE CAME LOSE. THE SCREW THAT IS TO SECURE THIS CLAMP DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE TO KEEP THE CLAMP TIGHT ALLOWING THE EXHAUST TO COME INTO THE CABIN OF THE AUTOMOBILE. I DROVE AROUND WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN FOR TWO (2) WEEKS PRIOR TO MY HUSBAND FINDING THE ISSUE. HE HAS FINALLY REPLACED THE SCREW WITH ANOTHER SCREW AND A LOCK NUT IN ORDER TO KEEP IT CLOSED. FIRST THIS WAS A UNUSUAL NOISE, THEN A SMELL OF EXHAUST AND THEN, MY EYES WERE BURNING AND RUNNING WATER. AND YOU COULD NOT BREATH. I CHECKED ONLINE AND THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. I AM SHOCKED THERE IS NOT A RECALL. I WISH I COULD GIVE THIS CAR BACK AS I FEEL I COULD HAVE DIED IN THAT CAR.

NHTSA ID
11307180
Incident
Jan 20, 2020
Mileage
500 mi
Filed Apr 30, 2019
1 injury reported

METAL TRIM AROUND CENTER CONSOLE AND STEERING WHEEL HAS SHARP EDGES AND CAN CUT HANDS WITHOUT WARNING. MY TRIM WAS NOT BENT UNTIL AFTER IT WAS CAUGHT ON MY HAND AND SLICED MY FINGER IN TWO PLACES.

NHTSA ID
11204825
Incident
Apr 25, 2019
Mileage
28,630 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 10, 2019

WHILE CHARGING THE CAR, AN ELECTRIC COMPONENT FAILED AND THE CARD GOT DISABLED AND WOULD NOT START ANYMORE. IT ALSO STOPPED CHARGING. THE CAR WAS THEN TOWED AWAY FROM CHARGING STATION TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ID
11166367
Incident
Dec 27, 2018
Mileage
9,700 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 13-20-01_3

ENGINE

Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.

TT 10-18-02_2

ENGINE

Lubricating engine components before reassembly.

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—
2016Viewing185151.4
2015293145.8

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.