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.
Beginning around 55K miles (car was approximately 6 years old) I occasionally would experience a chime followed by ABS light flashing when taking tight turns. It turned off when cycling the engine off/on. Also, sometimes there would be three chimes upon starting the car followed by ABS and ESC warning lights flashing. This could not be removed by cycling the engine off/on. It would stay on while driving and only go away randomly the next time I restarted it later; sometimes it would stay on for many consecutive stops/starts. The symptom of the three chimes upon startup got more frequent recently (70K miles). It would appear almost every day. I researched this on web chat forums and the symptoms appeared to be consistent with other 2009 VW Gti drivers experiencing ABS control module failure. I also consulted my local VW mechanic and he concurred my symptoms were 'early onset' failure and anecdotally he said the 2009 VW Gti control modules have a reputation of early failure. It is worth noting the condition renders the ESC and ABS non-functional. I took the car to the dealer at 73500 miles and he diagnosed ABS control module failure and said it was dangerous to drive. I asked for a goodwill warranty extension and got it; the unit was replaced which appears to have fixed the issue. Luckily, I did not ever encounter a situation that tested the driveability of the car with those systems disabled.
My ABS pump & module were determined to need replacement. Searching online, it seems a large number of people with the 2009 model are having this issue. I was quoted at $2200 to fix it. I was driving on a city street to a restaurant after my wedding and the ABS, traction control and brake lights all came on. Days later the car started to rev weird and the speedometer would not work.
For several weeks, solid ABS, solid traction control, and flashing "brake" lights would 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. In addition, while the car is in motion, the speedometer will repeatedly alternate between the actual speed reading and a reading of 0 mph. When the speedometer drops to 0 mph, the engine rpms increase. Finally, the car sputters and bucks when attempting to accelerate rapidly, and steering feels a bit stiff. The dealer has indicated an internal fault in the ABS control module.
The ABS pump and module died on my '09 VW Gti at just over 50000 miles. When ABS or traction control is called upon, the systems fail, causing the car to lose control. In my case, it happens every time I hit a snowy or icy patch while driving. Also, the ABS, esp, and braking indicator all light up on the dashboard with the braking light flashing and dinging. All maintenance was current on my car. I was not driving excessively when these incidents occurred. VW wants over $2100 to fix the issue. Volkswagen of America denies there are any problems with the '09 Gti ABS system, despite numerous reports across the internet, and has refused my request for financial assistance to correct a problem they say makes the car unsafe to operate.
During any emergency braking situation, my car will lock all four tires and the traction control, ABS, and emergency brake (flashing) lights will turn on. The lights remain on until the car is turned off and on. This is very dangerous fault that appears to be very common on the 2009 Gti. This issue is very easy to reproduce by braking hard from any speed greater than 35 mph. I have been told it is the ABS control module, which is in line with all of the other complaints about the ABS system. Vwoa should recall the ABS control module on the 2009 Gti.
- Fredericksburg, VA, USA
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2009 Volkswagen Gti ABS control module failure. This appears to be a common problem. Driving down the highway and complete system failure occurred. Numerous dash board annunciator lights and loss of speedometer.
Purchased this car brand new from the dealership. Because I lived in the D.C. area, I didn't drive it much, so the car today has about 34K miles. A week ago, I was driving on the highway about 65 mph when the brake light and ABS came on, along with the three warning dings. Took it to the VW dealership on austin, who diagnosed as ABS brake module failure. I found a VW repair shop who would change out the module for $400 less, and I drove it home. Strangely, the lights are off. Based on everything we've found online, this is a serious safety issue for this car. First, the lights should not be shutting off as if the problem has disappeared. Second, a car with this few miles should not have the ABS system failing. VW needs to issue an immediate recall to replace all of these 2009 Gti ABS modules before someone is killed.
ABS, traction control and brake light come on all together. The ABS module is failing. This appears to be a rampant problem with many 2009 Gti's. the bad module also makes power steering go out, as well as the fuel gauge and speedometer not work.
2009 Volkswagen Gti - ABS control module or pump failure. Under normal driving conditions, several dash lights came on including "brake" and "ABS", as well as being accompanied by beeping. The ABS system in the vehicle was no longer active as soon as this happened. Once the car was turned off and back on, the lights were gone and ABS was active. Now, in any inclement weather, this happens and immediately disables the ABS, which is a huge safety hazard. Volkswagen does not currently acknowledge this issue.
ABS and traction control warning lights on the dash had intermittently appeared on several occasion over the past three months while driving at various speeds and conditions. The warning lights would stay on until I turned the car off. Once restarted the lights would be off. On 12-Aug-15 the same warning lights came on when I started the car. They remained on after turning the car off and restarting. Three warning beeps were then heard at several minute intervals until I reach my destination. Other warning lights came on briefly then went out. I was informed by a mechanic that the ABS control module had failed. Based on an internet search I understand this is a common issue with the 2009 VW Gti.
One or more of the breaks locked up on the car. The ABS, epc, traction control, and a number of other lights on the car lit up and began flashing. The car's speedometer and fuel guage stopped working. After the car was restarted most of the errors went away but have since reappeared. Based on the number of posts I'm finding online, this appears to be a wide-spread problem with the 09's.
