RoadVitals

2015 Volkswagen Jetta Steering Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Steering reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
15
Latest Sep 2, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
8%
of 193 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 15 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming steering

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Sep 2, 2024

I drove over a commercial-grade water hose unraveled in the middle of the lane. It had metal couplings on it and my oil pan was damaged due to the low riding body of the VW to the road. The vehicle was drivable for 5 minutes afterward & the low engine pressure light turned on, but I was in a dangerous area with traffic during rush hour in the evening. It was congested with multiple avenues of transportation via buses, scooters, and pedestrian crosswalks. I started to lose power steering and the gas pedal would not accelerate the car, but the brakes still worked. I was able to coast the car to a stop & nearby a Midas car shop. Midas replaced the damaged oil pan and did not have any other damage reported. Midas informed me that my vehicle would not start, but failed to mention that the safety of my vehicle was compromised with rolled down windows. I inspected my car on 8.20.24, the battery was still working & powered the lights but the window power and engine would not operate. On 8.22.24 I paid for the work & noticed the windows were now rolled up & Midas said an employee used the power from the battery to override the window system but the car still would not start and needed to go to a dealership to access the engine codes for this hybrid vehicle. Towed the vehicle to VW, who said that Midas was not accurate in their description, as there were no access codes needed for the vehicle & it should have started once the oil pan was replaced. The VW diagnostic results showed a “bad” battery and the transmission failed/ stopped engaging and needed a replacement of the transmission along with the battery which would total $11K! The VW agent recommended that I contact other car repair companies to rebuild it for a more affordable solution. Midas and VW were the only car repair companies to evaluate my car and it is currently at VW where it can be inspected if needed. The safety recall code: 34J6, of 2015 VW Jetta Hybrids somehow exclude some VINs until owners had issues.

NHTSA ID
11612065
Incident
Aug 15, 2024
BrakesFuel systemSteering
Filed Mar 26, 2022

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 ID
11458402
Incident
Mar 25, 2022
Steering
Filed Sep 9, 2021

Volkswagen Jetta 2015-- 45K--defective Power steering Pump---

NHTSA ID
11432237
Incident
Sep 8, 2021
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 19, 2021

BOTH MY FRONT TIRES UNRAVELED ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS WITHIN A MONTHS TIMEFRAME ON THE INSIDE WHEEL WELL. I WAS DRIVING AND I HEARD SOME LOUD NOISE AND NOTICED THE TIRE AND WHEN REMOVED THERE WAS METAL SHOWING ALL ALONG THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE AND ABOUT A FOOT OF UNRAVELED RUBBER WRAPPED AROUND THE AXLE. THIS SAME THING HAPPENED A COUPLE WEEKS LATER TO THE OTHER FRONT TIRE.

NHTSA ID
11403809
Incident
Feb 14, 2021
Body & structureElectricalSteering
Filed Dec 22, 2019

THE WINDOW HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN. I WENT THROUGH THE MANUAL TO TROUBLESHOOT IT, WORKED FINE FOR A DAY THEN RIGHT BACK TO WHAT IT WAS BEFORE. EVERYTHING THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE DRIVERSIDE DOOR, EXPECT TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE JUST WENT HAYWIRE WITH NO WARNING. THE MIRROR DEFROST DOESN'T WORK AND THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE WON'T OPEN ANY LONGER. WHEN I TURN IT IS NOW MAKING A STAGE SQUEALING NOISE. MY CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY OF THESE ISSUES.

NHTSA ID
11290707
Incident
Oct 9, 2019
Mileage
54,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Oct 25, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V615000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING). THE CONTACT CALLED NHTSA FOR MORE INFORMATION AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11271083
Incident
Oct 25, 2019
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Oct 25, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO GOSSETT VOLKSWAGEN GERMANTOWN (7420 WINCHESTER RD, MEMPHIS, TN 38125, (901) 405-4909) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A NEW BATTERY WAS NEEDED FOR THE KEY REMOTE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR AFTER THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ONCE THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START AND OPERATE PROPERLY. DAYS LATER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY OPERATE WHEN THE CONTACT DROVE IN THE EMERGENCY START FEATURE MODE, AND THE "NO KEY" WARNING INDICATOR WOULD FLASH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL DRIVING; HOWEVER, EVERY TIME SHE TOUCHED A FEATURE ON THE STEERING WHEEL, A PINGING NOISE WOULD SOUND AND THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD FLASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
11271017
Incident
Oct 22, 2019
Steering
Filed Oct 23, 2019

