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2009 Volkswagen Jetta Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 889 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta, most often about the fuel system (35% of complaints, typically around 59,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Jetta model year since 2000 and has 6 recalls.

Complaints889
Recalls6
Crashes reported31
Fires reported8
Injuries reported17

Most common 2009 Volkswagen Jetta problems

  1. Fuel system

    307 complaints · 35%

    Half of these problems showed up before 59,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, fuel injection system.

    Tl contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving approximately 30 MPH the vehicle stalled and a check engine light illuminated on the dashboard. The vehicle would not start and it was towed to an authorized dealer where he was informed that the entire fuel system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 59,000 miles
    When pulling out from a stop, the car will occasionally stutter as if it is about to stall (hasn't stalled yet) and the engine almost shuts off. This has happened off and on for about a year. Currently have 60k miles on the car, guessing the issue began around 30-40k.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 60,000 miles
  2. Brakes

    203 complaints · 23%

    Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.

    The lr brake pads and rotors consistently show excessive wear. There were no problems noted with the emergency brake or caliper each time we have changed the brakes and only this left rear shows extreme wear. The left rear brakes have needed changing three times this past yea and I've changed the other brakes just to…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 90,000 miles
    Going down the interstate at 70mph beside a semi, the car slightly (not enough to take me out of my lane) pulls to the side & ding! Ding! Ding! 'ABS' & 'esp' lights come on & the emergency 'brake' light on the dash starts flashing. No additional symptoms that I noticed on the next 15miles to work, just the dash…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 93,400 miles
  3. Engine

    168 complaints · 19%

    Half of these problems showed up before 60,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.

    We have had this car for less than two months. The day before we traveled about 45 minutes away and used the highway. The car was fine. The next day, when traveling on the highway at about 70mph our 2009 Jetta sportwagen tdi suddenly lost power about 30 to 40 minutes into the trip. The gas pedal did not respond to…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 55,700 miles
    This concerns a 2009 vw Jetta tdi (clean diesel version). Car dashboard put out warning message "engine malfunction" then car began to sputter and lose power. Electronic dashboard showed there was plenty of diesel gas in the tank (enough to continue driving 250 miles). (the car had been filled up with diesel gasoline…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 55,000 miles
  4. Transmission

    141 complaints · 16%

    Half of these problems showed up before 20,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission, driveline, clutch assembly.

    The dsg transmission mechatronic unit is faulting causing rough shifts between 1st and 2nd gears. Sometimes it takes a long time for the control unit to choose a gear and when it does, there is a hard hammering bang when it finally goes into gear. Vw is replacing the unit - however, it will take two to three weeks to…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 21,000 miles
    During the cold winter months in nh. My 2009 vw Jetta sportwagen tdi has exhibited a engine stumble problem when it is started. The car will start but run rough and abruptly stall. It takes on average of 5 starts before the engine will stay running in a smooth manner. Most of the events have been after driving more…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 16,000 miles
  5. Electrical

    107 complaints · 12%

    Half of these problems showed up before 78,500 miles. Parts named most often: software.

    While driving on freeway car completely shut-off. Coasted to off-ramp, stopped car and then re-started it. Dealer later diagnosed ignition switch problem (intermittent ignition switch faults logged) and recommended replacement of the ignition switch.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 81,000 miles
    I have a vw 2009 Jetta 2.0t wolfsburg series, and it has been happening stallings from nothing. A lot of times when I start the car, it stalls by itself from nothing and sometimes would not start again. Yesteday my wife was driving on the highway, and sudderly the car started to loose power unitl she was running at 20…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 73,000 miles
  6. Stability control

    93 complaints · 11%

    Half of these problems showed up before 103,500 miles.

    The failure that occurred was while the vehicle was in motion, on a city street, almost all the indicator lights turned on (brake, ABS, check engine, and stability control) and the fuel and speedometer gauges went out. After pulling over and restarting the car, it seem to operate ok, but then everything lit up again.…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 105,000 miles
    Here's another ABS module failure thanks to vw's horrible design. The failure is causing the entire dash cluster to go haywire. Car beeps all the time because it thinks the emergency brake is on. Speedometer doesn't work! Fuel gauge jumps up when engaging brakes. Abs, traction, epc, cel lights constantly on, and…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 100,000 miles
  7. Air bags

    35 complaints · 4%

    Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: side/window.

    The contact owned a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving at approximately 45 MPH and applying the brake pedal, the ABS, the stability, and the brake warning lights illuminated. In addition, there was a loud abnormal noise and the vehicle spun out of control. The vehicle flipped three times and crashed into a bush. The…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 75,000 miles
    The contact stated owns a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, a vehicle crashed into the vehicle causing it to crash into the vehicle directly ahead. Upon impact, the air bags did not deploy and the air bag failure light illuminated. The contact sustained face, neck, and torso…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2013, at 77,000 miles
  8. Other or unspecified

    34 complaints · 4%

    Half of these problems showed up before 84,500 miles.

    Key will not turn to start the car '. ( I search online and there many ' many... Many issues with the 2006 to 2012 vw jettas. There also many... Many... Many cases online about car will not turn off do to the key no turning ) call the service department in delaers and have many issues with same problem. Keys getting…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2019, at 78,589 miles
    Ignition key was hard getting it to turn on finally got it to turn on and then when I got home it wouldn't turn off took me 45 minutes to finally turn it off
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2018, at 90,000 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2009 Volkswagen Jetta recalls

  1. Other: unknown or other

    NHTSA 19V679000 · September 25, 2019 · 113 vehicles

    Risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.

    Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began november 6, 2019. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01d7. Note: this recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18v-329.

    Full defect summary

    Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 volkswagen passat, 2018 tiguan lwb, 2007-2009 jetta sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 jetta, 2013 jetta hybrid, 2008-2009 jetta sportwagen, 2015 golf sportwagen, 2013 golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 beetle and beetle convertible, 2008-2010 beetle, and beetle convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.

  2. Stability control: electronic stability control (esc)

    NHTSA 16V913000 · December 20, 2016 · 135,683 vehicles

    Risk: A loss of vehicle control can increase the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS control module software to improve the module's self-testing abilities. Any module that fails the new diagnostic test will be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began february 2017. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

    Full defect summary

    Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 volkswagen jetta a5 sedan, 2009 volkswagen jetta sportwagen, eos, gti, rabbit and audi a3 vehicles, and 2010 volkswagen golf a6 vehicles. The antilock brake system (ABS) control unit may fail during ABS or electronic stability control (ESC) activation, possibly causing a loss of vehicle control.

  3. Fuel system: fuel system, diesel

    NHTSA 11V490000 · October 3, 2011 · 168,275 vehicles

    Risk: Due to the resonance condition, injector line number 2 could develop small cracks which could lead to fuel leakage. Leaking fuel in the presence of an ignition source, may lead to a fire.

    Fix: Volkswagen will install an improved fuel injector line for the number 2 cylinder on certain vehicles and will install vibration dampers on all of the injector lines. Volkswagen and audi will notify owners to have the vehicles repaired free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during november 2011. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

    Full defect summary

    Volkswagen is recalling certain model 2009-2012 jetta and jetta sportwagen vehicles, manufactured from may 2008 through september 2011, model year 2010-2012 volkswagen golf vehicles, manufactured from may 2009 through september 2011, and model year 2010-2012 audi a3 vehicles, manufactured from september 2009 through september 2011, that are equipped with a 2.0l tdi common rail diesel engine/clean diesel engine. The fuel injection pulses could coincide with the natural frequency of the injector line #2, in specific load and RPM conditions. This resonance creates additional stress in the fuel line.

  4. Fuel system: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

    NHTSA 10V621000 · December 10, 2010 · 228,236 vehicles

    Risk: If chafing occurs, there is the potential for a fuel leak to develop. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the underhood fuel line. Additionally, depending on the vehicle model, dealers will either remove the plastic tab from the windshield washer fluid reservoir, or inspect the position of the fastening clamp and adjust the related fastening clamp into the correct position. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before january 31, 2011. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

    Full defect summary

    Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 jetta, new beetle, new beetle convertible, model year 2009 jetta sportwagen and model year 2007-2009 rabbit vehicles equipped with 2.5l engines. The jetta, jetta sportwagen, and rabbit vehicles may have a small plastic tab located on the windshield washer fluid reservoir that may chafe against an underhood fuel supply line. The new beetle and the new beetle convertible vehicles may have a fastening clamp on a hydraulic hose of the power steering system that may be located in an improper position which could cause chafing against an underhood fuel supply line.

  5. Transmission: automatic transmission

    NHTSA 09V333000 · August 20, 2009 · 16,000 vehicles

    Risk: The abrupt shift to neutral could lead to a crash without warning.

    Fix: Volkswagen will reprogram the transmission control module with updated software free of charge. The recall began on october 20, 2009. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

    Full defect summary

    Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 passenger cars manufactured between september 2008 and august 2009. The wiring harness of a temperature sensor in the direct shift gearbox (dsg) may have connector wires that were insufficiently crimped. With insufficiently crimped connector wires, a temperature sensor has the potential to falsely detect a high gearbox oil temperature, causing the transmission to abruptly shift to neutral. If this happens, the selector lever position indicator within the instrument panel will flash. In addition, the "depress brake pedal" indicator light will be illuminated, alerting the driver to apply the brakes.

  6. Transmission: driveshaft

    NHTSA 09V164000 · May 19, 2009 · 25,594 vehicles

    Risk: If the vehicle is moving when this happens, the detached driveshaft could cause damage the gearbox housing. A damage gearbox housing could leak gearbox oil onto the street and create a risk of a vehicle crash for both the driver and other motorists.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect the driveshaft screws and replace the screws free of charge. The recall began on june 24, 2009. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

    Full defect summary

    Volkswagen is recalling 25,594 my 2006-2009 jetta 5th generation equipped with 2.01 engine. The fastening screw contact surfaces on the driveshaft cover plate may not have been manufactured to factory specifications. Some screws may not have been torqued properly during assembly and could loosen over time, causing a knocking sound when the vehicle is in motion. The driveshaft screws could loosen to the point where the driveshaft detaches from the gearbox.

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

NHTSA defect investigations

Questions about the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta?
By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (307 complaints, typically around 59,000 miles); brakes (203 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles); engine (168 complaints, typically around 60,500 miles).
How many recalls does the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta have?
6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 25, 2019 (other). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
Is the 2009 a bad year for the Volkswagen Jetta?
It is the most complained-about Jetta model year since 2000, with 889 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other Volkswagen Jetta years

Volkswagen Jetta problems by year