EPA-estimated Gasoline Equivalent (MPGe) for the e-Golf is 126 city, 105 highway, and 116 combined. The range is only 83 miles.
Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 5,561 model year 2015-2016 e-Golf electric vehicles because diagnostics for the high-voltage battery management system may falsely detect an electrical surge shutting the electric drive motor suddenly.
Other vehicle systems including power steering, brakes, lights and airbags are unaffected because they are powered by the 12-volt low voltage system.
Battery management software will be updated to contain a less sensitive diagnostic routine, which is “robust” against minor current peaks/surges and does not lead to inadvertent emergency shutdown of the high voltage battery.
Chronology
- In early 2015, Volkswagen received first information about single stalling events from the US market. Analysis was initiated, but failures could not be reproduced.
- In June 2015, a stalling event occurred in an internal test vehicle which was equipped with measurement equipment. Analysis was re-initiated.
- In the fall of 2015, development created test environments to reproduce the recorded event and to develop countermeasures.
- During December 2015 and January 2016, Volkswagen started to receive additional complaints about stalling from the US market.
- On February 26, 2016, the matter was brought to Volkswagen’s product safety committee and a determination of defect was made.
- 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. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
