2016 Volkswagen E-Golf

17 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.

1. Filed Oct 23, 2023Failure Oct 21, 2023Baltimore, MDService 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 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.

   NHTSA complaint 11551421
2. Filed Nov 20, 2022Failure Nov 18, 2022Westford, MAElectrical 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 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.

   NHTSA complaint 11494331
3. Filed Oct 14, 2022Failure Sep 29, 2022costa mesa, CAElectrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11489309
4. Filed Jun 9, 2022Failure Apr 23, 202243,000 milesCulver City, CAAccessory

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11468478
5. Filed Nov 17, 2020Failure Nov 10, 202079,000 milesCharlotte, NCElectrical system, Steering, Vehicle speed control

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11375152
6. Filed Feb 5, 2020Failure Jan 20, 2020500 milesMarion, SCEngine, Unknown or other

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11307180
7. Filed Apr 30, 2019Failure Apr 25, 201928,630 milesReno, NVUnknown or other1 injured

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11204825
8. Filed Jan 10, 2019Failure Dec 27, 20189,700 milesSunnyvale, CAElectrical system, Power train

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11166367
9. Filed Nov 15, 2018Failure Jul 1, 2018Spokane Valley, WAUnknown or other

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11151854
10. Filed Aug 2, 2018Failure Aug 2, 2018Spokane, WAUnknown or other

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 11115450
11. Filed Mar 21, 2017Failure Mar 20, 2017600 milesSAN Jose, CAEngine, Power train

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 10967595
12. Filed Sep 28, 2016Failure Sep 27, 2016200 milesFremont, CAUnknown or other

    ENGINE TURNS OFF AND CAR BRAKES TO AN ABRUPT STOP WHILE DRIVING IF "START ENGINE START" BUTTON IS PRESSED BY USER ERROR INSTEAD OF THE ADJACENT "MODE" BUTTON USED TO SELECT EITHER "NORMAL", "ECO", OR "ECO+" ENERGY LEVELS. 1. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED BOTH TIMES I HAVE TURNED OFF THE CAR WHILE IN MOTION ONCE PRIOR TO MAKING A LEFT TURN AND THEN THE SECOND TIME IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WHICH WERE BOTH DANGEROUS SITUATIONS BUT THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. 2. THE CAR ALWAYS STARTS IN NORMAL MODE SO IF ONE IS LOW ON RANGE AS I WAS BOTH TIMES, WHENEVER THE CAR IS RESTARTED ONE MUST MANUALLY SWITCH BACK TO ECO OR ECO+. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY JUST STARTED DRIVING YOU MIGHT REALIZE THE NEED TO CHANGE MODES TO ECO FROM NORMAL FOR EXAMPLE WHILE IN MOTION. FOR SAFETY, I KEEP MY EYES ON THE ROAD SO REACHED DOWN TO WHERE I THOUGHT THE MODE BUTTON WAS AND INSTEAD PRESSED START ENGINE STOP BUTTON WHICH DRAMATICALLY TURNS OFF THE CAR. IT DOES NOT COAST, BUT COMES TO AN IMMEDIATE STOP. 3. THE VEHICLE MANUAL HAS A WARNING ON PAGE 210 TO NOT TURN OFF THE CAR IN MOTION WHICH IS STATING THE OBVIOUS BUT MANUALS DO NOT PREVENT HUMAN ERROR AND I AM NOT THE FIRST PERSON TO DO THIS SINCE HAVE FOUND AN ENTIRE THREAD ABOUT THIS ON THE MYVWEGOLF.COM FORUM. 4. THE SOLUTION SHOULD BE A STRAIGHTFORWARD VEHICLE SOFTWARE UPDATE THAT WILL LOCKOUT THE START ENGINE STOP BUTTON COMPLETELY WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION, IN "DRIVE", "B", OR "R" GEAR SELECTOR POSITIONS. 5. IN THE MEANTIME TO A RESOLUTION TO THIS SAFETY ISSUE, I WILL BE PLACING A RIGID ROUND PLASTIC BUTTON OVER THE START ENGINE STOP BUTTON ATTACHED WITH VELCRO TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN BY MISTAKE. 6. I HAVE REPORTED THIS SAFETY COMPLAINT TO VW CARE VIA CHAT AND THE TRANSCRIPT IS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST. 7. A PHOTO OF THE ADJACENT BUTTONS IS SUBMITTED.

    NHTSA complaint 10910271
13. Filed Apr 4, 2016Failure Apr 1, 2016LOS Angeles, CAElectrical system, Engine

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN E-GOLF. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V138000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT PERFORM THE RECALL ON ELECTRIC VEHICLES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER STATE TO GET THE RECALL PERFORMED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

    NHTSA complaint 10853253
14. Filed Mar 14, 2016Failure Mar 11, 20161,500 milesCampbell, CAElectrical system

