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2009 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
15
Latest Jan 22, 2024
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Dec 20, 2016
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 15 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen, most frequently naming the brakes, driver assistance and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 798 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes939.1%
  • Driver assistance521.7%
  • Electrical417.4%
  • Seat belts14.3%
  • Body & structure14.3%
  • Steering14.3%
  • Fuel system14.3%
  • Powertrain (other)14.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
16V913000

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC); SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

Dec 20, 2016
135,683 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 45F2/45F5View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 15
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 22, 2024

While driving the vehicle, suddenly and without warning it downshifted, went into limp mode and became stuck in second gear. Fortunately, I was driving on a secondary road with little traffic. Had I been on a major road or highway, its likely I would have been rear ended resulting in injury/death. I have taken vehicle to dealership where it has been confirmed it is the DSG transmission caused by a faulty Mechatronics unit. I am being told the entire transmission needs to be replaced. Had VW recalled and fixed the problem earlier, I would not need a new transmission now. VW is refusing to pay for cost to replace it. After speaking with VW service representatives and mechanics, it is well known by VW this could happen. There have been recalls in other countries - Australia, Singapore, Japan, China, etc. to replace faulty unit/transmission because it caused deaths. VW only did an extended warranty for cars in the USA. My vehicle is beyond that warranty.

NHTSA ID
11566975
Incident
Nov 22, 2023
BrakesSteering
Filed Nov 11, 2023

Random unwanted braking action during driving and dangerous steering force to the right side.I had to use both hands and force to keep car on the road on the interstate. No fault codes found VW Dealership could not find any Problem.They replaced the ABS Modem to a cost of $2669 but the problem remains.The brakes lock up when just backing up on my driveway too.I have read on the VW forums that a lot of people are having the same problems on 2009, 2012,2013 Jetta.I am afraid to take the car on the road and especially on the interstate again!

NHTSA ID
11554680
Incident
Sep 27, 2023
Filed Sep 7, 2022

The car had an ignition problem. I could not turn the car off using the key. For many years it is had a problem of not always being able to easily start the car with the key. But time time I could not turn the car off without pulling a fuse. Obvious safety issues if a car won't turn off and basically useless vehicle. It had not been inspected by others, but online I found this problem is not uncommon. There where no warning messages of the problem prior to failure. As mentioned before, for years it has been difficult to turn on. First time I could not turn it off.

NHTSA ID
11483403
Incident
Sep 7, 2022
Filed Sep 11, 2020

I PURCHASED A 2009 VW JETTA GLI 4 DOOR CAR AND LESS THAN 1 DAY LATER THE EPC, ABS LIGHTS CAME ON AND MANY OF THE GAUGES WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY (SPEEDOMETER, FUEL, ETC.) THE SENSORS WERE FIXED AND THE USED DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD ME THE CAR HAS HAD IT OFF AND ON, IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP FIXING THOSE THINGS, SAID THE ABS MODULE NEEDED REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT IS ON THE RECALL FOR REPLACEMENT AND THAT THE LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP WOULD FIX IT FREE OF CHARGE. THE VW DEALERSHIP TOLD MY HUSBAND AND I TODAY THAT THE CODE DIDN'T MATCH TO REPLACE THE ABS MODULE. I LOOKED THE VEHICLE UP IN THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE RECALL BY VIN # AND FOUND IT. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE DAY 1. IT IS NOT SAFE AS THE CAR HAS DECELERATED IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC, BRAKES FAILING AND NOT WORKING PROPERLY IN TRAFFIC AND IS GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. MY HUSBAND AND I ARE NURSES AND WE TAKE SAFETY OF OURSELVES, FAMILIES, AND OTHERS VERY SERIOUSLY. WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INFORMATION AND/OR HELP YOU CAN PROVIDE US. THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
11354502
Incident
Jul 15, 2020
Filed Jul 13, 2019

KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN TURNING OFF THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ID
11231640
Incident
Jul 13, 2019
Mileage
145,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed May 29, 2019

ABS, ESC INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, AND WITH BRAKE INDICATOR FLASHING AND AUDIBLE SOUND. DIAGNOSED AT CAPISTRANO VW AS FAILURE OF ABS CONTROL MODULE. REPAIR DECLINED DUE TO $2,500 COST, BUT THE CIRCUMSTANCES INDICATE THIS SHOULD BE COVERED IN SAFETY RECALL 45F2, NHTSA CAMPAIGN 16V913 (ALTHOUGH VIN NOT INDICATED AS PART OF RECALL ACCORDING TO NHTSA RECORDS). WILL FOLLOW UP WITH DEALERSHIP. NHTSA SHOULD NOTE OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS TO CAUSE MANUFACTURER TO EXPAND NUMBER OF AFFECTED VEHICLES. VW'S RESPONSE APPEARS TO BE INADEQUATE SO FAR.

NHTSA ID
11210711
Incident
May 24, 2019
Mileage
135,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 14, 2019

VEHICLE HAS 100,088 MILES ON IT. ON 5/11/2019 THE ABS MODULE WENT BAD. UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN RECALL NUMBER 16V913000 THE ABS MODULE SHOULD BE REPLACED. VOLKSWAGON ON 5/14/19 RAN MY VIN # AND SAID NO RECALL APPLIED. THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE THE MODULE DESPITE THE APPLICABILITY OF YOUR RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER. THE VEHICLE IS NOW IN A MECHANIC'S GARAGE AND IS INOPERABLE AS COMPUTER CODE 01130 APPLIES. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT AND FLASHING BRAKE LIGHT APPEARED WHILE I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY AND HAD JUST STARTED UP THE CAR.

NHTSA ID
11207510
Incident
May 11, 2019
Mileage
100,080 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 4, 2018

MY CAR IGNITION ARE CONTINUE FAILING ON ME. SOMETIMES IT WORKS AND SOME TIMES WAS NOT WORKING. THE KEYS GOT STUCK IN THE IGNITION. WE CAN'T TURN OFF THE ENGINE.SOME TIMES WE CAN'T TURN ON THE ENGINE. I'M AFRAID ITS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT IGNITION WILL FAIL DURING DRIVING.

NHTSA ID
11124427
Incident
Aug 27, 2018
Mileage
139,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

VOS-26-42

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the issue: DA 0019 - Hotfix 12-V battery test(s) – No battery diagnosis - Inconclusive test result.

V1718062017813_24

ENGINE

Oil Consumption Measurement and Electronic Oil Consumption Measurement

TT 13-20-01_3

ENGINE

Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.

TT 10-18-02_2

ENGINE

Lubricating engine components before reassembly.

V6919012010479_17

AIR BAGS

Inquiries

V1719012012855_81

ENGINE

Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2017000—
2016000—
2015000—
2014341248.9
2013361242.8
2012271240.7
2011331147.9
2010231140.1
2009Viewing151032.4
2008200—
2007000—
2006000—
2005000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.