Recall 16V138 affects 5,561 2015-2016 Volkswagen E-Golf vehicles for oversensitive battery diagnostics that can shut down propulsion. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
Volkswagen is recalling 5,561 2015-2016 E-Golf vehicles because oversensitive high-voltage battery diagnostics can falsely detect an electrical surge and shut down the electric drive motor unexpectedly. An unexpected shutdown increases crash risk, and Volkswagen dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The high-voltage battery management system in the 2015-2016 Volkswagen E-Golf is software that watches the traction battery, the large battery that powers the electric drive motor. Its job is to read electrical conditions and allow power to flow when the battery is operating within safe limits.
On affected E-Golf vehicles, the diagnostic software is too sensitive. A brief current peak or internal electrical surge gets classified as a critical battery condition, even when it is not the kind of event the system was meant to treat as an emergency. When that happens, the system shuts down the high-voltage battery and the electric drive motor stops unexpectedly.
What you notice comes at the same time as the shutdown. Volkswagen's filing says a high voltage system warning appears when the system shuts down, so there is no earlier warning sign before the loss of drive power.
Who's affected?
Both listed components apply across the same E-Golf model years: the high-voltage traction battery and the engine.
| 2015 Volkswagen E-Golf | high-voltage traction battery |
|---|---|
| 2016 Volkswagen E-Golf | high-voltage traction battery |
| 2016 Volkswagen E-Golf | Engine |
| 2015 Volkswagen E-Golf | Engine |
| Units affected | 5,561 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific hatchback is included.
What's the safety risk?
An unexpected shutdown can leave the 2015-2016 E-Golf without power while moving, which increases crash risk. A high voltage system warning appears when the system shuts down, so pull over safely if it happens and arrange service soon. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2016 Volkswagen E-Golf is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule the free battery management software update that corrects false surge detection and unexpected electric-drive shutdown.
- Bring the recall notice if Volkswagen mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V138 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the software update is complete. Leave extra following distance and move out of traffic if the vehicle loses power.
- Call Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 if you need help finding a dealer.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Volkswagen technician updates the battery management software so the high voltage system no longer shuts down the electric drive motor because of an oversensitive surge detection. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered by Volkswagen. If you already paid for a related battery management software repair, contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen says reimbursement requests are handled individually, so keep repair paperwork ready when you ask about repayment.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 7, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 7, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| March 7, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 15, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 17, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V138?
Recall 16V138 covers 5,561 2015-2016 Volkswagen E-Golf vehicles with battery management software that can falsely detect an electrical surge and shut down the electric drive motor unexpectedly. Volkswagen dealers will update the battery management software for free.
What should I do if my 2015-2016 Volkswagen E-Golf is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific E-Golf is included in recall 16V138. If it is, contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule the battery management software update. Reference recall number 16V138 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to perform the recall repair at no cost, and Volkswagen will update the battery management software free of charge at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 16V138?
The safety risk is an unexpected vehicle shutdown. Volkswagen says oversensitive diagnostics in the high-voltage battery management system can falsely detect an electrical surge, which can shut down the electric drive motor unexpectedly and increase crash risk.
What if I bought my Volkswagen E-Golf used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific E-Golf is included, then contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer and reference recall number 16V138.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V138000 |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen customer service | 1-800-893-5298 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V138 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V138000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →