VehicleVerdict

2016 Volkswagen e-Golf problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 31 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.9 times the median e-Golf year — the 2016 model ranks #2 of 5 e-Golf years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 12 reports (39% of the total).

31

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2016 compare to other e-Golf years?

e-Golf NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted47 complaints2015: 47 complaints2016: 31 complaints2017: 3 complaints2018: 1 complaints2019: 8 complaints
e-Golf NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all e-Golf years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1239%
Other516%
Engine516%
Steering26%
Transmission26%
Fuel System26%
Speed Control26%
Brakes13%

Does the 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

22V543000AirbagsJuly 27, 2022 · 1,216 units

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.

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.

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.

18V329000OtherMay 16, 2018 · 252 units

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.

Consequence

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

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.

16V955000Seat BeltsDecember 29, 2016 · 5,947 units

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.

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.

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.

16V464000Latches & LocksJune 24, 2016 · 5,658 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

16V138000Electrical SystemMarch 7, 2016 · 5,561 units

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.

Consequence

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

VEHICLE CHARGING PORT DOES NOT RESPECT THE SAE J1772 PROTOCOL IN STOPPING CURRENT FLOW WHEN DEPRESSING THE BUTTON (HTTPS://EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG/WIKI/SAE_J1772#SAFETY). THIS HAS CAUSED LARGE SPARKS AT CHARGING STATIONS WITH A BROKEN LATCH MECHANISM BUT WORKING BUTTON.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 5, 2017

WITHOUT WARNING THE CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART AND THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 20, 2017

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 2, 2018

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.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · November 10, 2020

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.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 27, 2018

2016 Volkswagen e-Golf — common questions

Is the 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 31 complaints put the 2016 model at #2 of 5 e-Golf years. It is one of the e-Golf years to avoid.

What are the most common 2016 e-Golf problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (12 complaints), other (5 complaints), engine (5 complaints).

Does the 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Volkswagen e-Golf years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the e-Golf years to avoid are 2015, 2016. The cleanest record among e-Golf years belongs to 2018.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.