2015 Volkswagen Golf Suspension Problems

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

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 contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the stick shift was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed rear axle and coil springs. The contact was informed that the rear axle and coil springs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA ID

11577150

Incident

Mar 6, 2024

Mileage

50,000 mi

Driving on thruway at 65 when the left rear coil spring broke. There was a loud bang and pieces of the spring exited out onto the highway where several vehicles ran over them before they bounced off the road.

NHTSA ID

11532637

Incident

Jul 16, 2023

Left rear coil spring failed and is not available for inspection. The car was difficult to control when the spring failed which put driver safety at risk. The car was brought to an independent service center and confirmed that the failure was a left rear coil spring which required replacing both the left and right rear coil springs. The component was not inspected by the manufacturer. There were no warning signs or symptoms of the problem prior to failure. The car suddenly start making a loud noise in the rear left section of the vehicle while driving.

NHTSA ID

11515691

Incident

Apr 2, 2023

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 ID

11482218

Incident

Aug 25, 2022

Mileage

140,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11480553

Incident

Aug 1, 2022

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 ID

11474855

Incident

Jul 13, 2022

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 ID

11469677

Incident

Jun 14, 2022

Mileage

80,000 mi

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 ID

11460386

Incident

Apr 10, 2022

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 ID

11452061

Incident

Feb 14, 2022

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 ID

11418487

Incident

May 23, 2021

THE CAR MAKES NOISES WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS OR AROUND CORNERS AS THE BODY ROLLS BACK AND FORTH I THINK IT IS THE RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED # 10122609 ABOUT THE SEATS AND A GAP BETWEEN A TAB AND THE SEAT FRAME. MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL.IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED.

NHTSA ID

11348575

Incident

Mar 27, 2018

Mileage

35,696 mi