NHTSA vehicle safety data

2016 Volkswagen E-Golf Recalls & Complaints

The 2016 Volkswagen E-Golf has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 17 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Volkswagen dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2016 Volkswagen E-Golf. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2016 Volkswagen E-Golf owner complaints

Owners have filed 17 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Volkswagen E-Golf, describing incidents dated November 9, 2015 to October 21, 2023.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 10 complaints
Engine 5 complaints
Unknown or Other 5 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 2 complaints
Power Train 2 complaints
Steering 2 complaints

Together, the 17 complaints on file report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11551421 · Filed October 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…
ODI #11494331 · Filed November 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…
ODI #11489309 · Filed October 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…

Read all 17 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2016 Volkswagen E-Golf in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Defect Petition DP22-005: Pedestrian alert sounds
Closed August 7, 2023
- Recall 22V-063

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Air Bag Inflator May Explode or Deploy Improperly

NHTSA #22V543000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported July 27, 2022 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 1,216 vehicles

Repair completion: 66.69% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Volkswagen campaign 69DY, 61C1 · Owners notified December 16, 2022 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Modifications to Vehicles Made them Noncompliant

NHTSA #18V329000 · Unknown or Other · NHTSA notice

Reported May 16, 2018 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 252 vehicles

Repair completion: 78.09% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Volkswagen campaign 01C5/01C6 · Owners notified November 29, 2018 · Vehicles built March 3, 2015 – October 23, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Air Bags or Seat Belt Pretensioners may not Deploy

NHTSA #16V955000 · Seat Belts — Pretensioner · NHTSA notice

Reported December 29, 2016 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 5,947 vehicles

Repair completion: 85.77% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Volkswagen campaign VW: 69P4; Audi 69P2 · Owners notified February 28, 2017 · Vehicles built July 27, 2016 – August 9, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Rear Child Locks May Disengage

NHTSA #16V464000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages · NHTSA notice

Reported June 24, 2016 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 5,658 vehicles

Repair completion: 78.33% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Volkswagen campaign 58C9 · Owners notified August 22, 2016 · Vehicles built November 25, 2015 – January 11, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 CC vehicles manufactured January 12, 2016, to February 3, 2016, Golf R and Tiguan vehicles manufactured November 25, 2015, to January 28, 2016, and e-Golf vehicles manufactured November 25, 2015, to January 11, 2016. Vibrations, such as those created by opening and closing a vehicle door, may cause the rear child door locks to disengage, allowing a child to open a rear door while inside the vehicle.

Safety consequence

If an unrestrained child unexpectedly opens a door, they may fall from the vehicle increasing their risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the child lock(s), free of charge. The recall began on August 22, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 58C9.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Electric Motor may Shutdown Unexpectedly

NHTSA #16V138000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine · NHTSA notice

Reported March 7, 2016 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 5,561 vehicles

Repair completion: 90.85% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Volkswagen campaign 93B4 · Owners notified March 17, 2016 · Vehicles built May 21, 2014 – March 1, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

An unexpected vehicle shutdown can increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

2016 Volkswagen eGolf 4 DR FWD

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control Forward Collision Warning (Optional)

1 investigation

17 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Volkswagen E-Golf.

Service Brakes

ODI #11551421

Incident: October 21, 2023 · Filed: October 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.

Electrical System

ODI #11494331

Incident: November 18, 2022 · Filed: November 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.

Electrical System; Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11489309

Incident: September 29, 2022 · Filed: October 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.

Electrical System

ODI #11468478

Incident: April 23, 2022 · Filed: June 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.

Steering; Electrical System; Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #11375152

Incident: November 10, 2020 · Filed: November 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.

Unknown or Other; Engine

ODI #11307180

Incident: January 20, 2020 · Filed: February 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.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11204825

1 injury

Incident: April 25, 2019 · Filed: April 30, 2019

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.

Power Train; Electrical System

ODI #11166367

Incident: December 27, 2018 · Filed: January 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.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11151854

Incident: July 1, 2018 · Filed: November 15, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN E-GOLF. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V329000 (UNKNOWN OR OTHER). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED AUTONATION (8201 EAST SPRAGUE AVE, SPOKANE, WA 99212, 866-483-4544) AND WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE. NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11115450

Incident: August 2, 2018 · Filed: August 2, 2018

WE WERE LIED TO BY THE DEALER ABOUT THE CARS HISTORY. WITH THIS CURRENT RECALL ON THE CAR, THE MAJOR REPAIR WE JUST HAD, THE FACT THAT VW DOESN'T HAVE TECHS IN THE AREA LIMITING OUR REPAIR ABILITY, AND THE FACT THAT ANY REPAIRS REQUIRE VW TO SEND IN TECHS TO THE AREA, PROLONGING THE TIME WITHOUT THE CAR, I ASKED VW TO DO A BUY BACK AS THERE IS NO FIX FOR THE RECALL. VW REFUSED TO BUY THE CAR BACK.

Other Volkswagen E-Golf model years

Check your 2016 Volkswagen E-Golf VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Volkswagen E-Golf at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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