2009 Volkswagen JETTA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
888 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
60,200 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 809 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel System, Diesel is the most frequently named component, appearing in 195 of 888 complaints (22.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 254 | 28.6% |
| Engine operation | 201 | 22.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 194 | 21.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 103 | 11.6% |
| Steering behavior | 57 | 6.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 49 | 5.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel System, Diesel | 195 |
| Service Brakes | 165 |
| Electrical System | 105 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 102 |
| Engine | 95 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 93 |
| Power Train | 69 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 64 |
Fuel System, Diesel: 195; Service Brakes: 165; Electrical System: 105; Fuel/Propulsion System: 102; Engine: 95; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 93; Power Train: 69; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 64
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 181 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 136 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 176 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 118 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 149 |
| 150,000 and above | 49 |
Under 25,000: 181; 25,000 to 49,999: 136; 50,000 to 74,999: 176; 75,000 to 99,999: 118; 100,000 to 149,999: 149; 150,000 and above: 49
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (181). 79 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 78 |
| 2010 | 95 |
| 2011 | 119 |
| 2012 | 87 |
| 2013 | 79 |
| 2014 | 94 |
| 2015 | 73 |
| 2016 | 46 |
| 2017 | 61 |
| 2018 | 42 |
| 2019 | 50 |
| 2020 | 19 |
| 2021 | 15 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2008: 1; 2009: 78; 2010: 95; 2011: 119; 2012: 87; 2013: 79; 2014: 94; 2015: 73; 2016: 46; 2017: 61; 2018: 42; 2019: 50; 2020: 19; 2021: 15; 2022: 11; 2023: 7; 2024: 6; 2025: 3; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Fuel System, Diesel leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 254 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 201 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 194 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10237485 · 2008-08-08 (August 8, 2008)
VEHICLE'S MOTOR ENGINE'S FAN WOULD NOT STOP RUNNING EVEN AFTER VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF CAUSING THE BATTERY TO RUN OUT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 230 miles reported. Look up ODI 10237485 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10260723 · 2009-03-04 (March 4, 2009)
I DRIVE A 2009 VW JETTA SEDAN 2.5 S, WHICH ONLY HAS 4,000 MILES. TWO DAYS AGO, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY. IT LOST ELECTRIC POWER AND COULD NOT MOVE FURTHER. I THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE LACK OF GAS, BUT REALIZED IT WAS NOT THE CASE BECAUSE THE TANK WAS FULL. THE CAR DASHBOARD SIGNALED THAT THE BATTERY HAD A PROBLEM -ITS INDICATOR WAS TURNED ON. AND THAT WAS WHEN I REALIZED THAT THERE WAS NO POWER AND THE BATTERY WASN'T WORKING. SO, AFTER MOVING THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, I WAITED AND TRIE…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10260723 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10263916 · 2009-04-01 (April 1, 2009)
WE WERE HEADING UP HILL WHEN SUDDENLY TRAFFIC CAME TO A CRAWL AFTER A FEW MINUTES WE STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING LIKE BURNT BRAKE PADS, WE FIGURED IT WAS COMING FROM THE VEHICLES HEADING DOWN HILL BRAKING FRICTION, WE DID NOTHING OF IT UNTIL WE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND LIFT OPEN THE HOOD THEN NOTICED THAT THE SMELL WAS ACTUALLY COMING FROM OUR CAR ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE ON A SATURDAY, ON THE FOLLOWING MONDAY I CALLED VW CUSTOMER SUPPORT TO REPORT THE INCIDENT. THE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE NEAR…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10263916 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10272624 · 2009-06-02 (June 2, 2009)
THIS COMPLAINT IS FOR A 2009 V.W. TDI (DIESEL ENGINE). WHEN I PRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHEN THE ENGINE IS NOT YET WARMED UP, AND SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE IS STARTED A HESITATION OCCURS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IT HAPPENS IN TRAFFIC. THIS WAS REPORTED TO PLATINUM VOLKSWAGEN ON 1/6/09 DURING A VEHICLE COURTESY CHECK. THE CAR DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM; HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. THIS HESITATION HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES PER WEEK. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 5,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10272624 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10272730 · 2009-06-02 (June 2, 2009)
I BOUGHT MY BRAND NEW 2009 JETTA TDI ON 5/28/2009 AND 2 DAYS LATER AFTER I HAD ONLY DRIVEN THE CAR FOR 200 MILES, THE AIR CONDITIONING STOPPED WORKING WHEN THE CAR WAS SITTING STILL. I OPENED THE HOOD AFTER I GOT TO MY DESTINATION TO REALIZE THAT THE COOLING FANS WERE NOT WORKING AT ALL. THEY WOULD NOT EVEN COME ON TO COOL THE ENGINE. THIS OCCURRED ON A SATURDAY, AND THE VW DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT WAS CLOSING IN AN HOUR. THEIR MASTER TECH AGREED TO STAY UNTIL I GOT THERE AND HE RAN SOME TESTS ON IT, AND TOLD ME HE SIMULATED A SEVERE ENGINE…
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10272730 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10273965 · 2009-06-16 (June 16, 2009)
I OWN A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN TDI. IT NOW HAS JUST OVER 11000 MILES. AFTER ONLY A COUPLE THOUSAND MILES ON THE VEHICLE, I STARTED NOTICING THAT THE ENGINE HESITATES AND IN SOME CASES PRODUCES SEVERE BUCKING FOR MAYBE 2-3 SECONDS. DURING THESE INCIDENTS, THE VEHICLE HAS LESS POWER AND THIS CAN BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM IF ONE IS TRYING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC AND SUDDENLY HAS LESS POWER THAN ANTICIPATED TO ACCELERATE. THE PROBLEM UNFORTUNATELY CAN'T BE REPLICATED ON DEMAND. IT IS MORE OFF A SPORADIC OCCURRENCE. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TOP THE DEALERSH…
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10273965 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10274095 · 2009-06-17 (June 17, 2009)
2009 JETTA SPORTWAGEN WITH DSG TRANSMISSION. CAR WAS BRAND NEW WITH 487 MILES. THE CAR COMPLETELY AND SUDDENLY LOST POWER IN TRAFFIC ALTHOUGH ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AND IN DRIVE. FELT LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. PNDRS LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD BEGAN BLINKING. PROBLEM RESOLVED SPONTANEOUSLY ONLY TO RECUR MOMENTS LATER. WAS TOLD BY VW TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO DEALER. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION IF IT OCCURS IN TRAFFIC OR DURING A LEFT HAND TURN. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 487 miles reported. Look up ODI 10274095 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10274191 · 2009-06-18 (June 18, 2009)
2009 JETTA WITH 7100 MILES FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THEN DIED. THIS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY 3 TIMES DURING A ONE WEEK PERIOD. THE CAR COULD BE RE-STARTED AFTER THE FAILURE BUT THEN DIED AGAIN. IT ACTED AS IF IT WAS NOT GETTING GAS. I FINALLY HAD IT TOWED TO VW DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I DIDN'T TRUST THAT IT WOULD NOT DO THIS WHILE ACCELERATING ON THE FREEWAY. VW DETERMINED THAT IT HAD A FAULTY FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 7,140 miles reported. Look up ODI 10274191 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
09V164000 · Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft
Reported: 2009-05-19 (May 19, 2009)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗09V333000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Reported: 2009-08-20 (August 20, 2009)
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.
Consequence: THE ABRUPT SHIFT TO NEUTRAL COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗10V621000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 2010-12-10 (December 10, 2010)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗11V490000 · Fuel System, Diesel
Reported: 2011-10-03 (October 3, 2011)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V913000 · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Reported: 2016-12-20 (December 20, 2016)
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.
Consequence: A loss of vehicle control can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V679000 · Unknown Or Other
Reported: 2019-09-25 (September 25, 2019)
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.
Consequence: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