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2009 Volkswagen Gti

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

153 reports with mileage · 14 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes. Review the 94 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electronic Stability Control (esc). Review the 69 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports2 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

167 reports
61,000 miles · Feb 6, 2017
Electrical SystemEngine

TIMING CHAIN FAILURE 60000 MILES; 6 MONTHS LATER ENGINE COILS FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #10949818

3 miles · Jan 20, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE WARNING LIGHTS FOR ABS, BRAKE AND THE ESC SYSTEMS ILLUMINATED MAKING A BEEP NOISE, THE GAS INDICATOR SAID THE CAR HAD LESS GAS THAN REALLY HAD. WHILE IN THE ROAD THE CAR LOST POWER. I THINK IT IS RELATED WITH THE ABS AND STABILITY CONTROL RECALL: NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V913000. TOOK IT TO TH…

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THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE WARNING LIGHTS FOR ABS, BRAKE AND THE ESC SYSTEMS ILLUMINATED MAKING A BEEP NOISE, THE GAS INDICATOR SAID THE CAR HAD LESS GAS THAN REALLY HAD. WHILE IN THE ROAD THE CAR LOST POWER. I THINK IT IS RELATED WITH THE ABS AND STABILITY CONTROL RECALL: NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V913000. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY SAY THEY DO NOT HAVE THE RECALL NUMBER YET.

NHTSA ODI #10946674

67,000 miles · Jan 12, 2017
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

VEHICLE HAS FAILED ABS MODULE, AS DIAGNOSED BY MECHANIC. ABS LIGHT IS ON AND BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES, AS TO BE EXPECTED. WHILE IN MOTION, ON EITHER CITY STREET OR FREEWAY, VEHICLE RANDOMLY DOWNSHIFTS TO FIRST GEAR AND IS UNABLE TO SWITCH BACK. ONLY WAY TO GET CAR WORKING AGAIN IS TO TURN CAR OFF AND ON, A DANGEROUS PROPOSITION WHEN …

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VEHICLE HAS FAILED ABS MODULE, AS DIAGNOSED BY MECHANIC. ABS LIGHT IS ON AND BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES, AS TO BE EXPECTED. WHILE IN MOTION, ON EITHER CITY STREET OR FREEWAY, VEHICLE RANDOMLY DOWNSHIFTS TO FIRST GEAR AND IS UNABLE TO SWITCH BACK. ONLY WAY TO GET CAR WORKING AGAIN IS TO TURN CAR OFF AND ON, A DANGEROUS PROPOSITION WHEN YOU'RE ON THE FREEWAY. IN ADDITION, POWER STEERING GOES OUT AND ENGINE FAULT WORKSHOP! COMES ON AFTER A FEW MINUTES IN MOTION. SPEEDOMETER ALSO RANDOMLY STOPS WORKING WHILE TACHOMETER GOES OUT OF CONTROL. WHAT BEGINS AS A SIMPLE BRAKE PROBLEM IS NOW AN UNDRIVEABLE CAR. HAVE HAD TO PUSH CAR TO SIDE OF THE ROAD SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS. COMPLETELY UNSAFE CONDITIONS TO DRIVE IN.

NHTSA ODI #10944646

Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 2016
Power TrainService Brakes

2009 89,000 MILES. ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS MY CAR WOULD INTERMITTENTLY THROW UP THE ABS AND TRACTION LIGHTS BUT THIS WOULD GO AWAY SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. I GET IN MY CAR ABOUT 30 MINUTES AND START DRIVING FOR MAYBE 1/16TH OF A MILE AND EVERYTHING JUST FREAKS OUT. SPEEDOMETER IS DROPPING TO ZERO (WHIL…

