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2015 Volkswagen Golf Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 131 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Volkswagen Golf, most often about the engine (21% of complaints, typically around 15,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Golf model year since 2000 and has 12 recalls.
Most common 2015 Volkswagen Golf problems
Engine
28 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 15,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
Very rough idle/dangerous loss of power electronic power control light illuminates. Car develops issue in 2 instances, will idle smoothly at rest and then epc light will illuminate and very rough idle will ensue with entire car shaking. Car must be shutoff and restarted to correct. Once restarted car will idle…
I was in hayward on the 880 freeway (flat, dry road) in rush hour traffic, in the hov lane going about 40 MPH, and my vw e-Golf just shut down and showed the error "electrical system failure: stop!". I had enough momentum to coast 5 feet over to the left side (center divider) I could not make it completely out of the…
Other or unspecified
23 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 13,000 miles.
1st incident in january 2016i was driving on highway and construction barrell rolled across highway. My forward collision warning system did not activate; I had to hit the barrell; lots of damage to my car; the bosch radar warning system is held in place with plastic and it broke off during collision. 2nd…
I was traveling on an interstate highway at approximately 70 miles an hour and my sunroof exploded without warning. Temperatures outside were in the mid 90's, time of day was 6:00 pm, I had air conditioning running and sunroof and interior shade totally closed. After the explosion, the sunroof was bowed from the…
Fuel system
22 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 66,000 miles.
Rust on fuel filter housing discovered during 60k mile fuel filter change of 2015 Golf tdi (see photo). Told this can lead to potential major damage to high pressure fuel pump if particles come off. Only use high-quality diesel so not sure how this happened.
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that while driving or while the vehicle was parked, fuel leaked from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to centro de servicio flagship Volkswagen (carr. #2, km 14.7 hato tejas, bayamn, 00959, puerto rico) and was diagnosed that the subcision pump, filter and…
Air bags
21 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 36,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
Airbag system is not recognizing occupant in front passenger seat. Airbag is off with seat occupied. Called vw customer service to ask about recall 69l6 which describes this problem and was told our VIN was not in the recall although your website gives our manufacture date of 18 july 2014 as inside the recall range.…
Steering column control mechanism, air bag sensor, lock mechanism. Saw an article posted last week about previous recall not resolving a know issue with airbags that affects the steering column. I just had to pay $641.10 to have this repaired. If this is something that vw should have had to pay for I would love to be…
Electrical
18 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 14,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition.
I was in hayward on the 880 freeway (flat, dry road) in rush hour traffic, in the hov lane going about 40 MPH, and my vw e-Golf just shut down and showed the error "electrical system failure: stop!". I had enough momentum to coast 5 feet over to the left side (center divider) I could not make it completely out of the…
2015 Golf started experiencing problems with the engine/transmission after feb 5, 2016 on three different occasions. Upon starting car the idle is extremely rough and then a warning message appears that starts out with "transmission..." goes off quickly but a highlighted exclamation point remains. The message goes off…
Suspension
15 complaints · 12%Parts named most often: rear.
The car makes noises when going over bumps or around corners as the body rolls back and forth I think it is the recall that was issued # 10122609 about the seats and a gap between a tab and the seat frame. My car was not included in this recall.it should have been included.
The contact's girlfriend owns a 2015 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that while his girlfriend was driving approximately 45 MPH, she heard a loud popping sound coming from the passengerâs side rear of the vehicle after rolling over a small bump on the roadway. The vehicle made a loud clanking noise, and the rear…
Transmission
14 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 13,000 miles. Parts named most often: axle assembly.
2015 Golf started experiencing problems with the engine/transmission after feb 5, 2016 on three different occasions. Upon starting car the idle is extremely rough and then a warning message appears that starts out with "transmission..." goes off quickly but a highlighted exclamation point remains. The message goes off…
Whilst driving home at approximately 6:30 pm during heavy freeway traffic, approximately 70 MPH the electronic drive system of the vw egolf died. I lost all power and was forced to pull across three lanes of traffic to reach the safety of the shoulder. While no accident, that was more luck than anything else and grace…
Body and structure
10 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 17,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
Loud knock is produced when there is body flex (tight turns, speed bumps, changes in elevation) on the driver side b-pillar. Brought into auburn Volkswagen to diagnose, and was told they could find nothing wrong with the vehicle. Took the vehicle to a body shop and had them reproduce the noise. Was told it is likely a…
The chrome trim around the shifter level is extremely sharp and is a safety hazard. Reaching into the storage compartment in front of the shifter, my finger caught this sharp edge and was seriously cut. There was a lot of blood and pain as a result. An online search reveals that this type of injury is not uncommon.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2015 Volkswagen Golf recalls
Fuel system: fuel system, gasoline
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. Final owner notification letters for audi owners were mailed on july 25, 2024. Final owner letters for vw owners were mailed on august 13, 2024. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are vw: 20uf/audi: 20yf. Vehicles that were previously recalled under 16v-647 will need to have the new remedy completed. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 16v-647.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 audi a3 sedan, 2015-2019 audi a3 cabriolet, 2019-2020 volkswagen jetta gli, 2018 golf sportwagen gp, 2018-2019 golf sportwagen a7, 2015-2017 golf sportwagen, 2015-2020 golf gti, and 2015-2020 golf a7 vehicles. Due to a problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (evap) system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister.
