Volkswagen / GTI / 2015

2015 Volkswagen GTI problems

Owners have filed 123 complaints about the 2015 Volkswagen GTI with NHTSA. Engine accounts for 32.5% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of fuel/propulsion system at 10.6%. A further 16.3% were filed without a specific system named.

Complaints123

Crashes3

Fires1

Injuries28

Deaths0

What owners report breaking

Engine 32.5% · 40

Unknown or other 16.3% · 20

Fuel/propulsion system 10.6% · 13

Power train 9.8% · 12

Fuel system, gasoline 5.7% · 7

Service brakes 4.9% · 6

Steering 4.9% · 6

Structure 3.3% · 4

Severity

Of those complaints, 3 describe a crash, 1 describe a fire and 28 report an injury.

Reading the numbers

Across the 5 model years of the Volkswagen GTI in this data, 2015 draws comparatively few complaints; 2009 is the outlier year.

Filings have fallen off, 18 in the last three years against 34 in the three before. The issues here may already have been addressed.

The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 50,000 miles.

In owners' own words

First car starts. Second put the gear into reverse. Third car starts to stall slowly shutting down the engine while in reverse. Fourth, car has difficulty starting the engine while putting in park gear. Fifth, I had to press the brake and the push start button in order to start while pressing the gas pedal to increase the rpm. Then I drive. This happens often when first starting the vehicle under stationary. Engine · reported at 59,000 miles

Persistent coolant migration problem, wherein coolant migrates through wiring harness connection on coolant reservoir and travels through the wiring harness to other sensors and engine control equipment on the vehicle, corroding and destroying key components of the cars electronics and safety control systems. This repair has cost thousands of dollars to address, and it still not solved. Engine · reported at 48,000 miles

Paid to have new vw turbo put in car and it lasted 116 miles. Took it back and it was diagnosed that the turbo had failed and the turbine broke and fell into the motor. As a result it blew the motor. Vw warranty refused to warranty the part and take any responsibility for the blown engine. Even the dealer ship agreed it was a faulty turbo and as a result it blew the engine. Engine · reported at 90,000 miles

Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Safety recalls

Checking NHTSA for open recalls…

Other Volkswagen GTI years

2002 141 complaints · 34.0% electrical system 2007 102 complaints · 41.2% power train 2009 295 complaints · 31.9% service brakes 2019 288 complaints · 46.2% engine

Compare all 5 model years →