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2009 89,000 MILES. ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS MY CAR WOULD INTERMITTENTLY THROW UP THE ABS AND TRACTION LIGHTS BUT THIS WOULD GO AWAY SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. I GET IN MY CAR ABOUT 30 MINUTES AND START DRIVING FOR MAYBE 1/16TH OF A MILE AND EVERYTHING JUST FREAKS OUT. SPEEDOMETER IS DROPPING TO ZERO (WHILE IN MOTION DOING ABOUT 15 MPH) AND FLUCTUATES ALL OVER BETWEEN 0 AND 20 MPH. BRAKE LIGHT IS ON. TRACTION LIGHT IS ON. ABS LIGHT IS ON. STEERING LIGHT IS ON. EPC LIGHT IS ON. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. AND THE MFD IS SAYING "ENGINE FAULT WORKSHOP". AS TIME HAS GONE ON IT NOW TENDS TO HAPPEN ATLEAST 15+ TIMES A DAY. IT NOW HAPPENS AS SOON AS I TURN THE KEY ON. I'M TO SCARED TO EVEN DRIVE IT. I DON'T WANT TO DRIVE MY 10 YEAR OLD SON IN IT. PLEASE DO A RECALL, NOT SOMETHING WE SHOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10936247

93,000 miles · Dec 9, 2016
Service Brakes

ABS MODULE AND PUMP IS FAULTY, WHICH SEEMS TO BE THE CASE WITH MANY OTHER VOLKSWAGEN GTI SPECIFIC TO THE 2009 YEAR. THIS CAUSES THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL TO NOT WORK, ALONG WITH LOSS OF POWER STEERING, NO OR FAULTY READING ON SPEEDOMETER AND GAS GAUGE AT ANY SPEED IN BOTH CITY AND HIGHWAY DRIVING. CORNERING IS VERY DIFFICULT …

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ABS MODULE AND PUMP IS FAULTY, WHICH SEEMS TO BE THE CASE WITH MANY OTHER VOLKSWAGEN GTI SPECIFIC TO THE 2009 YEAR. THIS CAUSES THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL TO NOT WORK, ALONG WITH LOSS OF POWER STEERING, NO OR FAULTY READING ON SPEEDOMETER AND GAS GAUGE AT ANY SPEED IN BOTH CITY AND HIGHWAY DRIVING. CORNERING IS VERY DIFFICULT AS THE POWER STEERING IS TURNED OFF. INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AND FIXED BY VW OF AMERICA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10934167

74,900 miles · Dec 9, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

2009 75,000 MILES. ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS MY CAR WOULD INTERMITTENTLY THROW UP THE ABS AND TRACTION LIGHTS BUT THIS WOULD GO AWAY SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. I GET IN MY CAR ABOUT 30 MINUTES AND START DRIVING FOR MAYBE 1/16TH OF A MILE AND EVERYTHING JUST FREAKS OUT. SPEEDOMETER IS DROPPING TO …

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2009 75,000 MILES. ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS MY CAR WOULD INTERMITTENTLY THROW UP THE ABS AND TRACTION LIGHTS BUT THIS WOULD GO AWAY SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. I GET IN MY CAR ABOUT 30 MINUTES AND START DRIVING FOR MAYBE 1/16TH OF A MILE AND EVERYTHING JUST FREAKS OUT. SPEEDOMETER IS DROPPING TO ZERO (WHILE IN MOTION DOING ABOUT 15 MPH) AND FLUCTUATES ALL OVER BETWEEN 0 AND 20 MPH. BRAKE LIGHT IS ON. TRACTION LIGHT IS ON. ABS LIGHT IS ON. STEERING LIGHT IS ON. EPC LIGHT IS ON. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. AND THE MFD IS SAYING "ENGINE FAULT WORKSHOP". AS TIME HAS GONE ON IT NOW TENDS TO HAPPEN ATLEAST 15+ TIMES A DAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10934067

128,000 miles · Dec 7, 2016
Service Brakes

THE ABS PUMP MODULE FAILS ON 2009 CARS REGULARLY. THE ABS, STABILITY CONTROL AND TRACTION CONTROL NO LONGER FUNCTIONS AND VOLKSWAGEN REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER WHEN IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY FOR THEM TO LOOK AT AND ALL THEY COULD SAY WAS IS THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. NOW IT IS OUT O…

