What 194 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta Hev

I purchased a 2015 Volkswagen Jetta from North Coast Auto Mall on March 19, 2023 and the following day several issues went wrong with the vehicle like: The car reeked of gasoline, oil and engine lights came on, driver side head light blew out. Also, I was told that the car had an inspection, come to find out they didn't do an inspection by North Coast Service manager, so they lied. Also, the reason for the gasoline smell is because the vehicle needs a fuel rack, oil pan, oil pressure switch, and a new headlight. Too many things are going wrong with this car in such a short period of time. It took North Coast two weeks to take my vehicle and they didn't want to give me a loaner car. Also, they have had my vehicle since March 28, 2023 and refuse to disclose of the reconditioning shop of my vehicle. They moved my car from Volkswagen Of Streetsboro to North Coast to another undisclosed location that they won't disclose. Lastly, the car was unsafe for me and my special needs son. He couldn't even ride in my car due to the bad gasoline fumes and I had to ride with the windows down, and come to find out the car could have caught on fire or exploded.

NHTSA ODI 11517608

After running multiple errands the car will fail to start. Usually after 5-10 minutes it will start again. Every time it will crank but not fully. Lights and blinkers are operational still as well. I have taken it to the Volkswagen three times for repair each time was unsuccessful. The first time the speedometer cluster was repaired, then the wires were worked on, then the whole battery was replaced and it still is not fixed. Not only does it have issues starting but it also shuts off while driving which is a safety concern. I noticed there was a recall on this issue before so it seems to be a recurring issue.

NHTSA ODI 11516705

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a humming and knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 77,000.

NHTSA ODI 11512190

2015 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid SEL Premium with less than 60,000 miles has multiple error codes for transmission and VW dealership/service shop advised only solution is to replace the transmission. Apparently my VIN is not included in NHTSA recall 19V866000 (certain 2013-2015 Jetta Hybrid vehicles equipped with a DQ200 7-Speed DSG Automatic Transmission) but based on the current situation I believe it should have been. It is my understanding that this situation presents a major safety issue. I bought this vehicle certified pre-owned from a VW dealership and have put just over 10k miles on it in the three (3) years I have owned it. Without the excessive cost of replacing the transmission, which was damaged through no fault of my own, the car is worth "maybe $100 for scrap" per the dealership/service shop. This appears to be a fairly prevalent issue and I implore you to investigate further. I am confident additional VINs should be included in the recall, perhaps with transmissions built by subcontractors other than the one at issue in recall 19V866000, but still (clearly) not properly constructed.

NHTSA ODI 11509882

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that his son mentioned to him that an abnormal squeaking noise was coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that a rubber piece was sitting underneath the rear driver’s side tire. Upon further inspection, he noticed that the wheel well was sitting on top of the rear driver’s side tire. The contact attempted to reach the dealer but instead left a voicemail. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed him that there were no recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 86,066.

NHTSA ODI 11508280

I'm finding the brake pedal to be extremely hard to depress. This happened overnight, as the car was operating normally; now I'm afraid to move it because I can't brake properly at very low speeds.

NHTSA ODI 11503624

Unknown

NHTSA ODI 11501253

My 2015 Jetta SE was making noises in the left front end. I was driving when something fell off my vehicle. I was able to stop and pick up the item that fell off. It was part of a coil spring that was from the left front side of my car. The VW dealer replaced the left front coil spring. That was 6 months ago. Recently, I heard a loud bang from under my car and a couple of days later a piece of coil spring came off of my car again, this time from the rear. I will be bringing in my car on 12/28/2022 to get this coil spring replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11498391

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the EPC light illuminated, indicating that there was an engine control malfunction, and the vehicle started shaking. The throttle became stiff. The contact veered off the highway and to the side of the road. The contact drove home with the hazard lights flashing. The contact then spoke with the dealer however, no appointment had been scheduled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000.

NHTSA ODI 11494375

Car cut off twice while driving and could not be restarted for 14 - 25 minutes. This happened while driving. I took it to both an independent mechanic and a vw dealer, bit they were unable to diagnose the issue. Also, after being driven, intermittently the car will not start for 15 - 25 min. Other drivers are also having this issue. See: https://www.volkswagenownersclub.com/threads/intermittent-starting-problem-with-my-2015-jetta.130674/ and https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/lsobwe/2015_vw_jetta_2slo_20_cranks_but_doesnt_start_for/

NHTSA ODI 11493469

2015 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid, 73,000 miles mechatronic transmission failure. Vehicle repeatedly experiences loss of power/stalling and low and highway speeds. Losing power at any speed, specially highway speeds is a SAFETY issue. VW service shop has diagnosed issue as mechatronic transmission failure, hairline cracks, loss of fluid and gear damage sustained in transmission. VW service acknowledged the transmission damage is the same as ongoing recall. Transmission will need to be replaced. VW service shop advised vehicle VIN is not covered under current NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V866000 (Power Train). VW service advised VW will have to include this vehicle/issue under a recall for them to fix it without cost to me. Safety issues, symptoms, and diagnosis is succinct to that documented in 19V866000. VW customer service was contacted and advised that due to the vehicle VIN not included in current NHTSA campaign, it is not covered. VW is dodging responsibility in fixing this prevalent safety failure in Jetta Hybrids which makes the vehicle a safety hazard and worthless when considering the $10,000 repair estimate. They must me held accountable!!

NHTSA ODI 11489074

Horn occasionally stops working. Buttons on steering wheel won't work not allowing access to computer.

NHTSA ODI 11478048

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer for maintenance service and was informed that three of the coil springs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that 8 months later, the vehicle was taken back to dealer to be serviced for the tires and he was notified that the 4th coil spring was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.

NHTSA ODI 11477602

2015 Volkswagen Jetta active grille shutter. A shutter system on the front end of the vehicle on the lower half of the radiator that allows air flow during different temperatures. The shutter assembly along with the electrical motor seems to go bad after a set amount of time. Giving off a Check Engine Code P05A0 as the shutters freeze open. Volkswagen dealerships have quoted $700-900 to replace the assembly as the only fix with vehicles being out of warranty. A quick search online has determined that this is a known problem for all these vehicles, Volkswagen are aware as they released a newer engine for the assembly. Also the check engine code can not be cleared until the assembly is fixed or replaced, thus not allowing vehicles to pass annual registration or smog check here in California.

NHTSA ODI 11477346

This is a NEW REPORT ON THE 3RD TRANSMISSION in the same vehicle where I previously reported a Failure, of the 2nd xmission, As a safety concern. My particular part number has not been recalled, but OTHER transmissions for this model have been recalled. At the time of the failures, all 3 of the failed transmissions SEEM to be doing their job normally, but evidently this was enough of a safety issue that the entire transmission needed to be replaced. My previous report gave the failure codes, and part #'s of xmissions #1 and #2. Xmission #4 to be installed soon. The Xmission signals it is going to fail only on Vagcom; as a driver I had no idea that it could be dangerous on 3 times for the same vehicle, I would think that the NTHSA would be interested in looking at it. In the previous report I gave the failure codes and part numbers. The third transmission had the same part number as the 2nd transmission. Current VW engineer hypothesizes failure on the wrong shims placed in the clutch of this transmission, but has not examined its insides. The car is at Crown VW in Lawrence Ks- the regional engineer and regional manager both came out to see it. They lack confidence that a 4th Xmission will last 20,000 miles, as they have offered me a 12-month/12,000 mile warranty, + a nontransferable extension for an additional 6 months/6000 miles., The 3rd clutch continued to make a noise while it was "seating" after it was returned to me; my mileage decreased. There may be more that they are not telling me. My previous consumer complaint number with NHTSA is 11456871. On this same model, but different part numbers NHTSA Campaign ID: 19V866000. See Consumer complaint numbers 11444363, 11441044, 11307811, 11252546, 11030403, 10946203.These mostly involve clutch fails&low oil pressure +/- hairline fractures. 3 fails on same xmission is more problematic than 1 fail on 2 cars.

NHTSA ODI 11475787

I brought this car for my daughter. It has quick on her twice with no warning. The car has malfunctioned twice getting gas. The first incident it would not start after getting gas. The cap was on correct.I finally was able to get it started. I was 2 miles from home and it rode smoothly.The car rode fine for about a week then my daughter got gas again at a different place in my hometown. It started up then as she tried to drive into street it just cut off. Thankfully, it stopped before she entered the street. The car had to be towed home. The battery is new, low mileage and its not the alternator. I am afraid for her to drive it. I believe it could cut off again without warning.

NHTSA ODI 11467301

Since we've owned it (bought new), every coil spring has broken. The last one is being repaired today at the VW dealership. The car has about 77k miles. I have never had any springs break on any other car, and one had 120k miles on it. This is obviously a car defect and the part has been recalled for the golf and several other vehicles. This is also a safety hazard; what could happen if one breaks while going 70mph down a busy highway? I believe the first one broke maybe 4 years ago.

NHTSA ODI 11459254

You will be driving the car and it will shut off with no warning. You can not steer th ecat you have no brakes.

NHTSA ODI 11458402

At 22,000 miles I took the vehicle in for routine servicing with no apparent transmission problems and was told it needed a warrantee repair. The part number was 0 CG 300045H011. The codes on their computer assessment was P189A, collect clearance; P073A (stuck in fifth gear) and P073F(unable to change 1st gear).Crown VW in Lawrence Kansas treated me nicely and it took 6 weeks to get the parts to make the repair. I assumed they knew what happened and there was a reason for it. After the check engine light came on, it developed a rough idle when it was warm, but not while cold. No apparent problems driving. That was also true the first time the Xmission needed to be replaced. . The computer now gave us the codes P17BF–hydraulic pump; and P0841, transmission fluid pressure sensor A performance . the cars' second transmission was part #0CG300045H015 II understand that this VIN is not part of 2015 Volkswagen Jetta hybrid campaign #19 5866000.Volkswagen's number for this recall is 34J6 On both occasions I did not recognize a problem with the Xmission. These are low mileage transmissions. They cannot tell me why these failure codes appear. They are not trained to open up and look inside the transmissions. I spoke to Patrick B in customer care at 800 9228987. He was unable to provide any information. The people at crown have been nice and cooperative. I do not know why either transmission failed. I do not know if it put me in danger. I do not know if the next transmission will have the same problem. I do not know if it is ethical to sell this vehicle once the transmission is replaced. I do not know if lemon Laws apply. They do not know if this defect puts me at risk for a sudden catastrophic failure. The car is currently in the shop at Crown Volkswagen in Lawrence Kansas. It will take 6 weeks For the part when the ports were workingI do not know if this is the right place to report this.

NHTSA ODI 11456871

The timing belt chain is faulty on the car. There was a recall on models a year before mine and Im having the same problems with mine. My car is inoperable and very unsafe. Driving on hills and in the snow was dangerous because of the jerkiness and lack of speed in the car. It put me in danger on the highway and generally driving. The timing chain is a problem that needs fixed on these models.

NHTSA ODI 11453732

Clockspring 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.

NHTSA ODI 11451936

The car was stalling at stops and the engine warning light came on. We took it into Autometrics (509) 766-2002 in Moses Lake, WA. They informed us that the transmission was cracked and needed to be replaced or it would ruin the engine. In researching this problem my wife found a recall 34J6. This recall covers Hybrids from 2013 to 2015 for this very problem. our car was manufactured in February of 2015. Called Volkswagan of North America. They informed me that the recall was vin specific and that our vin was not included even though the problem is the same. The car has not been inspected by the manufacture as of this filing, The car is currently stored under a car cover at our home. Can you please help revolve this dispute over the recall inclusion. Thanks

NHTSA ODI 11444363

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.

NHTSA ODI 11441121

In the past few months, the vehicle stopped in the middle of the road on various occasions. It was taken to a VW dealer, who found nothing wrong with it. On November 11, 2021, the vehicle stopped in the street, and would no longer move, forward or reverse. It was towed to a VW dealer, who found that the transmission had failed. Currently, we are attempting to reach VW corporate to find out our options.

NHTSA ODI 11441044

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop and attempting to drive 45 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate in a timely manner. The contact stated that no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the transmission needed to be replaced due to fault codes P177B and P1898 which were related to the clutch. The contact stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V866000 (Power Train) as the failure was researched online. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to call NHTSA for fault information and additional information on the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.

NHTSA ODI 11435406