I CANNOT REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE STEERING WHEEL CYLINDER LOCK ONCE THE CAR IS STARTED. IT TAKES AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIMES AND JUST PLAIN LUCK FOR THE LOCK TO RETURN TO THE OFF POINT AND THE KEY TO BE REMOVED

NHTSA ID
11270463
Incident
Jul 17, 2019
Mileage
59,000 mi
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Jul 8, 2019

I AM WRITING TO ADVISE YOU OF A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE DESIGN OF THE VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. I OWN A 2015 JETTA. AFTER A HEAVY RAIN, AND USUALLY AFTER PASSING THROUGH STANDING WATER, THE CAR LOSES POWER AND STALLS. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THREE OCCASIONS RECENTLY. I FIRST TOOK THE CAR TO MY OWN MECHANIC, AN EXPERIENCED TECHNICIAN WITH A MAJOR REPAIR FRANCHISE. HE WAS UNABLE TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. WHEN THE PROBLEM RECURRED, I TOOK IT BACK AND HE AGAIN TESTED IT BUT WAS UNABLE TO SAY FOR SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. HOWEVER, HE NOTED THAT THERE WAS AN AIR INTAKE IN THE FRONT END THAT MIGHT HAVE TAKEN IN WATER AND CAUSED THE ISSUE. I THEN TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP (BURLINGTON VOLKSWAGEN) AND THEY WERE ALSO UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC THERE ALSO INDICATED THAT IT MIGHT BE DUE TO WATER ENTERING THE AIR INTAKE IN THE FRONT END. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS WOULD BE A DESIGN FLAW THAT COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED ME NOT TO DRIVE THROUGH PUDDLES, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY NOT A PRACTICAL SOLUTION. I THEN ASKED VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER CARE TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM. THE ONLY OPTION THE REPRESENTATIVE THERE OFFERED WAS FOR ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO ANOTHER VW DEAIERSHIP, WHICH I AM UNWILLING TO DO AT MY PERSONAL EXPENSE. I AM WORRIED ABOUT MY OWN AND MY WIFE'S SAFETY WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN, BUT VOLKSWAGEN IS BASICALLY TELLING ME THAT THEY CAN'T FIND A PROBLEM SO THEY CAN'T FIX IT. I WOULD BE GLAD TO WORK WITH YOU ON THIS ISSUE, AND I HAVE ATTACHED THE VW MECHANIC'S REPORT.

NHTSA ID
11230219
Incident
Jun 13, 2019
Mileage
92,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 20, 2019

IGNITION WILL NOT TURN OFF CAR STAYS STARTED

NHTSA ID
11221519
Incident
Jun 19, 2019
Mileage
31,000 mi
Steering
Filed May 17, 2018

IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO REMOVE AND ENGAGE THE IGNITION CYLINDER ON MY 2015 VW TREADING. IT TAKES SEVERAL SECONDS TO REMOVE OR ENGAGE THE CYLINDER. VW CANADA BRAMGATE SERVICE LOCATION INDICATED THAT THEY CAN DIAGNOSE THE CYLINDER FOR A FEE, BUT WOULD NOT TELL ME WHETHER THIS SAFETY ISSUE WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY UNTIL AFTER THE DIAGNOSTIC.

NHTSA ID
11096535
Incident
May 1, 2018
Mileage
58,000 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 13, 2018

2015 VW JETTA TDI - UNABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY IN THE OFF POSITION TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. UNABLE TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER. STEERING LOCK MECHANISM NOT ALLOWING THE KEY TO ROTATE TO OFF POSITION TO SHUT ENGINE OFF AND REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION CYLINDER EVENT DESCRIPTION: VEHICLE IN PARK ON LEVEL GROUND. ENGINE WILL NOT SHUT OFF WHEN ROTATING KEY IN KEY CYLINDER TO THE OFF POSITION. APPEARS THAT STEERING LOCK IS NOT RELEASING THE IGNITION KEY WHEN ROTATING IGNITION KEY TO OFF POSITION. POOR DESIGN. DOES NOT FAIL SAFE. ENGINE KEEPS RUNNING NO MATTER WHAT! LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB OF THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE. OEM SHOULD RECALL THIS DESIGN DEFECT. AIR POLLUTION ISSUE. URGET ACTION REQUIRED FROM NHTSA

NHTSA ID
11078917
Incident
Mar 10, 2018
Mileage
78,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Dec 26, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN IN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SOUND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE WITH PREVIOUSLY OWNED VOLKSWAGEN JETTAS. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

NHTSA ID
11056620
Incident
May 15, 2016
Mileage
10,000 mi
AirbagsSteeringSuspension
Filed Oct 14, 2016

I HAD MY INCEDANT ON THE FREE WAY, LAST NIGHT, STILL KIND OF SHOOKEN UP. MY TIRES BLEW ON A SPEED LIMMIT MPH RAN THROUGH PAVEMENT DEFECT CAUSING THE AIR BAG CENSOR HAS BEEN TRIGGERED WITCH SHOULD OF DEPLOYED THE BAGS TO SAVE ME FROM POSSIBLE INJERY MY BE DEATH, THANK GOD IT WAS OK NO ONE OR AUTO WAS INVOLVED..

NHTSA ID
10916015
Incident
Oct 13, 2016
Mileage
41,000 mi
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Dec 19, 2015

I BOUGHT MY CAR IN JULY 2015, NEW, FROM LARRY ROESCH DEALER IN CHICAGO, AFTER WAITING 8 HOURS IN THE WAITING ROOM FOR THEM TO "CLEAN MY CAR IN THE BACK SHOP"- WHILE SEVERAL OTHER CUSTOMERS CAME AND WENT WITH THEIR NEW CARS. AFTER ONLY A FEW THOUSAND MILES ON MY CAR, IT NEEDED TO HAVE A QUART AND HALF OIL ADDED TO IT AND THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS "NORMAL". AFTER I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO REQUEST A LETTER STATING MY CAR WAS CLEAR AND DID NOT HAVE ANY RECALL ISSUES, I WAS TOLD THE LETTER COULD NOT BE ISSUED BECAUSE THERE WAS, INDEED, A RECALL ISSUE WHICH HAD TO DO WITH THE CAMSHAFT. I WAS TOLD THIS ISSUE DID NOT HAVE A FIX FOR IT AND WOULD NOT HAVE ONE UNTIL MARCH 2016. I REQUESTED A LETTER STATING IT WOULD BE SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH MY CHILDREN AND FAMILY, BUT VW SAID THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO GIVE SUCH A LETTER STATING THAT THE MODEL OF THE CAR WAS "SAFE TO DRIVE". I TOLD THEM I WAS NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING A CAR THAT COULD POTENTIALLY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH TO MY FAMILY-- AT THAT POINT, VW AGREED TO TOW MY CAR AND TO REPLACE THE CAMSHAFT (EVEN THOUGH I WAS INITIALLY TOLD BY VW THAT THE CAMSHAFT REPLACEMENT WOULD CAUSE THE VERY SAME ISSUE). I RECEIVED THE VW JETTA SE 1.8T BACK FROM PUGI DEALERS LAST THURSDAY AND WAS TOLD THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY OTHER PROBLEMS. TODAY, I DROVE HALF MILE FROM MY HOME TO THE LAUNDRY AND WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR, THE CAR WOULD NOT START, THE LIGHT INDICATOR FOR "STEERING MALFUNCTION AND ENGINE ISSUES" CAME ON. I CALLED VW AND THEY HAVE TOWED THE CAR TO PUGI DEALERSHIP, YET AGAIN, AND I DO NOT HAVE A CAR - ONCE AGAIN- TO TAKE MY CHILDREN TO SCHOOL AND WORK, ETC. THERE IS A VERY OBVIOUS AND SERIOUS ISSUE WITH MY CAR. IT IS NOT SOMETHING TO PLAY WITH PEOPLE'S LIVES OVER, SINCE VW TOLD ME IT CANNOT BE FIXED AND COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A CRASH.

NHTSA ID
10811284
Incident
Dec 19, 2015
Mileage
7,100 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .