2009 Volkswagen Rabbit Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control (ESC); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds or while idling, the vehicle occasionally stalled, and had to be restarted to operate as needed. The failure was intermittent. The contact stated that the ABS, tire pressure, and air bag warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that the recall repair could not be completed due to there not being a specific diagnostic code showing the extending ambiance reading a code of only 100 times and the requirement was 125 times. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 130,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11637753

Incident

Jan 12, 2025

Mileage

130,000 mi

The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control) after the contact had experienced the failure. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the ABS warning light illuminated, and the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The vehicle stalled, and after several attempts, the vehicle restarted and was able to be driven to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed as ABS failure. The dealer was made aware of the failure but advised the contact that the failure had happened outside of the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11582713

Incident

Oct 1, 2021

Mileage

145,000 mi

The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit. The contact stated while driving 20-30 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle stopped abruptly and pulled to the right. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving and applying a moderate amount of pressure on the brake pedal. The check engine warning light and the ABS warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the ABS module was not communicating with the transmission. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) which he related to the failure; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted several times. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11582420

Incident

Mar 5, 2024

Mileage

87,000 mi

I am making a complaint against volkswagen for refusing to perform the abs safety recall. The ABS module is dead, I found out the hard way that I have no ABS or traction control. I stopped on the highway and lost control, I could have died and the van that hit me twice could did worse. The dealer refuses to perform the recall and is completely unhelpful. Yes there were warning lights and thats why I took it to the dealer. P.S. This happened a day before the accident. Two different VW dealers refused to perform the ABS module recall on my car even though Volkwagen customer care called to make my appointment, the car was too old, the repair was to expensive and also that the module wasnt communicating. It specifically says it in the recall, that if the module is not responding to replace it. The next day when I driving the car on the highway, I stepped on the brakes and the car started spinning on the highway, It spun into another lane and hit another car. I realized that the car did exactly what a car with no ABS would do.

NHTSA ID

11558482

Incident

Nov 30, 2023

ABS control module is malfunctioning and affecting steering and braking as well as the speedometer and acceleration. It was reported to the dealer and will be replaced, however the part is backordered with no ETA. Check engine, steering wheel , brake, EPC, and ABS lights present, first appearing approcimately February 2022.

NHTSA ID

11475533

Incident

Feb 1, 2022

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SPEED ODOMETER WENT TO ZERO AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE FORWARD. SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED NOR DIAGNOSED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V913000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.

NHTSA ID

11405384

Incident

Mar 3, 2021

Mileage

115,000 mi

ABS ,, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL IS BLINKING, THATS MEAN THE ABS MODULE IS FAIL

NHTSA ID

11402941

Incident

Oct 15, 2018

Mileage

30,000 mi

NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V913000 LISTS 2009 VOLKSWAGEN RABBITS TO BE AFFECTED IN THIS RECALL. I AM CURRENTLY FACING THE SAME EXACT ISSUE DESCRIBED AND MY CAR ALSO MATCHES THIS DESCRIPTION. HOWEVER, WHEN I DID A VIN SEARCH, IT SHOWS THAT THIS CAR IS NOT LISTED. CAN I GET MY CAR ONTO THE LIST?

NHTSA ID

11386851

Incident

Jan 1, 2017

I GOT PROBLEMS ON ABS SYSTEM MODULE THAT'S WHY MY RABBIT2009 START ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD AND LOSE THE CONTROL INCLUDING THE SPEED METER.CANT YOU HELP ME WITH THAT'S OCCURED WHEN I'M DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY TO MY JOB.

NHTSA ID

11343073

Incident

Jul 30, 2020

Mileage

146,000 mi

THE KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WILL NOT TURN TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND WILL NOT COME OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF PRIOR TO THIS. WHEN THE CAR WAS TURNED ON, EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE UNTIL I TRIED TO TURN THE CAR OFF. AT THIS POINT, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN DOWN TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION, AND AS A RESULT THE CAR COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF. AT THE TIME OF THIS HAPPENING, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT LOCKED AND THE CAR WAS IN PARK.

