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2015 Volkswagen GTI Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 97 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Volkswagen GTI, most often about the engine (41% of complaints, typically around 59,000 miles). It is 4th of 25 GTI model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2015 Volkswagen GTI problems
Engine
40 complaints · 41%Half of these problems showed up before 59,000 miles.
After having my 2015 vw se 4-dr 2.0t auto pzev into the dealership's service center for A/C issues. Two weeks later the engine light came on and I immediately parked the car. The car was towed to the dealership with this as the problem. Replace engine and turbo! Over $17,000!
First car starts. Second put the gear into reverse. Third car starts to stall slowly shutting down the engine while in reverse. Fourth, car has difficulty starting the engine while putting in park gear. Fifth, I had to press the brake and the push start button in order to start while pressing the gas pedal to increase…
Fuel system
20 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen golf GTI. The contact stated that upon parking the vehicle, he received a warning notification informing him that the vehicle was leaking fluids. After a visual inspection, the contact observed gasoline leaking from underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The…
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v110000 (fuel system, gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was…
Other or unspecified
20 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 47,000 miles.
Peeling trim between the center console and shifter is razor sharp and has cut my skin multiple times. In the picture it is the chrome part.
Similar to other owners with the same vehicle, the trim surrounding my shifter has cracked. This trim not only goes around a part my hands touch everyday while driving but surrounds a storage cubbie where people often store phones, wallets or various items. The splitting trim is rather sharp and sliced my finger open…
Transmission
12 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles.
I had my thermostat housing replaced to due leakage. I wanted to file a complaint because I believe this is a reoccurring issue that can lead to engine damage. This has happened gradually over time and not due to any incident with another vehicle. This was discovered from a vw service when I was at approximately 57000…
The clutch operation in my 2015 volkswage GTI (6 speed manual transmission) is malfunctioning to such a degree that I was almost in an accident and now fear for my safety. Clutch operation in the vehicle has become unpredictable, when depressed the clutch pedal will remain on the floor after the pedal is released…
Brakes
7 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: conventional.
I encountered a close red light and braked hard enough to activate ABS from 35 MPH in dry road conditions on a suburban highway. When I took my foot off the brake and applied gas after the green light, the car began to travel backwards! I braked again and found that the gear shifter had gone into the reverse position.…
After driving home from the gas station after replacing my tires going about 50mph. My brake fluid light came on and the brakes did not work at all. Lucky I was able to down shift and e brake on the city street. I took it to the firestone mechanic. Thinking the hit a line or cut a line on accident. After inspection…
Steering
6 complaints · 6%Power steering turns stick randomly at any speed, requiring me to turn off the engine and restart only to get the steering back to normal. Very scary as more effort has to be input I to the steering for it to work. Engine stalls and cuts out randomly especially on idle. Has caused several issues when driving.
When in motion on any type of road after 30-40 minutes the steering wheel becomes 'heavy' and hard to turn. The power steering has failed. I had this issue 'fixed' by the dealership two years ago, but it is occurring again.
Body and structure
4 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: body.
The passenger-side front door fails to seal securely when it shuts. The vehicle's safety system does do not indicate that the door is ajar when at rest. The system does indicate that the door is ajar when in motion.
Trim peeling from shifter produces a razor sharp edge. Cut my finger on it, pretty deep cut, bleeding profusely. Cut from retrieving items from front cubby.
Electrical
4 complaints · 4%The clockspring broke, I have an airbag error light on and none of the steering wheel functions work including the horn. Many of the 2015 vw vehicles have been recalled but the GTI is not apart of the recall.. The dealership confirmed it's the clockspring
Power steering turns stick randomly at any speed, requiring me to turn off the engine and restart only to get the steering back to normal. Very scary as more effort has to be input I to the steering for it to work. Engine stalls and cuts out randomly especially on idle. Has caused several issues when driving.
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 GTI 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."
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.
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 GTI
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 Volkswagen GTI?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (40 complaints, typically around 59,000 miles); fuel system (20 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles); other or unspecified (20 complaints, typically around 47,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2015 Volkswagen GTI have?
- 6 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 GTI?
- It is 4th of 25 GTI model years by number of complaints, with 97 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.