2015 Volkswagen Golf

On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (MY) 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced SJP Version 1.0 with an improved version, Version 1.1. The SJP is designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system. VW’s recall filing stated the SJP may have been damaged during assembly, which could potentially allow fuel to flow directly into the EVAP system. Over time, the fuel could accumulate in, and cause a leak from, the charcoal canister filter element. ODI received consumer complaints of SJP failure leading to a fuel leak, refueling spit back, refueling shutoff, and/or fuel odor in vehicles previously repaired under recall 16V-647. Additional complaints alleging SJP failure leading to the previously stated outcomes were received in vehicles outside the scope of recall 16V-647, including MY 2016-2020 VW Golf and Audi A3 vehicles. VW issued recall 24V-110 on February 14, 2024, to address issues with SJPs Versions 1.0 and 1.1. The recall remedy replaces the SJP Version 1.0 or 1.1 with an improved version, Version 2.0. Recall 24V-110 covers certain MY 2015-2020 VW Golf (including Golf GTI), 2015-2020 Audi A3, and 2019-2020 VW Jetta GLI vehicles, including vehicle previously repaired under 16V-647. Vehicle owners were notified of this recall in April 2024 and VW’s projected date for owner notification of recall remedy availability is August 2024. In view of the recall being conducted by VW, ODI is closing this Recall Query (RQ). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

15V483000 (VW Recall Code 69L2) was issued for 2014 Volkswagen Golf's indicating a "clock spring" affecting a cable that powers the air bag. This is indicated also by the airbag emergency light coming on. I believe a similar, if not the same, issue is occurring in my 2015 VW Golf. Furthermore, the issue has affected all mechanical buttons on the steering wheel. I had taken my vehicle to a VW mechanic that indicated a recall had been issued for this problem. However, upon my own further investigation, I found 2014 was the cut off year for the recall. The issue appeared during the winter last year. I did contact my nearest VW dealership to instigate as to if this issue could be repaired under the aforementioned recall for the 2014. I was informed they could not. As this is an issue in pervious models and is a safety concern, I am issuing this letter in hopes this safety issue could be repaired at the expense of Volkswagen.

NHTSA ID

11750947

Incident

Sep 1, 2025

Rear strut completely broke

NHTSA ID

11744671

Incident

Feb 3, 2026

The right rear coil spring on my 2015 Volkswagen Golf fractured suddenly while the vehicle was completely stationary in a parking lot. There was no collision, pothole impact, curb strike, road hazard, or other external event that could reasonably explain the failure. The incident was captured on dash cam video. The failed component is the right rear suspension coil spring. I will retain the broken component and make it available for inspection upon request, although the vehicle must be repaired immediately because it is my primary means of transportation. Volkswagen has previously acknowledged potential manufacturing and material defects involving rear axle coil springs in technical service bulletin/campaign 42J5, which states that certain rear axle coil springs may not have met factory specifications due to defective materials or production process issues. This failure created a significant safety concern because a fractured coil spring can shift position, puncture a tire, damage suspension or brake components, or cause instability and loss of vehicle control if the failure occurs while driving at speed. In this case, the spring failed while the car was parked and stationary, but the same spontaneous failure could have occurred during highway driving. The defect has been confirmed by both an independent repair shop and a Volkswagen specialist, and I have written repair estimates documenting the broken spring. The vehicle and component have not been inspected by Volkswagen because the dealership required approximately $200 solely for diagnostic inspection despite the visible and documented mechanical failure. There were no warning lights, dashboard messages, noises, drivability symptoms, or other indications of impending failure prior to the incident. The spring failed without warning. I contacted Volkswagen/dealership personnel seeking goodwill assistance due to the known spring defect issue and the unusual circumstances of the failure, but was denied.

NHTSA ID

11739492

Incident

Apr 25, 2026

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that the vehicle jumped the curb while driving, but he was able to regain control. The driver turned off the vehicle and restarted it. Recently, while reversing out of a parking spot and placing the vehicle into drive, there was sudden acceleration, and he crashed into a fence in front of the dumpsters. The brake pedal was applied, but the vehicle continued to accelerate. The contact's neighbor was jumping up and down in front of my vehicle, waving his arms; the driver was able to stop approximately six feet in front of his neighbor. The vehicle was turned off. While reversing, the vehicle accelerated and crashed into a parked Jeep, causing damage to the driver's side front and rear doors. There was no police report filed, air bag deployment, fire, or injuries. Additionally, the EPC has been turning on. The engine was chugging. The vehicle was restarted, and the light cleared. On one occasion, the EPC light stayed on, and cylinder number 5 had stopped firing. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. Additionally, the contact wanted to send the complaint copy to the insurance company and manufacturer to obtain the EDR to provide to the police and insurance company for his claim approval. The failure mileage was approximately 114,500.

NHTSA ID

11708381

Incident

Dec 20, 2025

Mileage

114,500 mi

Sirs: I am reporting TWO issues: One: My car should have been included in the recall campaign for rear coil spring fracture that other 2015 Golfs have experienced. I had to pay to replace fractured rear coil springs myself, last year. Two: Volkswagen has made it impossible for me to get ANY recall performed, including the suction fuel pump recall. After I filed a 1 star review for the utter failure of the Ithaca NY VW dealer to repair my brakes in late October 2021, the service manager retaliated. He called and assailed me with four letter language. Afterward, I made an appointment with another local VW dealer AT RANDOM, and one I had never done business with. Before I could identify myself or my VIN number this second dealer proceded to accuse me of being a deadbeat who does not pay his bills. He said if I came to his shop, I would pay in advance for any servicing. I would have to agree to surrender my car for an indeterminate time, and pay to strip it of all aftermarket parts at my expense, before even proceeding with diagnosis. It was apparent to me that the service manager had badmouthed me to ALL the local dealerships. I am in effect, blacklisted. I complained to Volkswagen corporation about this treatment in writing. I sent them proof of payment. They refused to help me. There is so much hostility coming from VW dealers, that I don't feel I can trust them to do safety recalls. I don't deserve this. I've always been polite and paid my bills immediately. The Ithaca dealer was paid for their diagnosis, even though they lied to me about the problem and never fixed the brakes. I want VW to provide the parts and servicing information for the suction pump recall. I will find an independent mechanic to do the repairs.

NHTSA ID

11707246

Incident

Oct 25, 2021

The chrome plastic trim coating on the START/STOP button and also the steering wheel have peeled and are razor sharp. I cut myself badly on both pieces on my right fore fingertip and middle ring finger. I try to avoid placing my hand accross the horn of the steering wheel since this happened, but the trim there is very dangerously sharp. There is a recall on the same trim on 2017 cars (Service Action 34L9), but the VW dealer told me there was not on my vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11669266

Incident

Jun 21, 2025

I brought my 2015 Volkswagen (with only 50,000 miles) to Island Volkswagen in NY for a fuel system recall repair. Before this, the car had no fuel smell, no leaks, and was driving normally. Immediately after the recall work, I began smelling fuel. The dealership told me the fuel line is leaking and needs to be replaced. I never had this issue before, and it’s clearly related to the repair they performed. I’m now being told I must pay $550 out of pocket for something I believe was caused by their handling of the fuel system during the recall. This is a serious safety concern. If I drive this car and something goes wrong, it could result in a fire. I believe this issue deserves review, especially if other drivers experience similar problems after this recall.

NHTSA ID

11653103

Incident

Apr 3, 2025

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the fuel gauge level dropped quickly, and there was an abnormal fuel odor before the vehicle shutoff in the middle of the roadway. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact exited the vehicle and push the vehicle to the side of the road. The contact stated that while checking underneath the vehicle, the contact became aware of a fuel leak. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The independent mechanic confirmed the fuel leak and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance with the repair. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V110000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) as a possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.

NHTSA ID

11626162

Incident

Nov 18, 2024

Mileage

111,000 mi

This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the issue: DA 0019 - Hotfix 12-V battery test(s) – No battery diagnosis - Inconclusive test result.

Oil Consumption Measurement and Electronic Oil Consumption Measurement

Lubricating engine components before reassembly.

Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.

Inquiries

Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards