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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2015 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
10%of 59 total for the year
Median mileage
81,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2015 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen, 10% of the 59 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 81,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The display screen says error: airbag, then it says error: transmission. All the bottons on the streeing wheel do not work curse control, bottons for changing the display to see info about the car, and radio. The car was driving on city streets when the messages first where noticed. I think it has something to do with inside the steering wheel and think it might be the clock spring. The fact that it is saying error: airbag, I am concerned that the airbag will not work, or might just go off for no reason.”

NHTSA complaint #11164399, filed 2019-01, 81,000 miles

“I backed up my car and upon turning the wheel I heard some crackling from the steering wheel. The airbag and transmission error lights came on and I lost functionality of all the buttons on the steering wheel and the horn. Based on research, this is a clock spring that has been recalled for other model years.”

NHTSA complaint #11511409, filed 2023-03

“Engine fire due to exhaust equipment malfunction, if it was not attended to or noticed quickly it could lead to loss of control of vehicle, causing injury or death to occupants or other motorists. This occurred after having a recall completed.”

NHTSA complaint #11668809, filed 2025-06

“The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen. The contact stated that while her son was stopped at a gas station, he shifted the gear shift lever to park and the hazard warning lights illuminated; however, none of the four door latches would lock as needed. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the gear shifter assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11540573, filed 2023-08, 140,000 miles

“We’re having the same shift lever micro switch problem that has already been recalled on tons of VW’s in 2019. The car is a rollaway risk and refuses to start as a result”

NHTSA complaint #11430118, filed 2021-08

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2018433%
201648%
2015610%

Other parts of the 2015 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen

Electrical system
18 complaints
Air bags
14 complaints
Other or unknown
12 complaints
Engine
5 complaints
Steering
5 complaints
Body and structure
5 complaints
Suspension
5 complaints
Brakes
3 complaints
Vehicle speed control
3 complaints
Fuel system
2 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaints
Engine cooling
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2015 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology