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2015 Volkswagen Jetta

The Verdict

56 Proceed with Caution

The 2015 Volkswagen Jetta has 193 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (59 complaints) and engine (55 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 56/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Volkswagen Jetta, consider the 2025 model year which has 89% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2025 has 89% fewer complaints

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56

Klunk Score: Proceed with Caution

About average for complaint volume. Research the specific issues before buying.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 8

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

14V670000 SEATS

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 manua...

Risk

Unexpected movement of the driver's seatback may distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the assembly of the seatback recliner retaining bracket, correcting it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owne...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

14V790000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

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 ...

Risk

Insufficient headlight output may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the headlight control module software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in January 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen custom...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

15V028000 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 Apr...

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 1-800-82...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

15V705000 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...

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.

Remedy

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...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

19V615000 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 Jet...

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 a...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

20E064000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

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 Volkswag...

Risk

If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cy...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

19V679000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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 Jett...

Risk

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

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for t...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

15V627000 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...

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 oc...

Remedy

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...

Reported Jul 10, 2015

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
20001383410715132
20011616525314656
20021784426413194
2003144201737451
20045510587931
20052911567973
20068027150105216
20073542643228
20083621573045
20098220398413107
2010975722242277
20111252620524933
20121443314515933
201312315125145104
201476159913852
20155915475517
20163018326911
20173712386110
201891785
201910920115165127
202016410174
2021172211132
202211116130
20239109121
20241183122
202590345

By Category

Body
59
Engine
55
Electrical
47
Transmission
17
Brakes
15

By Severity

1
94
2
88
3
2
4
9

Worst Problems

Compare Against

See how the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta stacks up against rivals.

Complaints

Electrical 2

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.

4mo ago
Engine 2

Vehicle Information •Make / Model / Year: 2015 Volkswagen Jetta 1.8T SE •VIN: [XXX] Recall Information (if known) •Camshaft recall: 23R1 (2016) •ECM software update: 24DR (2020) Description of Problem: My 2015 Volkswagen Jetta 1.8T SE experiences loss of power while driving, where the engine RPM increases but the vehicle does not accelerate properly, especially when driving uphill. This creates an unsafe driving condition. The vehicle previously received recall repairs for the camshaft (23R1) and ECM software (24DR). Despite these recall repairs being completed, the same symptoms persist, indicating the recall may not have fully resolved the defect. I reported this issue to Volkswagen Customer CARE under case number [XXX], but the concern remains unresolved. I am filing this complaint to document that this is an ongoing safety concern, post-recall, that has not been resolved by Volkswagen. I request NHTSA to review this unresolved post-recall safety issue and ensure Volkswagen investigates whether the original recall repairs fully corrected the defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

6mo ago
Electrical 2

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 being able to deploy if need be.

7mo ago
Brakes 2

abs light on no communication with abs module cause speedometer not fonctionning abs light on epc light on

9mo ago
Engine 2

The turbocharger is out. I've had problems with coolant leaking. Mechanic pressurized tank, its fine. While parked coolant disappears, evaporates, idk..Nothing leaking on ground. Now smoke coming out of exhaust. Car has 56,000 miles.

10mo ago
Brakes 1

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 over braking or accelerating. Once stopped the driver put the car back into park and pressed the start button. The car then ignited and started. After starting, pressure came back into the brake pedal and the engine revved when the accelerator was pressed. No issues were detected after the car started. Available for inspection upon request. Safety: the safety of the driver and surrounding persons was endangered due to the vehicle’s inability to stop when the brakes are depressed. Reproduction: the problem has not been reproduced by a dealer, however a second Reddit user describes a similar situation happening in their Jetta. Inspection: part has not been inspected since the incident but was regularly checked before. Warning: no warning lights were on before the event occurred. Car seemed to operate normally.

11mo ago
Body 2

SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED ON THE HIGHWAY. IT HAS BEEN A VERY HOT SUMMER AND I HAVE TO USE THE AIR CONDITIONING ON HIGH TO COOL MY CAR WITH ALL BLACK INTERIOR FOR MY INFANT SON (THE AIR VENT POSITIONING IN THIS CAR MAKES IT VERY HARD TO COOL THE BACKSEAT). I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY 8 WEEK OLD BABY IN THE BACKSEAT, AC ON HIGH, AND RADIO AT A LOW/NORMAL VOLUME. OUT OF NOWHERE I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION AND IT COMPLETED TERRIFIED ME AND MY BABY. I QUICKLY REALIZED THE SUNROOF HAD SHATTERED WITH GLASS FALLING THREW THE SUNSHADE GAPS AND I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY IMMEDIATELY. THANK GOODNESS I DID NOT CRASH FROM THE SOUND OF THE EXPLOSION AND I HAD THE SHADE CLOSED OR ALL THE GLASS WOULD HAVE SHATTERED ON US BOTH!! I DID NOT SEE ANYTHING FLY AND HIT THE SUNROOF ON THE ROAD. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR THE GLASS LOOKED LIKE IT HAD EXPLODED UPWARD WITH NO SIGN OF ANYTHING HITTING IT FROM ABOVE AND NO DAMAGE TO THE SHADE OR EXTERIOR BODY OF THE CAR. MY EARS WERE RINGING AND THUMPING FOR A WHOLE DAY AFTERWARDS - I’M CERTAIN MY BABYS EARS WERE HURTING AS WELL BUT COULDN’T CONFIRM OF COURSE BECAUSE HE WAS 8 WEEKS OLD. I’M CERTAIN IT WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE MANUFACTURING OF THE GLASS OR THE INSTALLATION AND NOTHING HIT THE GLASS. I AM SO SURPRISED THIS HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED YET - SO UNSAFE FOR THE DRIVER, PASSENGERS I.E. MY INFANT, AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD.

12mo ago
Body 1

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 common failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.

13mo ago
Electrical 2

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 manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V627000 (AIR BAGS). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 90,000.

13mo ago
Body 1

As I’m driving the car, the gear ship suddenly won’t go into gear to downshift and grind for a second so I stopped trying to change gears and I just close to the end of the exit. Finally able to get it back into gear drive down the road and the clutch is really loose and almost like it’s not connecting to anything. I’ve heard this has been a problem with the gearshift mechanism on other Volkswagens. And there have been recalls on that I don’t know why there’s no recall showing for my 2015 Volkswagen Jetta with this issue.

14mo ago
Engine 2

I’ve been experiencing intermittent start failures with my 2015 Volkswagen Jetta. The issue typically occurs after driving short distances, turning off the engine, and attempting to restart the vehicle within 15–45 minutes. The dashboard lights stay on, but the engine fails to crank. After extended wait times (1–3 hours or more), it will sometimes start again. A diagnostic scanner showed DTC IM 00, indicating an immobilizer system malfunction, meaning the car isn’t recognizing the key properly. I’ve tested both keys and various conditions (locked/unlocked, sun/shade, full/low gas tank), and the issue continues to be unpredictable. When the car was towed to the dealership, they were unable to replicate the problem since it started by the time they checked it, and they were unwilling to investigate the immobilizer issue without charging me for a wide range of unrelated tests. This is becoming a safety issue, especially if the vehicle stalls or won’t restart in isolated areas or during hot conditions. It is not acceptable for a known electronic security feature to randomly disable the vehicle from functioning.

15mo ago
Electrical 2

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 known

16mo ago
Body 1

I was driving along the I-25 highway south. I was no where near any bridges and was in the right lane with a safe following distance from the car in front of me. Suddenly out of no where with no warning lights, and nothing that could have possibly been flung towards my car, my sunroof exploded. Thankfully the inside cover was closed, and I was not using the sunroof or the glass would have been blown into the car on me and my passenger. I pulled onto the shoulder and got out to look at it. It looked like it had been imploded from the inside, and there was no damage to the inside cover, giving me reason to believe the glass just exploded with no impact from anything else. There was also no thumping noise of another object when it happened. Luckily no other cars were involved and I was able to get off the highway safely. Still waiting to get my sunroof fixed.

20mo ago
Engine 1

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 [XXX], the car again suddenly stopped working and needed to be thawed to Volkswagen at Inver Grove, the diagnosis done was extreme misfires on all cylinders that cause the car to die while in operation. The root cause was due to excessive oil inside the cylinder. In this occasion, the repair would not be covered under the guarantee and thus the option provided was to replace the motor at an estimated cost of $11,000 USD which is above the cost of the vehicle. It is important to notice that the car was routinely checked and serviced by Volkswagen at Inver Grove during the time we have owned the vehicle. There were not diagnostic tools that we could have to address this issue, to our knowledge there is nothing we did to cause this catastrophic failure. This recurrent incident could be likely a manufacturing issue and thus it is not caused by the user. The damage of the cylinder was not isolated to just one, all four have the same issue. Our car is currently parked (we are paying storage insurance on it) and we cannot use it. Our ask is for Volkswagen to repair the vehicle at no cost to us as we were not at fault for this issue. We kindly ask you for your support on this matter. Respectfully. [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

21mo ago
Transmission 2

I drove over a commercial-grade water hose unraveled in the middle of the lane. It had metal couplings on it and my oil pan was damaged due to the low riding body of the VW to the road. The vehicle was drivable for 5 minutes afterward & the low engine pressure light turned on, but I was in a dangerous area with traffic during rush hour in the evening. It was congested with multiple avenues of transportation via buses, scooters, and pedestrian crosswalks. I started to lose power steering and the gas pedal would not accelerate the car, but the brakes still worked. I was able to coast the car to a stop & nearby a Midas car shop. Midas replaced the damaged oil pan and did not have any other damage reported. Midas informed me that my vehicle would not start, but failed to mention that the safety of my vehicle was compromised with rolled down windows. I inspected my car on 8.20.24, the battery was still working & powered the lights but the window power and engine would not operate. On 8.22.24 I paid for the work & noticed the windows were now rolled up & Midas said an employee used the power from the battery to override the window system but the car still would not start and needed to go to a dealership to access the engine codes for this hybrid vehicle. Towed the vehicle to VW, who said that Midas was not accurate in their description, as there were no access codes needed for the vehicle & it should have started once the oil pan was replaced. The VW diagnostic results showed a “bad” battery and the transmission failed/ stopped engaging and needed a replacement of the transmission along with the battery which would total $11K! The VW agent recommended that I contact other car repair companies to rebuild it for a more affordable solution. Midas and VW were the only car repair companies to evaluate my car and it is currently at VW where it can be inspected if needed. The safety recall code: 34J6, of 2015 VW Jetta Hybrids somehow exclude some VINs until owners had issues.

22mo ago
Engine 2

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.

23mo ago
Body 1

Camshaft and Timing chain. Only 116,000 miles . Based on the conversation with the dealership this seems to be a common issue wit the 1.8ltr engines

24mo ago
Electrical 1

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and shutoff. The failure also occurred while driving on a busy highway. After the failure had occurred, the vehicle was restarted and operated normally. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed the engine misfire was caused by a faulty ignition coil and ignition lead. The ignition coil and lead were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 53,000.

30mo ago
Electrical 1

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts being on backorder. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

34mo ago
Brakes 1

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.

35mo ago

193 total

1/ 10
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