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 1 of 4)

problem #68

Aug 252022

GTI

  • 17,000 miles

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

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 Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control). Upon reprogramming the ABS module, the dealer informed the contact the ABS module failed the diagnostic test and needed to be replaced; however, the dealer informed the contact that he had to pay for the repair even though the recall remedy stated that the ABS module replacement was free of charge. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000.

- Oceanside, NY, USA

problem #67

Apr 152020

GTI 4-cyl

  • 115,000 miles
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 recall in the system. Then on 4/10/20 I took the vehicle to the same dealer for an unrelated issue and mentioned the still active recall, they then proceeded to tell me that the module was unable to be updated and that I would have to pay an estimate of $1800 to fix the recall. On 4/16/20 I called VW of America to which their response was that VW of murrieta did not have an open claim with them about my vehicle.

- Temecula, CA, USA

problem #66

May 082020

GTI 4-cyl

  • 88,000 miles
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 dealer stated(and VW America) that because they were unable to pull codes from the module I would need to pay to replace it myself and then they could perform the recall. This is complete and utter stupidity. The module was recalled due to failures. They should cover the complete cost to replace and recode. I was quoted $2100 my car only has 88,000 miles and well taken care of.

- Bullard, TX, USA

problem #65

Nov 012019

GTI

  • 125,000 miles

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

A number of warning lights come on when the car is turned on and sound alarms come on and off while driving. The steering wheel moves on its own at times and the speedometer does not work. I took the car to my local VW dealer located in countryside il (autobarn) knowing that there is a recall on the ABS system. The dealer explained that the ABS module was not working and needed replacement ($2,400) parts and labor and that the recall did not cover what is wrong with the part.

- Lyons, IL, USA

problem #64

Dec 192019

GTI

  • 62,300 miles
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 me that the ABS module has failed and will require replacement.

- Longwood, FL, USA

problem #63

Sep 162019

GTI

  • 80,000 miles
ABS code 16352 present. Car lost consistent electronic steering assistance making for varying steering wheel resistance during turning. Most dash information (speed, fuel gauge, etc.) fluctuated. This issue needs to be addressed for all VW vehicles with ABS control module issues, not just some. I brought this to the attention of VW and was told that the specific fault I threw was not covered (under existing recalls) even though all ABS control module issues result in eventual failure of dash cluster as well as obvious safety concerns (which is exactly what happened resulting in ongoing costly shop visits).

- Casselberry, FL, USA

problem #62

Jul 142019

GTI

  • 59,000 miles

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

About two weeks ago while driving straight on a city street in dry conditionat a steady speed the ESC light on my dash came on and would not go out until I had parked the car for some time and restarted it. The light then came back on again after about 5 minutes of driving, this time it was accompanied by the electric power steering warning light which began to flash orange, then was solid orange and then flashed between orange and red. When the electric steering light is orange the steering assistance is reduced when straightening after cornering, however when it is red there is no power assistance and this condition can happen at any speed and at anytime without warning. Now yesterday(7/14/2019) when driving at 40mph in a straight line in the dry, the engine fail! workshop now!, esp, epc, electro steering, cel and ABS warning lights came on accompanied by a chime and the speedo went from 40 to 0 and back up again while in motion. Quite disconcerting to have all that happen at once. After all the lights went out the vehicle seemed to be ok until I attempted to pull out of a gas station at which time with the vehicle in drive I pressed the accelerator and the revs went up but the vehicle did not move until the third attempt. I have read on line that this maybe a result of an ABS module failure but my VIN doesn't pull up any recalls and my vehicle is out of warranty. Not only does this sound like it will be an expensive repair, it is also a hugh safety issue! unfortunately I don't have any pictures as it is completely random and not safe to try and take pictured while driving.

- Longwood, FL, USA

problem #61

Jan 172018

GTI

  • 150,000 miles
While driving the vehicle on street roads and highways the car will shift down into a unknown gear and all lights start flashing putting the car into a neutral that doesn't fix until it's restarted.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #60

Apr 102019

GTI

  • 100,000 miles
The vehicle shifted gears in motion while driving on city streets. Parked the car in may of 2017 and haven't driven it since. VW has refused to take responsibility, even though I've brought the issue of the vehicle having trouble switching to reverse from a parked position while I was at the dealership for service. Have received multiple occasions where the ABS/check engine light came on. Repeatedly taking it into the dealership to no avail. ** note: VW has refused to repair the issues "free of charge" as stated. That I'd have to pay for inspection by a dealership and since I'm 'out of warranty', I'm sure they'd charge me for the service as well. In addition, there was no 'open inspections' done to look into the recall before my purchase of the vehicle as a pre-owned certified car from the VW dealership. This was in Dec. 2010. ** tried submitting this before, which caused an error and fail. It erased all my data. Please review my attached document.