Electrical: control module
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.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began november 19, 2019. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37m2.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 gti, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 golf, 2012-2019 beetle and beetle convertible, 2017-2019 golf sportwagen and 2011-2018 jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "park."
Suspension: coil springs
Risk: If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall began april 12, 2019. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42j5.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 golf sportwagen, 2019 jetta, 2015-2019 golf, and 2018-2019 tiguan vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.
Suspension: coil springs
Risk: If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall began january 31, 2019. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42j2/42j3.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 volkswagen atlas, 2015 volkswagen golf sportwagen, and 2019 volkswagen jetta vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.
Electrical: control module
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Other: unknown or other
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. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Full defect summary
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 may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
Fuel system: fuel system, gasoline
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine
Risk: If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began march 2016. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23r1.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 jetta, beetle, beetle convertible, passat, golf and golf sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.
Air bags: sensor/control module-inactive
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 occupant injury.
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 1-800-893-5298. Volkswgen's number for this recall is 69l6.
Full defect summary
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 vehicles are equipped a passenger occupant detection system (pods) that may have been manufactured improperly. As a result, the front passenger seat occupant may be improperly classified or may not be detected.
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle will not start, or if the engine is running, it will stop and the vehicle will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace any affected fuel pumps, free of charge. The recall began on june 16, 2015. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-893-5298 or audi at 1-800-253-2834.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 volkswagen golf, and gti manufactured on february 17, 2014, to may 22, 2014, and audi a3 manufactured on february 16, 2013, to april 23, 2014. Improper nickel plating of components within the fuel pump may result in the fuel pump failing.
Fuel system: fuel rail
Risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails with new parts, free of charge. The recall began february 6, 2015. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24bl. Note: this recall expands and supersedes recall 14v-809 (volkswagen recall number 24bi) and only affects vehicles not previously repaired under that campaign.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 jetta vehicles manufactured march 28, 2014, to november 24, 2014, 2014-2015 passat vehicles manufactured april 7, 2014, to november 18, 2014, 2015 golf and gti vehicles manufactured july 1, 2014, to november 20, 2014, and 2014-2015 beetle and beetle convertible vehicles manufactured march 31, 2014, to november 27, 2014. A sealing cap at the fuel rail may fail, allowing fuel to leak into the engine compartment.
Steering
Risk: A loose stabilizer link may interfere with the vehicle's steering, requiring additional effort to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front stabilizer links, free of charge. The recall began in july 2014. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40k9/1w.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 golf and gti vehicles manufactured january 27, 2014, to may 12, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the stabilizer link fasteners may come loose and possibly interfere with the steering of the vehicle.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Fuel leak due to suction jet pump failure within fuel tank (remedy effectiveness of recall 16v647)
Summary
On december 12, 2023, the office of defects investigations (odi) opened rq23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of volkswagen (vw) recall 16v-647. Recall 16v-647 was issued on september 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (sjp) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the sjp could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (my) 2015-2016 volkswagen golf and audi a3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced sjp version 1.0 with an improved version, version 1.1. The sjp is designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emissions (evap) system. Vwâs recall filing stated the sjp may have been damaged during assembly, which
Questions about the 2015 Volkswagen Golf
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 Volkswagen Golf?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (28 complaints, typically around 15,000 miles); other or unspecified (23 complaints, typically around 13,000 miles); fuel system (22 complaints, typically around 66,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2015 Volkswagen Golf have?
- 12 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 14, 2024 (fuel system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2015 a bad year for the Volkswagen Golf?
- It is the most complained-about Golf model year since 2000, with 131 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.