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Model year record

2009 Volkswagen GTI recalls & problems

The 2009 Volkswagen GTI has 2 safety recalls and 167 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes (94 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints167filed by owners
Crashes · fires5 · 2reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Electronic stability control (esc)Dec 20, 2016

Electronic stability control (esc)

Recall 16V913000135,683 vehicles

Problem
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.
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.

Components: Electronic stability control (esc); Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

Power trainAug 20, 2009

Automatic transmission

Recall 09V33300016,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
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.
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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2009 Volkswagen GTI 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
RolloverNot Rated

2009 Volkswagen GTI 2-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
RolloverNot Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

GTI

25mpg combined
City / highway21 / 31 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,300/year to fuel

GTI

25mpg combined
City / highway22 / 29 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,300/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Service brakes9440080,150 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)6910081,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission3200031,500 mi
Electrical system3101084,800 mi
Steering2000084,000 mi
Engine1501075,000 mi
Vehicle speed control600063,750 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Abs warning light500090,000 mi
Air bags410169,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system3000—
Unknown or other300089,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingExhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe2000—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations