2009 Volkswagen Rabbit problems
NHTSA has received 123 complaints about the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit, and 36% of them involve brakes. After that come stability control (20%) and electrical system (9%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 123 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 36% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 10 and 5
- Injuries and deaths
- 5 and 1
- Typical mileage
- 100,000 miles 103 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 | 5 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 1 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 10 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 23 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 12 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 21 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 16 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 12 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 3 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 103 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 100,000 miles. For brakes specifically, the median reported mileage is about 87,000 miles (37 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 10 complaints mention a crash; 5 complaints mention a fire; 5 injuries reported; 1 death reported.
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.
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 volkswagen rabbit. The contact stated that her husband crashed into a tractor trailer at an unknown speed and only one of the eight air bags deployed. The only air bag that deployed was in the steering wheel. The axles on the tractor trailer fractured and the contact's husband was killed in the crash. A police report was filed. There were no other injuries. The driver of the tractor trailer and the deceased husband were drug tested, but the results were not yet available.
I had observed twice that the ABS and brake system lights illuminated under heavy braking. I read the service manual and several VW forums and my understanding was that this was normal under what is called 'emergency break'. I both cases turning the ignition off and on again restored the car to normal. On february 2013 the ABS/ESC system failed and the car crashed against a wall while braking before a turn. Airbags did not deploy. We were two passengers on board: brian foxe and myself.
ABS, traction control & handbrake lights turned on in the middle of driving. Nearly had accident because ABS did not activate when needed. Me and my family were in significant danger. Upon mechanic inspection the ABS module has failed.
Took my vehicle in as the ABS, brake, esp/asr lights came on and were beeping. Replaced the rotors, brake pads, etc. When I came back to pick up my vehicle, the vag com had multiple faults still showing, come to find out I need the control panel replaced. Vehicle has less than 59k miles, dozens of folks have reported a similar situation in 2009 VW model cars, ABS system malfunctioning w less than 60k miles