2015 Volkswagen GTI Fuel system Problems

Recall service was performed on the fuel system. The vehicle was operating normally before the recall. Shortly after the recall service, the fuel gauge failed and became stuck at mid-level. Dealer refuses to cover the repair and claims it is unrelated, but the timing and failure of another fuel system component suggests otherwise. This presents a safety issue because the driver cannot determine fuel level or range and may impact other recalled vehicles and should be included in the repair of the fuel system. The recall that was performed on the vehicle was "Safety Recall 20UF - Suction Jet Pump". I believe the timing of the failure suggests that the recall work impacted the vehicle fuel system and I don't believe it's fair for customers following safety recalls to be punished and required to pay for further damages caused from a recall on the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11697710

Incident

Sep 17, 2025

I purchased a vehicle from a dealer and there was an open recall for said vehicle. I was looking on the NHTSA.gov website and discovered a document mentioning that it is illegal for a dealership to sell a vehicle with an open & not fixed recall, prior to selling said vehicle. I am not entirely sure what this means for me and my vehicle but, I wanted to submit a claim just in case. Please contact me back if you require more information. I have scheduled a service at a certified Volkswagen dealership in my area to repair the suction jet pump recall for next Thursday (March 6) but, am afraid to drive the car until then as I started experiencing issues 2 days after the purchase of my GTI. Thank you.

NHTSA ID

11644907

Incident

Feb 22, 2025

On 8/1/2024 my housemate was driving this vehicle on the highway and another driver signaled to her that there was an issue with the vehicle. He put a white board outside of the drivers side window which said "gas is pouring out of the back of your car." There was no warning light to indicate that something was wrong and no prior leaking. When she arrived at home the fuel tank was nearly empty and she informed me of the problem. I asked her when she had filled the tank and she said approximately 2 days ago and that prior to starting her short drive today had over half a tank of fuel. I took the car to the gas station to try to fill the tank. I was unable to fill the tank as the shut off mechanism kept triggered at the fuel pump. I was able to get less than half a tank of gas into the vehicle, so that I could drive is less than 5 miles to the mechanic. During this drive I lost approximately 1/4 of a tank of fuel. After an analysis of the vehicle they determined that fuel was leaking through the carbon canister. They identified this as an issue related to a recalled suction jet pump seal. I had my vehicle towed to the VW dealership in order to complete the repair. I was informed that at that time the repair for the recall was unavailable. Their review of the vehicle noted that the carbon canister had overflowed and leaked. This is a direct result of the suction pump seal failing. I requested both from the dealer and VW directly that this repair be covered under the recall and they stated that the language in the recall prevents them from covering the expense of my repair even though this damage is listed as a potential result of their recalled parts failure. VW put me & my loved one at risk. Driving a car that is leaking fuel is extremely dangerous and they have skirted their responsibility as a business by refusing to cover a repair that is a direct result of their recalled parts failure. I have filed a report w/ VW directly and the case number is 06376308.

NHTSA ID

11610397

Incident

Aug 1, 2024

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed; there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle, and the contact became aware of a fuel leak. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11605408

Incident

Jul 26, 2024

Mileage

118,000 mi

Suction jet pump failed causing vehicle to have numerous issues and had to be repaired due to being unable to drive. Suction jet pump has a recall with no remedy. Repairs cost me $3369.39 and car was in the shop for 24 days while shop tried to locate recalled part from a distributor.

NHTSA ID

11604871

Incident

Jul 1, 2024

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen GTI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11604317

Incident

Jul 24, 2024

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was previously taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and the intake manifold, fuel injector, spark plugs, carbon block, and camshaft adjuster magnet were replaced. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,630. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11602390

Incident

Jun 23, 2024

Mileage

107,630 mi

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen GTI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, she observed a strong fuel odor and gas leaking from under the passenger’s side rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 53,000.

NHTSA ID

11592163

Incident

Feb 2, 2024

Mileage

53,000 mi

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI. The contact stated that upon parking the vehicle, he received a warning notification informing him that the vehicle was leaking fluids. After a visual inspection, the contact observed gasoline leaking from underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the fuel tank suction pump. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The VIN was included, but parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 90,000.

NHTSA ID

11586205

Incident

Apr 23, 2024

Mileage

90,000 mi

This recall was issued in feb 2024 and there is still not a remedy available. Feb 14,2024 Manufacturer Recall Number20UF NHTSA Recall Number24V110 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available I am smelling gas in my car intermittently and this could be related to the recall. We need a remedy for this now. So I am issuing this complaint.

NHTSA ID

11582611

Incident

Feb 14, 2024

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, her husband exited the vehicle and noticed an abnormal odor. The contact's husband walked around to inspect the vehicle. The contact's husband noticed gasoline leaking from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that her husband noticed a trail of gasoline leading up to the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with a fuel leak from an internal failure. The contact was informed that the charcoal canister and purge valve needed to be replaced, and the vapor side of the fueling system needed to be flushed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

NHTSA ID

11550419

Incident

Oct 12, 2023

Mileage

110,000 mi

Fuel leak in the passenger rear wheel well. Called local Volkswagen dealership and was told the suction pump was replaced in 2016 as the originals were known for having defects causing the same issues I am currently having. Replacement part seems to be defective as fuel is leaking onto the ground and in the wheel well which is a hazard for the environment and potential danger as a fire hazard. The problem has been recent for me (within the past 2 days) reading online it has apparently been a persistent issue since 2015 with the same make and model of vehicles for the 2015 and 2016 models.

NHTSA ID

11549719

Incident

Oct 12, 2023

There have been several instances where I can’t fill gas tank. Check Fuel Tank Cover light comes on frequently along with the check engine light. I smell gas while warming up my car There have been several instance where fuel gage is going down extremely fast, not in line with how much gas I’m using.

NHTSA ID

11500524

Incident

Jan 6, 2023

Gasoline leaking through the Evap charcoal canister on my GTI 2015

NHTSA ID

11488320

Incident

Sep 3, 2022

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, she smelled a strong gasoline odor inside of the vehicle intermittently. The contact stated while attempting to refuel at the gas station, the gas pump lever shut off at only a 1/2 gallon of fuel. The contact drove to a second gas station and attempted to top off the tank however, the failure reoccurred. The contact was able to drive to her residence, where the vehicle remained parked for four days. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the suction pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact later became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V647000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine and Engine Cooling) which she associated with the failure. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The contact notified the manufacturer of the failure and inquired about reimbursement; however, the manufacturer informed the contact that the recall was previously completed on the vehicle in 2018 and the recall repair was one-time free of charge. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11486106

Incident

Aug 20, 2022

Vehicle started to show intermittent coolant gauge fluctuation with simultaneous loss of cruise control function. The coolant gauge would show cold, then hot. After visiting a dealer, a coolant leak was identified from a crack in the Thermostat/Water Pump housing along with corrosion in the coolant bottle. In addition, the trunk latch failed, likely from a faulty windshield washer fluid valve leaking onto the electrical equipment. All parts were replaced. Within another 3 months the fuel pump failed and needed to be replaced. All parts were repaired at a Volkswagen Dealer. The overheating of the engine and failure of the fuel pump could have caused engine failure and the car to lose immediate power, causing a fire or crash. The faulty rear door latch could have caused the door to open while driving. All of these issues occurred without warning. Check engine light, EPC and disabled cruise control lights came on at the time of the problem. The vehicle also restricted the speed of the car and maximum RPMs allowed.

NHTSA ID

11483589

Incident

Mar 25, 2022

FIRST CAR STARTS. SECOND PUT THE GEAR INTO REVERSE. THIRD CAR STARTS TO STALL SLOWLY SHUTTING DOWN THE ENGINE WHILE IN REVERSE. FOURTH, CAR HAS DIFFICULTY STARTING THE ENGINE WHILE PUTTING IN PARK GEAR. FIFTH, I HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKE AND THE PUSH START BUTTON IN ORDER TO START WHILE PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL TO INCREASE THE RPM. THEN I DRIVE. THIS HAPPENS OFTEN WHEN FIRST STARTING THE VEHICLE UNDER STATIONARY.

