2016 Volkswagen e-Golf Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
75/100
#2 most-complained of 5 e-Golf years
The 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf has a Complaint Index of 75, ranking 2nd worst among the model's 5 years. Electrical System issues drive 61% of complaints, with 5 recalls including a high-voltage battery management software fix and an airbag replacement campaign.
- Complaints
- 18
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 116
- 126 city / 105 hwy
Top 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System11 (61%)
- Engine7 (39%)
- Other5 (28%)
- Brakes2 (11%)
- Fuel System2 (11%)
- Steering2 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (11%)
What owners report
- Owners report the electrical system displaying "Error: electrical system. Stop!" while driving, sometimes with sudden loss of motor drive.
- Some drivers say the car died unexpectedly in traffic or on the freeway, cutting power without warning.
- One owner described the charging port failing to cut current flow properly, causing sparks at charging stations.
- A brake complaint described the regenerative braking system briefly disengaging before automatically re-engaging, causing near loss of stopping power.
- One driver reported the car breaking down within days of purchase and remaining in the shop for an extended repair period.
2016 Volkswagen e-Golf recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V543000Jul 27, 2022Airbags1,216 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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.
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.
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.
- NHTSA 18V329000May 16, 2018Other252 vehicles
Unknown or other
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 16V955000Dec 29, 2016Seat Belts5,947 vehicles
Seat belts:pretensioner
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.
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.
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.
2016 Volkswagen e-Golf fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 126 MPG
- Highway
- 105 MPG
- Combined
- 116 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $650
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Electricity
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other e-Golf years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf reliable?
- Compared to other e-Golf years, 2016 ranks 2nd worst out of 5 years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 75. NHTSA lists 18 complaints and 5 recalls for this year, with the Electrical System as the top problem area at 61% of complaints.
- What is the main problem with the 2016 e-Golf?
- The Electrical System accounts for 61% of complaints, including reports of the car losing motor drive while in motion and displaying an electrical system error warning.
- Does the 2016 e-Golf have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2016 e-Golf, covering airbags, seat belts, structure/body child locks, and a battery management software update for oversensitive high-voltage diagnostics.
- How does the 2016 e-Golf compare to the 2015 model?
- The 2015 e-Golf has a higher Complaint Index of 100 with 29 complaints and 3 recalls, both years carry an Avoid verdict, while 2016 has a lower index of 75 with 18 complaints and 5 recalls.