Problems · by component

2015 Volkswagen Golf unknown or other problems

43 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2015 Volkswagen Golf cite unknown or other, 19% of all 228 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
43
19% of all complaints
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
33
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the unknown or other

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Bought car recently and it came from the dealer with an exlamation point light, audible warning and message in the screen saying "ERROR: Service vehicle. Only leave vehicle in P position". i can also take my key out of the car when not in park. im pretty sure it is a microswitch or entire gear shifter mechanism depending. It is the same thing that happened for Compliance Recall 37L5. copying and pasting info regarding 37L5. Compliance Recall 37L5 – Shift Lever Micro Switch What vehicles are included in Compliance Recall 37L5? Certain 2015-2018 model year Volkswagen Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. What is the concern for Compliance Recall 37L5? Over time, a build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts can make it possible to remove the key from the ignition switch without the shift lever being in the "P" Park position. This makes the vehicle noncompliant with 49 CFR 571.114 Standard No. 114 Theft protection and rollaway prevention. If the ignition key is removed without the shift lever being in the "P" Park position, there is a risk that the vehicle may roll away, resulting in a crash that could injure people and damage property. What is the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 23, 2026Unknown or otherODI 11726254
“The chrome plastic trim coating on the START/STOP button and also the steering wheel have peeled and are razor sharp. I cut myself badly on both pieces on my right fore fingertip and middle ring finger. I try to avoid placing my hand accross the horn of the steering wheel since this happened, but the trim there is very dangerously sharp. There is a recall on the same trim on 2017 cars (Service Action 34L9), but the VW dealer told me there was not on my vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 25, 2025Unknown or otherODI 11669266
“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 recall or Service Action was available even though they know it's a common issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 2, 2025Unknown or otherODI 11633737
“Shift boot trim near storage compartment has a metal coating that starts to flake off and is razor sharp. This frequently cuts myself and my wife and is dangerous enough to have issued a recall but apparently it is only for automatics. This is odd since both Auto and Manual have a similar problem that seems to be widespread on forums across the web. Service Action Code: 34J7/34L9”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 5, 2024Unknown or otherODI 11612907
“My daughter was driving the car on [XXX] in Sealy, Texas, and the sunroof spontaneously shattered. The driver and passenger did not detect an impact that caused the glass to break. VW Care has refused to offer me financial assistance due to the fact the vehicle is out of warranty. The case number associated with my call to VW Care is [XXX]. However, I believe this is a very dangerous product defect that needs to be addressed, as were defective airbags in cars that have been out of warranty. The car only has 36,000 miles. This is unacceptable.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 2, 2024Unknown or otherODI 11598363
“Thermostat/water pump housing leaking coolant at 20,000 miles. No damage to vehicle that caused this, seems to be a common issue with VW Golfs. The repair is out of pocket and the dealership which sold me the car only a year ago is quoting $1600.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 13, 2024Unknown or otherODI 11577119

Showing 6 of 43 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Unknown or other

Free remedy

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.

Unknown or otherReported May 16, 2018NHTSA 18V329000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.