Research · Compact Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2015 Volkswagen JettaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 196 owner complaints for the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta. Most complaints involve electrical system (49) and engine (43). The EPA rates it 26–35 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
26–35mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
8campaigns
Latest Sep 2020
Owner complaints
196
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

8 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Service brakes

Free remedy

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.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Sep 23, 2020NHTSA 20E064000

Unknown or other

Free remedy

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 regulatory requirements.

Unknown or otherReported Sep 25, 2019NHTSA 19V679000

Electrical system: control module

Free remedy

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."

Electrical systemReported Aug 22, 2019NHTSA 19V615000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

196 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2015 – Aug 2026
  1. Electrical system49
  2. Engine43
  3. Power train23
  4. Service brakes19
  5. Fuel/propulsion system19
  6. Air bags17
  7. Steering15
  8. Suspension14
  9. Wheels8

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

By model year

Complaints for each Jetta model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996183
1997141
1998194
1999354
2000451
2001677
2002711
2003463
2004233
2005248
2006580
2007201
2008190
2009905
2010875
2011640
2012527
2013518
2014388
2015196
2016164
2017160
201832
2019552
202054
202171
202243
202343
202446
202532
20266
Crashes reported
8
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
9
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

49 reports1 crash1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 3, 2026Electrical systemODI 11721675

Engine

43 reports1 crash1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 15, 2026Power train, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11711278

Power train

23 reports
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 2, 2024Steering, Power train, Electrical systemODI 11612065
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo diesel · 1.8L 4-cyl turbo · 2.0L 4-cyl · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (AM-S6) · Manual 6-spd · Automatic (S6) · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Diesel · Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Jetta
Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
314335$2,700287
Jetta
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
304435$2,700289
Jetta
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
253629$2,200302
Jetta
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
253629$2,200305
Jetta
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
253428$2,300313
Jetta
Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
243227$2,950334
Jetta
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223326$2,450340
Jetta
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
233326$3,050338
  • Jetta
    Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo
    31 city · 43 hwy · $2,700/yr
    35
    mpg comb.
  • Jetta
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo
    30 city · 44 hwy · $2,700/yr
    35
    mpg comb.
  • Jetta
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo
    25 city · 36 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Jetta
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo
    25 city · 36 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Jetta
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    25 city · 34 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Jetta
    Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    24 city · 32 hwy · $2,950/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • Jetta
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    22 city · 33 hwy · $2,450/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Jetta
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    23 city · 33 hwy · $3,050/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 9085
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2015 Jetta questions

How many recalls does the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta have?

8 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2015 Volkswagen Jetta problems?

Owners filed 196 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (49), engine (43), power train (23). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta at 26–35 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

How safe is the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026