Volkswagen Golf Volkswagen e-Golf common faults.

2014–2016, hatchback, electric, 116 HP.

The list covers this version.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

8 fault write-ups. 7 important. 5 recalls.

If you know the year, pick it. Faults for other years drop out of the list.

Before you buy

Known faults

7 important faults

critical1

E-Golf battery: capacity loss with passive thermal management

critical

The e-Golf battery is not liquid cooled, it only has passive thermal management. In hot weather and with repeated fast charging the cells therefore take more stress, which speeds up ageing. The loss is not linear: it is steep over the first 30,000 to 40,000 km, then it slows. Based on owner measurements, after 4.5 years and around 70,000 km typically 89 to 93 per cent remains, while at 100,000 to 180,000 km around 200 km of real range is typical. The loss of range is the damage itself: the only way to restore it is a battery replacement, which accounts for a significant part of the car's value. It is measurable, and the measurement is cheap.

What to check

Have the battery state of health (SoH) read out: an OBD2 adapter and an app do it for under 100 euro, and that is the only reliable number
Do not go by the range estimate on the dash: it calculates from the most recent driving style, not from the state of the battery
Ask how often it was charged on a fast charger: with passive thermal management that matters

3 more steps in the write-up

expensive6

VII: early water pump and coolant regulator

expensive

On 2013 and 2014 Golf VII cars the early version of the water pump and the coolant regulator built into it fails at 20,000 to 30,000 km. The regulator does not open the main circuit properly, and the pump does not deliver enough. The temperature fluctuates, in extreme cases it runs up to 130 degrees, and the red light comes on. The replacement, labour included, is over a thousand euro, because the pump and the regulator are one unit. If you keep driving with the red light on, the engine can overheat.

between 20,000 and 30,000 km

What to check

Watch the coolant temperature gauge after startup: it should settle evenly and not fluctuate
Ask whether the red coolant light has ever come on, even once
Check the level in the expansion tank and the colour of the fluid

2 more steps in the write-up

E-Golf: onboard charger and charging electronics faults

expensive

AC charging hesitates or cuts out, the charge does not start, or it only runs at reduced power. The onboard charger and its associated electronics are the most frequently reported fault on the early model years after degradation. Fast (DC) charging may still work, so a short test can mask the problem: but home charging runs on exactly that AC path.

What to check

Try AC charging all the way through, not just the start: the fault often appears after minutes
If you can, try it with the supplied cable and with a wallbox
Watch whether the dash or the app reports a fault while charging

1 more steps in the write-up

Panoramic roof: drain hose leak

expensive

At the factory the roof drain hoses were fixed to their stubs with only a few spots of adhesive; heat separates them over time, and the water runs onto the headlining. The drains are also narrow and block up easily. The sign is a damp headlining around the A-pillar, or water in the footwell. The maker issued a technical bulletin about it for the 2015 to 2017 Golf and GTI models.

What to check

Feel along the headlining beside the A-pillars and at the corners of the roof
Open the roof and look at the drain openings in the corners of the water channel running around it
Pour a little water carefully into the channel, and see whether it drains out behind the wheel

1 more steps in the write-up

VII: knocking from the climate control blend flap motor

expensive

After startup or while driving a loud clicking, clattering noise comes from behind the dashboard, typically for three to five seconds, at irregular intervals. The actuator motors that move the climate control blend flaps fail. Stripping the dashboard is seven to eight hours of work, so the labour makes up most of the bill.

What to check

After a cold start sit quietly in the car and listen for the clicking from behind the dashboard
Set the temperature from cold to hot and back, and watch whether there is any clattering
Check that the air blows according to the set temperature on both sides

1 more steps in the write-up

VII: steering that binds, then jolts, on the motorway

expensive

On a longer straight stretch, typically above 100 km/h, a small steering correction first has to overcome a noticeable force, and then the steering responds suddenly, with a jolt. It is most obvious when holding a lane: the car does not follow your hand smoothly but "jumps". It does not come from wear but is a characteristic of the steering rack, and VW issued a service bulletin (TPI) about replacing it. Outside warranty the replacement is a major item, comparable to a significant share of the car's value on an older example.

What to check

Try it on a motorway or dual carriageway: apply small steering corrections in a straight line, and watch for free play followed by a jolt
Ask whether the steering rack was replaced, and if so, whether under warranty
Do not confuse it with suspension knocking: this is the force behaviour of the steering, not a noise

1 more steps in the write-up

VII: xenon headlight misting inside, milky coating

expensive

A milky, sometimes fingerprint like coating or mist appears on the inside of the xenon headlight lens, and the light output drops noticeably. It affects cars built up to mid 2016. VW issued a service bulletin (TPI) about it with a limit sample description, and replaced the affected lights under warranty. Outside warranty the replacement is charged per headlight unit.

What to check

In the dark switch the dipped beam on, and from outside check whether the beam pattern is even on both sides
In daylight with the lights off, look into the lens at an angle: that is how the milky coating shows up
Look for misting on the lower edge of the lens, it shows in the cold and after rain

1 more steps in the write-up

comfort1

VII: the Composition / Discover Media touchscreen does not respond

comfort

The touchscreen of the head unit does not respond to touch, typically in the cold; meanwhile the radio changes station on its own, and the climate and navigation controls are unusable. It affects the Composition Media and Discover Media units between 2013 and 2016. A software update sometimes resolves it; if not, replacing the display unit is a substantial item.

What to check

In a cold car, immediately after starting, try the whole touchscreen, including the corners
Look for discolouration or a separating layer along the edges of the screen
Try the climate and the navigation from the screen, not just the radio

1 more steps in the write-up

Official recall5 recallsShow

The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done.

A12/00787/24Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Cars initially used for internal purposes of Volkswagen AG might not have been correctly modified before they were sold to the general public. There is a possibility that certain safety systems of these cars are not correctly modified for street use. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.