About average for the Jetta
Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Jetta year. The main thing to watch is the electrical system, which half of owners reported by about 36,000 miles.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Jetta years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 194 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta. The most reported problem area is the electrical system (49, 25% of complaints), followed by the engine and cooling and the transmission and drivetrain. That ranks 5th of 13 Jetta years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 8 recalls.
1 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2015 Volkswagen Jetta before you buy.
Electrical system
49 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 36,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2015 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that at the time of purchase, the odometer mileage was 77,183. Later, while attempting to sell the vehicle on Carvana, the contact was informed that the odometer mileage for the vehicle that was last reported in 2023 was 80,000.Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 80,000 miles
I hardly used this car and had it diagnosed and new battery but the car intermittently won’t start some times but there is no reason knownOwner complaint, filed 2025
Engine and cooling
45 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 42,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
My Volkswagen vehicle (Jetta Model 2015, MOdel 4DJSA, VIN [XXX] ) had a first event on [XXX] where the car suddenly stop in the middle of [XXX]. The car was taken to Volkswagen at Inver Grove and the cause was related to failure in a piston. The car was fixed without cost as it was covered by the guarantee of the vehicle. Again, around…Owner complaint, filed 2024
My car has been recalled twice for a camshaft which is making a ticking noise inside still. I reached out to dealership and they said they can only handle the situation once they get approval from NHTSA. Please help me out with this issue. Below are the recall codes 23R1 - Camshaft 24DR - ECM Thankyou.Owner complaint, filed 2024
Transmission and drivetrain
23 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 46,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
With no warning, the transmission/mechatronics unit in this 2015 Jetta Hybrid, reported an error code. This "error" results in the car not being able to enter the Hybrid (electric motor) mode when asked for by driver. Also, the car no longer goes into Stop/Start mode when stopped (engine cycles on and off). Car thus failed state…Owner complaint, filed 2023
The transmission of the 2015 VW Jetta Hybrid failed at about 81,000 miles. The transmission began to behave erradically while it was idling, with the engine coming on and off every 5 seconds. The check engine light and EPC lights illuminated. I was able to get the vehicle to an auto parts store to check the codes. The codes that came…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Fuel system
20 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 42,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
Car cut off twice while driving and could not be restarted for 14 - 25 minutes. This happened while driving. I took it to both an independent mechanic and a vw dealer, bit they were unable to diagnose the issue. Also, after being driven, intermittently the car will not start for 15 - 25 min. Other drivers are also having this issue. See…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Car is randomly bucking and or hesitating. Many times in the middle of a busy intersection, and kills the engine. I'm going to get killed if this continues to happen. Its been doing this for months.Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 125,000 miles
Brakes and stability control
20 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 24,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
Bottom line: brakes failed to stop car on decline slope. Situation: driver depressed brake and hit start button. With brakes still depressed the driver put the car into gear. However, the gear jolted and the car began rolling forward. Driver attempted to press the brakes without any response. The car rolled to a stop without any control…Owner complaint, filed 2025
I have owned this used vehicle for 3 months. When attempting to apply the brake at low speed (10-15mph) the brake pedal stuck in place and would not go down. This brake failure resulted in an accident. During said accident, at low impact, the airbag was triggered to deploy. This leads me to believe the airbag or sensor is defective, as I…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 47,000 miles
Air bags
17 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 42,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
A warning lamp came on that I didn’t know what it was for. It came on yesterday along with a tire warning lamp. The steering wheel buttons won’t work. I had it inspected by a local service center and it was confirmed to be the clock spring. I was informed it may fall under an active recall. It is a safety issue due to the airbag not…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the front passenger’s seat air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the passenger’s side occupant sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 90,000 miles
Steering
15 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 54,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
I cannot remove the key from the steering wheel cylinder lock once the car is started. It takes an extended period of times and just plain luck for the lock to return to the off point and the key to be removedOwner complaint, filed 2019, at 59,000 miles
It's very difficult to remove and engage the ignition cylinder on my 2015 vw treading. It takes several seconds to remove or engage the cylinder. Vw canada bramgate service location indicated that they can diagnose the cylinder for a fee, but would not tell me whether this safety issue was covered under warranty until after the…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 58,000 miles
Suspension
14 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 60,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that his son mentioned to him that an abnormal squeaking noise was coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that a rubber piece was sitting underneath the rear driver’s side tire. Upon further inspection, he noticed…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 86,066 miles
My 2015 Jetta SE was making noises in the left front end. I was driving when something fell off my vehicle. I was able to stop and pick up the item that fell off. It was part of a coil spring that was from the left front side of my car. The VW dealer replaced the left front coil spring. That was 6 months ago. Recently, I heard a loud…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Seats and seat belts
11 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 44,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
Seat belt buckle will not engage to lock into place multiple times into the buckle itself. It can take as many as a dozen to two dozen times to lock. Few times when it locks it disengages when pressure is applied by chest or waist during driving conditions.this is the driver side only as of now.Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 5 miles
My drivers seat top portion is stuck in an odd position . It won't go back or move at all. It just quit moving. Stationary I think .Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 45,000 miles
Lights, wipers and visibility
9 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 21,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated upon activating the defroster, the defroster only engaged while the switch was turned to maximum, and there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from underneath the dashboard. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that it was a…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 49,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 volkswagen jetta. When the high beam headlights were activated, the low beam headlights became inoperable. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The [VIN] was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 106,000 miles
Wheels and tires
9 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 20,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
Had to replace wheel speed sensor part wht-003-858 on a 2015 vw jetta at 17,415, my concern is that I have another 2015 jetta and had to replace 3 other wheel speed sensor all under 15,000 miles.Owner complaint, filed 2018
Replaced 3 wheel speed sensors on this car all under 16,000 miles on the car part wht-003-856 sensor. I have 2 -2015 jetta and both needing wheel speed sensor replaced. 3rd one replaced today april 2nd, 2018Owner complaint, filed 2018
Body, doors and structure
5 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Parts named most: Body (5).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
2015 Volkswagen Jetta active grille shutter. A shutter system on the front end of the vehicle on the lower half of the radiator that allows air flow during different temperatures. The shutter assembly along with the electrical motor seems to go bad after a set amount of time. Giving off a Check Engine Code P05A0 as the shutters freeze…Owner complaint, filed 2022
The vehicle had been stationary for about 6 hours then caught on fire from the engine throughout the whole vehicle. The fire department came and out the vehicle fire out but the whole from end of the vehicle to the inside and backseat was affect by the fire.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 115,000 miles
Cruise control and acceleration
4 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
While cruise control is on and controlling the vehicle speed, the speed setting will sometimes (I.e. Unpredictably and intermittently) increase the speed to the closest 5 MPH increment when commanded to decrease the speed to the closest 5 MPH increment. I have been able to reproduce this error dozens to hundreds of times but I cannot…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle hesitated to respond without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel canister filter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The [VIN] was not…Owner complaint, filed 2016, at 2,800 miles
Driver assist systems
3 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
The small PLASTIC button to engage the emergency hand brake, popped off. When inspecting it, the internal plastic is broken, unable to re-attach. Unable to engage emergency break without it. This is for a manual transmission.Owner complaint, filed 2023
Clockspring on my Jetta broke which disabled horn and cruise control functions. The safety issue is the horn. The clockspring should not fail on any car with barely 50k operating miles on it. The unit has not yet been replaced. The dashboard shows an airbag warning light. No prior symptoms.Owner complaint, filed 2022
Volkswagen Jetta complaints by year
Compare the 2015 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2015 compact cars
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 Volkswagen Jetta | About average | 8 |
| 2015 Toyota Corolla | About average | 1 |
| 2015 Honda Civic | About average | 1 |
| 2015 Mazda Mazda3 | About average | 4 |
2015 Volkswagen Jetta recalls
Brakes Master cylinder
- Risk
- If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users.
Full recall summary
Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles. The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.
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 repurchase the affected vehicles.
Full recall summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible 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.
Electrical system 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.
Full recall 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."
Engine and cooling
- 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.
Full recall 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
- 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.
Full recall 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 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.
Full recall 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.
Lights Headlights
- Risk
- Insufficient headlight output may increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the headlight control module software, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Jetta vehicles manufactured July 11, 2014, to November 13, 2014. Due to incorrect software within the headlight control module, the low beam headlights may turn off when high beam lights are turned on. As a result, the light output from the headlights may be insufficient. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108. "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Seats
- Risk
- Unexpected movement of the driver's seatback may distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the assembly of the seatback recliner retaining bracket, correcting it as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Volkswagen Jetta and Passat vehicles manufactured September 23, 2014, to October 9, 2014, and equipped with manual front seatback recliners. In the affected vehicles, the seatback recliner retaining bracket may not engage correctly, resulting in unexpected movement of the seatback.
2015 Volkswagen Jetta questions
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta?
The most reported problem areas on the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta are the electrical system (49 complaints), the engine and cooling (45 complaints) and the transmission and drivetrain (23 complaints).
Is the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta a good year to buy?
About average for the Jetta. Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Jetta year. The main thing to watch is the electrical system, which half of owners reported by about 36,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Jetta years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta have?
NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta. The most recent, from Sep 2020, covers the master cylinder. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2015 Volkswagen Jetta problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the electrical system gave a mileage of about 36,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 42,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Volkswagen Jetta years should I avoid?
The Jetta years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2012, 2013 and 2019. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2018, 2020 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2015 Volkswagen Jetta?
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