2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    fuel pump

    83 stranded, 91 unsafe, 1 broken

    175
    incidents
    Typical range: 41,000–95,000 mi

    Median 67,000 mi, based on 260 reports (3% had no usable mileage)

    • "MY JETTA LOST POWER FROM GOING 60MPH TO 35-40 AND AFTER A MIN IT SHUT DOWN ON HIGHWAY. I MANAGED TO PUSH IT ON A SHOULDER AND TRIED TO START AGAIN BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. I TOWED IT AWAY TO MECHANIC AND FOUND OUT THAT MY HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP SHATTERED AND REL…"~7,000 mi, complaint #1040219
    • "ROUGH ACCELERATION WITH STALLING AND LURCHING, PARTICULARLY WITH QUICK MANEUVERS. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM, JUST IDENTIFIED BY THE DEALER AT THE CAR'S 60K SERVICE CHECK, SO DATES AND MILEAGE ENTERED ARE ESTIMATED. THEY FOUND METAL FILINGS THROUGHOUT…"~40,000 mi, complaint #947032
    • "LEFT THE WAL-MART PARKING LOT AND THE CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING. LUCKY NO ONE WAS BEHIND US. TRIED TO RESTART BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. HAD A TOW TRUCK TAKE IT TO OUR HOME. MY HUSBAND READ THE TROUBLE CODE "000135 - FUEL RAIL/SYSTEM PRESSURE P0087 - 000 - T…"~61,000 mi, complaint #1010189
    • "I LOST POWER AND A MECHANIC HAS SINCE ATTRIBUTED IT TO THE HPFP (HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP) ISSUE OUTLINED IN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS. THE ISSUE CAUSES METAL FRAGMENTS TO CONTAMINATE THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM. VW RECOMMENDS OVER $9,000 IN FIXES FOR THE COMPRO…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1066491
    • "I WAS ON THE EXIT RAMP OF THE INTERSTATE AND THE GO TO WORKSHOP WARNING CAME ON ALONG WITH THE GLOW PLUG WARNING LIGHT. VEHICLE LOST POWER, I WAS ABLE TO GET TO A SIDE STREET AND TURNED OFF VEHICLE, IT RESTARTED AND SEEMED FINE DROVE ABOUT 2 MILES AND STOPPED…"~228,605 mi, complaint #949269
  2. #2

    abs module

    115 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    116
    incidents
    Typical range: 72,000–124,000 mi

    Median 99,000 mi, based on 215 reports (16% had no usable mileage)

    • "ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, AND BRAKE LIGHT WARNINGS ALL FLASHING. ABS CONTROL MODULE FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED"~27,940 mi, complaint #1348568
    • "I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 55MPH WHEN A CONSTRUCTION VEHICLE SWERVED INTO MY LANE IN FRONT OF ME. I BRAKED QUICKLY - FIRMLY BUT NOT A FULL PANIC BRAKE - AND IMMEDIATELY FELT THE CAR LOSE TRACTION AND START TO SPIN. THERE WAS NO ABS BRAK…"~72,000 mi, complaint #1220981
    • "CAR ABS SYSTEN DANGER. NO MECHANIC CAN FIX"~95,000 mi, complaint #1626637
    • "ABS CONTROL MODULE RECALL 45F2- THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) CONTROL UNIT MAY FAIL DURING ABS OR ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) ACTIVATION, POSSIBLY CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. ABS AND STABILITY CONTROL BECOMES INOPERATIVE- A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONT…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1425035
    • "I HAVE LIGHT COME ON WHEN TURN ON CAR AND ABS LIGHT CCME ON JERK THE CAR WHN MOVE IT ITTO GEAR. THIS DOES ALL THE TIME I SCARED GOIN GET CAR ACCIDENT."~235,000 mi, complaint #1730029
  3. #3

    engine stall or no start

    27 stranded, 64 unsafe

    91
    incidents
    Typical range: 17,000–82,000 mi

    Median 48,500 mi, based on 140 reports (8% had no usable mileage)

    • "2009 VW TDI JETTA. ENGINE RUNS ROUGH, SUTTERS AT CERTAIN POINTS AND LACKS POWER. WILL SOMETIMES STALL IN TRAFFIC. HAVE DOCUMENTED WITH DEALERS. VW AMERICA REFUSES TO ANSWER. VW HAS SOFTWARE FIX, BUT WILL NOT APPLY IT TO VEHICLE. DO PEOPLE HAVE TO BE KILLE…"~3,000 mi, complaint #760079
    • "I WAS DRIVING MY 2009 VW JETTA WOLFSBURG EDITION ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE CAR LOSES POWER AND SHUTS OFF. I HAPPENED TO BE IN THE PASSING LANE AND LUCKILY WAS NOT STRUCK FROM BEHIND. THIS SAME SITUATION HAS SINCE OCCURRED 10-15 TIMES. MY WIF…"~17,000 mi, complaint #834098
    • "JETTA WAGON TDI CLEAN DIESEL VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ABOUT [REDACTED ADDRESS] WITH FULL TANK OF FUEL. VEHICLE STARTED STUMBLING AND LOSING POWER. WITHIN 30 SECONDS OF STUMBLING VEHICLE THEN STALLED. INITIALLY WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED BUT WAS STUMBLING SEVERE…"~44,000 mi, complaint #957080
    • "THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE STALLED WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROADWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CONTINUED TO OPERATE (DRIVING LIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES) DURING THIS TIME. ENGAGED EMERGENCY FLASHERS AND CO…"~71,000 mi, complaint #1023257
    • "WAS TURNING RIGHT ONTO A BACKROAD, SHIFTING FROM GEARS 1 TO GEAR 2 HITTING 22 MPH. LOST ALL ACCELERATION, HAD TO PULL OVER AND TURN VEHICLE OFF, SMELL OF SMOKE BUT NO VISUAL, LET VEHICLE SIT, CHECKED OIL, COOLANTS, ALL PERFECT. SMELL WENT AWAY, ATTEMPTED TO…"~660,000 mi, complaint #1089043
  4. #4

    transmission automatic

    3 stranded, 50 unsafe

    53
    incidents
    Typical range: 2,500–67,000 mi

    Median 5,000 mi, based on 55 reports (8% had no usable mileage)

    • "TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTED APPROX 2 GEARS AND WAS STUCK IN 2ND GEAR. THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR WOULD NOT RESPOND TO ATTEMPTS TO SHIFT OUT OF GEAR OR TO THE AUTOMATIC MODE. THE PRNDS LIGHTS ON THE CENTRAL DASH STARTED FLASHING. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO DESTINATION…"~1,000 mi, complaint #727835
    • "PURCHASED A 2009 VW JETTA SPORTSWAGON TDI ON 5/31/09. ON AUGUST 4TH, THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR A 90-INSPECTION. PRIOR TO THIS, I EXPERIENCED THE PANEL LIGHTS FLASHING AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR DID NOTHING AND APPEARED TO BE IN NEUTRAL. I STA…"~3,017 mi, complaint #733274
    • "2009 VW JETTA TDI SPORTWAGEN: LOSS OF DRIVE AT SPEED, ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR'S DASH BOARD FLASHES THE INDICATOR LIGHTS FOR ITS AUTOMATIC DRIVE MODE 'PRNDS' AND PRODUCES NO POWER TO THE WHEELS, DESPITE THE SHIFTER REMAINING IN 'D' FOR DRIVE. VEHICLE POWER W…"~6,000 mi, complaint #726231
    • "I WAS DRIVING MY JETTA TDI TO WORK ON I-270 IN THE MORNING,THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURN ON AND THE ABS LIGHT FLASHING AND THE TRANSMISSION GOING TO NEUTRAL AND STOP WORKING , CANNOT ACCELERATE THE CAR JUST SLOW DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY, I TURN MY SIGNAL LIGHT TO RIG…"~84,000 mi, complaint #1194140
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT ALL THE GEAR INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAIL…"~185,291 mi, complaint #1221102
  5. #5

    transmission cvt

    1 stranded, 30 unsafe

    31
    incidents
    Typical range: 1,000–10,000 mi

    Median 3,500 mi, based on 34 reports (3% had no usable mileage)

    • "WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2009 VW JETTA 2.0TSI WITH A DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX (DSG) TRANSMISSION. THIS TRANSMISSION IS JUST LIKE A STANDARD CLUTCH TYPE STICK SHIFT BUT WITHOUT A CLUTCH PEDAL. ON BOARD COMPUTERS DEPRESS THE CLUTCH FOR THE DRIVER INSTEAD.…"~570 mi, complaint #727877
    • "WHILE DRIVING MY 2009 VW JETTA SPORTWAGEN TDI WITH DSG TRANSMISSION 65 MPH ON FREEWAY, CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 1175 MILES ON IT, SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER, FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL THOUGH WAS STILL IN DRIVE. THE GEAR INDICATOR LIGHTS FLASHED AND NO ACCELERAT…"~1,170 mi, complaint #727431
    • "TURNING LEFT FROM TURN LANE WITH GREEN LIGHT. ONCOMING TRAFFIC WITH AMPLE SPACE TO MAKE THE LEFT TURN. STARTED TO ACCELERATE INTO INTERSECTION AND AUTO TRANSMISSION (DSG) SHIFTED TO A LOWER GEAR CAUSING SLUGGISH ACCELERATION. I PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FL…"~4,000 mi, complaint #734763
    • "THIS IS FOR A 2009 VW JETTA TDI WITH A DSG TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAS A TREMENDOUS LAG WHEN PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP, IT ALSO HAS A LOUD CLUNK AND A HARD JERK WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE HAS ALSO SEEMED TO BE IN NEUTRAL ONCE AND WAS STILL IN DRIVE, I…"~10,100 mi, complaint #730736
    • "CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH A DSG TRANSMISSION. WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL & DRIVE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION FAILS. THERE IS A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND FOLLOWED UP BY THE PRNDS ON THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATING AND AND CAR BEING FORCED INTO A NEUTRAL STATE. CAR…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1260209
  6. #6

    airbag system

    30 unsafe

    30
    incidents
    Typical range: 40,000–91,500 mi

    Median 69,000 mi, based on 37 reports (12% had no usable mileage)

    • "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF WARNING AND AIRBAG FAULT WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON. *TR"~1,500 mi, complaint #725921
    • "I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE IGNITER FOR THE AIR BAGS IS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR ONLY HAS 35000 MILES ON IT AND THE MECHANIC FELT IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER SOME SORT OF WARRANTY."~35,000 mi, complaint #1488003
    • "AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, 55 MPH FRONTAL IMPACT. VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE FRONTAL DAMAGE AND IS MORE THAN LIKELY TOTALED . NO ONE WAS HURT BUT I THINK THAT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. I HAVE PICTURES OF VEHICLE IF NEEDED. *TR"~60,000 mi, complaint #895776
    • "HAD A NOISE AND THEN LIGHT GO OFF ON MY JETTA AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON SOI BROUGHT THIS TO DEALER THEY TOLD ME I NEED TO GET A NEW CLOCK SPRING AND AIR BAG INSTALLED AT A COST OF ABOUT $950. THIS IS ON THE RECALL FOR THE VW S LIST OF RECALLED AIRBAGS THEY SAID…"~90,680 mi, complaint #1236399
    • "TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V34000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEE VOLKSWAGEN SUBARU ([REDACTED ADDRESS] SW FORT WALTON BEACH FL 32548 [REDACTED PHONE]), BU…"~128,000 mi, complaint #1380320
  7. #7

    brake pads and rotors

    23 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    24
    incidents
    Typical range: 15,000–54,500 mi

    Median 21,000 mi, based on 28 reports (3% had no usable mileage)

    • "2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA REAR BRAKE DEFECT CAUSES UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. CAR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT (MINOR) WHERE BRAKING WAS SUSPECTED CAUSE AT 9000 MILES. BOUGHT NEW 2009 JETTA. HAVE DRIVEN IT 20,000 MILES. AT BOTH 10,000 MILE CHECK UPS IT WAS DETE…"~9,000 mi, complaint #850108
    • "TOOK MY CAR IN FOR THE 20000 MILE SERVICE. LAST SERVICE WAS AT 10000 MILES. WAS TOLD I NEEDED REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS 300+ DOLLARS. SOMETHING IS WRONG HERE. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT MY BRAKES SQUEAKING THE LAST THREE TIMES I BROUGHT IT IN TO THE DEALER.…"~19,000 mi, complaint #830658
    • "MY 2009 VW JETTA SPORTWAGEN TDI HAS WORN OUT THE REAR BRAKE PADS IN LESS THAN 30 THOUSAND MILES, WHILE THE FRONT PADS ARE AT 75%. WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS MORE BRAKE DUST ON THE REAR WHEEL THAN ON THE FRONT. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS CAR HAD A…"~29,900 mi, complaint #827263
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, HE NOTICED SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH WATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED…"~56,000 mi, complaint #1006043
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO OPERATE NORMALLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUNTRUP VOLKSWAGEN (LOCATED AT [REDACTED ADDRESS] SAINT, MO 63123 314-892 -8200) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THA…"~118,000 mi, complaint #1394666
  8. #8

    power windows and locks

    17 unsafe, 2 broken, 2 annoyance

    21
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=24, median 54,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE EXITING THE VEHICLE, ALL FOUR DOORS LOCKED WITHOUT INTENTION. THE ENGINE REMAINED ON, AND A CHILD WAS POSITIONED IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACCESS THE VEHICLE WITH THE KEY FOB AND MANUALL…"~12,000 mi, complaint #747868
    • "BACK DOORS RANDOMLY LOCK AND WON'T UNLOCK AS WELL AS REMAIN UNLOCKED AND WON'T LOCK. THIS CREATES CONCERN WITH PERSONAL SAFETY WHEN THEY WON'T LOCK (EJECTION IN CAR WRECK, STRANGERS ENTERING CAR) AND WHEN THEY WON'T UNLOCK (ABILITY TO GET OUT OF CAR IN EMERGE…"~30,000 mi, complaint #937029
    • "PASSENGER SIDE, REAR DOOR LOCK DOES NOT WORK. DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM EITHER THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. *TR"~54,000 mi, complaint #1136544
    • "SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE, I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE INTERIOR CABIN LIGHT AND THE DOOR LOCKS ON THE DRIVER SIDE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND THEY TOLD ME THIS WAS A "KNOWN" PROBLEM WITH THE DOOR LOCKS AND IF THE DOOR LOCK WAS…"~84,000 mi, complaint #1035271
    • "DOOR LOCKS BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. LOCKS WILL NOT LOCK OR RELEASE WITH KEY FOB OR DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM. THIS PROBLEMS WAS IDENTIFIED BY THE SERVICE TECH AT THE DEALERSHIP AS NORMAL AND A REGULAR REPLACEMENT FOR MODEL YEARS 2006-2010. *TR"~101,058 mi, complaint #954646
  9. #9

    engine internal

    1 stranded, 17 unsafe

    18
    incidents
    Typical range: 57,500–120,000 mi

    Median 79,500 mi, based on 27 reports (0% had no usable mileage)

    • "WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR BEGAN SLOWING ITSELF DOWN. WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE RPM INDICATOR WENT UP BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT SPEED UP PAST 45 MPH AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VERY HARD THE…"~29,748 mi, complaint #1184649
    • "AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS BY DEALER TO FIX ENGINE LIGHT INDICATOR (3 ATTEMPTS IN 5 DAYS) SAID MAF PART BAD AS PER COMPUTER CODES. *TR"~51,100 mi, complaint #1140087
    • "2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI WITH DSG TRANSMISSION WITH 67,000MILES WHILE ACCELERATING TO ROADWAY SPEED THE VEHICLE BEGAN HESITATING FOLLOWED BY A DRAMATIC LOSS OF POWER AND STRUGGLED TO ACCELERATE AT ALL. GLOW PLUG LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT…"~67,000 mi, complaint #1139848
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND EPC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED UPON DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK, STALL, AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC…"~90,084 mi, complaint #1545006
    • "THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT IDLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES. FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD AT UNKNOWN LOCATION. INITIAL SMELL OF "SOMETHING HOT" WAS FOLLOWED BY SMOKE THROUGH VENTS. NOTICED SMOKE BETWEEN HOOD AND WINDSHIELD. PAINT ON HOOD BUBBLED IN APPROXIM…"~200,000 mi, complaint #1332189
  10. #10

    wiring harness

    17 unsafe, 1 broken

    18
    incidents
    Typical range: 55,000–103,500 mi

    Median 64,500 mi, based on 30 reports (0% had no usable mileage)

    • "MELTING FUSE BOX...LIGHTS ON ONE SIDE OF CAR STOP WORKING. ALL OF THEM. VERY OBVIOUS FIRE DANGER. FUSE BOX HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE AND NOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AFTER ONLY 6 WEEKS. *TR "~38,494 mi, complaint #947587
    • "EVERY LIGHT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING. AT FIRST THIS WAS INTERMITTENT BUT BECAME PERMANENT. I FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE MELTED FUSE (F16) IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR"~55,000 mi, complaint #1062662
    • "THE FUSE BOX MELTED CAUSING FAILURE TO MANY OF THE VEHICLES FUNCTIONS. HAD I BEEN MOVING OR IN A CRASH - I WOULD HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO UNLOCK DOORS, OPEN WINDOWS ETC. THEY FUSE BOX ISSUES STARTED WITH SHORTING OUT THE HEADLIGHTS (ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE). VW REFUSE…"~64,000 mi, complaint #999235
    • "PASSENGER HEADLAMPS, PASSENGER FRONT TURN SIGNAL AND ALL REAR TURN SIGNALS STOPPED WORKING. THE RIGHT SIGNAL WAS NOT OPERATIONAL. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND THEY INDICATED THE FUSE BOX AND THE 30 AMP FUSE ( F16) UNDER THE HOOD HAD OVERHEATED AND MELTED. THEY ARE…"~98,000 mi, complaint #1029885
    • "The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the headlights and the turn signal lights had failed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the wiring was damaged. Th…"~355,000 mi, complaint #1804986
  11. #11

    brake hydraulics

    14 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    16
    incidents
    Typical range: 65,000–138,000 mi

    Median 119,000 mi, based on 25 reports (22% had no usable mileage)

    • "I GOT A BRAND NEW CAR LAST YEAR A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. HOWEVER I HAVE TO GO TO THE DEALER SERVICE BECAUSE I HAVE EXPERIENCE 3 BRAKE ISSUE INCIDENTS DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER THE FIRST TIME THEY FOUND THAT THE BRAKES HAD A LOT OF…"~3,000 mi, complaint #776200
    • "I REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS ON THE ABOVE DESCRIBED VW. FOR MORE COMPLETENESS IT IS A VW JETTA 2009 SPORTWAGEN, TDI (DIESEL). THE 4 FRONT BRAKE PAD THICKNESSES WERE ABOUT 3/16", THE 4 REAR BRAKE PAD THICKNESSES WERE 1/16". THIS IS VERY UNUSUAL. ALL CARS THAT I HA…"~62,000 mi, complaint #1115669
    • "2009 VOLKSWAGEN TDI JETTA 10,000 MILES. BROUGHT CAR INTO DEALER AND POINTED OUT THAT I BELIEVE SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH ESP SYSTEM. BOTH BACK ROTORS ARE HOT ENOUGH TO BURN YOU AFTER DRIVING SHORT DISTANCES WITH VERY LITTLE BREAKING. DEALER DETERMINE DRIVER S…"~100,015 mi, complaint #736136
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT RANDOMLY ILLUMINATED WHILE WAITING TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V913000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL). THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED SEV…"~119,000 mi, complaint #1360951
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL VIBRATION. ALSO, THE VEHICLE VEERED LEFT OR RIGHT WHEN BRAKING AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CO…"~138,000 mi, complaint #1414717
  12. #12

    fuel injector

    3 stranded, 13 unsafe

    16
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=22, median 105,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI DIESEL CAR WITH A 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND 20,000 MILES. I HAVE NOTICE THAT THE CAR IS EXTREMELY EASY TO STALL WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE IN FIRST AND SECOND GEARS. IT SEEMS THE INJECTION TIMING MAY BE…"~20,000 mi, complaint #811219
    • "VEHICLES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND LOSS OF POWER DIED IN MIDDLE OF ROAD TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS COVERED FOR WARRANTY THEY REPLACED THE WHOLE FUEL SYSTEM DUE TO CONTAMINATION, NOW NOT EVEN A YEAR LATER LESS 15,000 MILES THEY LOSS OF POWER AGAIN, DEA…"~59,527 mi, complaint #917046
    • "I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN ENTERING NORTH BOUND TRAFFIC ON GREENFIELD ROAD SOUTH OF BASELINE ROAD ON WEDNESDAY JANUARY 16, 2013. TRAFFIC WAS VERY HEAVY AND UPON ENTERING TRAFFIC THE ENGINE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO LOOSE POWER, RUN VERY ROUGH. IT SEEMS LIKE ALL OF THE…"~104,000 mi, complaint #959788
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE DIESEL FUEL INJECTOR NUMBER ONE HAD FAILED. THE…"~156,000 mi, complaint #1026380
    • "2009 VOLKSWAGEN - JETTA TDI - 2L, IN-LINE4 (120CL) DIESEL * A PREVIOUS CLAIM WAS SUBMITTED LACKING INFORMATION, PLEASE DISREGARD. VEHICLE ENGINE SHUT OFF DURING TRAVEL, DUE TO FUEL FILTER BEING CLOGGED BY METAL DEBRIS. THE HIGH PRESSURE INJECTION PUM…"~228,834 mi, complaint #1168845
  13. #13

    fuel tank and lines

    6 stranded, 10 unsafe

    16
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=24, median 43,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHEN THERE WAS A SLIGHT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND THE GLOW PLUG WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNE…"~11,000 mi, complaint #839240
    • "MY 2009 JETTA TDI SPORTWAGEN STALLED AT AN EXIT RAMP AND I ASSUMED I'D LET THE CLUTCH SLIP. WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER PARKING AND BEING AWAY FROM THE CAR FOR A COUPLE HOURS, THE LIGHT DIDN'T COME BACK ON. A WEEK OR SO LATE…"~36,394 mi, complaint #812599
    • "DRIVING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN CAR'S RPM'S GO SUPER HIGH. I TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULDN'T START AGAIN. HAD IT TOWED TO VW DEALER WHO HAS DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS FULL FUEL SYSTEM BLOW OUT/FAILURE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. NO PROBLEMS PREVI…"~52,120 mi, complaint #1081628
    • "WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, MY WARNING LIGHT FLASHED A COIL SYMBOL, PULLED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND LOOKED UP THE PROBLEM IN THE MANUAL. BLINKING COIL INDICATED 'DRIVE TO LOCAL SERVICE' SO I TRIED TO CRANK THE CAR, WHICH STARTED. BEGAN TO DRIVE,…"~69,500 mi, complaint #941432
    • "WHILE DRIVING IN LOCAL, I WAS SO SCARED WHEN MY 09 VW JETTA SPORTWAGEN TDI SUDDENLY STOPPED, COMPLETELY OUT OF POWER. THE CAR STOPPED RIGHT BEFORE WE ENTERED THE INTERSECTION. IT COULDN'T BE ABLE TO RESTART. THERE WERE NO ENGINE LIGHT ON, NO WARNING SIGNS. THE…"~163,046 mi, complaint #1149125
  14. #14

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    12 unsafe

    12
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=13, median 15,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "THIS COMPLAINT IS FOR A 2009 V.W. TDI (DIESEL ENGINE). WHEN I PRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHEN THE ENGINE IS NOT YET WARMED UP, AND SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE IS STARTED A HESITATION OCCURS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IT HAPPENS IN TRAFFIC. THIS WAS REPORTE…"~5,600 mi, complaint #722249
    • "SOMETIMES WHILE ACCELERATING IN MY 2009 VW JETTA TDI, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT RESPOND TO INPUT ON THE ACCELERATOR. ALSO WHILE CRESTING A HILL, YOU FEEL THE ENGINE MISS. *TR"~15,000 mi, complaint #811157
    • "WE HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR LESS THAN TWO MONTHS. THE DAY BEFORE WE TRAVELED ABOUT 45 MINUTES AWAY AND USED THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WAS FINE. THE NEXT DAY, WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 70MPH OUR 2009 JETTA SPORTWAGEN TDI SUDDENLY LOST POWER ABOUT 30 TO…"~55,700 mi, complaint #814519
    • "WHEN PULLING OUT FROM A STOP, THE CAR WILL OCCASIONALLY STUTTER AS IF IT IS ABOUT TO STALL (HASN'T STALLED YET) AND THE ENGINE ALMOST SHUTS OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED OFF AND ON FOR ABOUT A YEAR. CURRENTLY HAVE 60K MILES ON THE CAR, GUESSING THE ISSUE BEGAN AROU…"~60,000 mi, complaint #812360
    • "AS I WAS TRAVELING FROM FT COLLINS BACK TO DENVER ON THE I25 FREEWAY GOING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER. WHEN I PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL ALL I HEARD WAS THE ENGINE REVVING BUT NO POWER. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE MY CAR SAFELY TO THE SHOULDER…"~93,000 mi, complaint #1084171
  15. #15

    control module

    9 unsafe, 3 annoyance

    12
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=20, median 105,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "PLEASE REFERENCE NHTSA ACTION # PE09035. MY CAR HAS HAD THIS RECALL PERFORMED AND CONTINUES TO EXHIBIT THE BEHAVIOR ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS SINCE HAVING THE RECALL PERFORMED IN NOVEMBER OF 2009. THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED AT THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES TO CORRECT…"~12,900 mi, complaint #793285
    • "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON FREQUENTLY AND WHEN I TAKE TO DEALER IT IS ALWAYS A SENSOR PROBLEM I HAVE ALSO HAD SOME ELECTRICAL ISSUES REPLACING BULBS FREQUENTLY. ALSO WHILE DRIVING THE SHIFTING LIGHTS WILL ALL LIGHT UP PRNDS, SOMETIMES THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1280831
    • "I JUST BOUGHT THIS 2009 VOLKSAWAGEN JETTA THIS MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16TH 2019, THE CAR HAS A NONSTOP BEEPING NOISE AS SOON AS THE KEY GOES IN THE IGNITION (NOT THE OPEN DOOR BEEP EITHER) AND THE ABS, BRAKE, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ARE ON IN THE DASHBOARD. THE…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1605011
    • "IN APRIL OF 2016 CAR JUST HAD 6 INDICATOR LIGHTS ON DASH. JUST HAPPENED ONE DAY ON THE HIGHWAY. SPEEDOMETER, GAS GAUGE NONE OF THE DASH WORKED. RED LIGHT CONSTANT FLASHING. WE ENDED UP HAVING TO PARK IT FOR 6 MONTHS WHILE STILL PAYING 300 A MONTH CAR PAYME…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1451801
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EPC, DRL, ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, CHECK ENGINE, AND POWER STEERING DRIVE LINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OBD2 READER SYSTEM INFORMED HER OF ALL THE FAILUR…"~171,000 mi, complaint #1620162
  16. #16

    key fob and immobilizer

    1 stranded, 8 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    10
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "IGNITION KEY TUMBLER WILL NOT TURN. CANNOT START VEHICLE AND OTHER TIMES THE ENGINE CANNOT BE TURNED OFF. ONLY BUY LUCK WAS ABLE TO EVENTUALLY TURN VEHICLE OFF. NO OTHER OPTION AVAILABLE TO SHUT DOWN VEHICLE ENGINE IF THIS PROBLEM EXPERIENCED."~71,000 mi, complaint #1309044
    • "NOT ABLE TO TAKE KEY OUT OF IGNITION SWITCH. CAR IS PARKED AND STILL RUNNING NOT ABLE TO TAKE KEY OUT."~102,877 mi, complaint #1496059
    • "WHEN I ARRIVED HOME U WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE ON POSITION. AFTER A LOT OF WORK I WAS ABLE TO FINALLY GET IT TURNED OFF BUT NOW OT WILL NOT GO FURTHER THAN THE ACCESSORY SETTING. AFTER READING COUNTLESS FORUMS ONLINE I FOUND…"~114,675 mi, complaint #1653961
    • "MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT HOME. I TRIED TO START MY VEHICLE; WHICH IT DID BUT ONCE I GOT TO MY DESTINATION THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN OFF. I TRIED FOR 3 HOURS TO REMOVE THE KEY. THE ONLY OPPOSTION I HAD WAS TO TAKE IT TO A DEALERS…"~133,277 mi, complaint #1482295
    • "IGNITION KEY STUCK IN IGNITION SWITCH IN THE ON/RUN POSITION AND WILL NOT TURN OFF OR COME OUT OF IGNITION."~156,310 mi, complaint #1609012
  17. #17

    transmission manual clutch

    9 unsafe

    9
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=12, median 42,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "MY 2009 JETTA SPORTSWAGON TDI HAS STALLED SEVERAL OCCASIONS ROUNDING CORNERS AS I DOWNSHIFT FROM A HIGHER GEAR TO A LOWER GEAR. I GENERALLY RUN THE VEHICLE AROUND 1700-1800 RPM AND AS I MAKE THE TURN AROUND THE CORNER TO SLOW DOWN I AM IN THE PROCESS OF DOWNS…"~1,200 mi, complaint #817613
    • "THE DEALERSHIP STATED IT WAS A WARPED DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL. THEY REPLACED IT AND IT IS STILL KNOCKING. A SECOND DEALERSHIP SAID THAT IT IS STILL KNOCKING BECAUSE THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL IS BAD. IT CAUSES THE CLUTCH TO SHIFT HARD AND ACCELERATION TO BE AN ISSUE.…"~25,000 mi, complaint #1061351
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH CONNECTOR WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH PLUNGER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROX…"~45,000 mi, complaint #891038
    • "IN THE AFTERNOON OF 10/16/2013 WHILE TRAVELING BACK TO MY RESIDENCE I STOPPED ON THE ROAD, WHERE I HAD BEEN TRAVELING, BEFORE TURNING LEFT INTO A SUBDIVISION. THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME WAS ALSO FOLLOWING ME INTO THE SUBDIVISION. WHEN IT WAS CLEAR TO TURN LEFT I PU…"~53,412 mi, complaint #1045816
    • "I RECENTLY REPLACED THE DMF (DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL) IN MY CAR. IT WAS PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE, AS A FAILED FLYWHEEL IS A HAZARD. THE FLYWHEEL WAS FAILING TO THE POINT WHERE IT COULD BE HEARD RATTLING WHILE THE CAR WAS RUNNING. THE FLYWHEELS CAN FAIL UNEXPECTEDLY…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1207972
  18. #18

    exhaust system

    8 unsafe

    8
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=11, median 62,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "MY 2009 VW JETTA TDI BURST INTO FLAMES 15-20 MINUTES AFTER BEING PARKED. NO ONE WAS IN OR NEAR THE CAR AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR EXTENDED FIRE DAMAGE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE HOTSPOT IS IN THE FRONT LEFT OF THE CAR, WIT…"~28,000 mi, complaint #883949
    • "RANDOM ENGINE FAILURE WHILE CAR IS IN GEAR, ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND VW ERROR CODE SAYS EXHAUST FLAP MALFUNCTION. *TR"~39,000 mi, complaint #858181
    • "CAR STALLED AGAIN AFTER NEW EXHAUSTED FLAP WAS INSTALLED (1KO-253-691-E ) . AS PER OTHER OLDER COMPLAINT ODI # 10476791.VW PAID $646 FOR NEW PART BUT REFUSED TO PAY LABOR $183.93. NOW ON THE NEW EXHAUST FLAPPER THEY GAVE ME A NEW PART FREE,BUT IT COST ME $…"~62,400 mi, complaint #958118
    • "I GOT A WARNING LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATING "DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER." AFTER A FEW MINUTES, I GOT ANOTHER WARNING LIGHT INDICATING AN OVERHEAT IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER. I WAS PRESENTED WITH A BILL FOR $6…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1062042
    • "THE EXHAUST FLAP IS STICKING IN THE OPEN POSITION, THUS CAUSING WARNING LIGHT ON DASH TO COME ON. *TR"~140,000 mi, complaint #988524
  19. #19

    other

    3 unsafe, 5 annoyance

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "HI YES I AM CONCERNED IN REGARDS I HAD A CALL FOR A RECALL ON MY JETTA 2009. NHTSA CALLED ME TO SET UP AND APPOINTMENT. I DID EXACTLY WHAT I WAS SUPPOSED TO DO WITH THE RECALL. WHEN THE RECALL WAS FINISH I THOUGHT MY WORK WAS ON THE MANUFACTURING AND WAS TO P…"~607 mi, complaint #1696695
    • "[XXX] VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTY WAGON. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR"~29,000 mi, complaint #860729
    • "I THINK THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS YR 2015 MY SEATS BURNT A HOLE THREW THE SEAT AND MY CLOTHES. I NO LONGER USE THE HEATED SEATS CAUSE I AM AFRAID MY CAR WILL CATCH ON FIRE. ALSO MY I HAVE A LIGHT GO OUT EVERY TIME…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1216353
    • "I GOT THE 2009 VW JETTA ON 8/2017 AT A USED CAR LOT I WENT ON WEBSITE VW SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT FOR A OIL CHANGE CHECK VIN # ON RECALL BY THEN IT COME UP RECALL CALLED THE NUMBER WEBSITE GAVE ME"~99,987 mi, complaint #1401174
    • "KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. ENGINE LOCK AND HOUSING CYLINDER MALFUNCTION IS REGULARLY PREVENTING KEY FROM TURNING OFF THE IGNITION."~127,800 mi, complaint #1690150
  20. #20

    engine cooling

    1 stranded, 6 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=11, median 79,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "POSSIBLE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE IS ONCE IN A WHILE WHEN THE CAR IS OFF AND PARKED THE ENGINE FAN WILL COME ON RUNNING VERY HIGH AND THE CAR SMELLS. THIS OCCURRED ABOUT 4 TIMES IN 4 MONTHS. THEN IN THE 5TH MONTH OF OWNERSHIP, WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, I…"~12,000 mi, complaint #750603
    • "1-HALLMARK COOLSPRINGS VOLKSWAGEN IN NASHVILLE TENNESSEE USED IMPROPER OIL IN MY 2009 JETTA TDI. I DID NOT DISCOVER THIS UNTIL AFTER THE IMPROPER OIL HAD BEEN IN THE VEHICLE FOR OVER 7000 MILES. THIS IS DOCUMENTED ON THEIR SERVICE REPORT. THE VW TECHNICAL SUPP…"~23,000 mi, complaint #806352
    • "THE WATER PUMP FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. THE IMPELLER CAME OFF OF THE SHAFT INSIDE OF THE PUMP BECAUSE OF A POOR DESIGN(PLASTIC). THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. WENT AHEAD AND HAD THE TIMING BELT DONE ALSO. COST OF REPAIR WAS $1131.87. *TR"~79,552 mi, complaint #1116668
    • "2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI AT 53,000 MILES MY RADIATOR WENT OUT DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW WERE A CLAMP RUBBED A HOLE IN THE RADIATOR. VW WOULD NOT COVER UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY, AT 68,000 MILES THE ALIGNMENT WENT OUT IN THE AUTOMOBILE, AND FINNALLY AT 72,000 MILES I…"~86,000 mi, complaint #902374
    • "3 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING MY PRE-OWNED VEHICLE IN MAY 2019, SMOKE STARTED POURING OUT OF THE ENGINE ON MY WAY TO WORK. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE CAUSE OF THE ISSUE WAS BROKEN ENGINE HOSE CLAMPS. THE SHOP CHARGED ME ALMOST $700 FOR BRAND NEW…"~123,800 mi, complaint #1592754
  21. #21

    lighting exterior

    6 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "LEFT SIDE HEADLIGHT, TURN SIGNAL AND TAIL LIGHT WENT OUT. I WENT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT FIXED AND THEN 3 WEEKS LATER THE RIGHT SIDE WENT OUT. CHANGED THE HEADLAMP AND NOTHING WAS FIXED. THE COMPLETE RIGHT SIDE LIGHTING OF THE CAR IS OUT. AT CERTAIN TIMES DUR…"~44,000 mi, complaint #963596
    • "PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT AND REAR BRAKE LIGHT NOT WORKING. ALSO THE PASSENGER SIGNAL LIGHTS NOT FRONT AND REAR NOT WORKING. I WAS DRIVING FROM HOMEDEPOT AND MADE A RIGHT TURN, NOTICE THE DASH RIGHT TURN INDICATOR WAS FLASHING RAPIDLY THAN WHEN I ENTERED MY GAR…"~140,791 mi, complaint #1595140
  22. #22

    interior trim

    4 unsafe, 1 broken, 1 annoyance

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "HEATED SEAT MALFUNCTION BURNED THROUGH UPHOLSTERY, MELTED FABRIC AND BURNED THROUGH MY SHIRT. WIRES ARE EXPOSED. *JS"~60,099 mi, complaint #1135907
    • "I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING IN MY CAR FOR A LITTLE WHILE LAST NIGHT. THIS MORNING, WHEN THE SUN WAS OUT, I WAS ABLE TO SEE THAT THERE WAS A BURN MARK IN MY SEAT FROM THE SEAT WARMER."~74,000 mi, complaint #1267891
    • "I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH THE SEAT WARMER ACTIVATED. THE SEAT WAS VERY WARM AND I FELT SOMETHING POKING ME. I REACHED BEHIND ME TO SEE WHAT WAS POKING ME AND SOMETHING BURNED MY FINGER. I STOPPED AT THE GAS STATION AND SAW THAT A HOLE HAD BEEN BURNED…"~77,800 mi, complaint #1633584
    • "SEAT WARMER BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT AND BURNED THROUGH MY CLOTHING TO MY SKIN. I REACHED BACK TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG AND BURNED MY HAND. I HAD SMELLED SMOKE BUT IT WAS TOO LATE BY THE TIME I FIGURED OUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED. IT COULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY…"~140,000 mi, complaint #1353052
  23. #23

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    5 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE REAR SEATBELTS HAVE LOCKED IN THE FULLY WITHDRAWN POSITION AND WILL NOT RETRACT, REQUIRING COMPLETE MECHANISM REPLACEMENT. THIS OCCURRED INITIALLY AFTER PURCHASE ON A ROAD TRIP WITH OUR KIDS, THEN RECENTLY AGAIN ON BOTH SIDES, A…"~15,000 mi, complaint #913716
    • "SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT AND CHIME COME ON AND OFF RANDOMLY EVEN WHEN THE SEAT BELT IS ENGAGED. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BOTH IN MOTION AND AT A STANDSTILL. *TR"~43,206 mi, complaint #988055
    • "I AM NOT REPORTING A TYPE OF IMPACT / INCIDENT. WHAT I AM REPORTING IS A COMPLAINT / CONCERN ABOUT A MANUFACTURER (VOLKSWAGEN) DENYING A CLAIM I HAVE PRESENTED TO THEM FOR REPAIR / REPLACEMENT OF A REAR SAFETY BELT. I RECENTLY PURCHASED THE VW JETTA SPORTWAG…"~65,440 mi, complaint #1019877
    • "THE REAR SEAT BELTS ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE NO LONGER FUNCTION. THEY WILL NOT RETRACT OR EXTEND AND ARE LOCKED UP. THEY ARE NOW UNUSABLE. *TR"~72,000 mi, complaint #1107013
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTION SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE…"~148,212 mi, complaint #1002291
  24. #24

    sunroof

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "DRIVING ON THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE..APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH..SUNROOF BURST...SHADE OF SUNROOF WAS OPEN BUT THE SUNROOF WAS CLOSED AT THE TIME...NO ROCKS...NOTHING TO SUGGEST IT HAS HIT BY SOMETHING...GLASS WAS EVERYWHERE COULD HAVE BEEN A NIGHTMARE...I WAS RIDING WI…"~19,500 mi, complaint #1050693
    • "SUNROOF DRAINAGE TUBES BECAME UNGLUED FROM THE DRAINING NIPPLES THAT ATTACH TO THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF ASSEMBLY CAUSING A LARGE WATER LEAKS EVERY TIME IT RAINED. THE A, B, C, AND D INTERIOR PILLARS AND HEADLINER BECAME SOAKED AS DID THE INTERIOR CARPETS AND OTHE…"~30,000 mi, complaint #916106
    • "THE SUN ROOF OPENED TO THE FIRST TILT POSITION WITHOUT ANY ACTION CAUSED BY THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON MAY 17 DURING A SLOW LEFT TURN IN A SHOPPING CENTER. MY CONCERN IS THAT IT MAY BE ELECTRICAL IN NATURE AND MAY AFFECT THE DOOR LOCKS AS WE…"~32,211 mi, complaint #1183603
    • "SUNROOF EXPLODED UPWARDS, SHATTERED INTO MANY TINY PIECES. *TR"~70,000 mi, complaint #973319
    • "I HAVE OWNED VEHICLE FOR 2.5 YEARS, WENT TO CHECK THE STATUS OF THE SPARE TIRE AND FOUND THAT THE SPARE TIRE WELL WAS FILLED WITH WATER. SEARCHING HERE AND THERE I SEE THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE SUNROOF DRAIN TUBES…"~96,189 mi, complaint #1085799
  25. #25

    timing belt or chain

    1 stranded, 5 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "I AM REQUESTING THAT THE DOT NHTSA INVESTIGATE THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF CAR. I STARTED MY CAR ONE MORNING AND THE ENGINE MADE A METALLIC RATTLING SOUND AS I PROCEEDED TO BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON UNTIL…"~49,000 mi, complaint #1327666
    • "FIRST MY CAR HAD TROUBLE TURNING OVER AFTER A MISFIRE. THEN WHILE DRIVING THE CAR (IN MOTION) AS I WAS COMING TO A STOP THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND FEEL AS IF IT WAS LUNGING FORWARD. I DROVE IT STRAIGHT TO THE VW SERVICE CENTER WHICH WAS NEARBY. NOW THE…"~73,000 mi, complaint #1365586
    • "TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILED RESULTING IN ENGINE FAILURE. *TR"~92,000 mi, complaint #1123384
    • "2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WOLFSBURG 2.0TSI TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILURE. AT 109K MILES THE CAR WOULD NOT START IN THE AM TO GO TO WORK. THIS HAPPENED ON 12/23/16. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER AND RECEIVED PHONE CALL FROM SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THE TIMING CHAIN TE…"~109,000 mi, complaint #1389397
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A STOP SIGN, IT STALLED AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR AN HOUR BEFORE IT WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHAN…"~173,000 mi, complaint #1623647
  26. #26

    engine turbo supercharger

    4 unsafe, 1 broken

    5
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 77,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "WE WERE TRAVELING IN BRANSON, MO. FROM OUR HOME IN EAST TEXAS WHEN THERE WAS WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A SINGLE MUFFLED POP FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE GLOW PLUG LAMP STARTED BLINKING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I THINK IT WAS BLINKING ALSO. AT THE TIM…"~7,144 mi, complaint #747616
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 30 MPH. THE GLOW PLUG ON THE DASH ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED TH…"~42,000 mi, complaint #1069295
    • "THIS IS A VW JETTA 2009 TDI WITH 74,200 MILES. I HAVE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER. VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND BLACK SMOKE CAME FROM EXHAUST, RED LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD CAME ON WITH ERROR MESSAGE "ENGINE FAILURE". TECHNICIAN AT VW DEALER FOUND THE TURBO CHARGER HA…"~74,200 mi, complaint #920802
    • "THE TURBOCHARGER FAILED AT LOW SPEED. THERE WAS A LOUD WHINING/HOWLING SOUND. THE COST OF REPAIR WAS $2,566.64. *TR"~75,228 mi, complaint #1116671
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO RESPOND TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TURBO ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACE…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1060752
  27. #27

    stability and traction control

    4 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "UPON DRIVING THROUGH A HIGHWAY INTERCHANGE AT A LOWER RATE OF SPEED THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL DISCONNECTED WITH AN AMBER SOLID LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER INDICATING SO, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM ALSO DISENGAGED INDICATED AS WELL WITH AN AMBER SO…"~64,000 mi, complaint #1173392
    • "VOLKSWAGEN ABS STABILITY ISSUES... THIS ISSUES STARTED IN THE END OF DECEMBER [REDACTED ADDRESS] IT TO TAKE MY SON TO WORK ALL OF A SUDDEN EVERY LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD WHEN I STARTED IT MY CAR CAME ON AND DID NOT GO OFF I SET FOR A WHILE I REVERSED AND THE CAR…"~79,355 mi, complaint #1354192
    • "THE ETC SIGN COMES ON AND THE CAR LOST ITS POWER SIGNIFICANTLY. THE OBD SCAN DOES NOT SHOW ANY CODE"~98,020 mi, complaint #1643914
  28. #28

    starter

    2 stranded, 3 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "MY 2009 JETTA TDI SPORTWAGON WITH 12,000 MILES WOULD NOT START ONE DAY. I ATTEMPTED TO JUMP START AND POP START THE CAR, BOTH FAILED TO START THE ENGINE. IT GOT TOWED TO NEAREST VW DEALER. THEY STATED THAT THE STARTER FAILED, SO THEY REPLACED IT. AFTER REPLACI…"~12,000 mi, complaint #779422
    • "WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY CAR COMPLETELY SHUT-OFF. COASTED TO OFF-RAMP, STOPPED CAR AND THEN RE-STARTED IT. DEALER LATER DIAGNOSED IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM (INTERMITTENT IGNITION SWITCH FAULTS LOGGED) AND RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. *TR"~81,000 mi, complaint #1085151
    • "IGNITION KEY WAS HARD GETTING IT TO TURN ON FINALLY GOT IT TO TURN ON AND THEN WHEN I GOT HOME IT WOULDN'T TURN OFF TOOK ME 45 MINUTES TO FINALLY TURN IT OFF"~90,000 mi, complaint #1499499
    • "MY IGNITION WOULD NOT SHUT OFF KEY IS STUCK AND IGNITION WON'T TURN"~107,231 mi, complaint #1437491
    • "STARTER WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO TURN OFF VEHICLE OR TAKE KEY OUT."~180,000 mi, complaint #1407988
  29. #29

    tire failure

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "2ND TIRE OF THIS TYPE ON THIS VEHICLE THAT HAS DEVELOPED A SIDEWALL BUBBLE RENDING THE TIRE UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON. *TR"~32,000 mi, complaint #898777
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE VEHICLE HAD HANCOCK TIRES SIZE 205/55/R16, DOT NUMBER 1GRPDYH. WHILE HAVING THE TIRE EXAMINED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY A MECHANIC THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS CRACKED ALONG THE SIDEWALL. THE TIRE WAS…"~57,000 mi, complaint #820242
    • "TIRES ARE MICHELIN PILOT HX MXM4, RADIAL XSE 225/45 R17 91H ORIGINAL TIRES FROM DATE OF PURCHASE 8//10 WITH ACTUAL MILEAGE 14829, FOR THE EXCEPTION OF 1 TIRE, THAT WAS REPLACED ON 9//[REDACTED ADDRESS] HAZARD. PRESENTLY ALL 4 TIRES ARE SHOWING A SIDEWALL DEFE…"~61,404 mi, complaint #1134980
    • "GOODYEAR EAGLE RSA 205/55R16. DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION AND OIL SERVICE ON MY JETTA THE TECHNICIANS DISCOVERED TREAD BUBBLES IN 2 OF MY TIRES. I HAD THE MECHANIC PUT BOTH TIRES WITH BUBBLES ON THE REAR FOR SAFETY AND I DROVE THE CAR TO A GOODYEAR TIRE CENTER…"~91,696 mi, complaint #1163880
  30. #30

    unintended acceleration

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF THE STORE. THE IMPACT STOPPED THE ACCELERATION. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE…"~2,000 mi, complaint #815609
    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV EXCESSIVELY HIGH. THERE WAS NO RESPONSE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WERE ALSO NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PA…"~2,500 mi, complaint #729208
    • "VEHICLE WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING SPOT, DRIVER HAD MOVED FOOT FROM ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO BRAKE. SUDDENLY, ENGINE SURGED AND VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. THE DRIVER APPLIED SIGNIFICANT BRAKE PRESSURE TO HALT VEHICLE AND TURNED OFF IGNITION. VEHICLE SUBSEQUEN…"~6,600 mi, complaint #759559
    • "VW JETTA REVERSE / FORWARD ACTION ERROR. MALFUNCTION OF CAR ELECTRONICS / MECHANICS CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND SURGING."~62,000 mi, complaint #1070507
  31. #31

    emissions aftertreatment

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "EGR VALVE FAILURE ON 2009 VOLKSWAGEN SPORTWAGEN TDI - AT 38000 MILES THE EMISSIONS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN MY CAR, AND THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED IT AS AN EGR VALVE PROBLEM. THIS IS A REQUIRED PART OF THE EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEM, AND VOLKSWAGEN HAS DECLIN…"~39,000 mi, complaint #852569
    • "MY 2009 VW JETTA TDI HAD THE ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS AN 048 CODE FOR EXHAUST FLAP FAILURE. THIS IS A KEY PART OF THE EMISSION CONTROL. THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $655 TO REPLACE. RESEARCHING THE INTERNET, THIS IS A GROWING PROBLEM WITH THE…"~45,901 mi, complaint #904038
    • "THE VEHICLE IS PART OF THE VW TDI EMISSIONS SCANDAL. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY NEEDS A DPF WHICH IS ONE OF THE PARTS AFFECTED BY THE EMISSIONS SCANDAL AND ONE THAT WILL EVENTUALLY NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR THE CAR TO MEET/PASS EMISSIONS. VW SHOULD PAY FOR THIS EXPE…"~109,000 mi, complaint #1268374
    • "THIS IS FOR A 2009 VW JETTA TDI. THE TDI OF COURSE HAS BEEN INVOLVED WITH VW ADJUSTING SOFTWARE TO COVER UP NOX EMISSIONS ON SEVERAL YEAR MODELS OF THEIR DIESEL 2.0 ENGINES. WHAT ALSO NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT IS THE HIGH NUMBER OF FAILURES INVOLVING THE DIESEL P…"~128,000 mi, complaint #1250687
  32. #32

    suspension struts shocks

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS N…"~45,000 mi, complaint #1092872
    • "2009 JETTA WAGON SPORTWAGON 2.5L SE DISCOVERED BROKEN LEFT REAR SPRING WHILE ROTATING TIRES. LAST LOWER 3/4 TURN OF COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN OFF. PRESENCE OF RUST AT FRACTURE SURFACE SUGGESTS IT HAD BEEN BROKEN FOR SOME TIME, BEFORE 60000MILES. A FEW WEEKS L…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1197865
    • "WHILE IN TRAFFIC I HEARD A VERY LOUD BANG AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO PRIME VOLKSWAGON, [REDACTED ADDRESS], SACO, MAINE. THEY REPORTED THAT THE LEFT FRONT SPRING HAD BROKEN AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. I WAS CHARGED $893.50 FOR THE REPAIR PLUS T…"~92,150 mi, complaint #1553054
    • "I WAS DRIVING WHEN I HEARD A METALLIC SOUND, A QUICK INSPECTION AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD DID NOT REVEAL ANYTHING. I DROVE IT TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY FOUND THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SPRING HAD SNAPPED. MY MECHANIC STATED THAT HE SEES THIS FREQUENTLY WITH JET…"~96,604 mi, complaint #1085802
  33. #33

    battery and charging

    2 stranded, 1 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "I DRIVE A 2009 VW JETTA SEDAN 2.5 S, WHICH ONLY HAS 4,000 MILES. TWO DAYS AGO, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY. IT LOST ELECTRIC POWER AND COULD NOT MOVE FURTHER. I THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE LACK OF GAS, BUT REALIZED I…"~4,500 mi, complaint #710761
    • "ALTERNATOR FAILED WITHOUT WARNING ON 2009 JETTA WITH 2.5 LITER ENGINE. VEHICLE HAD ABOUT 64,000 MILES ON IT AT TIME OF ALTERNATOR FAILURE. *TR"~64,171 mi, complaint #1051645
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING A NEW BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…"~82,000 mi, complaint #1367564
  34. #34

    steering column

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "WHILE THE CAR IS IN THE "DRIVE" POSITION I CAN TURN OFF THE CAR AND TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. THIS ALLOWS THE CAR TO ROLL FREELY IF ON ANY SORT OF A SLOPE. *TR"~21,050 mi, complaint #805349
    • "I WAS TRAVELING ALONG THE OUTER LOOP OF 495 BELTWAY IN THE RIGHT CENTER LANE AT APPROXIMATELY 7:15AM WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE DOORS LOCKS CLICKED UNLOCK AND THE DASH LIGHTS WENT BLACK. THE CAR DRIFTED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. AFTER ABOUT 5 MINU…"~56,447 mi, complaint #883864
    • "STARTED WITH KEY BEING VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN ON OR OFF IN IGNITION AND THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK NO LONGER ENGAGED AT ALL WHEN THE CAR WAS OFF. THEN, TWICE WITHIN 1 MILE, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK DID ENGAGE WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING OPERATED IN A TURN AT APPROX…"~115,000 mi, complaint #1455658
  35. #35

    steering electric assist

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER WAITING A FEW HOURS, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT T…"~45,000 mi, complaint #1241647
  36. #36

    wiper and washer

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "AFTER DRIVING IN THE RAIN AND PARKING MY CAR IN LIGHT RAIN FOR ABOUT TWO AND A HALF HOURS THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT WORK WHEN I STARTED THE CAR. I TINKERED AROUND WITH THE LEVERS AND THE REAR WIPER WORKED AND THE WASHER FLUID WORKED, BUT NOT THE F…"~13,500 mi, complaint #747763
    • "DEBRIS WORKS ITS WAY PAST THE SHIELD AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD, CLOGS UP THE DRAIN HOLES IN THE FENDER AND OVERFLOWS INTO THE HEATER BOX. IT THAN LEAKS INTO THE CAR AND CAUSES THE WINDOWS TO FOG UP TO THE POINT WHERE YOU CAN NOT SEE OUT THE WINDOWS WHILE…"~55,000 mi, complaint #1234549
  37. #37

    engine oil consumption

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "I HAD MY 09 TDI TOWED INTO A V.W. DEALER TODAY FOR A MAJOR OIL LEAK. THE DETAILS ARE AS FOLLOWS: I PARKED MY TDI IN MY DRIVEWAY THIS MORNING AFTER A LOCAL DRIVE. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE OBSERVED. IN THE AFTERNOON I WENT FOR ANOTHER DRIVE. I BARELY GOT OUT…"~10,820 mi, complaint #741994
    • " FUEL SYSTEM WAS FLUSHED AND REPLACED. AFTER THAT THE TOP OF THE ENGINE WAS LEAKING OIL. I TOOK IT BACK TO VW IN CLARKSVILLE TN. THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT. IT IS STILL LEAKING OIL JUST NOT AS BAD. THEN THE CAR WAS SMOKING AND BURNING/LEAKING OIL FROM THE TURBO.…"~102,000 mi, complaint #1061910
  38. #38

    hv system fault reduced power

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN MY JETTA TDI FOR OVER A YEAR, AND SO FAR MY MECHANIC HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIGURE OUT THE CAUSE. I HEAR A DING AND THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT BEGINS FLASHING, AND ON THE SMALL SCREEN I SEE "ENGINE FAULT - WORKSHOP" ONCE. THE CAR SOMETIME…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1117212
    • "MY DAUGHTER IS DRIVING A 2009 VW JETTA THAT IS NOT FIT FOR THE ROAD,THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT ISN'T THERE PROBLEM,BERLIN CITY HONDA, AND THAT THEY DON'T WORK ON THEM,AND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER IT, AS THE LIGHT TURNS GREEN SHE STEPS ON THE GAS,AND NO…"~122,000 mi, complaint #1575996
  39. #39

    seat mechanism

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT HEAD REST COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEAD REST COULD NOT BE MOVED OR REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 2…"~2,000 mi, complaint #744324
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT FELT WARMER THAN USUAL WHILE THE SEAT WARMER WAS ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT PLACED A LUMBAR CUSHION ON THE…"~197,000 mi, complaint #1621785
  40. #40

    steering rack mechanical

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "WHEN DRIVING INTO A SWEEPING CURVE AT 45 - 65 MPH, THE STEERING MECHANISM OR RACK & PINION SYSTEM LOCKS AND FAILS ON MY '09 JETTA WOLFSBURG EDITION SOMETIMES LEADING TO A SHORT SKID AND TEMPORARY LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. I PREVIOUSLY OWNED THE EXACT SAME…"~9,000 mi, complaint #732481
  41. #41

    throttle and pedal

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "WHEN AT A STOP SIGN OR AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKE, THERE IS A LONG LAG BEFORE THE ACCELERATOR WILL ENGAGE. ONCE WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, I LET THE BRAKE PEDAL GO AND ENGAGED THE ACCELERATOR BECAUSE THERE WAS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CAR ROLLED INTO THE ONCOMING…"~2,500 mi, complaint #797573
    • "JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP 2 MONTHS AGO. WE HAVEN'T EVEN PUT 2,000 MILE ON THE CAR YET AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TALKED TO MY MECHANIC AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR AND HE TOLD ME THESE CARS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR MAF SENSOR FAILURES AND THAT IT IS…"~51,000 mi, complaint #1234089
  42. #42

    wheel or rim

    1 unsafe, 1 broken

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "I HAVE 39000 MILES ON MY 2009 VW SPORTWAGEN SE, IN THAT TIME I HAVE REPLACED 5 ALLOY WHEELS THAT WERE DAMAGED BY SMALL TO MEDIUM SIZED POT HOLES. EVERY POTHOLE I HIT, EVEN SMALL ONES, DENT THE WHEELS AND THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE STOPPED BUYING THE ALLO…"~37,000 mi, complaint #846094
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPOKES ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BROKE. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT THINK THE VEHICLE HIT A POT HOLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE TIRE WAS…"~45,000 mi, complaint #912557
  43. #43

    brake booster

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "BRAKES SQUEALED FROM THE DATE OF DELIVERY IN MARCH 2009. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VW SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TO INSPECT BRAKES. I WAS TOLD EACH TIME THAT THAT'S COMMON IN THE VW JETTA AND I HAD TO GET USED TO IT. BRAKES SEEMED TO FAIL ON SEVERAL…"~30,000 mi, complaint #918360
  44. #44

    door latch and hinge

    1 broken

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "ICE COLLECTED IN DOOR JAM, REDUCING OPERATION OF DRIVER DOOR. I HAD BEEN DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER. UPON ARRIVAL AT MY DESTINATION, MY DRIVERS DOOR WAS DIFFICULT TO OPEN. WHEN FORCED OPEN I HEARD A LOUD CRUNCHING NOISE. ONCE I GOT OUT OF THE CAR, THE BOTTOM OF M…"~79,000 mi, complaint #1037947
  45. #45

    driveshaft axle cv

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ABS, THE STABILITY, AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTRO…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1156927
  46. #46

    engine head gasket

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE VEHICLE WAS EMITTING A DIESEL FUEL TYPE ODOR. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS HEADED BACK TO THE OFFICE IMMEDIATELY UPON DISCOVERING THE ODOR. ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE DIED. THE ONLY LIGHT THAT ILLUMINATED WAS THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED INT…"~47,932 mi, complaint #830877
  47. #47

    fluid leak unspecified

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE, CAR BEGAN TO FILL WITH WATER. NOT DIRECTLY FROM THE SUN ROOF BUT FROM A DISCONNECTED OR DAMAGED DRAIN HOSE. CAUSING SERIOUS MOLD & ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. VW HAS RELUCTANTLY LOOKED INTO THE PROBLEM, REPLACED PARTS, BUT ONLY MADE IT WORSE.…"~10,000 mi, complaint #810450
  48. #48

    glass and windshield

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "HOSES FOR THE SUNROOF DRAINS NOT SEALED PROPERLY. WATER LEAKS INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. FILLS SPARE TIRE WELL, RUSTING THE JACK AND TOOLS MAKING IT HARD TO USE IF NEEDED. WATER ALSO RUNS DOWN A PILLAR (WHERE THERE IS AN AIRBAG) AND THEN OVER (SOAKING) THE FU…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1157796
  49. #49

    infotainment head unit

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I AM REPORTING LAST SECOND DIRECTION CHANGES GIVEN BY MY GARMIN NUVI 42 GPS NAVIGATION DEVICE. ON EXIT 57 OFF I20 WEST TO I75/85 THE DEVICE CHANGED FROM DIRECTING TO JOIN I75/85 SOUTH TO JOIN I75/85 NORTH WITH LESS THAN 300 FEET TO MAKE THE CHANGE. ALSO, THE…"~68,550 mi, complaint #1162462
  50. #50

    instrument cluster

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY MY PRDNS LIGHTS WERE IN RED LIT UP AT THE SAME TIME.NOT SURE WHAT TYPE OF WARNING IT IS, HOWEVER IT CANNOT BE GOOD.."~17,000 mi, complaint #1626038
  51. #51

    noise or vibration unspecified

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "MOST VW JETTA 2009 OWNERS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE EXCESSIVE WIND NOISE AROUND THE A-PILLARS ON THE SEDANS. IT IS SO LOUD THE IT GIVES YOU A HEADACHE AND INCREASES DRIVERS FATIGUE. MANY MAGAZINES HAVE WRITTEN ABOUT THE ISSUE AND HAVE BEEN TOLD BY VW THAT THE…"complaint #770263
  52. #52

    parking brake

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I PURCHASED THIS 2009 JETTA VW USED FROM MY DAUGHTER. SHE WAS ORIGINAL OWNER AND DILIGENT ABOUT KEEPING THE MAINTENANCE UP TO DATE. IT HAD 115,000 MILES WHEN I PURCHASED IT AND HAD TO REPLACE BATTERY AND REAR BRAKES WITHIN 3 MONTHS ALTHOUGH SHE HAD REPLACED…"~130,890 mi, complaint #1404130
  53. #53

    power steering hydraulic

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THIS IS A 2009 VW JETTA, TDI PURCHASED NEW. DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE, IMMEDIATELY HAD NO FUNCTIONING POWER STEERING. STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED IN. SE…"~95,983 mi, complaint #976469
  54. #54

    software or update

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "EVER SINCE MY 2009 VW TDI DIESEL AUTO WAS NEW, I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH HESISTATION IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC THAT IS AN EMERGENCY. IF I SUDDENLY STOP, SUCH AS THE END OF THE EXIT RAMP ON THE INTERSTATE, AND SIMULTANEOUSLY TURN THE WHEELS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT, THEN…"complaint #760683
  55. #55

    tpms

    1 broken

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TIRE VALVE STEM CRACKED DURING TIRE FILLING. *TR"~25,980 mi, complaint #752275
  56. #56

    trunk or liftgate

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "THE TRUNK LID OF MY 2009 VW JETTA OPENS UNEXPECTEDLY. IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE IT IS PARKED. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO PREDICT WHEN IT WILL OCCUR. I WILL SOMETIMES FIND IT OPEN WHEN I AM READY TO DRIVE IN THE MORNING.…"~60,200 mi, complaint #1166155

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for VOLKSWAGEN JETTA directly.