CarRecallWatchThe 2016 Volkswagen E-Golf has 5 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA, including 1 injury.
The most-reported problem area is Electrical System (11 reports).
2016 Volkswagen E-Golf recalls
Passenger Front Airbag May Explode or Deploy Improperly
The front passenger airbag inflator module may explode when the airbag deploys, or it may deploy improperly.
Modified VWs May Not Meet Federal Safety Rules
Some 2011-2017 Volkswagen vehicles were modified while they were in an internal evaluation period, and those changes may mean the vehicles do not fully comply with all applicable federal regulatory requirements.
Airbags or Seat Belt Pretensioners May Fail in a Crash
Certain vehicles may have driver or passenger frontal airbags, side or head airbags, or seat belt pretensioners that may not deploy or activate properly.
Rear Child Locks May Disengage, Letting Kids Open Doors
Certain 2016 Volkswagen CC, e-Golf, Golf R, and Tiguan vehicles built within specific production windows may have rear child door locks that disengage from vibration, such as from opening and closing a door.
Electric motor may shut down unexpectedly, raising crash risk
The high-voltage battery management system can be overly sensitive and falsely detect an electrical surge.
Most common 2016 Volkswagen E-Golf problems
Problem areas named in the 18 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 11 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
What owners report
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.
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.
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 V
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.
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.
2016 Volkswagen E-Golf questions
Does the 2016 Volkswagen E-Golf have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2016 Volkswagen E-Golf: Passenger Front Airbag May Explode or Deploy Improperly; Modified VWs May Not Meet Federal Safety Rules; Airbags or Seat Belt Pretensioners May Fail in a Crash; Rear Child Locks May Disengage, Letting Kids Open Doors; Electric motor may shut down unexpectedly, raising crash risk. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Volkswagen E-Golf?
Based on 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (11), Engine (5), Unknown Or Other (5).
How do I check if a recall on my 2016 Volkswagen E-Golf has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.