2015 Volkswagen Golf Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 11%of 131 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 12,940miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2015 Volkswagen Golf, 11% of the 131 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 12,940 miles.
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.
“When I'm in traffic stop and go between 11mph to 18 MPH at low RPM (1,100 to 1,800 RPM) the vehicle feels like shaking in the engine or transmission like I'm driving a manual car but my car is automatic. Now when going up a incline at 30 to 33 MPH vehicle does the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10692757, filed 2015-03, 3,000 miles“I've been through three transmissions since I purchased the car three years ago. The first transmission went out due to mechanic error, vw put a new one in that one fail catastrophically but vw blamed the fail on the flywheel (it had hotspots on it) paid $4000 for a used transmission (with 32k on it) and new clutch and flywheel. Now that one failed when I was driving down the interstate it was constantly slipping out of 5th gear and it was hard to shift it into a lower gear..I've never had issues like this before I've been driving manual for 7 years. …”
NHTSA complaint #11180694, filed 2019-02, 67,000 miles“Whilst driving home at approximately 6:30 pm during heavy freeway traffic, approximately 70 MPH the electronic drive system of the vw egolf died. I lost all power and was forced to pull across three lanes of traffic to reach the safety of the shoulder. While no accident, that was more luck than anything else and grace of other drivers allowing me to directly move in front of them. Vehicle had code p32b2 and p060c reported by vw report and replaced parts: 5qe-907-070-c and 12e-998-152-a. …”
NHTSA complaint #10746890, filed 2015-08, 3,606 miles“While driving at approximately 30 miles per hour the car came up with an alert of electrical fault stop now and the powertrain shut down with zero throttle response. I was able to pull into the right lane and party into a driveway of a fast food restaurant. I was unable to turn off the car, I got out and pushed it into the parking lot. Eventually the car turned off and after a few attempts I was able to turn it back on. I was in b mode (regenerative braking mode) and decided to drive it in d (regular drive) the extra 2 miles home. …”
NHTSA complaint #10940224, filed 2017-01, 3,500 miles“Vehicle is intermittently showing error 'error: service vehicle, leave only on p'. Error happens randomly, but usually during or just after driving in wet conditions. Always while the vehicle is in motion. Gear shift assembly was replaced two years previously to address the problem, but now the errors are back. Same symptoms as campaign number 18v464000, vw service recall 37l5, however no recall is listed for this VIN.”
NHTSA complaint #11163155, filed 2018-12, 37,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11025440Oct 14, 2025Cautions about using aftermarket transmission flush machines and aftermarket transmission fluids.
- 11025439Oct 9, 2025Diagnosing Manual Transmission Noise
- 11023844Sep 15, 2025For applicable Settlement Class Vehicles, the New Vehicle Limited Warranty will be extended to cover 50% of the repair or replacement of the Turbocharger by an authorized…
- 11023836Sep 15, 2025This supporting FAQ is for the Turbocharger Limited Warranty Extension Class Action Settlement. This extension includes 2008-2015 GTI and Golf R*, 2012-2013 VW Beetle*, 2009 VW…
- 11008861Sep 17, 2024Fluid requirements
- 11008851Sep 17, 2024Engine Misfire Diagnostic Aid
- 11008860Sep 11, 2024Manual transmission noise diagnosing
- 10238310Jun 21, 2023Automatic Transmission Fluid Requirements
- 10238309Jun 15, 2023Noise Diagnostic for Manual Transmission vehicles.
- 10218953Aug 25, 2022Manual transmission noise diagnostic assistance
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 9% |
| 2022 | 25 | 31% |
| 2021 | 1 | 14% |
| 2019 | 13 | 21% |
| 2018 | 4 | 14% |
| 2017 | 5 | 4% |
| 2016 | 5 | 6% |
| 2015 | 14 | 11% |
| 2014 | 2 | 17% |
| 2013 | 1 | 2% |
| 2012 | 9 | 19% |
| 2011 | 21 | 19% |
| 2010 | 7 | 10% |
| 2005 | 2 | 11% |
| 2004 | 3 | 11% |
| 2003 | 2 | 8% |
| 2002 | 4 | 5% |
| 2001 | 7 | 6% |
| 2000 | 5 | 6% |
| 1999 | 4 | 6% |
| 1998 | 4 | 22% |
| 1997 | 3 | 43% |
| 1995 | 2 | 5% |
| 1994 | 1 | 2% |
| 1989 | 3 | 18% |
| 1986 | 1 | 8% |
| 1985 | 3 | 30% |
Other parts of the 2015 Volkswagen Golf
26 complaintsOther or unknown
23 complaintsFuel system
22 complaintsAir bags
21 complaintsElectrical system
18 complaintsSuspension
15 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsWheels
5 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2015 Volkswagen Golf
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