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THE ABS PUMP MODULE FAILS ON 2009 CARS REGULARLY. THE ABS, STABILITY CONTROL AND TRACTION CONTROL NO LONGER FUNCTIONS AND VOLKSWAGEN REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER WHEN IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY FOR THEM TO LOOK AT AND ALL THEY COULD SAY WAS IS THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. NOW IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE ISSUE IS CONSTANT TO THE POINT WHERE I DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR DUE TO THE SPEEDOMETER AND STEERING BEING AFFECTED BY THIS ISSUE. THE CAR WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND WHEN THE BRAKES WERE HARD PRESSED THE CAR SKIDDED.

NHTSA ODI #10933637

93,000 miles · Dec 6, 2016
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, THE RPMS REVVED TO A HIGHER LEVEL AND AN OIL LEAK WAS NOTICED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR MAIN SEAL WAS LEAKING, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SURGE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, THE RPMS REVVED TO A HIGHER LEVEL AND AN OIL LEAK WAS NOTICED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR MAIN SEAL WAS LEAKING, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SURGE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000.

NHTSA ODI #10930191

93,706 miles · Nov 30, 2016
Power Train

I TOOK MY CAR TO GUNTHER VOLKSWAGEN IN FT LAUDERDALE, FL. MY AUTOMATIC DSG TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTING INTO GEAR ON MANY OCCASIONS AS I WAS DRIVING, PARKING STOPPED AT A LIGHT. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THIS PROBLEM HAD RESULTED IN SOME NEAR ACCIDENTS WITH OTHER CARS, AND ON TWO OCCASIONS I HAD HIT A POLE AND A WALL. THE NEAR ACCID…

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I TOOK MY CAR TO GUNTHER VOLKSWAGEN IN FT LAUDERDALE, FL. MY AUTOMATIC DSG TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTING INTO GEAR ON MANY OCCASIONS AS I WAS DRIVING, PARKING STOPPED AT A LIGHT. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THIS PROBLEM HAD RESULTED IN SOME NEAR ACCIDENTS WITH OTHER CARS, AND ON TWO OCCASIONS I HAD HIT A POLE AND A WALL. THE NEAR ACCIDENTS WITH CARS HAD OCCURRED IN PARKING SITUATIONS AS WELL AS ON THE STREET AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS WHEN MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE AND CARS BEHIND ME ALMOST HIT ME. ANOTHER OCCASION MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE WHEN I WAS AT AN INTERSECTION WAITING FOR TRAFFIC TO CLEAR TO TURN LEFT, AND THE LIGHT CHANGED. WHEN THIS PROBLEM WAS OCCURRING THE SHIFT INDICATOR LETTERS IN THE ELECTRONIC DISPLAY WOULD FLASH WITH BOXES AROUND THEM. IT WAS DISCOVERED BY THE DEALER THAT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM I WAS HAVING WAS THE SUBJECT OF A VOLUNTARY RECALL BY VOLKSWAGEN. I WAS TOLD THAT THE MECHATRONIC UNIT OF MY TRANSMISSION WOULD BE REPLACED UNDER THIS VOLUNTARY RECALL AS WELL AS THE OTHER FUSE RECALL. LATER IN THE DAY I WAS CALLED BY CAR DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE FUSE RECALL WORK WOULD BE DONE BUT THE TRANSMISSION RECALL WOULD NOT BE DONE BECAUSE MY CAR HAD A REBUILT TITLE. THE CAR HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE IT SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION AND INSURANCE COMPANY HAD PAID OUT CLAIM AND DECLARED VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. I BOUGHT "SALVAGED" VEHICLE AND REPAIRED DAMAGE FOR UNDER $1,000 AND RETITLED (REBUILT) VEHICLE UNDER FLORIDA LAW. ACCORDING TO WHAT I HAVE READ ON NHTSA WEBSITE IF VEHICLE IS ON THE ROAD AND BEING DRIVEN AROUND MANUFACTURERS ARE REQUIRED TO PERFORM RECALL REPAIRS ON THEM. THE RECALL ON THIS TRANSMISSION ISSUE WAS SUBJECT OF AN INVESTIGATION BY NHTSA (ACTION NUMBER PEO9035) SEVERAL ACCIDENTS HAD OCCURRED BECAUSE OF IT BUT NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. CAN YOU PLEASE ADVISE IF VW IS REQUIRED TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE UNDER THIS VOLUNTARY RECALL? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10928755

