NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
This page covers 11 recalls, 194 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta.
26–44 mpg combined
5.3–9 L/100km
Compact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 9 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
For the 2015 Jetta, engine and electrical complaints make up the bulk of what owners report. On the engine side, owners frequently describe turbocharger failures, coolant loss without visible leaks, and smoke from the exhaust, often on vehicles with relatively low mileage. Electrical complaints center on the clock spring, owners report warning lights appearing alongside unresponsive steering wheel controls, with some noting the airbag system becomes unreliable when the clock spring fails. A handful of owners also report ABS module communication failures that knock out both the ABS warning light and the speedometer simultaneously. The powertrain category draws a smaller but consistent set of reports, including unexpected gear engagement behavior and loss of braking response during low-speed maneuvers. Coolant-related engine issues seem to be the most recurring mechanical thread, with owners describing fluid disappearing gradually before exhaust smoke appears.
194
Total Complaints
8
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
7
With Injuries
By System
The 2015 Volkswagen Jetta has 11 recalls, the most serious being three separate risks that can each cause a crash: a camshaft lobe failure that reduces braking ability, a fuel rail leak that can result in a fire, and an overheating block heater that also poses a fire risk.
The camshaft issue appears in two filings that describe the same underlying problem: the lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump can shear off, leaving the brakes without power assist and significantly extending stopping distances. On hybrid models equipped with the 7-speed DSG automatic transmission, hairline cracks in the transmission control unit can cause an internal oil leak that drops pressure and causes the clutch to drop power suddenly while driving. A separate electrical concern involves the keyless entry system on vehicles with an automatic transmission and manual handbrake: the ignition key can be removed while the transmission is out of Park, raising the risk of a rollaway.
On the occupant safety side, the front passenger seat sensor may misclassify or fail to detect an occupant, causing the frontal airbag to deploy incorrectly or not at all in a crash. Manual front seatbacks on certain vehicles may shift unexpectedly due to an improperly assembled retaining bracket. The headlight control software on some vehicles can cut the low beams when high beams are activated, leaving the road dimmer than expected at night. There is also a compliance recall covering regulatory requirements for certain model years.
At a glance
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
Tiny cracks can form in the transmission control unit, allowing transmission fluid to leak out and reducing oil pressure inside the transmission.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a repair kit and replace affected parts at no cost to restore proper transmission function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
During internal evaluation, modifications were made to these vehicles that may prevent them from meeting all applicable safety and emissions regulatory requirements.
What the fix does
Volkswagen will repurchase the affected vehicles. Owners will be notified and can contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Silicate buildup on the shift lever switch contacts can allow the key to be removed from the ignition even when the transmission is not in Park.
What the fix does
Dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The factory-installed block heater can overheat during use, potentially causing a fire that could injure people or damage property.
What the fix does
Your dealer will inspect the block heater and install a new one if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump can shear off, causing loss of brake assist.
What the fix does
Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module software to address the issue.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A camshaft lobe that operates the vacuum pump may fail, causing the pump to stop supplying vacuum to the brake booster. This reduces braking power and engine power.
What the fix does
Dealers will install an updated engine control module software.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger occupant detection system may have been improperly manufactured, causing the front passenger seat occupant to be misclassified or not detected.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the occupant detection system control module at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The sealing cap on the fuel rail may fail, allowing fuel to leak into the engine compartment.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel rails with new parts at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the headlight control module causes low beam headlights to turn off when high beams are activated, reducing forward light output.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the headlight control module software at no cost to restore proper headlight operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The headlight control software can turn off your low beam headlights when you switch to high beams, reducing front lighting and affecting your ability to see the road.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the headlight control module software to correct this behavior.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bracket that holds the front seatback recliner in place may not have been assembled correctly, allowing the seatback to move forward or backward with little effort.
What the fix does
The dealer will inspect the seatback recliner bracket and correct it if it is out of specification.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
