2015 Volkswagen Jetta problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (19) · Engine (19) · Service Brakes (15)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Volkswagen Jetta model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
125 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (8)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder 2020-09-23 · campaign 20E064000 · 38 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact Tenneco customer service at 1-800-625-9319.
Unknown Or Other 2019-09-25 · campaign 19V679000 · 113 vehicles
Defect: 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
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. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.
Electrical System:ignition:anti-Theft:control Module 2019-08-22 · campaign 19V615000 · 679,027 vehicles
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."
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. 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:engine 2015-10-26 · campaign 15V705000 · 91,867 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/Control Module-Inactive 2015-10-07 · campaign 15V627000 · 993 vehicles
Defect: 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
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. The recall began on November 20, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswgen's number for this recall is 69L6.
Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail 2015-01-23 · campaign 15V028000 · 44,658 vehicles
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 compartme
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. 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.
Exterior Lighting:headlights 2014-12-15 · campaign 14V790000 · 25,007 vehicles
Defect: 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 De
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. The recall is expected to begin in January 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 57F6.
Seats 2014-10-24 · campaign 14V670000 · 393 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 72F1.
Service bulletins (1,080)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-09-17 · V0116152014815_20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
suggested fuel additive
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-09 · SM 39-2026 · Other
this special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-06 · TT 00-13-04_7 · Other
permission to change daily order upgraded to red order
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-04 · V0026012081638_2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
differences between a leak and seepage
Steering 2026-08-03 · V4823022072282_3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
clean and install an additional plastic "ring" to prevent ingress of dirt,hair. foreign bodies into the clock spring.
Electrical System 2026-07-15 · VOS-26-42 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a notice for software changes with the odis diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: a software fix is needed to correct the issue: da 0019 - hotfix 12-v battery test(s) – no battery diagnosis - inconclusive test result.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,080 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-24 · Unknown Or Other“engine light loss of communication between ecm and abs…”
2026-03-03 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 80,000 mi“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.…”
2026-01-15 · Unknown Or Other“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 pro…”
2025-12-11 · Air Bags“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 d…”
2025-09-28 · Service Brakes“abs light on no communication with abs module cause speedometer not fonctionning abs light on epc light on …”
2025-08-26 · Unknown Or Other“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. …”
2025-07-28 · Service Brakes“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 brak…”
2025-07-20 · Unknown Or Other“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 ra…”
2025-06-06 · Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:windshield:electrical Heating Element · 49,000 mi“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 failu…”
2025-05-27 · Air Bags · 90,000 mi“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…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.