NHTSA ID

11341538

Incident

Jul 26, 2020

Mileage

122,000 mi

WHEN DRIVING, MY 09 RABBIT, THE POWER STARING LIGHT WILL FLASH YELLOW TO RED AND THEN STAY RED, I'M JERKED TO THE SIDE, RIGHT AND LEFT . ON SOME OCCASIONS WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN, IT FEELS AS THOUGH I'M BEING SHOT FORWARD, I HAVE A TERRIBLE WOBBLE AND WHEN THIS HAPPENS I CANNOT ACCELERATE OVER 45 WITHOUT THE CAR SOUNDING LIKE A HELICOPTER, MY AC AND ABS LIGHT WILL FLASH ON THEN OFF SPORADICALLY. MY TRANSMISSION SLIPS PERIODICALLY AND THIS HAPPENS REGARDLESS IF I'M ON THE HIGHWAY OR CITY STREETS. I HAVE BEEN TO FOUR MECHANICS, I'VE HAD THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE REPLACED, TIRES ROTATED AND BALANCED, A NEW BATTERY AND A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. LUCKILY THE LAST MECHANIC I TOOK THE CAR TO HOOKED IT UP TO HIS MACHINE AND GOT CODES FOR THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL MALFUNCTION AND ABS MODULE MALFUNCTION. I HAVE CHECKED THE RECALL SITE AND BOTH MODULES HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR MY MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR, HOWEVER MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED

NHTSA ID

11278293

Incident

Jan 5, 2019

Mileage

142,148 mi

WHEN DRIVING, MY 09 RABBIT, THE POWER STARING LIGHT WILL FLASH YELLOW TO RED AND THEN STAY RED, I'M JERKED TO THE SIDE, RIGHT AND LEFT . ON SOME OCCASIONS WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN, IT FEELS AS THOUGH I'M BEING SLING SHOT FORWARD, I HAVE A TERRIBLE WOBBLE AND WHEN THIS HAPPENS I CANNOT ACCELERATE OVER 45 WITHOUT THE CAR SOUNDING LIKE A HELICOPTER, MY AC AND ABS LIGHT WILL FLASH ON THEN OFF SPORADICALLY. MY TRANSMISSION SLIPS PERIODICALLY AND THIS HAPPENS REGARDLESS IF I'M ON THE HIGHWAY OR CITY STREETS. I HAVE BEEN TO FOUR MECHANICS, I'VE HAD THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE REPLACED, TIRES ROTATED AND BALANCED, A NEW BATTERY AND A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. LUCKILY THE LAST MECHANIC I TOOK THE CAR TO HOOKED IT UP TO HIS MACHINE AND GOT CODES FOR THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL MALFUNCTION AND ABS MODULE MALFUNCTION. I HAVE CHECKED THE RECALL SITE AND BOTH MODULES HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR MY MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR, HOWEVER MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED.

NHTSA ID

11269505

Incident

Jan 7, 2019

Mileage

146,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MCKENNA VOLKSWAGEN (18303 STUDEBAKER ROAD, CERRITOS CA, 90703, 1-855-995-7761) FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V913000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) IN 2017. THE VEHICLE FAILED THE DIAGNOSTIC MODULE TEST AND THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL MODULE AS STATED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ID

11256014

Incident

Nov 1, 2017

Mileage

95,000 mi

ABS BRAKE MODULE FAILED DEACTIVATING ESC AND POWER STEERING CAUSING UNEXPECTED OVER STEER AND UNDER STEER, CAUSING MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. RECALL ISSUED AND NEW SOFTWARE FLASHED TO MODULE. VWOA FAILED TO REPLACE FAULTY MODULE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. FAILURE OCCURRED ON A CLEAR DRY AFTERNOON IN CITY DRIVING AT 45 MILES AN HOUR IN A CURVE. ALMOST PUT VEHICLE IN DITCH.

NHTSA ID

11203635

Incident

Apr 5, 2018

Mileage

118,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V913000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CRESTMONT VOLKSWAGEN (730 NJ-23, POMPTON PLAINS, NJ 07444, (973) 839-4000). AFTER UPDATING THE SOFTWARE FOR THE ABS, THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE ABS HYDRAULIC PUMP WAS NOT WORKING AND WOULD COST $2,500 TO REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

NHTSA ID

11183144

Incident

Feb 26, 2019

Mileage

127,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT HIGHER SPEEDS. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, AN ABNORMAL RATTLING NOISE WAS DETECTED. WHEN IT RAINED, THE ENTIRE BACKSEAT AND PASSENGER FLOOR WERE DRENCHED WITH WATER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,902.

