2015 Volkswagen GTI Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 7%of 97 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 11,400miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the brakes of the 2015 Volkswagen GTI, 7% of the 97 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 11,400 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.
“I encountered a close red light and braked hard enough to activate ABS from 35 MPH in dry road conditions on a suburban highway. When I took my foot off the brake and applied gas after the green light, the car began to travel backwards! I braked again and found that the gear shifter had gone into the reverse position. I believe the braking deceleration caused the gear shifter to travel forward against any mechanical restraint and come to rest in the reverse setting.”
NHTSA complaint #10865854, filed 2016-05, 13,000 miles“After driving home from the gas station after replacing my tires going about 50mph. My brake fluid light came on and the brakes did not work at all. Lucky I was able to down shift and e brake on the city street. I took it to the firestone mechanic. Thinking the hit a line or cut a line on accident. After inspection nothing was cut or broken. After opening the hood it reviled no brake fluid at all. After removing parts it was then discovered that the master cylinder was leaking in the firewall. After going online to the forums I noticed other people are having this problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10967351, filed 2017-03, 25,000 miles“Car with 9000 miles had brake failure. Brake pedal went all the way to the floor and barely stopped. Turned out to be a bad master cylinder on a car with 9k miles, after further research there are multiple cases of this similar issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11047132, filed 2017-11, 9,800 miles“The emergency parking hand brake won't engage until after around an average of 5 attempts. The hand brake button and spring behind it is also loose and pops off. I'm unable to drive with it on, or else it can pop off and fall to the floor. This causes issues as now I'm unable to use the emergency hand brake in an event of an emergency, which is what the purpose of the emergency hand brake is for.”
NHTSA complaint #11466384, filed 2022-05“The dealership left the shipping blocks/pucks/discs on the struts. This is a common problem as evidenced through many online forums. The dealership and many others claim that this does not cause a problem; however, the blocks prevent the suspension from doing its job, which is absorbing impact, improving braking, and helping the wheels maintain contact with the ground. I drove over 18000 miles not realizing that they were on (I just thought I have a tight suspension). I have now lost 4 tires (premature wear and bubbles/punctures) and have damage to the strut and steering knuckle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10766672, filed 2015-09Related service bulletins
- 10214795Jun 22, 2022Brake Rotor, Vibration / Pulsation. Addition of mandatory brake form and reference to Volkswagen Warranty Policy and Procedures Manual.
- 10207832Feb 3, 2022Brake Rotor, Vibration / Pulsation Instruction (U.S. Only)
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 | 24% |
| 2023 | 1 | 17% |
| 2022 | 2 | 7% |
| 2018 | 6 | 35% |
| 2017 | 1 | 2% |
| 2016 | 2 | 3% |
| 2015 | 7 | 7% |
| 2014 | 1 | 10% |
| 2013 | 2 | 6% |
| 2012 | 5 | 13% |
| 2011 | 1 | 2% |
| 2010 | 3 | 6% |
| 2009 | 98 | 59% |
| 2006 | 2 | 5% |
| 2003 | 2 | 4% |
| 2002 | 4 | 3% |
| 2001 | 4 | 5% |
| 2000 | 3 | 7% |
| 1998 | 3 | 30% |
| 1996 | 1 | 11% |
| 1995 | 2 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2015 Volkswagen GTI
40 complaintsFuel system
20 complaintsOther or unknown
20 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsForward collision avoidance
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2015 Volkswagen GTI
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