This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Costa Mesa , CA, USA