FaultScore

2015 Volkswagen GTI other reported problems

20 of the 123 complaints about the 2015 Volkswagen GTI are about the other systems — 16% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 47,000 miles.

F

20

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

11

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Unknown OR Other 20 100.0%

Other & Unspecified across every Volkswagen GTI year

2015 20 29.9%
2016 10 14.9%
2019 37 55.2%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Spencer, MA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Bought car recently and it came from the dealer with an exlamation point light, audible warning and message in the screen saying "ERROR: Service vehicle. Only leave vehicle in P position". i can also take my key out of the car when not in park. im pretty sure it is a microswitch or entire gear shifter mechanism depending. It is the same thing that happened for Compliance Recall 37L5. copying and pasting info regarding 37L5. Compliance Recall 37L5 – Shift Lever Micro Switch What vehicles are included in Compliance Recall 37L5? Certain 2015-2018 model year Volkswagen Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. What is the concern for Compliance Recall 37L5? Over time, a build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts can make it possible to remove the key from the ignition switch without the shift lever being in the "P" Park position. This makes the vehicle noncompliant with 49 CFR 571.114 Standard No. 114 Theft protection and rollaway prevention. If the ignition key is removed without the shift lever being in the "P" Park position, there is a risk that the vehicle may roll away, resulting in a crash that could injure people and damage property. What is the repair for Compliance Recall 37L5? When parts become available, dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board.The recall repair will be FREE. *** old, parts are probably out now When will the repair for Compliance Recall 37L5 be available? This recall repair is not yet available. *outdated, probably available already Are there any precautions I should take because my vehicle is part of Compliance Recall 37L5? Yes. If this condition is present in the vehicle, an audible warning sound and failure message may appear in the instrument cluster. If this happens, owners are advised to contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer immediately and make arrangements to have the vehicle serviced.

NHTSA complaint #11726254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Exton, PA 2 injured

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The chrome trim frame on the manual gear shift cover cracks and flakes off, causing dangerous sharp edges that have cut the hands of multiple members of my family. Same as the issue causing VW Service Action 34J7/34L9 except for manual transmission vehicles. Dealership looked up my VIN and said no recall or Service Action was available even though they know it's a common issue.

NHTSA complaint #11633737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Seattle, WA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Shift boot trim near storage compartment has a metal coating that starts to flake off and is razor sharp. This frequently cuts myself and my wife and is dangerous enough to have issued a recall but apparently it is only for automatics. This is odd since both Auto and Manual have a similar problem that seems to be widespread on forums across the web. Service Action Code: 34J7/34L9

NHTSA complaint #11612907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Houston, TX

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My daughter was driving the car on [XXX] in Sealy, Texas, and the sunroof spontaneously shattered. The driver and passenger did not detect an impact that caused the glass to break. VW Care has refused to offer me financial assistance due to the fact the vehicle is out of warranty. The case number associated with my call to VW Care is [XXX]. However, I believe this is a very dangerous product defect that needs to be addressed, as were defective airbags in cars that have been out of warranty. The car only has 36,000 miles. This is unacceptable. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11598363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Castle Rock, CO

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I was driving normal going the speed limit, had my 4 windows rolled down just a bit to let some air in the car and after driving for about 20 minutes, my sunroof glass decided to explode right above my head. sounded really loud like a gunshot and i don’t think anything from the road hit it.

NHTSA complaint #11467674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Windsor, NJ 1 injured

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

This razor blade sharp chrome trim near the shift nob and the small storage compartment is cutting my finger up every time I tried getting something out of the small compartment. This has already happened to me three times already while driving, it's like a paper cut and you look down to find a cut with blood dripping out of your finger. It is extremely dangerous when you are driving on the road when this happen, Volkswagen should have a recall on this chrome trim piece for the safety of all GTI owners period. I'm not the only one with this problem, many MK7 GTI owners are experiencing the same issue.

NHTSA complaint #11439772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Chester, PA 1 injured

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The sunroof on my car spontaneously exploded with no known cause. I was driving west on I-76 near Pittsburgh PA, going 70 mph. Suddenly a sound like a gunshot was heard and the sunroof had shattered leaving a big hole. The glass was contained above me and the passenger because the sun roof shade happened to be closed.

NHTSA complaint #11422288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,500 miles ST Augustine, FL

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

GEAR SELECTOR CHROME TRIM PEELS AND CUTS TO THE SKIN. DEALERS WILL ONLY SELL ENTIRE GEAR SELECTOR ASSEMBLIES $285+. TRIM PIECE CAN BE FOUND ON ALI EXPRESS (AFTERMARKET) FOR $16. IT IS EXACT MATCH, FIT AND FINISH. WHAT VW AND ITS DEALERS ARE DOING TO MANY CLIENTS IS UNACCEPTABLE. LOOK AT FORUMS AND SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THEIR HANDS SLICED BY THE PEELING CHROME. CARS ARE NOT UNDER WARRANTY FOREVER. BUT PROBLEMS THAT OCCUR TO MOST MODELS, IF YOU SLASHED YOUR HAND WHILE DRIVING - THAT COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE, BUT IT TAKES NON MANUFACTURER PARTS TO FIX AFFORDABLY. WHY CAN'T VW EITHER OFFER THIS PART A LA CARTE OR GIVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY? WHY DO I NEED TO BUY AN ENTIRE GEAR SELECTOR FOR A SIMPLE CHROME PLATED PIECE OF PLASTIC TO BE REPLACED? THE GEAR SELECTOR WORKS FINE, IT'S THE CHROME TRIM THAT IS A SEPARATE PART THAT PEELS. I'M JUST ANGRY BECAUSE I HAVE TO GO AROUND THE WORLD AND TRUST AN UNKNOWN CHINESE COMPANY TO SUPPLY A PART THAT VW ALREADY MAKES AND WON'T SELL ON ITS OWN. AND IT'S NOT JUST ME, IT'S ALMOST EVERYONE WHOSE BOUGHT ONE OF THESE CARS. SLICING YOUR HAND WHILE DRIVING CAUSES SOME DISTRACTION. I THANK GOD I DIDN'T WRECK WHEN IT HAPPENED TO ME. PLEASE MAKE THEM EITHER RECALL THE PART OR AT LEAST ACKNOWLEDGE IT. THE VEHICLE WAS ON FL HIGHWAY 16 WHEN I SLASHED MY HAND ON THE PEELING CHROME TRYING TO TURN DOWN THE AIR CONDITIONING.

NHTSA complaint #11377823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 59,234 miles Keaau, HI

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

AFTER HAVING MY 2015 VW SE 4-DR 2.0T AUTO PZEV INTO THE DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE CENTER FOR A/C ISSUES. TWO WEEKS LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I IMMEDIATELY PARKED THE CAR. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THIS AS THE PROBLEM. REPLACE ENGINE AND TURBO! OVER $17,000!

NHTSA complaint #11337851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Natick, MA 1 injured

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I'VE CUT MY HAND OPEN TWICE IN 18 HOURS ON SOME SHARP EDGED TRIM AROUND THE GEAR SHIFT JUST BY SHIFTING INTO PARK. BOTH TIMES THE CAR WAS STATIONARY. FIRST HAPPENED 12/10 PM THEN AGAIN 12/11 AM. I NEEDED FIRST AID AS I WAS BLEEDING PRETTY BADLY, DID NOT NEED A DOCTOR.

NHTSA complaint #11288541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 66,688 miles Westworth Village, TX 1 injured

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TRIM PEELING FROM SHIFTER PRODUCES A RAZOR SHARP EDGE. CUT MY FINGER ON IT, PRETTY DEEP CUT, BLEEDING PROFUSELY. CUT FROM RETRIEVING ITEMS FROM FRONT CUBBY.

NHTSA complaint #11277810 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 12,000 miles Round Rock, TX 15 injured

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE TRIM AROUND THE DSG SHIFTER HAS DETERIORATED AND HAS LEFT BEHIND SEVERAL VERY SHARP EDGES. CUTS ON FINGERS AND HANDS HAPPEN FREQUENTLY WHEN USING THE SHIFTER NORMALLY TO CHANGE GEARS. TRIM AT THE BASE OF THE SHIFTER HAS ALSO DETERIORATED, COMMONLY CAUSING CUTS WHEN USING THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT JUST IN FRONT OF THE SHIFTER. THIS VEHICLE HAS LIMITED MILES AND HAS PREDOMINATELY BEEN STORED IN A GARAGE.

NHTSA complaint #11208102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Stamfrod, CT 1 injured

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

PEELING TRIM BETWEEN THE CENTER CONSOLE AND SHIFTER IS RAZOR SHARP AND HAS CUT MY SKIN MULTIPLE TIMES. IN THE PICTURE IT IS THE CHROME PART.

NHTSA complaint #11195660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Simpsonvile, SC 1 injured

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE METALLIC TRIM AROUND THE SHIFTER BOOT GRADUALLY DEGRADES CAUSING SHARP METALLIC EDGES TO FORM. I HAVE BEEN CAUGHT ON THESE EDGES A FEW TIMES WHEN SHIFTING OR REACHING INTO THE CUBBY. A FEW OF THE TIMES BLEEDING FROM THE CUT HAS OCCURRED. THIS SAME METALLIC FINISH SEEMS TO BE ON THE START/STOP BUTTON. THE LETTERS WITH SHARP ANGLES (A, MOSTLY) BEND UP AND STAB THE USER WHEN TRYING TO START/STOP THE ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #11181926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 41,000 miles Frederick, MD 1 injured

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

SIMILAR TO OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME VEHICLE, THE TRIM SURROUNDING MY SHIFTER HAS CRACKED. THIS TRIM NOT ONLY GOES AROUND A PART MY HANDS TOUCH EVERYDAY WHILE DRIVING BUT SURROUNDS A STORAGE CUBBIE WHERE PEOPLE OFTEN STORE PHONES, WALLETS OR VARIOUS ITEMS. THE SPLITTING TRIM IS RATHER SHARP AND SLICED MY FINGER OPEN WHEN GRAZING IT EARLIER TODAY. ## VIN FAILED ## VOLKSWAGEN GTI 2015 ##

NHTSA complaint #11181249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 22,750 miles Centereach, NY

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

EVERY TIME I USE THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER, A CASCADE OF WASHER FLUID SEEPS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE ON THE FLOOR MAT. I'VE ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 1 MONTH. ALSO, I'VE NOTICE EVERY TIME IT RAINS, THE CEILING ON MY GTI GETS VERY WET DUE TO A LEAK POSSIBLY BECAUSE OF THE SUNROOF. I'LL PROVIDE A PICTURE WHEN IT RAINS NEXT TIME. THIS VIDEO SHOWS THE SAME EXACT THING WHAT I'M EXPERIENCING. ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AS WELL. THE VEHICLE IN THE VIDEO IS A 2016, MINE IS A 2015, BUT SAME ISSUE AND SAME LOCATION OF THE LEAK. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=ZLGGYDHFZCC

NHTSA complaint #11175109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 47,000 miles Kearney, NE 1 injured

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

IN THE VW GTI THERE ARE VARIOUS INTERIOR TRIM BITS THAT ARE A PLASTIC WITH A CHROME PLATING ON THEM. THE ISSUE WITH THESE ARE, THAT IT EVENTUALLY BEGINS TO DETACH ITSELF FROM THE PLASTIC TRIM PIECES AND IS EXTREMELY SHARP LIKE A RAZOR BLADE. THE REASON FOR REPORTING IT IS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WITH SEVERAL PIECES IN MY OWN PERSONAL VEHICLE BOTH WHILE THE CAR IS PARKED AND IN MOTION. VW HAS A HISTORY OF REPLACING THESE PARTS UNDER WARRANTY ACCORDING TO FELLOW OWNERS, BUT THIS IS A CLEAR SAFETY ISSUE. THE PARTICULAR TRIM PIECE IN QUESTION IS RIGHT BEHIND THE GEAR SHIFTER AND IN FRONT OF THE CUBBY HOLE WHERE ONE WOULD PLUG IN THEIR MEDIA PLAYER OR CELLULAR PHONE ANY OTHER VARIOUS ITEMS USED THROUGH OUT THE DAY. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AS IT COULD VERY EASILY HAVE SLICED MY WRIST WHILE I REACHED INTO THE CUBBY TO RETRIEVE MY PHONE. THE FRUSTRATING PART IS THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS CAR HAS DRAWN BLOOD DURING DAILY USE. THE ENGINE START/STOP BUTTON HAS, THE GEAR SHIFTER HAS AND SO HAS THE STEERING WHEEL. IT WAS ONLY MY THUMB THAT WAS CUT IN THE PROCESS, BUT IT CUT VERY DEEP LIKE A RAZOR BLADE WOULD AND IT WAS A CHALLENGE TO GET IT TO STOP BLEEDING EVEN HOURS AFTER. NOW, THE CAR WAS PARKED WHEN THIS HAPPENED, BUT DRIVING HOME CERTAINLY WAS A CHALLENGE WITH BLOOD GUSHING FROM MY THUMB. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME VEHICLE ACCORDING TO MANY OF THE ONLINE SITES THAT OWNERS OF THESE CARS FREQUENT. ONE WAS EVEN A CASE WHERE THEIR VERY YOUNG CHILD WAS REACHING IN THE STORAGE CUBBY FOR SOMETHING AND CUT THEMSELVES RATHER BADLY ON THAT PIECE OF TRIM. IF IT CAN CUT DEEPLY LIKE A RAZOR BLADE, IT IS NOT IMPLAUSIBLE THAT IT COULD HAVE POSSIBLY CUT THEIR WRIST AND CAUSED A MUCH MORE SERIOUS INJURY. I HAVE YET TO REPORT TO VW MYSELF, BUT, AS THIS OCCURS TO MANY OWNERS, I FEEL IT IS MY DUTY TO INSURE IT DOES NOT GO UNREPORTED TO NHTSA.

NHTSA complaint #11138945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Oregon, WI

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE.

NHTSA complaint #11111628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 24,000 miles Camillus, NY

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WE HAVE WHAT WE CONSIDER TO BE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY PROBLEM WITH OUR 2105 GTI (AUTOBAHN VERSION) AND THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAGS. MY WIFE HAS A HIP PROBLEM AND HAS TO USE A SEAT CUSHION THAT IS OVER 2' THICK WHILE RIDING AS A PASSENGER. THAT WORKS WELL IN OUR SUBARU OUTBACK THAT USES A LOAD CELL TO DETECT THE PASSENGER'S PRESENCE BUT IT DOESN'T WORK WITH OUR GTI AND VW'S SYSTEM, SO THERE IS NO PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG PROTECTION. WE'VE TRIED A NUMBER OF APPROACHES TO SOLVING THE PROBLEM AND HAVING THE AIRBAG ACTIVATE WHEN THERE IS A PERSON SEATED ON THE CUSHION INCLUDING: 'CALLING YOUR CHAT LINES A COUPLE OF TIMES WHERE THE PEOPLE ON THE OTHER END HAVE BEEN POLITE BUT HAVE DONE LITTLE OTHER THAN SUGGEST WE CONTACT THE DEALER. 'TALKING WITH SEVERAL PEOPLE AT BURDICK VW. THEY SAY THEY NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM (!) AND HAVE NO IDEA AS TO HOW TO SOLVE IT. 'SEARCHING THE WEB FOR A SOLUTION, ONLY TO FIND THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. 'TRYING SEVERAL HOMEMADE SOLUTIONS THAT MIGHT DUPLICATE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HUMAN BODY WITHOUT SUCCESS. WE'RE AT THE POSITION WHERE I FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE EXPOSING MY WIFE TO ADDITIONAL RISK, BUT WE BOTH REALLY LIKE THE GTI FOR ITS OTHER CREATURE COMFORTS AND ECONOMY. I'D LIKE TO KNOW HOW WE CAN PROPERLY ACTIVATE THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG AND STILL USE THE SEAT CUSHION. (WE CERTAINLY WOULDN'T MIND SOMETHING SIMPLE OR HOMEMADE.)

NHTSA complaint #10972065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 22,000 miles Jacksonville Beach, FL 1 injured

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY IN JACKSONVILLE, FL WHEN MY SUNROOF SUDDENLY EXPLODED SENDING GLASS SHARDS EVERYWHERE. THE GLASS BROKE FROM THE INSIDE OUT BASED ON THE ORIENTATION OF THE REMAINING SHARDS ATTACHED TO THE SUNROOF FRAME. THIS WAS AT 8:45AM WHILE TRAVELING IN MORNING WORK TRAFFIC. THE LOUDNESS AND INTENSITY OF THE GLASS BREAKING NEARLY CAUSED ME LOSE CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. TOM BUSH VOLKSWAGEN JACKSONVILLE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO COVER THE DAMAGE EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS UNDER MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. I RECEIVED MINOR SCRAPES FROM THE INCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10956665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2015 Volkswagen GTI problems

← Full 2015 Volkswagen GTI report