2015 Volkswagen GTI problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 60 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Volkswagen GTI, most often about engine. There are 6 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 60
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 5
- Median mileage
- 60,500 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Engine is the most-reported problem area, named in 29 of 60 complaints (48%).
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (18) and transmission & drivetrain (6) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 60,500 mi.
- Owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries.
- The 2015 Volkswagen GTI has 6 recalls on file.
- NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
- It has the most serious complaint record of all 20 Volkswagen GTI model years we track.
2015 Volkswagen GTI problems by category
- 29 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion18 complaints
- Other / Unknown9 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain6 complaints
- Steering4 complaints
- Brakes2 complaints
- Electrical System1 complaints
- Visibility & Wipers1 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech1 complaints
- Airbags1 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | 29 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 11 |
| Unknown or other | 9 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 7 |
| Power train | 6 |
| Steering | 4 |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 |
| Electrical system | 1 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2015 Volkswagen GTI recalls (6)
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE · STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
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."
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.
Remedy: 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.
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
- 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL
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.
Risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
Remedy: 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.
- STEERING
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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)
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 emiss…
Recent 2015 Volkswagen GTI complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Mar 23, 2026MAOther / Unknown
Bought car recently and it came from the dealer with an exlamation point light, audible warning and message in the screen saying "ERROR: Service vehicle. Only leave vehicle in P position". i can also take my key out of the car when not in park. im pretty sure it is a microswitch or entire gear shifter mechanism depending. It is the same thing that happened for Compliance Recall 37L5. copying and pasting info regarding 37L5. Compliance Recall 37L5 – Shift Lever Micro Switch…
NHTSA complaint #11726254 · source - Filed Nov 5, 2025CAFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
Recall service was performed on the fuel system. The vehicle was operating normally before the recall. Shortly after the recall service, the fuel gauge failed and became stuck at mid-level. Dealer refuses to cover the repair and claims it is unrelated, but the timing and failure of another fuel system component suggests otherwise. This presents a safety issue because the driver cannot determine fuel level or range and may impact other recalled vehicles and should be included…
NHTSA complaint #11697710 · source - Filed Feb 25, 2025CTFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
I purchased a vehicle from a dealer and there was an open recall for said vehicle. I was looking on the NHTSA.gov website and discovered a document mentioning that it is illegal for a dealership to sell a vehicle with an open & not fixed recall, prior to selling said vehicle. I am not entirely sure what this means for me and my vehicle but, I wanted to submit a claim just in case. Please contact me back if you require more information. I have scheduled a service at a…
NHTSA complaint #11644907 · source - Filed Jan 2, 2025PA2 injuredOther / Unknown
The chrome trim frame on the manual gear shift cover cracks and flakes off, causing dangerous sharp edges that have cut the hands of multiple members of my family. Same as the issue causing VW Service Action 34J7/34L9 except for manual transmission vehicles. Dealership looked up my VIN and said no recall or Service Action was available even though they know it's a common issue.
NHTSA complaint #11633737 · source - Filed Sep 19, 202485,000 miGA1 injuredTowedAirbags
The contact owned a 2015 Volkswagen GTI A7. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, while accelerating from a stop the vehicle was involved in a front collision caused by loose gravel on the road. The contact stated she lost control and drove into a ditch that struck a concrete culvert. The contact sustained minor injuries such as bruises on her elbows, knees, and head but did not require medical attention. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed…
NHTSA complaint #11615479 · source - Filed Sep 5, 2024WAOther / Unknown
Shift boot trim near storage compartment has a metal coating that starts to flake off and is razor sharp. This frequently cuts myself and my wife and is dangerous enough to have issued a recall but apparently it is only for automatics. This is odd since both Auto and Manual have a similar problem that seems to be widespread on forums across the web. Service Action Code: 34J7/34L9
NHTSA complaint #11612907 · source - Filed Aug 23, 2024DCFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
On 8/1/2024 my housemate was driving this vehicle on the highway and another driver signaled to her that there was an issue with the vehicle. He put a white board outside of the drivers side window which said "gas is pouring out of the back of your car." There was no warning light to indicate that something was wrong and no prior leaking. When she arrived at home the fuel tank was nearly empty and she informed me of the problem. I asked her when she had filled the tank and…
NHTSA complaint #11610397 · source - Filed Jul 30, 2024118,000 miTXFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed; there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle, and the contact became aware of a fuel leak. There was no warning light 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, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The…
NHTSA complaint #11605408 · source
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Other 2015 Volkswagen models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology