What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2015 Volkswagen Golf

No clear pattern

19.5% of complaints about the 2015 Volkswagen Golf arrived in its first year of service. That is an unusual figure for a 2015 vehicle, but with only 185 complaints on record the sample is too small to call it a pattern — the margin of error covers the range where ordinary vehicles sit. The figures below are reported without a verdict. The most-reported system is engine (26 complaints), typically at 2.6 yr or about 15,000 miles.

Complaints
185
Median age at failure
4.3 yr
Median mileage
22,000 n=106
Crash / fire / tow
14.6% of reports
Safety recalls
10

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Engine
26 reports · 15,000 mi
2.6 yr
11.5%
Other
23 reports · 13,000 mi
3.7 yr
26.1%
Air bags
21 reports · 39,000 mi
4.7 yr
9.5%
Electrical system
18 reports · 17,000 mi
3.3 yr
16.7%
Fuel / propulsion
16 reports · 62,000 mi
4.1 yr
6.2%
Suspension
15 reports · 80,000 mi
7.9 yr
0%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

24V110000 2024-02-14
Fuel system

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.

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

19V615000 2019-08-22
Electrical system:ignition:anti-theft:control module

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."

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.

19V188000 2019-03-06
Suspension:rear:springs:coil springs

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.

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.

18V904000 2018-12-19
Suspension:rear:springs:coil springs

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.

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.

18V464000 2018-07-11
Steering:column locking:anti-theft device

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."

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.

18V329000 2018-05-16
Other

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.

If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.

16V647000 2016-09-07
Fuel system

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.

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.

15V705000 2015-10-26
Engine and engine cooling:engine

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.

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.

15V627000 2015-10-07
Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive

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.

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.

15V229000 2015-04-17
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

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.

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.

In owners’ own words

Fuel / propulsion 2,700 mi 4 mo in service
THE CAR SMELLS LIKE GAS FROM THE AIR VENTS. I HAVE MADE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS FOR THE DEALER TO FIX IT, BUT THEIR RESPONSE IS "YOUR SERIAL NUMBERS ARE NOT PART OF THE RECALL". THAT'S FINE, BUT IT SMELLS LIKE GAS INSIDE THE CAR! *TR
Fuel / propulsion 2,000 mi 10 mo in service
FAILURE OF ADBLUE EMISSIONS SYSTEM. DEALER REPLACED PUMP FAILED AGAIN BEFORE LEAVING WORK BAY
Fuel / propulsion mileage not reported 2.1 yr in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V647000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO REACH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS REFERRED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REACH A LIVE AGENT FOR WEEKS. THE DEALER WAS UNAWARE AS TO WHEN THE MANUFACTURER WOULD SUPPLY THE PARTS TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Engine 3,000 mi 2 mo in service
WHEN I'M IN TRAFFIC STOP AND GO BETWEEN 11MPH TO 18 MPH AT LOW RPM (1,100 TO 1,800 RPM) THE VEHICLE FEELS LIKE SHAKING IN THE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION LIKE I'M DRIVING A MANUAL CAR BUT MY CAR IS AUTOMATIC. NOW WHEN GOING UP A INCLINE AT 30 TO 33 MPH VEHICLE DOES THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Other Golf model years

2022201920172016201520112010200220012000

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