NHTSA ID

11182579

Incident

Jun 1, 2018

Mileage

121,902 mi

5/31/18 TOOK CAR IN FOR THE ABS MODULE RECALL. THEY DID A "SYSTEM UPDATE" LESS THEN SIX MONTHS LATER WHEN DRIVING ALL OF A SUDDEN EVERY LIGHT ON THE DASH STARTED FLASHING AND THE CAR BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER AND BREAK SO WE IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. AT FIRST THEY SAID IT NEEDED THE FANS REPLACED SO WE PAID $980.88 TO HAVE THAT DONE. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP ALL THE LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING AGAIN AND SO WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AFTER TWO WEEKS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND "39 DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION CODES" THEY SAID THE ABS MODULE FAILED COMPLETELY AND NEEDS REPLACED. I CALLED COOPERATE VW FOR HELP BUT COOPERATE VW REFUSES TO REPLACE THE MODULE AS PART OF THE RECALL BECAUSE " IT DOESN'T SHOW A CERTAIN CODE" AND "IT DIDN'T FAIL AT THE TIME THEY DID THE SYSTEM UPDATE". THIS IS OVER A $2000.00 FIX AND WE ARE UNABLE TO AFFORD IT. I AM LEFT PAYING ON A CAR I STILL OWE $4000.00 ON THAT ISN'T SAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD AN ADDITIONAL $2000.00 TO FIX A KNOW PROBLEM THAT VOLKSWAGEN WON'T FIX. THIS IS HEARTBREAKING AND BEYOND UPSETTING WHEN THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP "AGREES THAT COOPERATE SHOULD FIX IT BUT THERE IS NOTHING HE CAN DO". HE EVEN SAID THAT THIS IS "A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH A MAJORITY OF THE CARS HE HAS BEEN WORKING ON". IT'S JUST NOT RIGHT!!!

NHTSA ID

11151053

Incident

Oct 29, 2018

Mileage

63,752 mi

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. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TOWED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11122922

Incident

Aug 21, 2018

Mileage

130,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST STEERING ABILITY. IN ADDITION, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, AND STEERING WHEEL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (FAIRFIELD VOLKSWAGEN, 96065 DIXIE HIGHWAY, FAIRFIELD, OH 45014) WHERE IT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JOSEPH VOLKSWAGEN OF CINCINNATI (3813 MONTGOMERY ROAD, CINCINNATI, OH 45212) WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V913000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) ON MAY 17, 2018. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11105314

Incident

Jul 3, 2018

Mileage

120,000 mi

ABS MODULE. THE ABS LIGHT AND OTHER LIGHTS CAME ON. VW RELEASED A RECALL. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY WILL ONLY REPLACE FOR FREE IF THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE GROUND ON THE MODULE. THEY ARE TRYING TO CHARGE $1500+ TO REPLACE THE MODULE.

NHTSA ID

11097851

Incident

Jul 8, 2017

THE VEHICLE TURNED IN ACCESSORIES, BEEPING OCCURS AND A WRENCH APPEARS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, AND E-BRAKE LIGHT BLINKS. DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT MKV MODELS FROM VW ALL HAVE THE SAME ISSUE CAUSING THE ABS PUMP/COMPUTER TO FAIL.

NHTSA ID

11072035

Incident

May 17, 2017

Mileage

173,000 mi

HEATED SEATS BURNED HOLE THROUGH SEAT, CAN CAUSE POTENTIAL FOR BURNING THOSE SITTING IN THE SEAT WITH THE HEATED SEATS TURNED ON. CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE VEHICLE FIRE IF THE CLOTH MATERIAL CATCHES FIRE.

NHTSA ID

11055968

Incident

Dec 25, 2014

Mileage

70,000 mi

2009 VOLKSWAGON RABBIT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ABS FAILURE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS. UPDATED 10/31/2017*JS

NHTSA ID

11024291

Incident

Jan 1, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN MOVED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V913000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VOLKSWAGEN OF EDMOND (14220 BROADWAY EXTENSION HWY) DIAGNOSED THAT BEFORE THEY COULD PERFORM THE REMEDY, THE ABS PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 64,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11034248

Incident

Aug 20, 2017

Mileage

64,000 mi

ABS MODULE FAILURE OCCURRED 10 DAYS AFTER REPLACING BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR. I HAVE NEARLY CRASHED QUITE A FEW TIMES WHEN BRAKING (NOT HARD) DUE TO THE WHEELS LOCKING UP AND CAR BEGINS TO FISH TAIL, THIS OCCURS ON DRY OR WET PAVEMENT. MOSTLY TAKE BACK ROADS WHEN DRIVING AS I AM UNSURE HOW SAFE MY CAR IS ON THE INTERSTATE AND IF SUDDEN BRAKING IS NEEDED HOW MY CAR WILL FAIR.

NHTSA ID

11013024

Incident

Jul 17, 2015

Mileage

84,107 mi