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2009 Volkswagen Rabbit Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 62 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit, most often about the brakes (71% of complaints, typically around 87,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Rabbit model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit problems
Brakes
44 complaints · 71%Half of these problems showed up before 87,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit. The contact stated while driving 20-30 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle stopped abruptly and pulled to the right. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving and applying a moderate amount of…
Abs module failure occurred 10 days after replacing battery and alternator. I have nearly crashed quite a few times when braking (not hard) due to the wheels locking up and car begins to fish tail, this occurs on dry or wet pavement. Mostly take back roads when driving as I am unsure how safe my car is on the…
Stability control
25 complaints · 40%Half of these problems showed up before 114,000 miles.
Abs brake module. Computer loses communication with ABS brake module, power steering is disabled, electronic stability control is disabled odometer and speedometer become diabled. When this happens it can cause over steer and under steer. Almost caused accident on two occasions. Recall sent, vw still won't fix the…
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the speed odometer went to zero and the vehicle failed to accelerate forward. Several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle had not been repaired nor diagnosed. A dealer was not contacted. The contact…
Electrical
11 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 112,000 miles.
Driving into a curve, my ABS brake module failed, turning off my traction control, ABS disabling my power steering. As I was trying to come out of the curve, the steering failed to respond temporarily. I almost t-boned another vehicle, scaring that driver to death...I was able to pull the car out of the turn, over…
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the speed odometer went to zero and the vehicle failed to accelerate forward. Several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle had not been repaired nor diagnosed. A dealer was not contacted. The contact…
Steering
10 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 110,000 miles.
Electrical problems have been constant since purchasing (I.e. The check engine light coming on for no apparent reason during long trips, the prnd lights lighting all at once at random). These issues were not much of a problem until recently. I started the car and immediately the ABS, traction control, and brake lights…
Driving into a curve, my ABS brake module failed, turning off my traction control, ABS disabling my power steering. As I was trying to come out of the curve, the steering failed to respond temporarily. I almost t-boned another vehicle, scaring that driver to death...I was able to pull the car out of the turn, over…
Transmission
5 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: clutch assembly.
After driving at approx. 70- 80 MPH on highway for over 1 hour and stopping would feel off after coming to an a complete stop from traffic or exiting the freeway, and then the car had trouble revving up - couldn't accelerate and difficult to drive as it would be hard to get up to even 30 MPH - seemed to go into a…
When driving, my 09 Rabbit, the power staring light will flash yellow to red and then stay red, I'm jerked to the side, right and left . On some occasions when making a right turn, it feels as though I'm being sling shot forward, I have a terrible wobble and when this happens I cannot accelerate over 45 without the…
Speed control
5 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 122,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit. While driving 45 MPH, the vehicle accelerated at higher speeds. While depressing the brake pedal, an abnormal rattling noise was detected. When it rained, the entire backseat and passenger floor were drenched with water. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent…
The traction control on my vehicle initially did not turn on even after pressing the button that turns the ESC on and off. After not being able to activate it, my ABS, break light, ESC, and steering wheel lights have come on. Now my vehicle looses traction if I make a fast turn. My steering has also become really…
Engine
4 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: cooling system, exhaust system.
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the speed odometer went to zero and the vehicle failed to accelerate forward. Several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle had not been repaired nor diagnosed. A dealer was not contacted. The contact…
Fuel system
3 complaints · 5%The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit. He stated that the vehicle was equipped with a knock sensor and it would limit the engine rpms and it would not allow the vehicle to down shift. He confirmed when activated, the amount of fuel passing through the fuel lines would be limited and when passing another vehicle…
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the speed odometer went to zero and the vehicle failed to accelerate forward. Several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle had not been repaired nor diagnosed. A dealer was not contacted. The contact…
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 Rabbit recalls
Stability control: electronic stability control (esc)
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.
Fuel system: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
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.
Questions about the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (44 complaints, typically around 87,000 miles); stability control (25 complaints, typically around 114,000 miles); electrical (11 complaints, typically around 112,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 20, 2016 (stability control). 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 Rabbit?
- It is the most complained-about Rabbit model year since 2000, with 62 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 Rabbit years
- 2007
- 2009