Home · 2015 Volkswagen Golf R · Complaints

What 123 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 Volkswagen Golf R

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (123)Crash / fire / injury (13)Engine (25)Fuel system (21)Airbags (18)Electrical system (18)Transmission & drivetrain (14)Suspension (12)Body & structure (10)Brakes (8)Speed control (6)Steering (6)

Newest first · 123 complaints · page 2 of 5

Nov 13, 2022Fuel system

Suction pump recall was completed by Karmart the dealership I purchased the vehicle from. Suction pump continues to be an issue with fuel purging or leaking. This has been an ongoing issue for the past 5 months. Most recently a few days ago.

NHTSA ODI 11493326

Aug 31, 2022Suspension

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that he noticed that the vehicle had been sitting lower than normal while parked. The contact did an inspection of the vehicle and noticed that the rear coil spring on the driver’s side had fractured. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The contact stated that the coil spring needed to be replaced. The contact ordered the part to perform the repair himself. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

NHTSA ODI 11482218

Aug 22, 2022Suspension

Both Rear Coil Springs fractured. resulting in poor vehicle stability and potentially dangerous situation.

NHTSA ODI 11480553

Jul 22, 2022Electrical system

When I switch the key to turn on the car it does turn on and it says starting system error on the dashboard car runs ok it’s just that it keep saying that and I think there is something wrong with the ignition switch that Volkswagen should address. Thank you!

NHTSA ODI 11475220

Jul 20, 2022Suspension

Right rear coil spring fractured while vehicle was being driven at low speed on city streets. There was no obvious precipitating event. Upper part of spring was lost, lower part is available for inspection. Part has been ordered from local dealer but is currently unavailable, due to prior recall on similar models (19V188000). Report will be filed with VW Customer Service. Dealer unable to estimate when part will become available. Car is currently undrivable. Please extend recall to include my VIN. Recall 19V188000 Summary Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Golf Sportwagen, 2019 Jetta, 2015-2019 Golf, and 2018-2019 Tiguan vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.

NHTSA ODI 11474855

Jun 16, 2022Suspension

The contact's girlfriend owns a 2015 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that while his girlfriend was driving approximately 45 MPH, she heard a loud popping sound coming from the passenger’s side rear of the vehicle after rolling over a small bump on the roadway. The vehicle made a loud clanking noise, and the rear end felt loose and unstable every time the vehicle rolled over bumps on the roadway. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to a tire repair facility. The vehicle was diagnosed and the mechanic determined that there was a failure in the passenger’s side rear coil spring; however, the repair parts were on national back order. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V188000 (Suspension). The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11469677

May 26, 2022Engine

Water Pump and Thermostat leaking.

NHTSA ODI 11466165

Apr 11, 2022Suspension

While driving the rear driver-side coil snapped and cause the car to veer across a lane. The car was driveable but this almost caused an accident. We had the broken coil inspected by an independent repair shop. Apparently, there is a recall for this exact issue on Volkswagens of this model and year but I'll specific vehicle is not covered under the recall. There was no warning prior to failure.

NHTSA ODI 11460386

Apr 5, 2022SteeringTransmission & drivetrainEngine

Driving 65 mph down highway vehicle shut off with no warning. Fault code shows defective injector #1. Vw tdi (post fix dieselgate). Dealer will not fix because I cleared the code to drive home. Irresponsible for vw to make a car that shuts down completely with no limp mode or short time to clear road.

NHTSA ODI 11459772

Mar 2, 2022Fuel system

Alarm went off in car - said coolant was low - had to pull over. Luckily was in neighborhood but could have been on highway. Gas station confirmed issue and let me know that the water pump and entire thermostat housing system had to be replaced - very expensive repair and dangerous issue. If it had happened on highway, would have had to pull over immediately there.

NHTSA ODI 11454820

Feb 15, 2022Suspension

Rear driver side coil spring failure, the component is available for inspection Broken spring turned sideways and had a very sharp edge at fracture and was rubbing on the wheel and tire with potential to puncture tire resulting in loss of control. Vehicle handling was severely compromised making it difficult to maneuver. Failure of spring was confirmed by independent service center No warning lamps or warnings prior to spring failure NHSTA has recalls on this same vehicle and year but VIN was not included in recall

NHTSA ODI 11452061

Jan 10, 2022Engine

Coolant has leaked all over my driveway because of a thermostat housing and water pump fail. I am getting fixed for the second time $1800 dollar fix. Very common amongst other Volkswagen owners. This is not fair. If they know of this problem it should be dealt with. Now I am out $4000 in repairs and have a big stain in my brand new driveway. This is very unsafe if driving long distances as coolant leaks everywhere.

NHTSA ODI 11446853

Jan 10, 2022Airbags

Clockspring broken it’s the third time in 4 years. I was pulling out of a parking lot making a left turn. There was a ratcheting sound from the steering wheel. I then had an airbag error and none of the steering wheel mounted controls were working including the horn. The defective part is still installed.

NHTSA ODI 11446968

Dec 20, 2021Airbags

We purchased our VW Golf TDI ([XXX]) in January 2015 and have now had to replace the clock spring three times. The first two times were covered under the 69L2 limited warranty(See attached bills) but our car now has 128,000 miles and is considered ineligible. We do not understand why our model year was not included under the unlimited warranty extension as part of the 69L2 campaign. When a major component fails three times over a six year period, there is obviously something wrong with it that has not been addressed. Our teenage son drives the car and it is unsafe to have life-saving components like the airbag and horn fail on a regular basis. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11444518

Oct 8, 2021Airbags

Steering wheel started clicking when turned. Airbag light came on.

NHTSA ODI 11436071

Sep 7, 2021Body & structure

THERE IS A CRACK ON THE ROOF, THE CRACK IS BETWEEN THE SUNROOF AND THE DOOR

NHTSA ODI 11431916

Jun 21, 20211 injury

Was reaching across front console when metal trim near shifter seems to be released and acted like a razor blade cutting my hand severely.

NHTSA ODI 11421601

Jun 17, 2021Airbags

The steering control module and clockspring is faulty. My transmission light and airbag light came on. I brought it to my German auto repair shop and he did some research. It was confirmed as a faulty part and vw should pay for it. My functioning airbags and cruise control are things i rely on for safety. I will bring it in to a dealership because the clockspring has to be programmed by a dealership. I live 300 miles from a vw dealership and it is a real pain.

NHTSA ODI 11421339

May 25, 2021Suspension

Broken rear spring, impacting handling and preventing safe operation of the vehicle. I discovered this after noting handling issues and clunking noises from the rear of the vehicle. There were no warning lamps

NHTSA ODI 11418487

Apr 5, 2021Electrical systemAirbags

CLOCK SPRING BROKE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND RECALL FOR PREVIOUS YEARS, BUT APPARENTLY NOT MINE. SYMPTOMS ARE AIRBAG LIGHT ON, INOPERABLE STEERING WHEEL ACCESSORIES INCLUDING HORN. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. FIRST KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROBLEM WAS UPON STARTING FIRST THING IN THE MORNING. CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE.

NHTSA ODI 11406568

Mar 14, 2021Body & structure1 injury

THE CHROME TRIM AROUND THE SHIFTER LEVEL IS EXTREMELY SHARP AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD. REACHING INTO THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT IN FRONT OF THE SHIFTER, MY FINGER CAUGHT THIS SHARP EDGE AND WAS SERIOUSLY CUT. THERE WAS A LOT OF BLOOD AND PAIN AS A RESULT. AN ONLINE SEARCH REVEALS THAT THIS TYPE OF INJURY IS NOT UNCOMMON.

NHTSA ODI 11402868

Mar 11, 2021Fuel system

THE ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL ERROR MESSAGE COMES UP ON THE INFORMATION DISPLAY ALONG WITH A TPMS ERROR. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN INTERSECTIONS AND HAS PUT ME IN DANGER OF COLLISIONS FROM SUDDEN DECELERATIONS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAR WILL USUALLY START AFTER THE IGNITION BUTTON IS DEPRESSED AGAIN. IT MAY HAPPEN UP TO FOUR TIMES BEFORE IT QUITS STALLING. THE ERROR MESSAGES CLEAR AFTER IT IS MOVING AGAIN. IT HAS EVEN HAPPENED ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI 11400372

Dec 24, 2020

THERMOSTAT

NHTSA ODI 11384851

Dec 21, 2020Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING OR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, FUEL LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CENTRO DE SERVICIO FLAGSHIP VOLKSWAGEN (CARR. #2, KM 14.7 HATO TEJAS, BAYAMN, 00959, PUERTO RICO) AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBCISION PUMP, FILTER AND FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED SINCE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V647000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE REPAIR FAILED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.

NHTSA ODI 11384383

Sep 16, 2020AirbagsSpeed control

THE CLOCKSPRING BROKE ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO I HAD IT REPLACED. IT BROKE AGAIN LAST WEEK. THE AIRBAG IS DISABLED AS IS THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL.

NHTSA ODI 11355305

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Working with the data? Download all 123 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 19, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2015 Volkswagen Golf R verdict →