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.
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, and the brake pads made grinding sounds. The brake pedal went to the floorboard, but the vehicle failed to stop immediately. The ABS, traction control, and brake warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the speedometer was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control) which was associated with the VIN. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, who performed the recall repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control) by updating the ABS control module software; however, the failure recurred. The dealer informed the contact that the ABS module required replacement but that the part was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 182,000.
The contact-??s daughter owns a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that on several occasions while her daughter was driving at undisclosed speeds, several unknown warning lights intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the ABS had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control). The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ABS control module software needed to be updated and the ABS module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that she would be responsible for the cost of the repair. No additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 228,255.
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS warning light, EPC warning light, and power steering warning light illuminated. The contact mentioned that the EPC warning light and power steering warning lights illuminated intermittently; however, the ABS warning light remained illuminated. Additionally, the transmission failed to shift as needed, and the speedometer failed to function properly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control). The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who informed the contact that they were unable to diagnose the vehicle due to other warning lights being illuminated, not just the ABS warning light. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the ABS and ESC warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle was experiencing the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the failure that the was experiencing was not related to the recall because the computer was not able to communicate with the ABS module. The contact was referred the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 123,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta. The vehicle was taken to heritage Volkswagen and the contact was informed of an ABS failure with the vehicle. Afterwards, the contact was made aware that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V913000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electronic stability control). The vehicle was taken to heritage Volkswagen to be repaired, but there were other issues with the ABS. As a result, the vehicle was no longer eligible for the recall. The manufacturer stated that the campaign was a software issue and they no longer had to assist with the recall. The contact referenced verbiage from the recall, which noted that the ABS control modules with insufficient ground connections would be replaced. The failure mileage was 108,000. The VIN was not provided. Updated 07/19/17
- Middle River, MD, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Rear passenger side brake pad worn down to metal while rear driver side has 5 mm left on it. Dealer indicates a faulty caliper. Would not even entertain the possibility of a sticking left parking-brake cable or not properly adjusted parking cable that might not be letting the left rear caliper release completely (cable readjustment it's a pain since the rear half of the center console has to be disassembled to get access to the primary adjuster nut and mechanics do not like to mess with it). Dealer would not replace rear pads and rotors if I did not also replace the caliper, even though service manager acknowledged that diagnostic was only based on visual inspection and not on taking apart the rear brake assembly to properly inspect the caliper. For the auto technician to know it is a faulty caliper (instead of sticking cable or other issue) without removing it from the vehicle and only upon visual inspection must mean that VW is aware of the faulty calipers and keeping quiet about it until the customer walks into the dealership with the problem. Premature and/or uneven rear brake pad wear appears to be a common issue on Jettas, as has been extensively documented on Jetta owners forums and websites. As indicated by a VW mechanic on an internet forum "VW needs to design into the parking brake adjusting screw inside the rear caliper piston a more robust system to spring the rear calipers piston back away from the pads after brake application. Internal brake adjuster screw spins out as the piston travels out with wear of the pads. Problem is VW knows the adjuster screws internal threads drag too much to allow the natural tendency of the piston O-rings to roll back the piston to the pre brake application usage position of the brake. I have had to replace several calipers to get the calipers that release the pads tension properly after braking application."
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta sportswagen. While the unoccupied vehicle was parked with the engine and emergency brake engaged, it rolled unexpectedly. The contact was able to enter the vehicle, apply the brake pedal and stop the vehicle from moving. The contact detected the rear brake calipers were stuck which caused the emergency brake cable to disengage. The vehicle failure was not diagnosed nor was it repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000.
Excessive wear in brake pad at under 15,000 miles. Both front pads are approx 75% of 'new', the right rear pad 75%+ of 'new', but the left rear (lr) is now very close to metal-on-metal with rotor. Dealer service on 3-10-11 @ 14, 281 miles indicated 3mm remaining on rear (didn't specify left or right or both, but estimate was to replace both). When I went to replace rear pads (now @ 14,990 miles), is when I found out that only the lr is affected, and more importantly it is completely worn. Lost approx 3mm in 700 miles of easy driving? internet searches turns up multiple similar owner complaints of unreasonably excessive (in terms of miles under easy driving) and uneven (in terms of only one pad being affected) wear in pads, possible having to do with caliper 'sticking' (whether in connection with hand brake or otherwise). Independent foreign auto service facility confirms that there is more of a problem than just with the pad itself.
2009 Volkswagen Jetta rear brake defect causes unsafe driving conditions. Car was involved in an accident (minor) where braking was suspected cause at 9000 miles. Bought new 2009 Jetta. Have driven it 20,000 miles. At both 10,000 mile check ups it was determined that the rear brakes were worn to dangerous levels. VW replaced first set now are maintaining that there is no problem and 10K is the right milage to replace brakes. Concern is that many people woudl not expect to replace breaks at 10K miles, especially on the rear brakes. Could lead to dangerous stopping condition.
1) ABS/esp lights came on while cruising at highway speeds. 2) diagnosed as an internal electrical failure of the ABS hydraulic pump. ABS and esp inoperable. 3) hydraulic pump must be replaced for a shocking $2,800!
I am an aerospace engineering consultant. My 09 Jetta had rear passenger caliber, rotor, and brake line replace at 10,000 miles for excessive wear. 1st noticed when going around corners applying brakes a dragging effect would come from rear passenger brake. Dealer could not give any reason for this happening and replace rotor, caliper, and brake line at 10K. Summer time weather. Car exhibited the smell of hot brakes and rubber several times between the next failure. The next failure occurred at 34000 mile. Driver side rotor was so pitted and warped from excessive heat dealer replace rotor and caliper and gave no reason problem. Summer time weather. At 37080 mile on Feb 10 2011 at 4:30 am with outside temperature around 20F degrees I released parking brake and started driving to job site. The car felt like it was straining to accelerate. Within two miles from the house the car pulled violently to left, the ABS light came on and the car stopped into oncoming traffic and would not move. I shut the esp system off car still work not move forward. I drove in reverse back to house about 1.5 miles. When I looked at rear brake rotor on driver side since it was still dark the rotor was glowing red like the burner on electric stove. Smell of burning materials was in the air. Called dealer which is ancria of san antonio, tx. Dan minor the service manager thinks it was the emergency brake cable spring not releasing brake. Car was dropped of Friday Feb 11th 2011 at dealer. A case has been open with VW engineering. VW dealer is clueless as to why this is happening. I suspect the good german engineers are too proud to say we have a problem fix what seems to be a well documented problem with 09 Jettas. Someone is going to get hurt and no one is listening. Thankfully the dealer has been replacing things to date.
After 40,000 miles of mostly highway driving the inside passenger side brake pad is completely used up while the other 7 have most of the pad remaining. The dealer claims there is nothing wrong with this, they stated that "when the car goes like this, the rear brakes come on". I have yet to find a shop that I can trust to do the repairs needed.
This is my second complaint regarding the rear brake wear on the 2009 Jettas. This problem is common amongst thousands of other drivers over the internet that have yet to report the problem to NHTSA. I first had excessive rear brake wear on my VW at less than 15, 000 where I lost my brakes completely and damaged the rotors. This was before the recommended service period on my new vehicle. The brakes and rotor were replaced and the dealer only cited it as 'premature wear' and that it was covered under warranty. I am now at 18,000 and have noticed that my brakes are still wearing much faster than the front brakes. That is only 3,000 miles in which they are at the halfway wear point. The oem brake wear is supposed to occur between 30,000 and 40,000 miles. This is not the case and may be the result of the new redesign of the VW which may have contributed to the defective wear issue. I am scheduled for another service repair and VW of America has provided a case number to look into the matter (not resolve it or take ownership over the problem) please look into this or at least search the internet to see how many others are having the exact same issue with 2008 - 2011 vws. Please initiate an investigation before someone has an accident or dies as a result of this issue!!!
Premature rear brake wear and failure. Heavy brake dusting on rear wheels since new. Rear brakes need to be replaced at 25,000 miles and 50% of the miles were highway miles. Spongy brake petal and heavy rear wheel brake dust reported to dealer 3 times when new and at the normal service intervals. VW dealer service manager said all 09' Jetta's rear brakes are wearing out between 20,000 and 30,000 miles. Either rear brake design or materials are defective causing premature wear and failure.
I just discovered a brake problem on my wife's vehicle and wanted to bring your attention to it. My wife complained that she was hearing noises coming from the rear wheels and that the brake pedal felt different. I went to check the car and found that the disk brake on the passenger side had been damaged by the pad. The damage occurred on the inside of the disk while the outer part of the disk was ok. In fact, the outer pad of the brake seems to be in great shape and capable of providing many more miles of braking. The disk on the rear driver side does not appear to have any damage nor does it show signs of premature wear. I immediately called the VW dealership here in orlando service department. They indicated that the uneven wear of the brake pad could have been due to the parking brake partially engaged. They also said that the oem brake pads of this vehicle are expected to last about 36,000 miles. Our vehicle currently has 40,000; therefore, there was no immediate cause for concern. I inquired about an appointment to have the brake system inspected for manufacturing problems and they indicated that the warranty for that kind of issue had ended at 36,000 miles. I made a quick search online for related issues and found that a good number of 2009 Jetta drivers have filed safety complaints with the NHTSA about the same problem. This is a mechanical problem that I would expect from other manufacturers and am taken aback that I now see it on a VW. We have come to trust VW engineering and manufacturing to a point that makes it hard to understand we are dealing with something like this on a new car. But, the question still remains about what in this car braking system could possibly cause it to wear so remarkably premature and uneven. We certainly hope this is not something we will have to 'live with' in terms of ownership of VW vehicles. I respectfully request your prompt attention to this and a quick response. Thank you
2009 Volkswagen Jetta 30,898 miles rear brakes rotors worn and pads gone. Front brakes still have 40,000 miles left on pads, look new according to certified ase brake mechanic. Car does not stop safely. Mechanic was shocked at the brake wear on rear rotors and pads and the extreme wear on the back pads and rotors. Certified ase mechanic advised that front wheel drive cars brakes should wear evenly, not entirely on back brakes. Vehicle not breaking right at low or high speeds. Car still under manufacturer warranty, dealer refuses to replace.
Took my car in for the 20000 mile service. Last service was at 10000 miles. Was told I needed rear brake pads and rotors 300+ dollars. Something is wrong here. I have complained about my brakes squeaking the last three times I brought it in to the dealer. I was never told there was anything wrong. I spoke to Volkswagen customer service the 800 number, told them the issues, they said the brakes are applied on all 4 wheels when stepping on the pedal, this right here tells me something is wrong, if brakes are applied to all wheels then the pads should wear evenly, I was told I would have to replace the rear pads and rotors again before I have to do the front once. I also have complained about the RPM's shooting up very high when I start the car and need to hold the brake hard when I put it in gear or I will lunge because the rpms are so high, after about a muinute I can release the brake and drive because the rpms have settled down. Again I was told this is how the car works.
My 2009 VW Jetta has been prematurely wearing rear disc brakes and experienced a reduction in brake performance. My car has less than 20,000 miles and I already had to take it to the dealer for new rear pads and rotors and it cost me over $400!!!! this is a safety issue because most people that purchase a new vehicle will not take it into the dealership until May 30,000+ miles. This seems to be a very common issue with 07-09 VW Jetta's and it should be fixed by VW!
My 2009 VW Jetta sportwagen tdi has worn out the rear brake pads in less than 30 thousand miles, while the front pads are at 75%. when the car was new I noticed that there was more brake dust on the rear wheel than on the front. I was told that this car had a system to balance the braking between front and rear. The excessive rear pad wear is a good indication that there is no balance between front and rear braking, and that there is a problem with the rear braking that could cause the rear of the car to skid in heavy braking.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Xenia, OH, USA