2015 Volkswagen Jetta: engine stalls while driving

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 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 Oct 13, 2022 · Transmission · TX

2015 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid, 73,000 miles mechatronic transmission failure. Vehicle repeatedly experiences loss of power/stalling and low and highway speeds. Losing power at any speed, specially highway speeds is a SAFETY issue. VW service shop has diagnosed issue as mechatronic transmission failure, hairline cracks, loss of fluid and gear damage sustained in transmission. VW service acknowledged the transmission damage is the same as ongoing recall. Transmission will need to be replaced. VW service shop advised vehicle VIN is not covered under current the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V866000 (Power Train). VW service advised VW will have to include this vehicle/issue under a recall for them to fix it without cost to me. Safety issues, symptoms, and diagnosis is succinct to that documented in 19V866000. VW customer service was contacted and advised that due to the vehicle VIN not included in current the federal safety agency campaign, it is not covered. VW is dodging responsibility in fixing this prevalent safety failure in Jetta Hybrids which makes the vehicle a safety hazard and worthless when considering the $10,000 repair estimate. They must me held accountable!!

Filed Dec 19, 2021 · Transmission · WA

The car was stalling at stops and the engine warning light came on. We took it into Autometrics (509) 766-2002 in Moses Lake, WA. They informed us that the transmission was cracked and needed to be replaced or it would ruin the engine. In researching this problem my wife found a recall 34J6. This recall covers Hybrids from 2013 to 2015 for this very problem. our car was manufactured in February of 2015. Called Volkswagan of North America. They informed me that the recall was vin specific and that our vin was not included even though the problem is the same. The car has not been inspected by the manufacture as of this filing, The car is currently stored under a car cover at our home. Can you please help revolve this dispute over the recall inclusion. Thanks

Filed Nov 20, 2021 · Acceleration, Electrical · FL

1. Overtime, i noticed my car starts to jerk during acceleration and would accelerate, completely stall for about 2 seconds before getting back in forward motion. It when that jerk happens, it feels like the car is suddenly in neutral for those few seconds. This has been happening more frequently and has now been happening every other green light. This seems dangerous and I also don’t like that it does this on the highway. 2. steering wheel has some resistance issues. 3. ECM is malfunctioning because my dashboard constantly shows at least 5 incorrect warning check lights. Sometimes they change to other check lights, sometimes they appear and disappear when it wants. Very frustrating.

Filed Jul 8, 2019 · Fuel system, Steering · 92,000 miles · NJ

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.

Filed Apr 25, 2018 · Engine · VA

My vehicle starts to stall out while either pulling out in front of traffic or while sitting at a stop light. The car does not stall out completely but for 4 seconds + the car will be non responsive to the gas and the tachometer goes to 0 which when pulling out in front of someone with the car sitting idle when its supposed to be moving is very scary. This happens randomly and last occurance happened today.

Filed Apr 10, 2018 · Engine · FL

2015 volkswagen jetta. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle engine stalls and shuts off while driving.

Filed Dec 19, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 7,100 miles · IL

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.

Filed Apr 2, 2015 · Electrical · 520 miles · UT

The panic button on the key fob has no delay. If you push it one time, with very little pressure, the alarm goes off. I was stopped at a stop light and I stalled the engine with the manual transmission. I went to turn the key off and back on again to start the engine and since the panic button is on the side of the key (facing straight up, or down when in the ignition). The alarm started going off and the engine wouldn't start. I was holding back traffic, scrambling to figure out what had happened as the action was completely unintentional. This is a safety issue and needs to be addressed. Other key fobs I've had required pressing and holding the panic button for 1 or 2 seconds to activate it. Bad design of key fob, the button at least should be slightly recessed.

Filed Mar 12, 2015 · Engine · 617 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 volkswagen jetta. While coming to a complete stop at 5 MPH, the vehicle started to jerked and then stalled. The contact mentioned that after the failure, the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle resumed normal operation after it was restarted. The vehicle was immediately taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 617.