10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
75,772 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 GTI brakes problems

brakes problem

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2009 Volkswagen GTI Owner Comments (Page 2 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #48

Dec 012016

GTI

  • 96,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Gti. While driving 35 mph, when the brake pedal was depressed, the check engine, ABS, brake, electronic stability control, and epc indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The dealer estimated that the repair would cost $1,500-$2,000. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred several other times. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V913000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electronic stability control). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the manufacturer denied the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer stated that since the ABS module control failed to work, the recall repair could not be performed. The failure mileage was 96,000.

- Goldsboro, NC, USA

problem #47

Dec 122015

GTI

  • 95,120 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Gti. When the brake pedal was depressed at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated to respond and the instrument panel warning indicators flickered on and off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that an unknown steering mechanism failed and the steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ABS control module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V913000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electronic stability control). The failure mileage was 95,120.

- Boca Raton, FL, USA

problem #46

Dec 152015

GTI

  • 55,000 miles
Hello, I recently learned about the recall that Volkswagen has for 2009-2010 Gti's. the recall was for the ABS control module that caused a safety concern to our cars. What I cannot understand is how my friend got a recall ketter and I did not (we have the same exact cars).. my ABS module went out last year and I remember driving on the roads every day without traction, ESC control, pretty much my whole dash was lightened up.. I am a college student and had to pay 1600 dollars out my tuition fund just to pay for this problem that is now a recall a year later! I am wondering if VW figured that my car was good and thought I wouldnt need a recall letter. But guess what, if my friend is getting his Gti ABS module repaired for free by Volkswagen, I think its only fair for me to get my money back that I spent for this problem.. I have the reciepts and I am pretty sure it is in the Volkswagen database!

- Kent, WA, USA

problem #45

Feb 042017

GTI

  • 84,000 miles

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

ABS and stability control lights on permanently. Brake light blinks always. Steering wheel, epc and check engine like all come out intermittently. When steering wheel light is on steering is stiff at low speeds. Speedometer only works intermittently. Engine fault workshop and please refuel come up randomly on the info screen even when gas is full. When speedometer is not working, automatic dsg transmission will randomly downshift gears making car quickly and dangerously decelerate. Has almost caused accidents while driving on wet or snowy roads. Car has also locked doors while in park when speedometer not working, locking me out of the car. Girlfriend also witnessed it happen while waiting in idling car.

- Allston, MA, USA

problem #44

Feb 082017

GTI

  • 145,000 miles
When I brake sometimes the brakes lock up, ABS light comes on, traction control and brake light come on. The lights stay on until I shut off car and restart. Has happened at slow and fast speeds.

- Faribault, MN, USA

problem #43

Jan 192017

GTI

  • 3 miles
The vehicle was in motion when the warning lights for ABS, brake and the ESC systems illuminated making a beep noise, the gas indicator said the car had less gas than really had. While in the road the car lost power. I think it is related with the ABS and stability control recall: NHTSA campaign number: 16V913000. Took it to the dealer, they say they do not have the recall number yet.

- Buford, GA, USA

problem #42

Oct 172016

GTI 4-cyl

  • 74,900 miles

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

2009 75,000 miles. ABS control module failure for the past couple of weeks my car would intermittently throw up the ABS and traction lights but this would go away shortly afterwards. I get in my car about 30 minutes and start driving for maybe 1/16th of a mile and everything just freaks out. Speedometer is dropping to zero (while in motion doing about 15 mph) and fluctuates all over between 0 and 20 mph. Brake light is on. Traction light is on. ABS light is on. Steering light is on. Epc light is on. Check engine light is on. And the mfd is saying "engine fault workshop". as time has gone on it now tends to happen atleast 15+ times a day.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #41

Nov 302016

GTI

  • 118,000 miles
ABS brakes and stability control failure, every time the ABS or stability control is activated the systems immediately fail and dash lights all turn on with three loud chimes. Other times the failure happens during normal driving. Power cycling the vehicle resets everything but the failure will soon occur again. This is a well known problem with 2009 models and in my opinion is dangerous -- ABS & stability control system are critical to safety during emergency braking. Some time ago I had to use the brakes to avoid an accident, my wheels all locked up and my vehicle began to skid sideways -- not what one would expect on a vehicle that comes with ABS brakes. I just now learned I can file a complaint. This issue has been ongoing for over approximately 18 months. I regularly turn the ignition off/on while driving to power cycle and reset the ABS module when it error fails - though I don't expect it to work when needed.

- Cranford, NJ, USA

problem #40

Nov 012015

GTI

  • 60,000 miles
Failed ABS module which makes speedometer, ABS, traction control not work intermittently.

- Akron, OH, USA

problem #39

Aug 122016

GTI

  • 103,000 miles
Was traveling on the interstate around a curve during rush hour traffic and had to apply the brakes pretty hard on that curve. The ABS activated very shortly and then was followed by the ABS light and traction and brake light coming on with an audible chime and the tires then locked up, which then caused the car to start to spin sideways. Luckily was able to correct it before disaster. This has happened on many occasions, basically whenever the ABS is engaged, the system is disabled right in the middle of needing it, very dangerous. I do not have the $1,000+ to fix this problem.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #38

Nov 042016

GTI

  • 106,000 miles

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

First occurrence ABS and traction control lights on dash momentarily while on freeway. Second occurrence, city driving, ABS, traction control, steering dash lights, dash display "engine faulty workshop" along with beeping sound, speedo wildly fluctuating while driving straight at constant speed around 40 mph, then a couple of seconds later the lights go out and everything appears normal. Reading forums of similar issues indicated an expensive replacement of the ABS module. Car has approx 106K miles.

- Camarillo, CA, USA

problem #37

Sep 092016

GTI

  • 115,160 miles
While driving the vehicle steering system became tight, ABS and brake light came on as well as check engine, steering system malfunction, epc and stability control lights lit up on dash. Also, fuel gauge would drop to empty and speedometer went to zero miles per hour while the car was in motion. This happened on a city street going straight or turning.

- Ocklawaha, FL, USA

problem #36

Mar 212016

GTI

  • 52,000 miles
I was driving on the freeway when I had to make a sudden stop. My brakes locked up and my ABS, brake, and ESC lights came on. I tried to regain control but ended up spinning out on the freeway and hitting the guard rail. Had to fix taillight and bumper is scratched. This problem is extremely dangerous because when I was braking I was braking under the impression that my ABS system was working correctly and I did not pump the brakes. I was only notified that my ABS, ESC, and brake were having issues after I was in the panic brake and it was too late to react and start pumping the brakes. The ABS, ESC, and brake lights turn off after the car is restarted but the problem is still there. I have tried braking hard on wet pavement afterwards to test the issue and the ABS, ESC, and brake lights turn on again when the ABS is supposed to engage. I restart the car and there is no warning that the ABS system is having trouble. I began searching for the issue recently and found on a couple forums that many people have been having the same issue. I believe the issue is with the ABS control module. This is extremely dangerous and Volkswagen needs to recall asap.

- Troy, MI, USA

problem #35

Sep 122016

GTI

  • 90,050 miles
ABS module failure after 90K miles. Result in loss of power steering, antilock braking system functionality, and traction control at the same time. Also, prevents speedometer and other gauges from reading accurately. Major safety concern and seems to be an wide issue specific to 2009 VW Gti/rabbits. Manufacturer should be responsible for replacement/compensation to owners.

- Charleston, SC, USA

problem #34

Feb 092016

GTI

  • 60,000 miles
ABS module failure. When I drive during snow and winter and my car starts to slide my dash lights up like a christmas tree and beeps loudly. I got kids and don't want to get into an accident with them in the car because of it. ABS doesn't work like it used to. 2K for a fix is definitely not something that I can stomach. VW needs to step it up before someone gets hurt or killed.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #33

Aug 192016

GTI

  • 88,000 miles
ABS module failure at 88K miles. Multiple fault codes presents with constant beeping and an error message reading " engine fault! workshop! in the heads up display (epc, emergency brake, electronic steering assist off, traction control off fault codes). This is a safety feature failure that can result in loss of power steering, antilock braking system functionality, and traction control at the same time. The failure of this module represents a serious danger to occupants in the vehicle as the safety features are disabled due to the failure of this crucial part. This can happen at any speed while driving/turning.

- Leander, TX, USA

problem #32

Aug 142016

GTI

  • 82,270 miles
At roughly 11pm at night while driving home from the gym the car started beeping and the epc light came on. Shortly after the ABS, check engine light, traction control, brake light(flashing), steering wheel icon, and a message saying engine fault workshop all lit up. I imagine all these lights prompting the car to go into limp mode. My gas gauge stopped working along with the spedometer and the car would only rec about 2K rpms trying to protect itself from further damage(limp mode). Problem would continue on from then. The car won't turn properly as it feels like it's really loose and isn't grabbing the road.

- Marana, AZ, USA

problem #31

Jul 012016

GTI

  • miles
VW 2009 Gti 80K miles. Solid ABS, solid power steering light, solid check engine light, solid traction control, and flashing "brake" lights illuminate on the dashboard occasionally upon turning on the vehicle, accompanied by 3 audible beeps. Then, the ABS, traction control, brake, epc, steering, and check engine lights began to come on while driving. ABS and traction control stay illuminated, while the epc, steering, check engine, and brake lights come on intermittently, accompanied by 3 audible beeps. The message "engine fault - workshop!" also shows up on the message display center in the dash. Steering feels a bit stiff. Speedometer, odometer and fuel gauge affected. Dealer has indicated an internal fault in the ABS control module requiring complete replacement. VW corporate offices unwilling to provide extended warranty on these common failures. Expensive fix and very dangerous to drive.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #30

Jul 262016

GTI

  • 122,000 miles
While driving at speed, "engine workshop" error code followed by ABS, ESC, "brake" traction control, steering warning yelow, steering warning red, and multiple dings and alarms. Speedometer goes to zero, car is slugginsh... when stopped, the brakes seem soft unless "pumped up" I am concerned that the vehicle controls are not relaible.

- Granite Bay, CA, USA

problem #29

Jun 202016

GTI

  • 108,000 miles
2009 VW Gti. ABS, traction control, brake, epc, cel and steering wheel light come on. 3 beeps sound. Speedometer doesn't work. After searching, this appears to be a common issue with the ABS control module. Power steering seems to turn off and on unexpectedly and is quite dangerous while driving. ABS won't work and traction control turns off and on unexpectedly.

- Cedar Park, TX, USA

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