IllustrationClockspring on my Jetta broke which disabled horn and cruise control functions. The safety issue is the horn. The clockspring should not fail on any car with barely 50k operating miles on it. The unit has not yet been replaced. The dashboard shows an airbag warning light. No prior symptoms.
2015 Volkswagen Jetta
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Jetta years
Owner complaints for the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta are substantially higher than the model-year median of 68.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Jetta years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
380–25K
3625–50K
2550–75K
1875–100K
8100–150K
0150K+
125 reports with mileage · 69 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
8 crash reports1 fire reports7 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
49 reports1. Overtime, i noticed my car starts to jerk during acceleration and would accelerate, completely stall for about 2 seconds before getting back in forward motion. It when that jerk happens, it feels like the car is suddenly in neutral for those few seconds. This has been happening more frequently and has now been happening every…
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1. Overtime, i noticed my car starts to jerk during acceleration and would accelerate, completely stall for about 2 seconds before getting back in forward motion. It when that jerk happens, it feels like the car is suddenly in neutral for those few seconds. This has been happening more frequently and has now been happening every other green light. This seems dangerous and I also don’t like that it does this on the highway. 2. steering wheel has some resistance issues. 3. ECM is malfunctioning because my dashboard constantly shows at least 5 incorrect warning check lights. Sometimes they change to other check lights, sometimes they appear and disappear when it wants. Very frustrating.
Since purchasing my used used 2015 VWA Jetta in 2019 I have had several issues I think are electrical. (1)The phone charger outlet has blown a few times and required them to reset it, (2) there have been 4 occasions in the last 6 months where my car wouldn't start, but upon being checked out by a VW repair shop it was not determ…
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Since purchasing my used used 2015 VWA Jetta in 2019 I have had several issues I think are electrical. (1)The phone charger outlet has blown a few times and required them to reset it, (2) there have been 4 occasions in the last 6 months where my car wouldn't start, but upon being checked out by a VW repair shop it was not determined what caused this, the lights started coming on, but it would not fully start. (3) More recently my horn has randomly stopped working, on three occasions when I went to use it, nothing happened and when I park or later in the day it resumes working.
THE AIRBAG LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT INDICATES THAT A PASSENGER IS NOT THERE WHEN THERE IS. IT WILL START BLINKING RANDOMLY, SOMETIMES REGISTERING THEM AND SOMETIMES NOT. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING OR WHILE STATIONARY.
ENGINE LIGHT IS ON 2015 JETTA 1.8 TURBO. ECU 1 STATES CODE P05A0 ACTIVE GRILLE AIR SHUTTER "A" STUCK ON. VOLKSWAGON WANTS TO CHARGE ME $900 TO CORRECT THIS SENSOR PROBLEM. VEHICLE HAS 32,000 MILES & WAS STATIONARY WHEN LIGHT CAME ON. THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE SENSOR SYSTEM. SHOULD VW HAVE TO PAY? WHY ARE CONSUMERS PAYING?
THE HORN KEEP MALFUNCTIONING IT WORKS SOMETIMES THE CAR DON'T HAVE LOSE POWER WHEN I GO UP HILLS AND SMOKE IS COMING FROM TAIL PIPE
**SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT**
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS OFF AND ON IF I DO NOT KEEP THE SEATBELT LOCKED, EVEN WITH NO PASSENGER. THUS OCCURS WHILE I AM DRIVING AND ASSUME THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE, SAFETY ISSUE, AND POTENTIAL AIRBAG ISSUE. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING OFF AND ON FOR OVER A YEAR. *TR
MY WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED AS MY CAR WAS IN LIMP MODE. 2 AND HALF WEEKS LATER MY LIGHT COMES BACK ON AND AFTER DRIVING IT TO WORK ONE DAY IT DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT SO I HAD IT TOWED. AT TIME OF TOWING NOTICED I WAS LEAKING FLUID. TURNS OUT IT WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID AND I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION ON A 5 YEAR OLD CAR. THIS CAR HAS H…
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MY WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED AS MY CAR WAS IN LIMP MODE. 2 AND HALF WEEKS LATER MY LIGHT COMES BACK ON AND AFTER DRIVING IT TO WORK ONE DAY IT DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT SO I HAD IT TOWED. AT TIME OF TOWING NOTICED I WAS LEAKING FLUID. TURNS OUT IT WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID AND I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION ON A 5 YEAR OLD CAR. THIS CAR HAS HAD 3 ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND ONLY ONE WAS A RECALL BUT EACH PROBLEM BUT THE CAR IN LIMP MODE CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION NOT TO SHIFT PROPERLY. *TR
THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN STATIONARY FOR ABOUT 6 HOURS THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE ENGINE THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND OUT THE VEHICLE FIRE OUT BUT THE WHOLE FROM END OF THE VEHICLE TO THE INSIDE AND BACKSEAT WAS AFFECT BY THE FIRE.
Official recalls
719V679000 · Unknown Or Other
Sep 25, 2019
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.
19V615000 · Electrical SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL Module; Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device
Aug 22, 2019
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL Module
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."
Consequence: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.
Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device
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."
Consequence: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.
15V705000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum
Oct 26, 2015
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.
Consequence: If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.
Consequence: If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.
15V627000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
Oct 7, 2015
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Jetta vehicles manufactured September 8, 2014, to November 28, 2014, Golf vehicles manufactured April 2, 2014, to December 3, 2014, and E-Golf vehicles manufactured July 26, 2014, to October 18, 2014. The affected vehicles are equipped a Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) that may have been manufactured improperly. As a result, the front passenger seat occupant may be improperly classified or may not be detected.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the front passenger seat occupant is incorrectly classified or non-detected, the passenger frontal air bag may deploy improperly or not at all, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PODS control module, free of charge. The recall began on November 20, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswgen's number for this recall is 69L6.
15V028000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail
Jan 23, 2015
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 28, 2014, to November 24, 2014, 2014-2015 Passat vehicles manufactured April 7, 2014, to November 18, 2014, 2015 Golf and GTI vehicles manufactured July 1, 2014, to November 20, 2014, and 2014-2015 Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles manufactured March 31, 2014, to November 27, 2014. A sealing cap at the fuel rail may fail, allowing fuel to leak into the engine compartment.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails with new parts, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24BL. Note: This recall expands and supersedes recall 14V-809 (Volkswagen recall number 24Bi) and only affects vehicles not previously repaired under that campaign.
14V790000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights
Dec 15, 2014
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Jetta vehicles manufactured July 11, 2014, to November 13, 2014. Due to incorrect software within the headlight control module, the low beam headlights may turn off when high beam lights are turned on. As a result, the light output from the headlights may be insufficient. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108. "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Insufficient headlight output may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the headlight control module software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in January 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 57F6.
14V670000 · Seats
Oct 24, 2014
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Volkswagen Jetta and Passat vehicles manufactured September 23, 2014, to October 9, 2014, and equipped with manual front seatback recliners. In the affected vehicles, the seatback recliner retaining bracket may not engage correctly, resulting in unexpected movement of the seatback.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Unexpected movement of the driver's seatback may distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the assembly of the seatback recliner retaining bracket, correcting it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 72F1.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.