2016 Volkswagen E-golf problems

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The Volkswagen Golf is a compact car/small family car (C-segment) produced by the German automotive manufacturer Volkswagen since 1974, marketed worldwide across eight generations, in various body configurations and under various nameplates – including as the Volkswagen Rabbit in the United States and Canada (Mk1 and Mk5), and as the Volkswagen Caribe in Mexico (Mk1).

The original Golf Mk1 was a front-engined, front-wheel drive replacement for the air-cooled, rear-engined, rear-wheel drive Volkswagen Beetle. Historically, the Golf is Volkswagen's best-selling model and is among the world's top three best-selling models, with more than 35 million units sold as of 2019.

Initially, most Golfs were 3-door hatchbacks. Other variants include a 5-door hatchback, estate (Variant, from 1993), convertible (Cabriolet and Cabrio, 1979–2002, Cabriolet, 2011–present), and a Golf-based saloon, called the Jetta, Vento (from 1992) or Bora (from 1999). The Golf covers economy to high-performance market segments.

The Golf has won awards, including the World Car of the Year in 2009, with the Mk6 and in 2013 with the Mk7. Along with the Renault Clio and the Vauxhall Astra, the Golf is one of only three cars to have won European Car of the Year twice, in 1992 and 2013. The Golf has made the annual Car and Driver 10Best list multiple times. The Mk7 won the Motor Trend Car of the Year award in 2015, and the Mk1 GTI also won the award in 1985. The Mk4 won for the best-selling car in Europe in 2001.

2016 Volkswagen E-golf

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Common 2016 Volkswagen E-golf problems

The Volkswagen e-Golf, a fully electric vehicle produced by Volkswagen, has been a popular choice among car buyers looking for an efficient and reliable electric vehicle. However, some model years, including the 2016 e-Golf, have faced common issues that have been reported by owners. These problems are detailed below:

  • Charging Equipment Problems: Some owners of the 2016 e-Golf have reported difficulties with the onboard charging system, including slow charging or charging failure.
  • Infotainment Glitches: The e-Golf's infotainment system has occasionally shown signs of malfunction, such as freezing or failure to boot up.
  • Brake System Concerns: A few reports have mentioned problems with the brake system, including noise and less responsive braking.
  • Navigation/Entertainment System: Some owners have criticized the navigation and entertainment system, citing slow boot-up times, a small and slow screen, and issues with USB power and Bluetooth connectivity.
  • Air Bag Deployment: A recall was issued for 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 due to the front passenger air bag potentially deploying improperly during air bag deployment.
  • Non-compliance with Regulatory Requirements: Volkswagen issued a recall for certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI vehicles due to modifications made during the internal evaluation period that may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all regulatory requirements.
  • Driver Frontal Air Bags, Passenger Frontal Air Bags, or Head Air Bags: Volkswagen issued a recall for 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.

These issues, while not necessarily common to all 2016 e-Golf models, should be taken into account when considering the purchase of a used e-Golf from this model year. Proper maintenance, adherence to manufacturer guidelines, and sensible driving habits can help prolong the life of the e-Golf and minimize potential problems.

2016 Volkswagen E-golf engine

How reliable is the VW e-Golf?

Reliability Survey, the e-Golf managed an impressive third-place finish out of 14 cars in the electric car category. As a brand, Volkswagen came 22nd out of 32 manufacturers featured.

How much is a battery for a 2016 e-Golf?

The average cost for a Volkswagen e-Golf Battery Replacement is between $319 and $333. Labor costs are estimated between $53 and $67 while parts are typically priced around $266.

Why did Volkswagen stop making the e-Golf?

At the time, VW also confirmed that it wasn't looking into coming out with a new version of the e-Golf with the Mk 8 Golf, as the brand was looking to expand on its ID lineup of EVs. While VW was quick to discontinue the e-Golf to switch its focus to ID-badged EVs, the model could be making a comeback in the future.

How long does an e-Golf last?

Volkswagen e-Golf Economy and Emissions

A real-life range of 150 miles rather than 100 miles makes an electric car so much more useable, especially if your driving takes in occasional motorway journeys. You can charge the e-Golf from a standard household three-pin socket, but a full charge takes 17 hours.

How reliable is Volkswagen e-Golf?

The Volkswagen e-Golf has generally proven to be a reliable electric vehicle, especially in the later model years. With improvements made over time, Volkswagen has addressed earlier issues, leading to a more dependable and well-rounded vehicle. However, vwproblems.com only ranks the e-Golf as 6th out of 28.

How much is a battery for a 2016 e-Golf?

The average cost for a Volkswagen e-Golf Battery Replacement is between $319 and $333. Labor costs are estimated between $53 and $67 while parts are typically priced around $266.

Is the e-Golf worth it?

Overall verdict on the Volkswagen e-Golf. "The Volkswagen e-Golf is the ideal introduction to electric cars. It feels just like a more refined version of the (already ultra-refined) Volkswagen Golf. It doesn't shout about its electric credentials, but it's superb to drive and comes well kitted out for the money.

