Electrical System. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Engine complaints

5 reports

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Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2022

Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

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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 ODI #11489309

500 miles · Feb 5, 2020

EngineUnknown Or Other

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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 ODI #11307180

600 miles · Mar 21, 2017

EnginePower 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 ODI #10967595

Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2016

Electrical SystemEngine

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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 ODI #10853253

1,456 miles · Feb 13, 2016

Electrical SystemEngine

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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 ODI #10826003

Official recalls

22V543000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jul 27, 2022

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 & remedy

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.

18V329000 · Unknown Or Other

May 16, 2018

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 & remedy

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.

16V955000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:side/window; Seat Belts:pretensioner

Dec 29, 2016

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 & remedy

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.

Additional source detail variants (4)

Seat Belts:pretensioner

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.

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

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.

Air Bags:side/window

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.

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

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.

16V464000 · Latches/locks/linkages

Jun 24, 2016

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 & remedy

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.

16V138000 · Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Mar 7, 2016

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 & remedy

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery

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.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Consequence: An unexpected vehicle shutdown can increase the risk of a crash.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.