- Encino, CA, USA

problem #59

Jun 082018

GTI

  • 100,000 miles
Without warning, the ABS module in the car failed, giving warning lights on the dash and making the car undriveable. Recall work was pursued with the a VW dealer and Volkswagen of America, but the recall work was denied, saying this failure was outside the scope of the recall. Car has not been repaired.

- Rockford, IL, USA

problem #58

Jul 222018

GTI

  • 80,300 miles

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

ABS faliure. ABS warning light activates, activates sporadically while driving randomly, braking ability is hampered, does not work normally. Occassionally antilock breaks engage at low speed breaking. Brakes do not function normally. Speedometer experienced malfunction, fluctuations not related to speed occured. Stability malfunctioned during breaking and automatic downshifting.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #57

Jun 132018

GTI

  • 89,000 miles
My gear indicator lights (prnds) flash and my car either will not engage into gear or will limp. It has done it several times while driving on the highway. It will slam into a low gear causing RPM to max to 8000 and acts as if I slammed on the breaks. Also the number 3 fuse on top started smoking and melted inside the fuse box. Feared my car was king to catch fire.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #56

Nov 202017

GTI

  • 85,000 miles
While driving lights flashing, speedometer stops working, fuel gauge stops working. Steering wheel moves funny. There is a recall on the program that they installed but now they just say that the unit needs to be replaced. They are asking $2400 for the repair but there are many complaints on the internet from many owners.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #55

Feb 132017

GTI

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Gti. While driving various speeds, the antilock brake system (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC) warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ABS module malfunctioned and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure continued intermittently until the warning indicators remained illuminated at all times. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V913000 (service brakes, hydraulic, ESC). The vehicle was then taken to gunther Volkswagen of fort lauderdale (1660 S state rd 7, fort lauderdale, fl 33317, (954) 797-1660) where it was confirmed that the ABS module needed replacement. The vehicle was not serviced per the recall because insufficient pcu ground connection was not detected. The manufacturer stated that the module could not be included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

- Davie, FL, USA

problem #54

Dec 082017

GTI

  • 104,000 miles
My vehicle has experienced exactly what NHTSA campaign # 16V913000 and it is the model and year as listed in the campaign. With ignition on and while driving all of a sudden 4-5-possibly 6 lights come on my dashboard a chime starts dinging and the ABS, ESC, airbag, epc, barke pedal lights illuminate on dash along with either the speedo or tachometer start jumping. Vehicle can be stationary or driving but vehicle must be running.

- Westlake, OH, USA

problem #53

Aug 252017

GTI

  • 0 miles
ABS control module. ABS light, traction light and blinking E-brake light. No traction control or ABS while driving.

- Rialto, CA, USA

problem #52

Aug 212017

GTI

  • 66,000 miles
I got a recall for the ABS module for my 2009 Volkswagen Gti. When I brought it to Volkswagen I was told the recall went through but there is codes that are not covered by the recall. With that being said I have to pay 2,600 dollers for a new ABS module. I have done research and it seems to be an issue with most 2009 Gti's why hasn't there been a recall on the actual module its self since so many are having issues.

- Hainesport, NJ, USA

problem #51

Sep 062016

GTI

  • 55,000 miles
I submitted a complaint last year with complaint #: 10907462. Summary of the unexpected ABS module breakdown that happened last year. The module broke down the first time on 09/06/216 on my way to work and it occurred while I was driving on the highway. I slowed down the speed to around 45 after I lost control of the vehicle when it happened and the lights and beeping did not stop with the engine light turned on. The car was eventually towed and repaired (paid out of pocket) at VW dealership. After searching online, the ABS module apparently has been a problem on Gti and gli jetta. Most recently, there is a recall on the ABS modules on certain VW vehicles; however my car was not one of them even though it is the same part that almost caused me a car crash on the highway! please investigate into this problem and have the VW officially extend their qualification for recalls. It is not right to only recall certain vehicles as other care models/years also use the exact same manufacturer defect ABS modules!

- Somerville, MA, USA

problem #50

May 052017

GTI

  • 81,600 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Gti. While starting the vehicle, the ABS indicator illuminated. Also, while making a turn at various speeds, the instrument panel and the fuel gauge randomly failed. The vehicle was taken to a local ancira Volkswagen dealer located in san antonio, tx where it was diagnosed that the ABS module needed to be updated. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V913000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electronic stability control). The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the codes did not match the faults listed in the recall. The contact was denied the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 81,600.

- Heletos, TX, USA

problem #49

Nov 142014

GTI

  • 72,648 miles
On 11/14/2014, I paid my VW dealer $1102 to have the faulty ABS control module replaced. At the time, my car had 72,648 miles on it. Early in 2017, VW announced a recall of some 2009 cars over the safety issue of a faulty ABS computer. My car was not listed in this recall- but I believe it should be, and I should be compensated for my repair costs.

- Wheat Ridge, CO, USA

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