Problems · NHTSA complaints
2016 Volkswagen Egolf problems
Owners filed 17 complaints about the 2016 Volkswagen Egolf with NHTSA between Dec 2015 and Oct 2023. The most-cited component is electrical system (10).
Complaints
17
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system10
- Engine5
- Fuel/propulsion system2
- Steering2
- Vehicle speed control2
- Power train2
- Service brakes1
- Electronic stability control (esc)1
- Other / unknown5
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
5
1
2
2
2
0
3
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
10 reports
“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.”
Engine
5 reports
“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.”
Fuel/propulsion system
2 reports
“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.”
Steering
2 reports
“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.”
Vehicle speed control
2 reports
“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!”
Power train
2 reports
“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.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.