CarRecallDB

2009 Volkswagen GTI recalls and problems

2 recalls and 167 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2009 Volkswagen GTI.

2
recalls
167
owner complaints
5
complaints mentioning a crash
2
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2009 Volkswagen GTI recalls

Electronic stability control (ESC) · Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

NHTSA campaign 16V913000 · reported December 20, 2016 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 135,683 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The risk
A loss of vehicle control can increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.

Power train: automatic transmission

NHTSA campaign 09V333000 · reported August 20, 2009 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC · 16,000 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The risk
The abrupt shift to neutral could lead to a crash without warning.
The 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Apr 21, 2026 · Service brakes, hydraulic · 132,000 miles

The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the ABS control unit indicator light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a communication loss; however, the vehicle was not…

Sep 9, 2023 · Electrical system · fire reported

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…

Sep 1, 2022 · Service brakes, hydraulic · 17,000 miles

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…

Apr 27, 2022 · Service brakes

I recently purchased this used car and discovered that there is a recall on it. I made an appointment for the recall service. Prior to the appointment, the ABS warning light came on while driving the car. I took the car to University Volkswagen. They charged me for a diagnostic on the ABS system and have advised that…

Jan 18, 2021 · Service brakes · 110,000 miles

ABS MODULE HAS BEEN KNOWN TO BE DEFECTIVE ON THIS MODEL YEAR VOLKSWAGEN GTI. SOME VINS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT USES THE SAME ABS SYSTEM AND ABS MODULE THAT HAS BEEN KNOWN TO BE DEFECTIVE. ALL VINS THAT USE THIS ABS MODULE SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL AS THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD.

GTI model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2006 24313
2007 17740
2008 16730
2009 216752
2010 15340
2011 25501
2012 24021

Across all years, the 2019 GTI has the most complaints (179). All Volkswagen GTI years →

Questions

Does the 2009 Volkswagen GTI have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2009 Volkswagen GTI, the most recent reported on December 20, 2016 (Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Volkswagen GTI?
Owners have filed 167 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is service brakes (94 complaints), followed by electronic stability control (esc) (69).
How many 2009 Volkswagen GTI complaints mention a crash or fire?
5 of 167 complaints report a crash and 2 a fire; 1 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received April 21, 2026.