2015 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen owner complaints

In the last year, my car has experienced multiple instances of the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) warning light, check engine light, and a flashing glow plug light on the dashboard. Despite multiple visits and repairs at Sheehy Volkswagen of Springfield, these issues persist, particularly in sub-freezing temperatures. Upon independent inspection of the engine compartment, I found multiple exposed wires, broken wires, and poorly repaired broken wires. The most significant concerns are as follows: Repeated DPF Issues: Over the last three years, the DPF warning and related issues have recurred each winter. Initial attempts to rectify the issue included a DPF regeneration procedure, which temporarily cleared the fault codes but did not address the underlying problem. The DPF was finally rep

TDI Auxiliary heater (PTC) brown ground wire melting and causing a terrible plastic burning smell inside cabin. Wire likely will cause a fire. Many reports of this happening to other individuals on the Internet forum TDIforum.com

Supplementary auxiliary electric heater ground connector melted and could have caused a fire. Original part #5Q0963235B. A recall (17V-62) for this part was active for various Audi and VW models but for whatever reason my car was not included. Car was brought to Valenti VW on 3/1/24 for inspection after burning smell was emitting from vents. Dealer was unable to locate the source of the problem. Discovered the defective heater myself during fall season when heat was necessary. Please see attached photos. I feel I am entitled to reimbursement for the costs associated with getting this dangerous situation repaired.

PTC auxiliary heater core connection point failure . It was reported that the wrong type of metal was used for the main electrical connection point for this part causing significant over heating further leading to melting and burning plastic. This then introduces potentially dangerous fumes into the vehicle cabin via the HVAC system. If unaddressed this would likely cause fire damage. The problem has been reproduced by multiple vehicle owners and happens during cold conditions as it supplies heat to the cabin prior to the engine hitting optimal operating temperatures. No warning messages or codes are thrown as a result of this issue. It is a hazard and could cause harm to operators of the vehicles affected.

In 2019, VW issue a recall (37M2) Shift Lever Micro Switch for failing resulting in noncompliant Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention. The recall was issued for 2015-2019 Golf and 2017-2019 Golf Sportwagen, HOWEVER, in Canada, the recall included 2015-2019 Golf Sportwagen. I have a 2015 Golf Sportwagen (USA) with a failing Shift Lever Micro Switch. There is no different between the Canadian and US Model for this part. I believe that VAG should include 2015 models in the recall.

The screen which is for the radio and back up camera has started to "flicker" This looks to be a common problem people are fixing it by having the head unit replaced but clearly it's a safety issue since the backup camera is hard to use. This is a dieselgate car so it wasn't purchased new until 2017 and it seems crazy for this to be happening when the car has only been on the road for 5 years. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgRQp6E16Rc

The contact's partner owns a 2015 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, he observed that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact also heard an abnormal soft clicking sound in the cabin while turning the steering wheel to the left or to the right. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V483000 (Air Bags); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was unknown.

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen golf sportwagen. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The contact spoke with east coast Volkswagen (8756-c, us highway 17 bypass south, myrtle beach, sc 29588, (843) 353-1118) and was informed to bring the vehicle in to be diagnosed. While driving to the dealer, the cruise control and horn failed to operate. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with a defective clockspring. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 15v483000 (air bags), but the VIN was excluded. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 77,000.

The clock spring fails. Causing the airbag light to illuminate. The car is a 2015 and the first clock spring failed in January 2021, with around 155,00 miles (estimate). Second one failed this week with 162,000 miles. I know the car is old, but the part that gets power to the airbag should last more than 2 years. Volkswagen extended the warranty of the part, but we were outside for both repairs now. The dealer tells me this part is fixed on a regular basis to the point he was surprised he was able to get the part. I feel like for the part that supplies power to the airbag, an extended warranty is not sufficient. (For the information below, I was in a parking lot when the clock spring broke, so speed was irrelevant, np accident occurred)

I did a left-U turn- heard a loud sound, and then all the electrical things on my steering wheel failed, like horn, air bag, and controls. The failed airbag light is on, and it has other warning lights as well. I am now not protected in a crash, nor can I use my horn. I believe from a bit of research that my car has what I think is the same clockspring defect that VW has had in a TON of their vehicles- mine has failed- but does not seem to fall into a safety recall. Why is that? This seems to be a serious safety problem they have had- and I believe it should be covered by the manufacturer.

