Problems · NHTSA complaints

2015 Volkswagen Jetta problems

Owners filed 196 complaints about the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta with NHTSA between Jan 2015 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (49).

Complaints
196
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
8
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
9
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system49
  2. Engine43
  3. Power train23
  4. Service brakes19
  5. Fuel/propulsion system19
  6. Air bags17
  7. Steering15
  8. Suspension14
  9. Wheels8
  10. Seats8
  11. Exterior lighting5
  12. Structure5
  13. Vehicle speed control4
  14. Seat belts4

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
201515
201619
201721
201827
201931
202018
202118
202214
202314
20246
202510
20263

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

49 reports1 crash1 fire1 related recall
“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

Service brakes

19 reports2 crashes
“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 braking or accelerating. Once stopped the driver put the car back into park and pressed the start button. The car then ignited and started. After starting, pressure came back into the brake pedal and the engine revved when the accelerator was pressed. No issues were detected after the car started. Available for inspection upon request. Safety: the safety of the driver and surrounding persons was endangered due to the vehicle’s inability to stop when the brakes are depressed. Reproduction: the problem has not been reproduced by a dealer, however a second Reddit user describes a similar situation happening in their Jetta. Inspection: part has not been inspected since the incident but was regularly checked before. Warning: no warning lights were on before the event occurred. Car seemed to operate normally.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 28, 2025Service brakesODI 11676784

Fuel/propulsion system

19 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 26, 2025Unknown or other, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11683134

Air bags

17 reports4 crashes1 related recall
“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 deploy if need be.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 11, 2025Air bagsODI 11704592
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

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