RoadVitals

2009 Volkswagen Rabbit Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
62
Latest Jan 22, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
15
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.
8

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Brakes4437.6%
  • Steering108.5%
  • Powertrain (other)43.4%
  • Engine43.4%
  • Airbags32.6%
  • Fuel system32.6%
  • Interior & seats32.6%
  • Other / unspecified10.9%
  • Body & structure10.9%
  • Suspension10.9%
  • Tires & wheels10.9%
  • Transmission10.9%
  • Visibility10.9%

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

44
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jan 22, 2025

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 · filed Apr 12, 2024
All 44 reports naming brakes

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

29
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jan 22, 2025

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 · filed Apr 12, 2024
All 29 reports naming driver assistance

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

11
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jul 24, 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 · filed Mar 29, 2021
All 11 reports naming electrical

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Aug 3, 2020

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 · filed Jul 3, 2018
All 10 reports naming steering

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jul 24, 2022

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 · filed Nov 5, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Mar 29, 2021

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. FORTUNATELY, NONE GOT HURT ALTHOUGH I HAD TO BE PICKED UP BY PARAMEDICS. WE BOTH HAVE TAKEN THAT TURN MANY TIMES AND WE COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHAT WENT WRONG WENT WE USED THE BRAKES BEFORE THE TURN. WE NEVER UNDERSTOOD WHAT HAPPENED UNTIL I GOT THE RECALL. SINCE THEN, THE ABS FAILURE HAD CAUSED AT LEAST THE FOLLOWING: -SUFFERING FROM THE CRASH AND INCREDIBLE AMOUNTS OF STRESS WHICH REQUIRED THERAPY -I HAD TO BUY ANOTHER CAR ASAP AND I BOUGHT ANOTHER 2007 RABBIT -THE 2009 RABBIT WAS FINALLY PUT BACK TOGETHER ON JULY AUGUST 2013 -THE 2009 RABBIT WOULD LOSE ABS/ESC AT THE SIGHTLESS BREAK SO IT HAS BEEN SITTING AS A BACKUP CAR SINCE THEN. -THE CAR WAS SERVICED FOR A TRANSMISSION ISSUE ON 2016 (VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER CARE 160612855) AND AFTER IT CAME BACK FROM THE DEALER THE SYMPTOMS DISAPPEARED. THAT MAKES ME BELIEVE THAT EITHER: OVW KNEW ABOUT ABS/ESC ISSUES (SAFETY RECALL 45F2) AND PREVENTIVELY UPDATED THE ECU. OTHE ECU WAS UPDATED AS A ROUTINE OR AS PART OF THE TRANSMISSION SERVICE. AS PER TODAY, I BELIEVE I HAVE A RABBIT THAT HAS ALREADY HAD THE ECU UPGRADED AND CANNOT BE DIAGNOSED ANYMORE. HOWEVER, I HAVE EVIDENCE AND WITNESSES OF WHAT HAPPENED

NHTSA ID 11000204 · filed Jun 20, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Aug 28, 2018

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. FORTUNATELY, NONE GOT HURT ALTHOUGH I HAD TO BE PICKED UP BY PARAMEDICS. WE BOTH HAVE TAKEN THAT TURN MANY TIMES AND WE COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHAT WENT WRONG WENT WE USED THE BRAKES BEFORE THE TURN. WE NEVER UNDERSTOOD WHAT HAPPENED UNTIL I GOT THE RECALL. SINCE THEN, THE ABS FAILURE HAD CAUSED AT LEAST THE FOLLOWING: -SUFFERING FROM THE CRASH AND INCREDIBLE AMOUNTS OF STRESS WHICH REQUIRED THERAPY -I HAD TO BUY ANOTHER CAR ASAP AND I BOUGHT ANOTHER 2007 RABBIT -THE 2009 RABBIT WAS FINALLY PUT BACK TOGETHER ON JULY AUGUST 2013 -THE 2009 RABBIT WOULD LOSE ABS/ESC AT THE SIGHTLESS BREAK SO IT HAS BEEN SITTING AS A BACKUP CAR SINCE THEN. -THE CAR WAS SERVICED FOR A TRANSMISSION ISSUE ON 2016 (VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER CARE 160612855) AND AFTER IT CAME BACK FROM THE DEALER THE SYMPTOMS DISAPPEARED. THAT MAKES ME BELIEVE THAT EITHER: OVW KNEW ABOUT ABS/ESC ISSUES (SAFETY RECALL 45F2) AND PREVENTIVELY UPDATED THE ECU. OTHE ECU WAS UPDATED AS A ROUTINE OR AS PART OF THE TRANSMISSION SERVICE. AS PER TODAY, I BELIEVE I HAVE A RABBIT THAT HAS ALREADY HAD THE ECU UPGRADED AND CANNOT BE DIAGNOSED ANYMORE. HOWEVER, I HAVE EVIDENCE AND WITNESSES OF WHAT HAPPENED

NHTSA ID 11000204 · filed Jun 20, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Mar 29, 2021

THE CAR WOULD SHAKE IN THE HIGHWAY AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AT CERTAIN MOMENT. ALSO STOPS RANDOMLY I DON'T KNOW WHY MY CAR ACTING THAT WAY AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE EVEN THE REPAIR SHOP DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE IS.

NHTSA ID 10925250 · filed Nov 9, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Dec 21, 2017

WHILE DRIVING AROUND TOWN USING THE HEATED SEATS THE PASSENGER SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CABIN FILLED UP WITH THICK SMOKE AND WE COULD NOT BREATH. WE HAD TO STOP THE CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. MY WIFE JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AND WE PUT OUT THE FIRE. THIS IS A KNOWN VW PROBLEM THAT HAD A FULL RECALL IN CANADA. ASTONISHINGLY, THERE SEEMS TO BE NO MENTION OF THIS PROBLEM ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE. THE LOCAL VW DEALER DENIED ALL KNOWLEDGE OF ANY HEATED SEATS CATCHING FIRE BUT THEY INSTANTLY GAVE ME A $755.00 QUOTE TO FIX THE PROBLEM WITH A FIRM ESTIMATE OF FOUR HOURS TO REPLACE THE ELECTRICAL ELEMENTS IN THE SEAT. ALTHOUGH THE VW DEALER HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM THEY SEEM TO HAVE INTIMATE KNOWLEDGE OF EXACTLY HOW TO REPAIR THE SEAT. VERY CURIOUS INDEED......

NHTSA ID 10822896 · filed Jan 28, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Feb 10, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Feb 26, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Aug 3, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I WANT TO INFORM YOU, THAT THERE MAY BE A DEFECT IN THE FIRST GENERATION TPMS VALVE ADAPTERS USED IN THE 2009 VW RABBIT, AND OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES. IN COLD WEATHER, PART OF THESE VALVES CAN BECOME BRITTLE AND SNAP. THIS IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE ALUMINUM USED IN THESE VALVE STEMS CORRODES OVER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, CAUSING THE VALVE ITSELF TO WEAKEN. OVER TIME, THIS HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A SITUATION THAT MAY EVENTUALLY CAUSE ALL THE AIR TO ESCAPE THE TIRE SUDDENLY - SOMETHING THIS SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT. IN ADDITION TO COLD WEATHER, IN THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES, WHERE SAND/SALT ARE HEAVILY USED TO DE-ICE THE ROADS, THIS MAY SPEED UP THE CORROSION OF THE VALVE. I CANNOT IN GOOD CONSCIENCE, AND FOR MY OWN SAFETY, INSTALL THESE SAME POTENTIALLY FAULTY VALVES AT $60/EA BACK ON THE TIRE. I FIXED THE PROBLEM, BY INSTALLING A REGULAR VALVE STEM IN IT'S PLACE FOR $5 INCLUDING LABOR, WHICH SOLVED THE ISSUE. I HAD THIS DONE ON ALL FOUR TIRES, REMOVING THE FAULTY VALVE STEMS COMPLETELY, AND REPLACING THEM WITH STANDARD STEMS THAT WILL NOT CORRODE, AND BREAK. THE VALVE FAILED COMPLETELY WHEN THE TPMS LIGHT CAME ON IN MY VEHICLE, AND I WENT TO CHECK ONE OF THE TIRES TO MAKE SURE IT WAS FULL WITH AIR. WHEN REMOVING THE AIR GAUGE, THE VALVE SNAPPED, CAUSING ALL THE AIR TO RUSH OUT OF THE TIRE. THE COST OF REPLACING THESE VALVES IS PROHIBITIVE. THEY COST $60 EACH, AND YOU NEED TO REPLACE ALL FOUR VALVES AT ONCE - DUE TO TIRE ROTATIONS, YOU WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO TELL WHICH TIRE HAD THE NEW VALVE IF YOU REPLACED ONLY ONE. THAT'S $250 EACH TIME TO REPLACE THE VALVES, WHICH PRESENTS A UNREASONABLE, AND UNNECESSARY BURDEN TO THE AVERAGE WORKING PERSON. *TR