ABS warning light started coming on. Then a warning light that the right, rear turn signal had failed. One week later the entire dashboard is covered in warning lights, including a "faulty engine workshop" warning light. It appears that ABS control module has failed, leaving me with no ABS braking on a well maintained, 50K mile car. This seems to be rampant problem with the tsi mkv Gti at this mileage. VW of America offered me no assistance. VW should recall this part before they see any accidents lead to serious injuries.
The ABS module failure has been reported many times online. The module will fail causing ABS, traction control, power steering, and engine lights to all come on. Much of the dashboard is lit now. The car reads "engine fault workshop" and the speedometer will drop to 0 mph. The fuel gauge will change from empty to 3/4 to 1/2 while driving. Audible beeps are heard from dash.
I purchased my 2009 Gti Feb 2015 and the carfax was great; however, the ABS control module randomly failed about two months later causing lose of steering and control, this occurred while driving in traffic and it was very scary. Loud warning beeps went off and warning lights started flashing. The warning lights continued flashing until I turned it off. When I restarted the engine, the warning lights were no longer lit and drove it home. I tested my car again minutes after arriving home. It seemed fine, but then it happened again after just a minute of driving it. I took it to the VW dealer service center. They diagnosed the issue to be the ABS module. It needs to be replaced and the cost is $2,260. I called VW and they do not cover the repair costs. This needs to be addressed immediately considering the numerous complaints and the danger this malfunction imposes.
While driving North on I-895 at 55 mph, nearly all of my warning lights appeared on the dashboard, along with "engine fault workshop" on the mass display. The VW dealership indicated that it was the ABS control module. Upon research online, this appears to be a common issue with 2009 VW Gti's. some have reported that the their brakes have completely locked up on them. I called Volkswagen of America, and they deny any issues with this.
When braking in slippery conditions, the ABS light, brake light, and traction control lights come on and the ABS ceases to function, allowing the brakes to lock up and the car to slide. The lights reset when the car is turned off and on but the failure happens every time ABS should be engaged. Effectively, the ABS does not work.
While driving at highway speeds, multiple dashboard lights indicating loss of traction control, anti-lock brakes, and power steering were illuminated. This then caused issues because those systems are not working while the speedometer (would stay at 0mph when driving) and the fuel gauge (moved around randomly from 1/4 to 3/4 full). Looking into this issue I found that several owners of the same make, model, and year have had the exact problem as me.
I was traveling East in the right lane on interstate 44 at approximately 0645 in the am. It was normal heavy morning work traffic going into Oklahoma city, traveling the posted speed of 70 mph. I was following a full size pickup truck and moderate traffic was passing me on my left. Without notice, traffic suddenly slowed to approximately 40 mph, causing me to hit my brakes hard. The ABS system engaged and my car was thrown sideways off the road at approximately 70 mph. I pulled the car back left, causing vehicles in the left lane to swerve to miss hitting me. The ABS and brake light illuminated on my car, indicating a failure however, a dummy could figure out the brakes were not working. There is no doubt in my mind, had my car been thrown left when I hit the brakes I would have been smeared by on coming traffic, likely a fatality. I immediately took my car to Volkswagen and was told I needed a pump/ABS module; a 2500 repair. Understand when I shut the car off and turned it back on, the ABS/brake fault lights clear. I had no indication my ABS system was malfunctioning until I needed brakes. And bam!. after reading forums, its apparent this is an on going problem with 2009 Gtis and it should be an immediate safety concern of Volkswagen. Someone is going to get killed. I've asked for my old parts so I will have them when there are court proceedings against Volkswagen for the injury or death of someone as a result of a failed ABS system. This really does need investigating. Thank you
I was driving around a turn at roughly 60mph on a highway off-ramp during dry conditions when the dashboard chimed and several warning lights illuminated. Both the esp and ABS lights lit and remained lit continuously, and the brake light began to blink continuously. The car still drove normally, so I continued to drive another five minutes to my home. Upon turning off the ignition completely and restarting the car, all three indicator lights were cleared. This same incident occurred on numerous occasions over the following months, during snowy/icy conditions. On any slippery road surface during heavy braking, the three indicator lights would illuminate and the dash would chime. This fault was always cleared by simply restarting the vehicle. However, the ABS system never functioned properly; the brakes would simply lock up when this fault occurred. I brought the vehicle to a dealer to have a proper diagnoses completed, at which point it was determined that the ABS module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The repair cost was estimated at $1700. I contacted VW's corporate North american office several times through phone call and mail, and I was denied coverage or payment assistance, as the vehicle was beyond the bumper-to-bumper warranty. I decided not to worry about the problem until this winter, but last week I had the fault occur again when driving at about 55mph on a wet roadway and hitting my brakes hard to avoid a deer that ran across the road. I was fortunate to miss the deer, but the brakes locked up and the rear-end of the vehicle began to slide around before I let off the brakes. I had another dealer diagnose the issue again, and this time they discovered that the ABS pump and module were both faulty. I just had the repair performed at a cost of about $2,450. I feel this is a serious safety issue that should warrant a recall.
ABS, traction light, and brake light went on during driving. Many 2009 Volkswagen Gtis have the same problem. Its known an koabs module and pump defective.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Sunnyside, NY, USA