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2009 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 10 of 16 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electronic Stability Control (esc). Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

16 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2026
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat Belts

at or around 6:52pm on 9/11/2026, what I assume is the seatbelt pretensioner deployed while I was driving down a smooth road. absolutely no potholes or anything of the sort, I was just regularly driving down the road and it snapped and tightened up onto my chest, started smoking inside, and injured the left side of my neck. I ha…

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at or around 6:52pm on 9/11/2026, what I assume is the seatbelt pretensioner deployed while I was driving down a smooth road. absolutely no potholes or anything of the sort, I was just regularly driving down the road and it snapped and tightened up onto my chest, started smoking inside, and injured the left side of my neck. I have a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen 2.5 SE. I don't understand what happened, but this is a clear safety concern, and this absolutely terrified me. I immediately pulled over and checked under and around the car, there was nothing.

NHTSA ODI #11763740

Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2024
Power Train

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 dea…

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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 ODI #11566975

Mileage unknown · Nov 11, 2023
Service BrakesSteering

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 j…

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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 ODI #11554680

Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2022
Unknown Or Other

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 ha…

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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 ODI #11483403

Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2020
Unknown Or Other

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 NEE…

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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 ODI #11354502

145,000 miles · Jul 13, 2019
Unknown Or Other

KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN TURNING OFF THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI #11231640

135,000 miles · May 29, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

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 IND…

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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 ODI #11210711

100,080 miles · May 14, 2019
Service Brakes

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 NO…

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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 ODI #11207510

139,000 miles · Sep 4, 2018
Electrical System

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 ODI #11124427

89,000 miles · Jun 7, 2018
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTWAGEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RETRACTORS FOR THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS FAILED TO PROPERLY EXTEND TO ACCOMMODATE ADULT PASSENGERS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTOBARN VOLKSWAGEN OF MT. PROSPECT (333 WEST RAND ROAD, MT PROSPECT, ILLINOIS 60056, (847) 392-6300) WHE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTWAGEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RETRACTORS FOR THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS FAILED TO PROPERLY EXTEND TO ACCOMMODATE ADULT PASSENGERS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTOBARN VOLKSWAGEN OF MT. PROSPECT (333 WEST RAND ROAD, MT PROSPECT, ILLINOIS 60056, (847) 392-6300) WHERE THE SEATS BELTS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

NHTSA ODI #11100416

Official recalls

1

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.