2016 Volkswagen E-Golf recalls and problems

5 recalls and 18 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2016 Volkswagen E-Golf.

5
recalls
18
owner complaints
0
complaints mentioning a crash
0
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2016 Volkswagen E-Golf recalls

Air bags: frontal, passenger side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 22V543000 · reported July 27, 2022 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 1,216 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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 fix
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.

Unknown or other

NHTSA campaign 18V329000 · reported May 16, 2018 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 252 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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 fix
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.

Seat belts: pretensioner · Air bags: frontal, passenger side, inflator module · Air bags: side/window · Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 16V955000 · reported December 29, 2016 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 5,947 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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 fix
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.

Latches/locks/linkages

NHTSA campaign 16V464000 · reported June 24, 2016 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 5,658 vehicles potentially affected

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

Electrical system: propulsion system, traction battery · Engine and engine cooling: engine

NHTSA campaign 16V138000 · reported March 7, 2016 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 5,561 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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 fix
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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Oct 23, 2023 · Service brakes

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…

Nov 20, 2022 · Electrical system

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…

Oct 14, 2022 · Engine

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…

Jun 9, 2022 · Electrical system · 43,000 miles

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…

Nov 17, 2020 · Electrical system · 79,000 miles

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.

E-Golf model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2015 32900
2016 51800
2017 2100
2018 1100
2019 0602

All Volkswagen E-Golf years →

Questions

Does the 2016 Volkswagen E-Golf have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2016 Volkswagen E-Golf, the most recent reported on July 27, 2022 (Air bags: frontal, passenger side, inflator module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Volkswagen E-Golf?
Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (11 complaints), followed by engine (5).
How many 2016 Volkswagen E-Golf complaints mention a crash or fire?
0 of 18 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 1 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received October 23, 2023.