How long does an e-Golf last?

Volkswagen e-Golf Economy and Emissions

A real-life range of 150 miles rather than 100 miles makes an electric car so much more useable, especially if your driving takes in occasional motorway journeys. You can charge the e-Golf from a standard household three-pin socket, but a full charge takes 17 hours.

2016 Volkswagen E-golf complaints

The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2016 Volkswagen E-golf.

You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.

2016 Volkswagen E-golf recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 5 recalls for different components of the 2016 Volkswagen E-golf.

2022-07-27
  • Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
  • Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
  • Summary: 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.
2018-05-16
  • Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: 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.
2016-12-29
  • Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
  • Components: SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
  • Summary: 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.
2016-06-24
  • Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
  • Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
  • Summary: 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.
2016-03-07
  • Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
  • Summary: 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.

Negative 2016 Volkswagen E-golf car reviews

  1. Gaetano Schuster 2024-07-12

    Before I begin my review, I want to say that I am in the Navy and this is the first time I am writing a negative review about anything that I have bought in my life. Recently, I leased one of those 2015 Golf-e models. It looks and feels great, but unfortunately, it did not meet my expectations when it came to highway driving. The mile estimate on the sticker is not nearly accurate, and I found myself running out of juice much faster than anticipated. If you primarily commute on the highway, I would recommend avoiding this car. However, if you mainly drive in town and less than 40 miles a day, this car could be a great fit for you. I experienced some range anxiety due to the battery running out quickly when I didn't have the break regenerating, but if you enjoy driving in traffic, this car could still be a good option. I will be posting a video on YouTube to show the true performance of the Golf-e on the highway. Overall, I would recommend this car for city driving, but not for long commutes on the highway. Unfortunately, I am now stuck with a vehicle that does not meet my needs for the next three years.

  2. Eusebio Ullrich 2024-07-08

    I recently purchased a car in California and informed the dealership that I would be relocating to Georgia within the year. Unfortunately, I was not informed that the car would not be serviceable in Georgia. I had the car shipped to Georgia and when it was time for its first maintenance, I discovered that no dealerships in the area were trained to service the car. I was informed that having the car serviced by a non-dealership mechanic could potentially void my warranty. When I contacted VW to inquire about the possibility of having someone trained in the area, I was informed that it was my responsibility to know whether or not they service the vehicle in other states. It is quite surprising that a car made by a major manufacturer cannot be serviced by at least one local dealership. This experience has been quite frustrating and has left me feeling disappointed with the level of customer service. If you are considering purchasing this car and anticipate moving to another state during the time you own it, I would recommend considering another vehicle instead.

  3. Rashawn Dickinson 2024-05-05

    I work 9 miles from home and have to charge my car every night. Unfortunately, due to the bumper to bumper traffic, the 107 mile fully charged battery drops down to 87 within 10 minutes and then down to 55 before I get home. It takes 22 hours to fully charge, so I have to charge it every night for 12 hours and hope that it is fully charged. Although I was told by sales to “realistically” expect 100 miles per charge, not the 126 advertised, I still enjoy driving it. However, I have experienced some issues with the delay function. I put it on for the first time and in the morning, my car was still at 55. Overall, I am still happy with my purchase despite these minor setbacks.

  4. Nels Brown 2024-03-15

    - Our team is confident that we can assist you with your concerns. We kindly request that you have your attorney contact us for further assistance. - We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the delay in repairing your e-Golf. Our team is working diligently to identify and resolve the issue. - We understand the frustration of not having a loaner vehicle during the repair process. We are currently exploring options to provide temporary transportation for our valued customers. - We appreciate your patience and loyalty during this time. Our team is committed to ensuring that your e-Golf is fully operational as soon as possible. - While we understand your disappointment, we would like to assure you that our e-Golf model has received positive feedback from many satisfied customers. We would be happy to discuss alternative options with you if you are interested. Thank you for considering Volkswagen.

  5. Tyree Sporer 2024-03-02

    I work 9 miles from home and have to charge my car every night. Unfortunately, due to the bumper to bumper traffic, the 107 mile fully charged battery drops down to 87 within 10 minutes and then down to 55 before I get home. It takes 22 hours to fully charge, so I have to charge it every night for 12 hours and hope that it is fully charged. Although I was told by sales to “realistically” expect 100 miles per charge, not the 126 advertised, I still enjoy driving it. However, I have experienced some issues with the delay function. I put it on for the first time and in the morning, my car was still at 55. Overall, I am still happy with my purchase despite these minor setbacks.

Positive 2016 Volkswagen E-golf car reviews

  1. Raleigh Bins 2025-01-03

    I purchased this car in January 2015 with the intention of it being our secondary vehicle. However, it turned out to be so enjoyable to drive that we now use it as our primary car. We only use our Honda Odyssey when we need the extended range for vacations, more than 5 seats, or to transport bikes, or when the second adult commutes to the nearby train station. We are putting about 12k miles per year on the car, so I am glad I did not lease it. In May 2016, we replaced our Honda Odyssey with a Tesla Model X, and now the VW eGolf is our secondary car again. Nonetheless, we have still put 25,000 miles on the eGolf in the last two and a half years, and it is still a lot of fun to drive. Gas cars are still revving up behind me at the light when the immediate electric torque propels me forward continuously accelerating. My only complaint is that Volkswagen sold me the car with three years of remote phone access car-net service included, but then two years later, their salespeople started harassing me, Comcast/SiriusXM style, to start paying $15/month for it. They are lying and harder to get rid of than toilet paper stuck to your shoe. Since the Tesla Model 3 comes out this July and has more range and a more honest business model, I will probably trade the car in for that.

  2. Jamel Lind 2024-07-24

    I got this car when my employer started offering free level 2 charging at work. I was able to purchase it used at a great deal in 2019. Later that year, I had a 10K solar array installed, so I can basically charge the car at home for free as well. I use it for a 50-mile radius from home and never have to deal with charging stations, which are either Tesla or not working or being used. For longer trips, we use our Impreza. I love the regenerative braking, which allows for basically one-pedal driving, and the brakes barely get used. The steering is tight, and the tracking is excellent, even with 235 snow tires. The handling reminds me of my 2093 GTi. This is my 7th VW, and I have had zero issues with the car, other than once it did not charge. During the winter, I always bundle up and use the seat heat, and only use the car's heater while it is charging, which you can program on the e-manager, so I always get into a warm car. I use the Normal setting almost exclusively because it is so much fun to blow off the stop lights. The real-world range is about 110 miles if driven reasonably and maximizing regenerative braking. I have gotten close to 122 miles with 1 slow mile remaining before I got home, so planning a max range round trip is essential, as non-Tesla charging is not locally available in my rural NH area. I do recommend a level 2 charger because the stock VW charger is slow. I use a Clipper Creek level 2, and all I have to do is plug it in, and the car charges automatically, no fussing with apps or charging screens unless you want to program in the time you are leaving for a warm car in the winter.

  3. Imani Prohaska 2024-05-07

    I understand your concerns about purchasing the e-Golf, given some of the issues others have reported. However, after test driving one, I was pleasantly surprised to see the range INCREASE as I drove. I found it to be a better option than the Leaf, Fiat, or SmartTwo. While I can't say I got the best deal, with the incentives, I am driving this for $200/month lease and 8¢/kWh. Basically, it costs me $1.90 to 'fill the tank' and go 90-100 miles. With mixed driving, I realistically achieve that range in warm weather. It's simple math really - the battery provides about 22 kWh of use, and if you can average 4 kWh you'll get 88 miles. I average between 4.5-5 kWh. While I am conscientious of the way in which I drive, I'm moving along with traffic. At 75+mph, you will watch the battery drain quickly. Likewise, as soon as the temps begin to dip, you'll notice range decrease by as much as 20-30%, so be prepared for that change, in part due to the impact of temps on the battery and also for the heating system. However, I gain about 10% of that differential back through driving in Eco+ mode with the heat off and seat warmer on. The fit, finish, drivability, and sportiness of this car puts it well above the other electrics I looked at. In fact, it looks like a normal car on the road. The only change I would make is that I would've opted now for the regular car with the better headlights, fake leather interior, alloy rims, and better heating system. While the LE is fine, it would've been worth the small amount of extra money for those items. To get the best out of this car, I highly recommend installing a Level 2 charger - it makes a huge difference for those days when you drain the battery and want to recharge and use the car again.

  4. Grant Jaskolski 2024-05-01

    I've been driving my 2017 VW Egolf for a month now and it's been amazing! As someone who works in the service department at a major VW dealership, I can confidently say that the '17 model is a no-brainer. It has 50% more range than the '16, amazing pick up, and regen. Plus, the infotainment system is updated and perfect.

  5. Stanford Haag 2024-04-20

    If you're considering purchasing an e-Golf, you may already be familiar with the various models, years, and benefits of each. For our daily car trips (which make up about 325 days a year), this car's range and amenities are more than sufficient. It's a joy to drive, requires little to no maintenance, and can be easily charged at home (you can purchase a charger on Amazon or elsewhere for under a grand). The stock radio produces good sound quality, and the handling is enjoyable around town. While it's worth noting that this particular model (SE) lacks any form of cruise control on the highway, it's unlikely that you'll be driving long distances on the highway anyway. As a second car, it's a no-brainer (provided you can charge it at home). As a primary car, it's perfectly adequate with some effort and a few rental cars for longer trips. In summary, we absolutely adore it!

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Other years of Volkswagen E-golf

volkswagen e-golf 2017 photo
E-golf 2017
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1

15

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volkswagen e-golf 2018 photo
E-golf 2018
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1

18

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volkswagen e-golf 2019 photo
E-golf 2019
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3

0

23

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volkswagen e-golf 2015 photo
E-golf 2015
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28

3

8

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volkswagen e-golf 2016 photo
E-golf 2016
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5

19

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2016 Volkswagen E-golf photo