118,000 miles · Nov 30, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

ABS BRAKES AND STABILITY CONTROL FAILURE, EVERY TIME THE ABS OR STABILITY CONTROL IS ACTIVATED THE SYSTEMS IMMEDIATELY FAIL AND DASH LIGHTS ALL TURN ON WITH THREE LOUD CHIMES. OTHER TIMES THE FAILURE HAPPENS DURING NORMAL DRIVING. POWER CYCLING THE VEHICLE RESETS EVERYTHING BUT THE FAILURE WILL SOON OCCUR AGAIN. THIS IS A WELL K…

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ABS BRAKES AND STABILITY CONTROL FAILURE, EVERY TIME THE ABS OR STABILITY CONTROL IS ACTIVATED THE SYSTEMS IMMEDIATELY FAIL AND DASH LIGHTS ALL TURN ON WITH THREE LOUD CHIMES. OTHER TIMES THE FAILURE HAPPENS DURING NORMAL DRIVING. POWER CYCLING THE VEHICLE RESETS EVERYTHING BUT THE FAILURE WILL SOON OCCUR AGAIN. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH 2009 MODELS AND IN MY OPINION IS DANGEROUS -- ABS & STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM ARE CRITICAL TO SAFETY DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING. SOME TIME AGO I HAD TO USE THE BRAKES TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT, MY WHEELS ALL LOCKED UP AND MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO SKID SIDEWAYS -- NOT WHAT ONE WOULD EXPECT ON A VEHICLE THAT COMES WITH ABS BRAKES. I JUST NOW LEARNED I CAN FILE A COMPLAINT. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR OVER APPROXIMATELY 18 MONTHS. I REGULARLY TURN THE IGNITION OFF/ON WHILE DRIVING TO POWER CYCLE AND RESET THE ABS MODULE WHEN IT ERROR FAILS - THOUGH I DON'T EXPECT IT TO WORK WHEN NEEDED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10928704

Official recalls

2

16V913000 · Electronic Stability Control (esc); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

Dec 20, 2016

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.

Consequence & remedy

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

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electronic Stability Control (esc)

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.

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

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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

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.

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

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.

09V333000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Aug 20, 2009

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE ABRUPT SHIFT TO NEUTRAL COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE09035 · Vehicle Stall/loss Motive Power

Opened Jul 17, 2009 · Closed Nov 19, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:manual Transmission

THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX (DSG) TRANSMISSIONS, WHICH FEATURE A 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC GEARBOX WITH TWO WET RUNNING CLUTCHES (DUAL CLUTCH) IN WHICH THE CLUTCH MECHANISM AND GEAR CHANGES ARE ELECTROHYDRAULICALLY OPERATED BY A MECHATRONIC CONTROL UNIT.THE DSG MECHATRONIC CONTROLLER INCLUDES EXTENSIVE SELF DIAGNOSTIC FUNCTIONS AND STRATEGIES TO ENSURE SAFE OPERATION AND PREVENT SYSTEM/COMPONENT DAMAGE IN THE EVENT OF COMPONENT FAILURES OR HARSH OPERATING CONDITIONS.THE BASIC HIERARCHY OF FAULT MODES INCLUDES SOME THAT ONLY RESULT IN THE STORAGE OF A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) AND CAUSE NO LOSS OF FUNCTION, SOME THAT STORE A DTC AND REDUCE VEHICLE OPERATION TO A LIMP HOME MODE, AND SOME THAT STORE A DTC AND CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF MOTIVE POWER (I.E., OPEN CLUTCH).THE DRIVER IS ALERTED TO THE LATTER TWO MODES BY THE DASH GEAR POSITION INDICATOR (PRNDS) FLASHING. ONE OF THE CONDITIONS THAT RESULTS IN INTERRUPTION OF MOTIVE POWER IS EXCESS GEARBOX TEMPERATURE.THE SYSTEM INITIALLY RESPONDS TO INCREASED GEARBOX TEMPERATURE BY RAMPING DOWN ENGINE TORQUE.IF THE TEMPERATURE KEEPS RISING THE MECHATRONIC UNIT RESPONDS BY OPENING THE CLUTCH.IN A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT SUBMITTED TO NHTSA ON AUGUST 20, 2009, VOLKSWAGEN DESCRIBED A POTENTIAL DEFECT IN THE WIRING HARNESSES OF THE DSG GEARBOX TEMPERATURE SENSORS USED IN APPROXIMATELY 16,000 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2009 AND 2010 VOLKSWAGEN (EOS, JETTA AND GTI) AND AUDI (A3 AND TT/TT ROADSTER) VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DSG TRANSMISSIONS AND BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 2008 THROUGH AUGUST 2009 (NHTSA RECALL NO. 09V-333, VOLKSWAGEN RECALL NO. 37E3/S7 AND AUDI RECALL NO 37E4/J7). VOLKSWAGEN PROVIDED THIS DESCRIPTION OF THE DEFECT, THE WIRING HARNESS OF A TEMPERATURE SENSOR IN THE DSG MAY HAVE CONNECTOR WIRES THAT WERE INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED BY THE CONNECTOR SUPPLIER DURING A LIMITED PRODUCTION PERIOD.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.IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE ABRUPT SHIFT TO NEUTRAL COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.VOLKSWAGEN ESTIMATED THAT LESS THAN ONE PERCENT OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN THE DEFECT CONDITION. ODI IDENTIFIED 40 COMPLAINTS THAT APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR DEFECT CONDITION DESCRIBED BY VOLKSWAGEN.VOLKSWAGEN RECEIVED 139 COMPLAINTS RELATED TO THE CONDITION, WITH 7 INVOLVING VEHICLES REPORTED TO ODI, RESULTING A 172 TOTAL COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND VOLKSWAGEN.ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS INVOLVE THE MY 2009 AN 2010 VEHICLES SUBJECT TO RECALL 09V-333. ODI ALSO IDENTIFIED COMPLAINTS OF HARSH/JERKY SHIFTING IN SOME VOLKSWAGEN VEHICLES WITH DSG.VOLKSWAGEN ATTRIBUTED THIS CONDITION, WHICH TYPICALLY OCCURS AT VERY LOW SPEEDS, TO EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE BUSHINGS OF THE TWO SOLENOID VALVES IN THE MECHATRONIC UNIT THAT CONTROL CLUTCH OPERATION.VOLKSWAGEN DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT THE THIS CONDITION IS A SAFETY DEFECT BECAUSE THE CHANGES IN SHIFT QUALITY DEVELOP GRADUALLY OVER TIME, DO NOT CAUSE A LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER AND HAVE NOT RESULTED IN ANY FATALITIES, INJURIES OR SERIOUS CRASHES (THERE WERE THREE REPORTED PROPERTY DAMAGE INCIDENTS RESULTING IN MINOR BODY DAMAGE IN VERY LOW SPEED, PARKING MANEUVERS).VOLKSWAGEN ADDRESSED THIS PROBLEM IN THE FIELD WITH A CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES THE REPLACEMENT OF POTENTIALLY AFFECTED MECHATRONIC UNITS AS WELL