A defect that meets the definition of a nonconformity in Washington State, and that is covered under warranty, caused the vehicle to stall while driving and caused the vehicle to not accelerate when the accelerator was pressed. My safety was put at risk when this happened on a 50 mph road because vehicles behind me expected my vehicle in front of them to accelerate in a predictable way with the flow of traffic. Another time, a stall happened as I turned onto a highway. I had come to a stop, waited for the traffic light, and then turned right and pressed the accelerator as I normally would to get up to 50 mph. A flashing glow plug light came on, and the car immediately had zero propulsion, and so I turned the steering wheel to roll to the side of the road and turned on my hazard light

Trim at compartment / shifter boot is peeling and aluminum coating will have a razor sharp edge which sliced my hand open

PTC auxiliary heater core failure causing near fire event. The failure causes the main power input to melt causing a burning plastic smell and smoke. The problem has been reproduced by multiple vehicle owners and happens during cold conditions as it supplies heat to the cabin prior to the engine hitting optimal operating temperatures. No warning messages or codes are thrown as a result of this issue. It is a hazard and could cause harm to operators of the vehicles affected.

This is a 2015 tdi golf that sat on the dealer car lot for more than two years. We bought it spring 2018. Minimal maintenance done on vehicle when car was purchased. In fact, we bought three. Tires had flat spots, and had to all be replaced. My daughter's car developed soft brakes. Mine as well, and not stopping well. Her car failed to stop, resulting in a crash...this needs to be checked out that the brake flush and fluid are replaced earlier than the "recommended" 30,000 mile maintenance. Before others are injured. Please

Today with only 16000 miles the power brakes stopped working and required that I use the ebrake and use both feet on the brake pedal, the engine was still running I suspect there is a brake booster problem

Steering column control module with clock spring failed,/ miles on car 54302. All buttons on steering wheel stopped working. No horn, air bag light on as malfunction, reports state hazardous to drive... Took it in for replacement--cost 668.52. Other vw have had this problem as a recall.. Please add to list of vw having this problem and insist vw pay or recall to have them fix this dangerous problem. I pulled into parking spot when it all stopped. Good this I was back home and not still up in the sierras

The emissions modification calibration by Volkswagen causes the coolant to be exposed to elevated temperatures due to higher exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) use to control emissions. These elevated higher temperatures degrade the coolant faster than designed and lead to precipitates falling out of solution in the factory filled G13 coolant. This causes buildup and deposits to form throughout the cooling system, particularly in the heater core which can block proper coolant flow & lead to coolant system failure, specifically of hoses associated with the heater core. When these fail the engine can over heat, and stop which causes loss of steering, propulsion and braking abilities. There is a similar problem on 2012 models with the TDI engine, which has been addressed but the 2015 models are

I own a 2015 and my back seatbelt has failed. It will not latch. I called the dealership and they stated it would be $120 charge just to diagnose and see what is wrong before replacing or fixing the seatbelt. After that charge he couldn't say if it would be under warranty or the cost to fix it. I am notifying you of this failure and cost because this seems like something that should be evaluated for no cost due to the high concern for safety. I feel Volkswagen is putting money before safety. The dealership I contacted was larry miller in lakewood co.

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen golf sportwagen. While the vehicle was stationary, the contact noticed an inch of water inside the sun roof. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to north penn Volkswagen (located at 165 bethlehem pike, colmar, pa 18915, (215) 822-1361) where it was diagnosed that the drain hoses needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure continued. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 2,000. The VIN was not available.

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the camshaft module and variable valve timing (VVT) gears needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,900.