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.
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.
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.
ABS module failure after 100K miles. Three chimes, "engine fault workshop" warning comes up, warning lights for ABS, esp, steering, brakes, everything. Happens randomly, often on turns, goes back to normal after a while except for ABS and check engine lights. Apparently this is a standard problem for this year/model.
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.
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.
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.
When driving the car, a lot of the warning lights flash out of nowhere. The ABS light, traction, power steering, epc lights all flash. I also lose power steering. On top of that, the speedometer does not work. This happens abruptly and sometimes at high speeds. It is extremely dangerous. From what I've read, it is the ABS module failing. This seems to be a common problem of 09 Gtis and needs to be recalled!
Solid light in dashboard / ABS in orange / brake in red with 3 beeps everytime I turn on the car sometimes gets complicated eith epc light and "take to the shop" engine mslfunction
I have a 2009 Volkswagen Gti and my ABS lights are on as well as engine workshop fault, three beeps, check engine, epc and traction control and brake light. This is a common problem with the make and model and year of vehicle. This should be recalled upon asap. This is a serious safety issue.
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.
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 modules are failing on 2009 Gti's and possibly more years. ABS, traction control, and esp lights up and stays on for the rest of the drive, and the car has no traction control or ABS. Its incredibly dangerous because it happens while turning or braking, and halfway through the brakes lock up sending the car into a twirl.
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.
ABS module is going out, causing the traction control to turn off, engine light to turn on, assisted steering to turn off and ABS to turn off. It is all intermediate turing off an on. These will all turn on and off while driving and or parked. Highway or in town.
The Bosch ABS brake pump has failed. This causes the brakes to lose ABS and traction control capability in the event of hard braking event. This issue re-sets with every ignition cycle and suddenly re-appears during the braking event. This has happened to me three times, 1st time was complete surprised and spun 360 degrees in the road, luckily no one was around. VW diagnosed issue, $2500, refused to pay or acknowledge this is an issue, despite many complaints. In the past two months, I have slid across two lanes of traffic over a curb thru a business front yard, luckily no damage to me or vehicle. Next I slid again, when the brakes failed and hit a curb, $1500 damage to my car. VW again has refused to pay for the brake pump failure. There are many complaints on Gti blogs, VW cares twitter account. In some cases VW has paid for have consumer vehicle fixed, but in my case they denied twice. Once before and once after I had an accident. My VW case manager said my claim was denied, no real reason. I live in Michigan, so our winters are long and snow filled, I fear everytime I get on the road in could be my last. I won't let my family drive this car. I don't want me or some else to die because of this issue. During the event, the brakes completely lock up, leaving the driver with no control in what must be an situation if you were braking hard to begin with. I find this issue to much much worse than their diesel rigging scheme. This failure will actually kill people. VW has also had Bosch improve or fix this issue on later Gti models. I can't understand why an issue like this is not recalled. One lost life is too many.
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.
ABS light comes on while driving, along with E brake light, traction control light. Dealer says it's the ABS module. Car has 33,400 miles. ABS light will go off after restarting but will keep going into the fault code out of the blue while driving. Car will skid if excessive braking is needed. Dangerous for owner and other people. ABS module should be recalled but again with VW current situation with diesels it's no wonder they won't backup a defective ABS module.
Faulty ABS control module. ABS and traction control lights go solid, brake light blinks, whenever ABS kicks in (happens anytime it snows). Then the ABS will not work again until the car is shut off and turned on again. VW you need to fix this, or people will die in accidents because of no ABS!! my car only has 40,500 miles.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Troy, MI, USA