Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Volkswagen e-Golf, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 8 | 29% |
| Unknown or other | 6 | 21% |
| Power train | 2 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 7% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 7% |
| Power train | 1 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I was driving and the car shuddered and lost all power and would not accelerate. The car glided to a stop, but there were no shoulders so I was stuck blocking traffic. Later, the police helped push it to a side street
NHTSA complaint: Power train
There is a known issue regarding a software update required to keep using the heat and cooling options on 2015 and older eGOLF models. Without this patch the heating and cooling of the vehicle will cease to operate. This
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
The trim located around the gear selectors has separated leaving a sharp chrome edge that cuts your hand when reaching into the cubby beyond the shifter. This issue was corrected by VW Canada in a recall but not by VW US
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
CAR WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET AND SUDDENLY LOST POWER. PULLED OFF ROAD, WAITED AND RESTARTED VEHICLE WITH NORMAL FUNCTION. EVALUATED AT VW DEALER AND TOLD THE DC-DC CONVERTOR IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND SHUTTING D
NHTSA complaint: Power train
WHEN I WENT TO UNPLUG MY CAR IN MY GARAGE, THE CHARGING PORT WOULD NOT RELEASE THE CHARGER. WHEN I LOOKED IT UP ONLINE, I FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE WHO OWNED 2015 E-GOLFS HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND THAT NONE OF THE ELEC
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT UNLOCK/RELEASE THE CHARGING CONNECTOR FROM THE CONNECTION PORT. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE EMERGENCY RELEASE PROCEDURE FOR THE VEHICLE WILL NOT RELEASE THE CHARGING CONNECTOR. THE CHARGING
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE 2015 EGOLF LOCKS THE CHARGING CONNECTOR ONTO THE VEHICLE DURING CHARGING. THIS FUNCTIONALITY HAS TWO (AT LEAST) BENEFITS TO THE VEHICLE OPERATOR. ONE BENEFIT IS THAT THE (VERY EXPENSEIVE) CAR CHARGER'S POWER SUPPLY C
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
EV CHARGER WILL NOT DISENGAGE FROM PORT EVEN WHEN CAR IS UNLOCKED WITH REMOTE. RED LIGHT INDICATING CHARGING FAILURE REMAINS AND CHARGER MUST BE REMOVED USING EMERGENCY DISENGAGE PIN WHICH IS DIFFICULT TO ACCESS AND CAR
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2015 Volkswagen e-Golf. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period ma
Risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 e-Golf vehicles manufactured May 21, 2014, to March 1, 2016. Oversensitive diagnostics for the high-voltage battery management system may falsely detect an electrical surge resulting in the vehicle's electric d
Risk: An unexpected vehicle shutdown can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will update the battery management software, free of charge. The recall began March 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Jetta vehicles manufactured September 8, 2014, to November 28, 2014, Golf vehicles manufactured April 2, 2014, to December 3, 2014, and E-Golf vehicles manufactured July 26, 2014, to October 18, 2014. The affected v
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the front passenger seat occupant is incorrectly classified or non-detected, the passenger frontal air bag may deploy improperly or not at all, increasing the risk of occup
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PODS control module, free of charge. The recall began on November 20, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-52
| Reliability raw | 85 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 41 | below average |
| Performance | 55 | average |
| Efficiency | 89 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 8 of them (29%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 85/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2015 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 73/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.