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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

7 fault write-ups. 6 important. 7 recalls.

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

Before you buy

Known faults

6 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

expensive5

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

Checklist

Volkswagen Golf Volkswagen e-Golf

First what you would check on any car. Then the faults of this model.

Before you buy

Checklist

The printed sheet starts with what you would check on any car. What you tick stays on this device only.

On every car

Ask the owner

Faults of this model

vinkodex.com · Before you buy it, see what can go wrong.

Official recall7 recallsShow

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

Most recent: 27 July 2022

22V543000AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULEAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE27 July 2022 · NHTSA (USA)

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.

Risk: 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.

The authority's notice

18V464000STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICESTEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE11 July 2018 · NHTSA (USA)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Volkswagen Golf and Golf Sportwagen vehicles. The build of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition while the vehicle shift lever is not in "Park." As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Risk: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37L5.

The authority's notice

16V647000FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE7 September 2016 · NHTSA (USA)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf, Golf SportWagen, GTI, Audi A3 sedan and A3 Cabriolet vehicles. Due to a problem with the suction pump inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system.

Risk: As fuel accumulates in the EVAP system, it may leak out through the charcoal canister filter element. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. The recall began November 2016. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298, Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 20Y6 and 20Y5. This recall has been fully superseded by recall 24V-110.

The authority's notice

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.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/0256/17Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

It is possible that the wheel bolts were not tightened with the correct torque which could result in the loss of the wheel. Also, the running direction of the tyres may not have been taken into account when the winter tyres were fitted which could have a negative effect on driving stability.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/0387/17Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Some vehicles have differences in the mixture ratio for the initiating device, which could lead to the driver and passenger airbag or seat-belt pre-tensioner not activating in the event of an accident.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/0880/17Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The car has tyre-pressure signs/stickers indicating the incorrect tyre pressure requirement. Too low tyre pressure may cause the tread to separate or the tyre to burst.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

Engine and transmission

No engine and transmission for this yet. When they are in, you see them here.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
Volkswagen e-Golf
Body
hatchback
Fuel
electric
Transmission
automatic
Engine size
—
Power
85 kW (116 HP)
Drive
FWD
Production
2014–2016

Factory service interval

The manufacturer specifies this for this version. Of the mileage and the time, the one that comes first is the one that counts.

  • Cabin (pollen) filter

    • 30,000 km or 2 years

  • Brake fluid change

    • first: 3 years, then 2 years(first change at 3 years, then every two years)
All VII versions

Information, not an expert opinion

We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.

  • A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
  • A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
  • You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.
Details in the terms