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2015 Volkswagen Jetta engine problems

45 complaints (23% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 44,500. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
45
of this car's complaints
23%
typical mileage
44,500
crashes
1
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Exhaust system: emission control
    1
  • Engine: engine control module (ecu/ECM)
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Volkswagen Jetta engine problems in other years

19901995200020052010201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Check engine light 17Stalling 11Won't start 11Loss of power 7

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling: engineReported October 26, 2015 · 91,867 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.
Risk
If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑822‑8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.

Recall number 15V705000 · Recall details

What 2015 Volkswagen Jetta owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 15, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · TX

Vehicle Information •Make / Model / Year: 2015 Volkswagen Jetta 1.8T SE •VIN: [XXX] Recall Information (if known) •Camshaft recall: 23R1 (2016) •ECM software update: 24DR (2020) Description of Problem: My 2015 Volkswagen Jetta 1.8T SE experiences loss of power while driving, where the engine RPM increases but the vehicle does not accelerate properly, especially when driving uphill. This creates an unsafe driving condition. The vehicle previously received recall repairs for the camshaft (23R1) and ECM software (24DR). Despite these recall repairs being completed, the same symptoms persist, indicating the recall may not have fully resolved the defect. I reported this issue to Volkswagen Customer CARE under case number [XXX], but the concern remains unresolved. I am filing this complaint to document that this is an ongoing safety concern, post-recall, that has not been resolved by Volkswagen. I request the federal safety agency to review this unresolved post-recall safety issue and ensure Volkswagen investigates whether the original recall repairs fully corrected the defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 26, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · LA

The turbocharger is out. I've had problems with coolant leaking. Mechanic pressurized tank, its fine. While parked coolant disappears, evaporates, idk..Nothing leaking on ground. Now smoke coming out of exhaust. Car has 56,000 miles.

Filed Apr 8, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · CA

I’ve been experiencing intermittent start failures with my 2015 Volkswagen Jetta. The issue typically occurs after driving short distances, turning off the engine, and attempting to restart the vehicle within 15–45 minutes. The dashboard lights stay on, but the engine fails to crank. After extended wait times (1–3 hours or more), it will sometimes start again. A diagnostic scanner showed DTC IM 00, indicating an immobilizer system malfunction, meaning the car isn’t recognizing the key properly. I’ve tested both keys and various conditions (locked/unlocked, sun/shade, full/low gas tank), and the issue continues to be unpredictable. When the car was towed to the dealership, they were unable to replicate the problem since it started by the time they checked it, and they were unwilling to investigate the immobilizer issue without charging me for a wide range of unrelated tests. This is becoming a safety issue, especially if the vehicle stalls or won’t restart in isolated areas or during hot conditions. It is not acceptable for a known electronic security feature to randomly disable the vehicle from functioning.

Filed Oct 14, 2024 · Engine · MN

My Volkswagen vehicle (Jetta Model 2015, MOdel 4DJSA, VIN [XXX] ) had a first event on [XXX] where the car suddenly stop in the middle of [XXX]. The car was taken to Volkswagen at Inver Grove and the cause was related to failure in a piston. The car was fixed without cost as it was covered by the guarantee of the vehicle. Again, around [XXX], the car again suddenly stopped working and needed to be thawed to Volkswagen at Inver Grove, the diagnosis done was extreme misfires on all cylinders that cause the car to die while in operation. The root cause was due to excessive oil inside the cylinder. In this occasion, the repair would not be covered under the guarantee and thus the option provided was to replace the motor at an estimated cost of $11,000 USD which is above the cost of the vehicle. It is important to notice that the car was routinely checked and serviced by Volkswagen at Inver Grove during the time we have owned the vehicle. There were not diagnostic tools that we could have to address this issue, to our knowledge there is nothing we did to cause this catastrophic failure. This recurrent incident could be likely a manufacturing issue and thus it is not caused by the user. The damage of the cylinder was not isolated to just one, all four have the same issue. Our car is currently parked (we are paying storage insurance on it) and we cannot use it. Our ask is for Volkswagen to repair the vehicle at no cost to us as we were not at fault for this issue. We kindly ask you for your support on this matter. Respectfully. [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 8, 2024 · Engine · TX

My car has been recalled twice for a camshaft which is making a ticking noise inside still. I reached out to dealership and they said they can only handle the situation once they get approval from the federal safety agency. Please help me out with this issue. Below are the recall codes 23R1 - Camshaft 24DR - ECM Thankyou.

Filed Jul 19, 2023 · Engine · 73,860 miles · TX

The contact's wife owns a 2015 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal popping sound. The contact veered to the side of the road and opened the hood. The contact stated that he noticed that coolant had leaked onto the engine, and the coolant reservoir was empty. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact who is an independent mechanic, replaced the heater core hoses and added coolant to the vehicle; however, the failure recurred after 2,500 miles. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could be diagnosed, and a warranty claim could not be initiated because the check engine warning light was not illuminated. The low coolant pressure warning light was illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 73,860.

Filed Apr 18, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · OH

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.

Filed Apr 12, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · FL

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.

Filed Mar 16, 2023 · Engine · 77,000 miles · NJ

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.

Filed Nov 21, 2022 · Engine · 87,000 miles · MN

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.

Questions about the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta engine

Does the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta have engine problems?

Owners have filed 45 complaints about the engine of the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta, 23% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2015 Volkswagen Jetta engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 44,500 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta engine?

Yes, 1 recall: 15V705000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Volkswagen Jetta have bad engine?

The Volkswagen Jetta model years with the most engine complaints are 2010 (188 complaints), 2009 (168 complaints) and 2019 (149 complaints).

Other 2015 Volkswagen Jetta problems

Electrical 49Transmission 23Fuel system 20Brakes 19Airbags 17Steering 15Suspension 14Seats 8Wheels 8Body 5Lights 5Acceleration 4Driver assistance 4Seat belts 4Visibility 4Tires 3

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