10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
69,244 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2009 Volkswagen Rabbit brakes problems

brakes problem

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2009 Volkswagen Rabbit Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #39

Nov 302023

Rabbit

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I am making a complaint against volkswagen for refusing to perform the abs safety recall. The ABS module is dead, I found out the hard way that I have no ABS or traction control. I stopped on the highway and lost control, I could have died and the van that hit me twice could did worse. The dealer refuses to perform the recall and is completely unhelpful. Yes there were warning lights and thats why I took it to the dealer. P.S. This happened a day before the accident. Two different VW dealers refused to perform the ABS module recall on my car even though Volkwagen customer care called to make my appointment, the car was too old, the repair was to expensive and also that the module wasnt communicating. It specifically says it in the recall, that if the module is not responding to replace it. The next day when I driving the car on the highway, I stepped on the brakes and the car started spinning on the highway, It spun into another lane and hit another car. I realized that the car did exactly what a car with no ABS would do.

- Milton, GA, USA

problem #38

Oct 152018

Rabbit

  • 30,000 miles
ABS, , electronic stability control is blinking, thats mean the ABS module is fail

- San Fernando, CA, USA

problem #37

Jan 012017

Rabbit

  • miles
NHTSA campaign number: 16V913000 lists 2009 Volkswagen Rabbits to be affected in this recall. I am currently facing the same exact issue described and my car also matches this description. However, when I did a VIN search, it shows that this car is not listed. Can I get my car onto the list?

- Clackamas, OR, USA

problem #36

Jan 072019

Rabbit

  • 146,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When driving, my 09 Rabbit, the power staring light will flash yellow to red and then stay red, I'm jerked to the side, right and left. On some occasions when making a right turn, it feels as though I'm being sling shot forward, I have a terrible wobble and when this happens I cannot accelerate over 45 without the car sounding like a helicopter, my ac and ABS light will flash on then off sporadically. My transmission slips periodically and this happens regardless if I'm on the highway or city streets. I have been to four mechanics, I've had the right front axle replaced, tires rotated and balanced, a new battery and a front end alignment. Luckily the last mechanic I took the car to hooked it up to his machine and got codes for the electronic stability control malfunction and ABS module malfunction. I have checked the recall site and both modules have been recalled for my make, model and year, however my VIN is not included.

- New Braunfels, TX, USA

problem #35

Nov 012017

Rabbit

  • 95,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit. The contact took the vehicle to mckenna Volkswagen (18303 studebaker road, cerritos ca, 90703, 1-855-995-7761) for NHTSA campaign number: 16V913000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electronic stability control) in 2017. The vehicle failed the diagnostic module test and the dealer refused to replace the ABS control module as stated in the recall. The manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 95,000.

- Downey, CA, USA

problem #34

Apr 052018

Rabbit

  • 118,000 miles
ABS brake module failed deactivating ESC and power steering causing unexpected over steer and under steer, causing momentary loss of control of vehicle. Recall issued and new software flashed to module. Vwoa failed to replace faulty module problem still exists. Failure occurred on a clear dry afternoon in city driving at 45 miles an hour in a curve. Almost put vehicle in ditch.

- Hephzibah, GA, USA

problem #33

Feb 262019

Rabbit

  • 127,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 16V913000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electronic stability control). The contact took the vehicle to crestmont Volkswagen (730 NJ-23, pompton plains, NJ 07444, (973) 839-4000). After updating the software for the ABS, the dealer discovered that the ABS hydraulic pump was not working and would cost $2,500 to repair. The dealer stated that the failure was not related to the recall. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 127,000.

- Haskell, NJ, USA

problem #32

Oct 292018

Rabbit

  • 63,752 miles
5/31/18 took car in for the ABS module recall. They did a "system update" less then six months later when driving all of a sudden every light on the dash started flashing and the car became difficult to steer and break so we immediately took it to the dealership. At first they said it needed the fans replaced so we paid $980.88 to have that done. When driving the car home from the dealership all the lights started flashing again and so we took it back to the dealership and after two weeks at the dealership and "39 different communication codes" they said the ABS module failed completely and needs replaced. I called cooperate VW for help but cooperate VW refuses to replace the module as part of the recall because " it doesn't show a certain code" and "it didn't fail at the time they did the system update". this is over a $2000 fix and we are unable to afford it. I am left paying on a car I still owe $4000 on that isn't safe to drive because I can't afford an additional $2000 to fix a know problem that Volkswagen won't fix. This is heartbreaking and beyond upsetting when the local dealership "agrees that cooperate should fix it but there is nothing he can do". he even said that this is "a major problem with a majority of the cars he has been working on". it's just not right!!!

- Cape Coral, FL, USA

problem #31

Jul 082017

Rabbit

  • miles
ABS module. The ABS light and other lights came on. VW released a recall. After taking it to the dealership they said they will only replace for free if there is an issue with the ground on the module. They are trying to charge $1500+ to replace the module.

- Rock Hill, SC, USA

problem #30

Jan 012016

Rabbit

  • miles
2009 volkswagon Rabbit. Consumer writes in regards to ABS failure. The consumer stated there was a recall for the failure. The vehicle was not included in the failure. The consumer requested to be reimbursed for the cost of repairs. Updated 10/31/2017

- Sedro Woolley, WA, USA

problem #29

Aug 202017

Rabbit

  • 64,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit. The contact stated that the steering column moved independently. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V913000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electronic stability control); however, the dealer refused to perform the repair. The contact stated that Volkswagen of edmond (14220 broadway extension hwy) diagnosed that before they could perform the remedy, the ABS pump needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #28

Jul 172015

Rabbit

  • 84,107 miles
ABS module failure occurred 10 days after replacing battery and alternator. I have nearly crashed quite a few times when braking (not hard) due to the wheels locking up and car begins to fish tail, this occurs on dry or wet pavement. Mostly take back roads when driving as I am unsure how safe my car is on the interstate and if sudden braking is needed how my car will fair.

- Everett, WA, USA

problem #27

Jul 282017

Rabbit

  • 146,000 miles
About 4 years ago, I was driving on the freeway, heading home from work. The cars ahead had hit their brakes, so I began to hit my brakes and immediately felt them lock up and my car began fishtailing. It then spun around 180 degrees, inches away from hitting a truck behind me head-on. After this point, I was always weary of hitting my brakes in an emergency situation because I never felt I had control of the car. It wasn't until I researched the ABS issues with VW did I realize this could have been directly related to the faulty piece. In July of 2017, the ABS and brake lights came on while we were leaving a parking lot, and stayed on. These lights were accompanied by the check engine, epc, air bag, gas and steering system lights, and the speedometer also stopped working. The car also began to handle strangely, and wouldn't rev higher than 4000 rpms. After researching what could be causing this, we came across many ABS module failures that sounded exactly like what we had happening. We then came across the VW ABS module recall from 5 months before, and after calling VW to verify we indeed were part of the recall, they told us to take the car to a dealer and they would take care of it. We made the appointment, and took the car in. The car was in their shop for 3 days before they let us know that we didn't fall under the recall requirements, and VW was in fact not going to fix anything with the ABS module. Instead, they gave us a $1400 quote to fix the faulty module. We are now stuck paying nearly half of what the car is worth to make it safe to drive, even though there are many issues with their ABS module, and they initially told us we qualified to get it fixed.

- Oakland, CA, USA

problem #26

Apr 292017

Rabbit

  • 122,000 miles
The current recall (manufacturer recall 45F2, NHTSA recall 16V913) for the known ABS control module faulty grounding issue is woefully inadequate, as it allows those already suffering from the faults that the software update is designed to be more sensitive to are unable to receive satisfaction. If either or both of the faults that would necessitate a module replacement after a software update are present prior to the software update, the software update cannot be performed & Volkswagen will take no further action. Essentially, those vehicles that have a module that has already failed are not being repaired while those that have not yet failed (but may be susceptible or starting to fail) are being repaired. These specific faults (01130 - 125/4th and/or 16352 - 96/4th) are for detecting a bad ground due to an improper solder used in the modules. It should not matter if those faults are present prior to a software update or after a software update that is ostensibly designed simply to better detect those exact faults. The fault begins as an intermittent fault that is caused by hard braking or hitting a bump but can be cleared by a vehicle restart. Over time, if the module is not replaced, the solder on the ground degrades further & the fault becomes more semi-constant & cannot be simply cleared. The way that the current recall is worded allows VW to deny the recall work simply because of the degree of degradation to the grounds. Over time, this fault can interfere with the speedometer, tachometer and transmission shifting of automatic transmission vehicles. And on both automatic & manual transmission vehicles, causes a very unsafe failure of the traction control system when cornering or stopping in normal daily road conditions (brakes locking, rear-end losing traction, etc)

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #25

Jul 142017

Rabbit

  • 100,000 miles
As per NHTSA 16V-913 my Volkswagen Rabbit has been presenting the symptoms stated in the safety recall. The ABS light, electronic stability control, and brake light have come on numerous times and hard braking, and in not so hard braking in the snow. He problem has progressively worsened to the point that these lights no longer go out after and ignition cycle. I am essentially driving without ABS or stability control, one of the main reasons I purchased this car. The code for U0121 lost communication with anti-lock brake system (ABS) control module no longer clear with a hand held code reader or a laptop running ross-tech's vcds software. I took my broken Volkswagen to danbury VW in danbury ct to perform the safety recall (16V-913). Because of not being able to communicate with the ABS control module to upload the new software, they have denied the recall and say I must foot the bill to replace the module so they can then upload the new software to see if they get the code for faulty solder joint. Volkswagen is trying to side step this issue. I believe my car would have been able to upload the software when this issue first started happening, but now the ABS control module has completely failed, probably due to the bad solder compound. Now they are denying claims, I am not the only one. The nthsa needs to look deeper into this problem.

- Carmel, NY, USA

problem #24

Feb 232013

Rabbit

  • 50,000 miles
I had observed twice that the ABS and brake system lights illuminated under heavy braking. I read the service manual and several VW forums and my understanding was that this was normal under what is called 'emergency break'. I both cases turning the ignition off and on again restored the car to normal. On February 2013 the ABS/ESC system failed and the car crashed against a wall while braking before a turn. Airbags did not deploy. We were two passengers on board: Brian foxe and myself. Fortunately, none got hurt although I had to be picked up by paramedics. We both have taken that turn many times and we could not explain what went wrong went we used the brakes before the turn. We never understood what happened until I got the recall. Since then, the ABS failure had caused at least the following: -suffering from the crash and incredible amounts of stress which required therapy -I had to buy another car asap and I bought another 2007 Rabbit -the 2009 Rabbit was finally put back together on July August 2013 -the 2009 Rabbit would lose ABS/ESC at the sightless break so it has been sitting as a backup car since then. -the car was serviced for a transmission issue on 2016 (Volkswagen customer care 160612855) and after it came back from the dealer the symptoms disappeared. That makes me believe that either: Ovw knew about ABS/ESC issues (safety recall 45F2) and preventively updated the ECU. Othe ECU was updated as a routine or as part of the transmission service. As per today, I believe I have a Rabbit that has already had the ECU upgraded and cannot be diagnosed anymore. However, I have evidence and witnesses of what happened

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #23

May 062017

Rabbit

  • 99,424 miles
Vehicle was taken to a Volkswagen dealership to perform an ABS software update as per the Volkswagen recall notice. Prior to service, vehicle did not display any warning lights or alarms sounds that would indicate service needed. Per the dealership, the ABS software update was performed and as a result a failure code was detected that did not match the failure code identified per the recall test plan. Per the dealership, the ABS repair and software update could not be completed because the failure code found is not identified per the recall test plan. Per the dealership, there is no understanding of the fault code received, whether it may have been the result of the software update, or perhaps an error performed by the technician, and that no further diagnostics would be performed. Per the dealership, the ABS needs to repair at the expense of the vehicle owner and that the drivability of the vehicle may be a concern. Dealership instructed vehicle owner to contact Volkswagen customer service to determine if service could be performed and expense covered by the manufacturer warranty. Per Volkswagen customer service, there is no understanding as to why the fault code was detected after performing the ABS software update and that additional service, including diagnostics, would not be performed other than at the expense of the vehicle owner. At vehicle ignition, the ABS and brake warning lights are flashing and the alarm sound is heard. The ABS and brake warning lights continue to flash while the vehicle is in operation and motion.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #22

Apr 112017

Rabbit

  • 54,000 miles
I just purchased my used 2009 VW Rabbit. The ABS light came on, traction, break light, esp. Went to the dealership and they stated the ABS pump was not functioning. Many Volkswagen owners with cars within the ABS recall years have the same exact issue and Volkswagen recall will only cover the module portion and not the ABS pump (of course the most expensive part). I was quoted an insane price for the repairs and the part that needs repairs, when purchased, just happens to come with the recalled part (the electronic module). I called Volkswagen and they stated that the recall was only for tge electronic portion and I would have to take care of the pump. I believe this faulty electronic module has everything to do with the pump failing.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #21

Dec 202016

Rabbit

  • 62,000 miles
I believe the faulty ABS was the reason I got in a car accident on Dec 20, 2016 and again on March 14, 2017. On Dec 20, I was driving on the highway in Chicago, after recent snow, so roads were a little wet. 2 other cars hit each other in front of me, so I pressed the brake pedal with more than enough distance between me and them to stop in time in most correctly functioning cars. When I put brakes on, I realized I wasn't slowing down quick enough, and ended up hitting the car in front of me. I originally attributed it to conditions, but now I believe bad ABS allowed this accident to happen. On March 14, I was also driving on the highway after recent snow, and a little snow fell on the lane in front of me (I think from 18-wheel truck in right lane), I applied brakes, started fishtailing, and ended up loosing control and ended up doing 180 before another car hit me. Both times driving speed was slow, nobody got hurt in accidents. Again, I've driven in rain, sleet, snow, and ice alot of the years and never had problems, so I believe the bad ABS allowed this accident to happen

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #20

Mar 082017

Rabbit

  • 114,000 miles
ABS brake module. Computer loses communication with ABS brake module, power steering is disabled, electronic stability control is disabled odometer and speedometer become diabled. When this happens it can cause over steer and under steer. Almost caused accident on two occasions. Recall sent, VW still won't fix the issue. Previous complaint listed.

- Hephzibah, GA, USA

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