2009 Volkswagen GTI problems
Owners have filed 295 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Volkswagen GTI. Brakes is the most reported problem area, at 34% of complaints. Next are stability control (23%) and electrical system (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 295 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 34% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 8 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 1 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 78,000 miles 277 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 24 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 8 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 49 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 59 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 63 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 47 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 18 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 9 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 277 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 78,000 miles. For brakes specifically, the median reported mileage is about 80,000 miles (91 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 8 complaints mention a crash; 2 complaints mention a fire; 1 injury reported. Its complaints are less severe on average than those of 90% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2009 ranks 3rd most-complained-about out of 19 model years of the Volkswagen GTI with enough data (85 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
While traveling at 55 MPH in sixth gear on the new york state thruway, I suddenly lost power and the engine abruptly turned off. I consequently quickly decelerated and was almost rearended before being able to turn onto the shoulder. I smelled a burning odor and got out of my car. Eventually, the VW dealership advised me that the #2 coil had failed and caught fire. Consequently, the wiring harness for the ignition coil and plastic cover surrounding the coil had been destroyed by the fire.
The warning light went on engine oil pressure off. Search manual. Then it wouldn't start. But lights where on so we put a new starter. But it wouldn't turn the engine. So We thought it must be the battery needs a jump start. And then wire from battery to starter caught on fire? I Googled the problem, and found that there had been recalls for that faulty wire before.
Driving on highway 34 from greeley co towards loveland co at speed limit of 65. I applied the breaks to adjust my speed for traffic, as I applied the breaks the ABS control module failed causing wheels to lock up causing the loss of control of the car. After a moment I was in a ditch with bent wheels and body damage to my gti from the speed limit and mile markers signed I stuck. Most likely these two post were probably what kept the car from rolling and killing me.
While driving the vehicle steering system became tight, ABS and brake light came on as well as check engine, steering system malfunction, epc and stability control lights lit up on dash. Also, fuel gauge would drop to empty and speedometer went to zero miles per hour while the car was in motion. This happened on a city street going straight or turning.
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated while driving 35-40 MPH, the ABS warning light, traction control warning light, and the brake warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control).