2015 Volkswagen Golf: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2015 Volkswagen Golf: 12 recalls, 131 owner complaints and up to 35 mpg combined.
Recalls
12 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Steering Vehicle recall #14V412000 · 2014 · 2,001 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A loose stabilizer link May interfere with the vehicle's steering, requiring additional effort to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front stabilizer links, free of charge. The recall began in July 2014.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #15V028000 · 2015 · 44,658 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails with new parts, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2015.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #15V229000 · 2015 · 6,205 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #15V627000 · 2015 · 993 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pods control module, free of charge. The recall began on November 20, 2015.
Engine & cooling, Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #15V705000 · 2015 · 91,867 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016.
Fuel system, Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #16V647000 · 2016 · 110,042 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. The recall began November 2016. Volkswagen
Other / unknown Vehicle recall #18V329000 · 2018 · 252 vehicles
What's wrong: Volkswagen group of america, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 eos, 2012 passat, 2012-2016 cc, 2015-2016 e-golf, 2011-2015 touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 tiguan, and 2011-2016 golf and 2011-2013 gti 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.
Why it matters: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018.
Electrical, Steering Vehicle recall #18V464000 · 2018 · 33,168 vehicles
What's wrong: Volkswagen group of america, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Volkswagen golf and golf sportwagen vehicles. The build of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts May enable the key to be removed from the ignition while the vehicle shift lever is not in "park." as such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) number 114, "theft…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2019.
Suspension Vehicle recall #18V904000 · 2018 · 6,322 vehicles
What's wrong: Volkswagen group of america, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen atlas, 2015 Volkswagen golf sportwagen, and 2019 Volkswagen jetta vehicles. The rear coil springs May prematurely fracture.
Why it matters: If a coil spring fractures while driving, it May damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2019.
Suspension Vehicle recall #19V188000 · 2019 · 56,173 vehicles
What's wrong: Volkswagen group of america, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 golf sportwagen, 2019 jetta, 2015-2019 golf, and 2018-2019 tiguan vehicles. The rear coil springs May prematurely fracture.
Why it matters: If a coil spring fractures while driving, it May damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall began April 12, 2019.
Electrical, Steering Vehicle recall #19V615000 · 2019 · 679,027 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #24V110000 · 2024 · 261,257 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 14 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (26): the most common themes are leaks (6), electrical failure (5), fire / smoke (4).
- Other / unknown (23): the most common themes are noise or vibration (4).
- Airbags (21): the most common themes are warning light on (6).
- Electrical (18): the most common themes are electrical failure (7), fire / smoke (3).
The 2015 Volkswagen Golf has 131 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 34 Golf model years for complaints (3.1× the average Golf year). Complaints peaked in 2015 (20 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 19,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2014 (11 complaints, 5 recalls), 2016 (85 complaints, 9 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 31 | 41 | 35 | Diesel |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 30 | 43 | 35 | Diesel |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 36 | 29 | Regular |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 35 | 29 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2015 Volkswagen Golf.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2015 Volkswagen Golf have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 12 vehicle recalls for the 2015 Volkswagen Golf. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2015 Volkswagen Golf problems?
Owners have filed 131 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (26), other / unknown (23), airbags (21).
What gas mileage does the 2015 Volkswagen Golf get?
EPA ratings run up to 35 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic (AM-S6)), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2015 Volkswagen Golf repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.