Skip to content
EnginePart report

2016 Volkswagen E-Golf Engine Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
28%of 18 total for the year
Median mileage
600miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine of the 2016 Volkswagen E-Golf, 28% of the 18 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 600 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11307180, filed 2020-02, 500 miles

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10826003, filed 2016-02, 1,456 miles

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11489309, filed 2022-10

“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, filed 2016-04

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2019117%
2016528%
2015517%

Other parts of the 2016 Volkswagen E-Golf

Electrical system
11 complaints
Other or unknown
5 complaints
Fuel system
2 complaints
Steering
2 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
2 complaints
Vehicle speed control
2 complaints
Brakes
1 complaints
Electronic stability control
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2016 Volkswagen E-Golf

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology