VehicleVerdict

2015 Volkswagen GTI problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 123 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 6.8 times the median GTI year — the 2015 model ranks #4 of 41 GTI years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 28 injuries in total across these filings.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 40 reports (33% of the total).

123

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

1

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

28

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2015 compare to other GTI years?

See all GTI years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Volkswagen GTI problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine4033%
Fuel System2016%
Other2016%
Transmission1210%
Brakes76%
Steering65%
Electrical System43%
Body & Structure43%
Airbags32%
Suspension22%
Tires & Wheels22%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Driver Assistance11%

Does the 2015 Volkswagen GTI have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

24V110000Fuel SystemFebruary 14, 2024 · 261,257 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

19V615000Electrical SystemAugust 22, 2019 · 679,027 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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.

16V647000Fuel SystemSeptember 7, 2016 · 110,042 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

15V229000Fuel SystemApril 17, 2015 · 6,205 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

15V028000Fuel SystemJanuary 23, 2015 · 44,658 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

14V412000SteeringJuly 7, 2014 · 2,001 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

MY CAR STARTS TO FEEL LIKE IT'S GOING TO DIE OUT. THERE IS A TICKING COMING FROM THE ENGINE THAT COMES AND GOES WHEN IDLED. I'VE INFORMED THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY CAN'T SEEM TO FIND WHAT THE TICKING NOISE IS.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 4, 2016 · crash

This recall was issued in feb 2024 and there is still not a remedy available. Feb 14,2024 Manufacturer Recall Number20UF NHTSA Recall Number24V110 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available I am smelling gas in my car intermittently and this could be related to the recall. We need a…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · February 14, 2024

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 1, 2023

MY CAR STARTS TO FEEL LIKE IT'S GOING TO DIE OUT. THERE IS A TICKING COMING FROM THE ENGINE THAT COMES AND GOES WHEN IDLED. I'VE INFORMED THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY CAN'T SEEM TO FIND WHAT THE TICKING NOISE IS.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 4, 2016 · crash

The emergency parking hand brake won't engage until after around an average of 5 attempts. The hand brake button and spring behind it is also loose and pops off. I'm unable to drive with it on, or else it can pop off and fall to the floor. This causes issues as now I'm unable to use the emergency…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 27, 2022

2015 Volkswagen GTI — common questions

Is the 2015 Volkswagen GTI reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 123 complaints put the 2015 model at #4 of 41 GTI years. It is one of the GTI years to avoid.

What are the most common 2015 GTI problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (40 complaints), fuel system (20 complaints), other (20 complaints).

Does the 2015 Volkswagen GTI have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 Volkswagen GTI. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2015 Volkswagen GTI under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Volkswagen GTI years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the GTI years to avoid are 2009, 2019, 2002, 2015, 2007, 2001, 2016, 2008, 2003, 2010, 2011, 2000, 2006, 2017, 2012, 2022, 2013, 2024, 2014. The cleanest record among GTI years belongs to 2025.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.