    I WAS DRIVING BACK FROM WORK AFTER CHARGING 100%. AFTER I DROVE FOR ABOUT 10 MILES ON AN EXPRESSWAY (LAWRENCE), I STOPPED AT THE SIGNAL LIGHT. AFTER THE SIGNAL TURNED GREEN, I ACCELERATED THE CAR. IMMEDIATELY, ALARMS WENT OFF AND SAID ELECTRIC FAILURE. "ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE: STOP!". I STOPPED AND RESTARTED THE CAR. AGAIN THE SAME ERROR. IMMEDIATELY, I TURNED ON THE FLASH LIGHTS. CAR DIDNT MOVE AND CARDS BEHIND ME WERE HONKING THE HORN. I CALLED 911 AND POLICE CAME AND SAVED ME DRAGGING THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER. I COULDNT EVEN GET DOWN THE CAR DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS AND CARS GOING AT 50MPH. I CALLED EGOLF EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE. THEY CAME AFTER AN HOUR AND TOWED THE CAR TO VOLKSWAGON CENTER. CAR IS BRAND NEW WITH ONLY 1500 MILES. ON FURTHER INVESTIGATION. VOLKSWAGO SERVICE REP CALLED ME AND TOLD THAT THE 12 V BATTERY IS FAULTY AND IT WILL TAKE 6 WEEKS TO REPLACE. ONE OF MY FRIENDS ALSO HAD THE SAME BATTERY ISSUE IN DEC 2015 AND HE ALSO HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH 12 V BATTERY ISSUE. I AM VERY CONCERNED AT THIS POINT THAT I DON'T WANT TO DRIVE ON EGOLF. ONE OF MY FRIENDS

    NHTSA complaint 10846369
15. Filed Feb 26, 2016Failure Feb 25, 20162,248 milesPleasant Hill, CAElectrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Steering

    I PULLED OUT OF MY OFFICE PARKING LOT AND AS I WAS TRYING TO CROSS INTO TRAFFIC GOING LEFT, MY CAR DIED, INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE, WITH A CAR HEADING MY WAY. BY LUCK I KNOCKED IT INTO NEUTRAL AND HAD ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO GET OUT OF THE WAY. BARELY ESCAPING AN ACCIDENT. AT ANY MOMENT IN THE FUTURE, I COULD SEE THIS ERROR AGAIN: "ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE: STOP!", WHICH KILLS THE MOTOR, AND MEANS NO BRAKE OR STEERING ASSISTANCE SYSTEM (POWER STEERING), AIRBAG, SAFETY BELT PRETENSIONER, AND OTHER VEHICLE SAFETY FEATURES.

    NHTSA complaint 10838686
16. Filed Feb 13, 2016Failure Feb 5, 20161,456 milesSAN Jose, CAElectrical system, Engine

    VW E-GOLF ELECTRICAL VEHICLE DIED SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING COMING TO AN ABRUPT STOP (AS IF THE BREAKS HAD BEEN FULLY APPLIED) WHILE ENTERING SINGLE LANE HIGHWAY ON-RAMP DURING MORNING RUSH HOUR. UNABLE TO ROLL THE CAR TO THE SIDE TO AVOID TRAFFIC. UNABLE TO EXIT THE CAR AS OTHER VEHICLES WERE SWERVING ON BOTH SIDES TO AVOID A COLLISION. TOOK OVER 20 MINUTES TO GET ASSISTANCE TO PULL THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD (THANKS TO A COURAGEOUS GOOD SAMARITAN) UNTIL POLICE AND TOW TRUCK ARRIVED OVER 35 MINUTES AFTER THE INCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER WHERE MECHANICS WERE UNABLE TO DEAL WITH IT (HIGH VOLTAGE VEHICLE) UNTIL THEY RECEIVED INSTRUCTIONS FROM VW OF AMERICA. IT TOOK ABOUT 1 WEEK TO HAVE THE ISSUE RESOLVED. COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF THE WORK PERFORMED AT THE DEALERSHIP: "1456 VEHICLE DOES NOT GO INTO READY MODE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ERROR DISPLAYED ON MFD. GFF. P060C INTERNAL CONTROL MODULE MAIN PROCESSOR PERFORMANCE ACTIVE/STATIC IN 8C MODULE. CONTACT TECHLINE 1548611. ADVISED TO ATTACH MVB FROM 8C AND 51. ATTACHED MVB. TECHLINE ADVISED TO CHARGE 12 VOLT BATTERY AND CLEAR FAULTS. CHARGE 12V BATTERY. TEST BATTERY AND OKAY. CLEAR FAULTS. VEHICLE NOW STARTS. ROAD TEST 30 MILES. THEN CHARGE HV BATTERY WITH LEVEL 2 CHARGER. RE SCAN AND NO FAULTS. CONTACT QTM AND ADVISED TO PERFORM ANOTHER ROAD TEST. ROAD TESTED VEHICLE ADDITIONAL 20 MILES. RE SCAN. NO FAULTS. QTM ADVISES TO RELEASE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME." SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THAT IT WAS A SOFTWARE GLITCH AND IT "SHOULD" NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. I'M CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS IF THE ISSUE REOCCURS.

    NHTSA complaint 10826003
17. Filed Dec 9, 2015Failure Nov 9, 2015280 milesMountain View, CAElectrical system, Electronic stability control (esc), Vehicle speed control

    I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW E-GOLF, NOV 2015. DROVE IT 4 DAYS AND BROKE! IT'S BEEN 1 MONTH IN THE SHOP AND STILL NOT REPAIRED. VOLKSWAGEN AMERICA ANSWER (3RD WEEK) - WE WILL NEVER GIVE YOU A NEW CAR, THAT'S WHY IT HAS A WARRANTY. - WE WILL NOT GIVE YOUR MONEY BACK. - WE DON'T HAVE TO PROVIDE YOU A LOANER NOR PAY FOR YOUR TRANSPORTATION WHILE YOUR CAR IS BEING REPAIRED. - YOU WILL NOT GET COMPENSATED FOR ANYTHING. - YOU OWE US THIS MONTH LEASE PAYMENT, BTW! VOLKSWAGEN AMERICA ANSWER (4TH WEEK): WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO TALK YOU. GET AN ATTORNEY TO REACH OUT TO US. STILL CONSIDERING TO BUY AN E-GOLF?? GOOD LUCK!

    NHTSA complaint 10809150