Volkswagen · GTI · 2009
2
Recalls
167
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2009 Volkswagen GTI has 2 recalls and 167 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: service brakes (30 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
The 2009 Volkswagen GTI page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is service brakes with 30 reported complaints.
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Volkswagen Jetta A5 Sedan, 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, Eos, GTI, Rabbit and Audi A3 vehicles, and 2010 Volkswagen Golf A6 vehicles. The Antilock Brake System (ABS) control unit may fail during ABS or Electronic Stability Control (ESC) activation, possibly causing a loss of vehicle control.
Remedy Status
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS control module software to improve the module's self-testing abilities. Any module that fails the new diagnostic test will be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 2008 AND AUGUST 2009. THE WIRING HARNESS OF A TEMPERATURE SENSOR IN THE DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX (DSG) MAY HAVE CONNECTOR WIRES THAT WERE INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED. WITH INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED CONNECTOR WIRES, A TEMPERATURE SENSOR HAS THE POTENTIAL TO FALSELY DETECT A HIGH GEARBOX OIL TEMPERATURE, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO ABRUPTLY SHIFT TO NEUTRAL. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE SELECTOR LEVER POSITION INDICATOR WITHIN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL FLASH. IN ADDITION, THE "DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL" INDICATOR LIGHT WILL BE ILLUMINATED, ALERTING THE DRIVER TO APPLY THE BRAKES.
Remedy Status
VOLKSWAGEN WILL REPROGRAM THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE WITH UPDATED SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the ABS control unit indicator light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a communic...
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The warning light went on engine oil pressure off. Search manual. Then it wouldn't start. But lights where on so we put a new starter. But it wouldn't turn the engine. So We thought it must be the battery needs a jump start. And then wire from battery to starter caught on fire?...
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The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated while driving 35-40 MPH, the ABS warning light, traction control warning light, and the brake warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service B...
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I recently purchased this used car and discovered that there is a recall on it. I made an appointment for the recall service. Prior to the appointment, the ABS warning light came on while driving the car. I took the car to University Volkswagen. They charged me for a diagnost...
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ABS MODULE HAS BEEN KNOWN TO BE DEFECTIVE ON THIS MODEL YEAR VOLKSWAGEN GTI. SOME VINS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT USES THE SAME ABS SYSTEM AND ABS MODULE THAT HAS BEEN KNOWN TO BE DEFECTIVE. ALL VINS THAT USE THIS ABS MODULE SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL ...
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AFTER DRIVING MY CAR FOR FIVE MINUTES, I HEARD A LOUD "POP" FROM THE CAR'S RIGHT SIDE. I LOOKED OVER AND OBSERVED THAT MY RIGHT SIDE VIEW MIRROR WAS BLACK BUT STILL INTACT. WHEN I PULLED OVER AND EXITED MY CAR, I FELT THE MIRROR WHICH FELT TO NO LONGER BE FLAT BUT WARPED IN VARIO...
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MY CAR WAS AFFECTED BY THE 2017 RECALL FOR THE ABS MODULE. I WAS DRIVING AROUND A CORNER AND HIT BRAKES TO SLOW A LITTLE, THE ABS/TRACTION CONTROL/STEERING LIGHT(S) CAME ON AND MY BRAKES LOCKED MOMENTARILY CAUSE ME TO SLIDE. I CALLED LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED. THE...
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VEHICLE HAS A RECALL FOR THE ABS MODULE, I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE VW OF MURIETTA CALIFORNIA DEALER TO GET THE RECALL TAKEN CARE OF ON 1/11/20 AND THEY CLAIMED THAT THEY ASSUMED THAT THE MODULE HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE AND THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA TO CLEAR THE RECA...
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MY PRNDS LIGHTS FLASHING. WHEN I PUT CAR IN D OR R NOTHING HAPPENS. ACTS LIKE ITS IN NEUTRAL. HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING 65MPH ON WHY. FIX THIS PROBLEM NOW.
WHILE TAKING THE KIDS TO SCHOOL, MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND STEERING ASSIST LIGHT CAME ON FOLLOWED BY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND A LOSS OF DRIVE.AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO AN OFFICIAL VW DEALERSHIP THEY SPENT 2 DAYS DIAGNOSING THE 6 PAGES OF FAULTS THAT CAME UP AND INFORMED M...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 167 total
View Full Complaint LogThe strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2009 Volkswagen models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
The 2009 Volkswagen GTI has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 167 owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Volkswagen GTI.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2009 Volkswagen GTI.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2009 Volkswagen GTI are service brakes (30 reports), power train (24 reports), electronic stability control (esc),service brakes (20 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2009 Volkswagen GTI. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.