NHTSA ID

11384872

Incident

Nov 1, 2020

Mileage

59,000 mi

I WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT WITH MY CAR ON WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN A LADY PARKED NEXT TO ME SAID THAT IT SMELLED LIKE GASOLINE. I DECIDED TO STEP OUT AND CHECK ON THE CAR THE FUEL WAS LITERALLY LEAKING OUT OF THE TANK FROM THE REAR END OF THE CAR. THE CAR HAD ALMOST A FULL TANK AND IN A MATTER OF MINUTES IT EMPTIED ITSELF OUT. KEEP IN MIND, I AM A SMOKER AND IF IT WASN'T BECAUSE THE LADY TOLD ME ABOUT THE GAS LEAK IT COULD'VE END UP IN A FATAL FIRE/ACCIDENT. I HAVE SEEN AROUND THE INTERNET THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM IN 2015-2016 GTI MODELS BUT ONCE YOU GO INTO THE VW PAGE NOTHING APPEARS. IT EVEN APPEARS ONLINE FROM TRUSTED SOURCES THAT THE RECALL NUMBER WAS 20Y5 AND 20Y6. CURRENTLY THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE VW FOR 1 MONTH AND THEY WANTED ME TO PAY AROUND $2,800 TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK AND ONCE I DID MY RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THAT THE EXACT PROBLEM HAPPENED TO THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAD THE SAME MODEL YET THE DEALER DID NOT EVEN MENTION IT TO ME AND WANT TO CHARGE ME WITH THE $2,800.

NHTSA ID

11323021

Incident

Mar 11, 2020

I HAD MY CAR'S SUCTION PUMP REPLACED WHEN IT WAS RECALLED. AS FAR AS I KNOW, IT COULD DAMAGE THE CHARCOAL CANISTER FILTER DUE TO FUEL ACCUMULATION. SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER SUCTION PUMP WAS REPLACED, I HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE A LEAKING CHARCOAL CANISTER. TRIED ASKING FOR A REFUND FROM VW BUT THEY SAID THEY CAN'T GIVE ME A REFUND AS THE RECALL WAS ALREADY CLOSED. I'M UNDER THE ASSUMPTION THAT THE CHARCOAL CANISTER HAS BEEN DAMAGED BY THE FAULTY SUCTION PUMP BEFORE IT WAS REPLACED AND IT TOOK SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE IT REALLY BROKE DOWN. THING IS, I NEVER KNEW HOW THE RECALL WILL AFFECT MY CAR UNTIL I READ HOW THE THING WORKS IN CREDIT KARMA APP.

NHTSA ID

11091666

Incident

Nov 14, 2017

Mileage

43,521 mi

WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY WE WERE NEVER INFORMED OF THE 3 RECALLS ON OUR 2015 VW GTI. STARTED INVESTIGATING AFTER OUR 2015 VW PASSAT HAS THE BAD AIRBAGS IN THEM. ALSO OWN THE GTI AND WE INVESTIGATED TO SEE IF THE BAD AIRBAGS ARE IN THERE TOO. THAT IS WHEN WE FOUND PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL PUMP WHICH WAS RECALLED IN JUNE 2015, WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED, ALSO A FUEL LEAK OF AN IGNITION SOURCE...NEVER NOTIFIED AND A LOOSE STABILIZER LINK IN THE STEERING. WHO WANTS TO DRIVE THIS CAR. WHY WERE WE NOT NOTIFIED OF THESE THREE RECALLS. WE NEVER MOVED, I WANT AN ANSWER AS THIS CAR IS ALWAYS IN USE. WE WERE REALLY UPSET WITH THE PASSAT THAT WE GOT RID OF IT AND THANK GOD WE HAD GOTTEN RID OF OUR OTHER NEW PASSAT LAST YEAR ONLY TO BUY ANOTHER LEMON AND UNSAFE VEHICLE FROM VW......THIS BEING THE GTI. PLEASE GET BACK TO US. IF ANYTHING HAPPENS LIFE THREATENING, YOU WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. YOU ARE IGNORING YOUR CUSTOMERS WHO AT ONE TIME LOVED THEIR VEHICLES....NOW THEY ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE THEM....BUT STILL MUST PAY FOR THEM. MAYBE WE NEED A CAR REPLACEMENT FROM VW FOR THIS GTI FOR NOT LETTING US KNOW. NOT EVEN SURE IF THIS GTI HAS THE BAD AIRBAGS AS YOUR 800 NUMBER KEEPS ME ON THE LINE ON HOLD FOR OVER AN HOUR I JUST THINK YOU DON'T WANT TO ANSWER.

NHTSA ID

10882763

Incident

Jul 5, 2016