NHTSA ID 10369192 · filed Dec 4, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

MY CAR IS A 2009 VW RABBIT AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT IT HAD ABOUT 10,000 MILES. I WAS IN GRIDLOCK TRAFFIC ON 1-84 ON JULY 3RD, 2009. AS I WAS WAITING IN TRAFFIC, I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL AND THAT WHEN I ENGAGED THE CLUTCH THE RPM'S WOULD REV BUT IT TOOK THE CAR A BIT OF TIME TO MOVE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO SET AN APPOINTMENT BUT THEY WERE DISMISSIVE ABOUT THE WHOLE INCIDENT. THEN ON 8/30/09 ON A TRIP FROM SCHOON LAKE NY TO BETHEL, CT THE CLUTCH FAILED. AT THE BEGINNING OF MY TRIP FROM SCHROON LAKE, NY TO BETHEL, CT, I NOTICED THAT WHEN I DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH IT WOULD STAY PRESSED TO THE FLOOR AND WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS. THIS WAS THE ONLY OCCURRENCE SO I ASSUMED IT WAS SAFE TO CONTINUE TRAVELING. MIDWAY THROUGH MY TRIP AS I WAS ON THE TACONIC STATE PARKWAY THE CLUTCH PEDAL WHEN PRESSED STAYED DEPRESSED AND WOULD NOT COME BACK UP AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR AT ALL. I HAD TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAIT FOR ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE CAR WAS NO LONGER DRIVABLE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO THEN INSISTED THAT IT WAS DRIVER ABUSE AND NOT FAULTY PARTS. I DID EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND OTHER VW DRIVERS WHO EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUES WITH THEIR CARS AND WHO THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT RECTIFY THE SITUATION. WHAT THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE IS THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL HAS A TENDENCY TO OVERHEAT AFFECTING THE PRESSURE PLATES AND THE MASTER AND SLAVE CYLINDER WHICH CAN MAKE IT APPEAR TO BE DRIVER ABUSE WHEN IN FACT IT IS NOT. I HAVE DRIVEN TWO TOYOTA TERCELS(1991 AND 1997) BOTH MANUALS PRIOR TO THIS CAR FOR A TOTAL OF 15 YEARS AND BOTH FITTED WITH HYDRAULIC CLUTCHES AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM. IN FACT BOTH CLUTCHES LASTED OVER 100,000 MILES. AFTER MANY DISCUSSIONS WITH THE DEALERSHIP WHO REFUSED TO COVER THE PART UNDER WARRANTY, I CONTACTED MY INSURANCE AND THE PART WAS COVERED UNDER MY MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN INSURANCE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL AND THE CLUTCH DISC AND I CURRENTLY HAVE THE REPLACED PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10293909 · filed Nov 29, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE CAR WOULD SHAKE IN THE HIGHWAY AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AT CERTAIN MOMENT. ALSO STOPS RANDOMLY I DON'T KNOW WHY MY CAR ACTING THAT WAY AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE EVEN THE REPAIR SHOP DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE IS.

NHTSA ID 10925250 · filed Nov 9, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .