2009 Volkswagen Jetta

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2009 Volkswagen Jetta
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Volkswagen Jetta Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2009 highlighted. 1980: 0 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 0 complaints 1983: 0 complaints 1984: 1 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 14 complaints 1986 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 19 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 22 complaints 1991: 31 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1992 1993: 17 complaints 1994: 117 complaints 1995: 220 complaints 1996: 31 complaints 1997: 54 complaints 1998: 192 complaints 1998 1999: 349 complaints 2000: 439 complaints 2001: 668 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2003: 455 complaints 2004: 231 complaints 2004 2005: 248 complaints 2006: 580 complaints 2007: 201 complaints 2008: 188 complaints 2009: 888 complaints 2009 2010: 852 complaints 2010 2011: 606 complaints 2012: 499 complaints 2013: 515 complaints 2014: 386 complaints 2015: 193 complaints 2016: 160 complaints 2016 2017: 158 complaints 2018: 30 complaints 2019: 537 complaints 2020: 51 complaints 2021: 65 complaints 2022: 41 complaints 2022 2023: 41 complaints 2024: 36 complaints 2025: 21 complaints 2026: 3 complaints 2026
2009: 888 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19820
19830
19841
198513
198614
198718
198819
198928
199022
199131
199230
199317
1994117
1995220
199631
199754
1998192
1999349
2000439
2001668
2002702
2003455
2004231
2005248
2006580
2007201
2008188
2009888
2010852
2011606
2012499
2013515
2014386
2015193
2016160
2017158
201830
2019537
202051
202165
202241
202341
202436
202521
20263

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL 22%

22% of complaints: fuel system, diesel — 195 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
SERVICE BRAKES 19%

19% of complaints: service brakes — 165 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AS THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180411

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120513

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: electrical system — 105 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 11%

11% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 102 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
ENGINE 11%

11% of complaints: engine — 95 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

2009 — complaint volume: 888
R 20090630 — power train

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 25,594 MY 2006-2009 JETTA 5TH GENERATION EQUIPPED WITH 2.01 ENGINE. THE FASTENING SCREW CONTACT SURFACES ON THE DRIVESHAFT COVER PLATE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO FACTOR

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVESHAFT SCREWS AND REPLACE THE SCREWS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 24, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Campaign 09V164000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20090717 — PE (closed 20091119)

VEHICLE STALL/LOSS MOTIVE POWER

R 20091020 — power train

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 (DS

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.

Campaign 09V333000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20100826 — PE (closed 20110208)

High Pressure Fuel Pump Failure (HPFP)

R 20110131 — fuel system, gasoline

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 JETTA, NEW BEETLE, NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, MODEL YEAR 2009 JETTA SPORTWAGEN AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 RABBIT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES. T

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE UNDERHOOD FUEL LINE. ADDITIONALLY, DEPENDING ON THE VEHICLE MODEL, DEALERS WILL EITHER REMOVE THE PLASTIC TAB FROM THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERV

Campaign 10V621000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20110207 — EA (closed 20150327)

High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure

I 20110802 — PE (closed 20111202)

Diesel Fuel Injector Line Leakage

R 20111115 — fuel system, diesel

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL 2009-2012 JETTA AND JETTA SPORTWAGEN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2008 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM

Remedy: VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED FUEL INJECTOR LINE FOR THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER ON CERTAIN VEHICLES AND WILL INSTALL VIBRATION DAMPERS ON ALL OF THE INJECTOR LINES. VOLKSWAGEN AND AUDI WILL NOTIFY O

Campaign 11V490000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170214 — electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, hydraulic

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.

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.

Campaign 16V913000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20180418 — EA (open)

Air Bag Clockspring Failure

R 20191106 — unknown or other

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7.

Campaign 19V679000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20201030 — service brakes, hydraulic

Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles.

Remedy: Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge.

Campaign 20E064000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2009 Volkswagen Jetta — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for fuel system, diesel issues (195 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (165 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (105 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 09V164000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V333000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V621000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 11V490000 (fuel system, diesel) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V913000 (electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V679000 (unknown or other) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20E064000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2018 ▲ 1992 ▲ 1991

WORST YEARS

■ 2010 ■ 2002 ■ 2001

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta?

The most-reported component is fuel system, diesel, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta have?

7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.