2.0

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
80,659 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2009 Volkswagen GTI electrical problems

electrical problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2009 Volkswagen GTI:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2009 Volkswagen GTI Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #30

May 182020

GTI 4-cyl

  • 132,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

After driving my car for five minutes, I heard a loud "pop" from the car's right side. I looked over and observed that my right side view mirror was black but still intact. When I pulled over and exited my car, I felt the mirror which felt to no longer be flat but warped in various spots. It is quite apparent the mirror overheated. My mirror function nob was not in the "heat" position and was set to the left side mirror position. My concern is that it could have started a fire.

- Oak Hill, VA, USA

problem #29

Jul 142019

GTI

  • 59,000 miles
About two weeks ago while driving straight on a city street in dry conditionat a steady speed the ESC light on my dash came on and would not go out until I had parked the car for some time and restarted it. The light then came back on again after about 5 minutes of driving, this time it was accompanied by the electric power steering warning light which began to flash orange, then was solid orange and then flashed between orange and red. When the electric steering light is orange the steering assistance is reduced when straightening after cornering, however when it is red there is no power assistance and this condition can happen at any speed and at anytime without warning. Now yesterday(7/14/2019) when driving at 40mph in a straight line in the dry, the engine fail! workshop now!, esp, epc, electro steering, cel and ABS warning lights came on accompanied by a chime and the speedo went from 40 to 0 and back up again while in motion. Quite disconcerting to have all that happen at once. After all the lights went out the vehicle seemed to be ok until I attempted to pull out of a gas station at which time with the vehicle in drive I pressed the accelerator and the revs went up but the vehicle did not move until the third attempt. I have read on line that this maybe a result of an ABS module failure but my VIN doesn't pull up any recalls and my vehicle is out of warranty. Not only does this sound like it will be an expensive repair, it is also a hugh safety issue! unfortunately I don't have any pictures as it is completely random and not safe to try and take pictured while driving.

- Longwood, FL, USA

problem #28

Apr 022019

GTI

  • 56,000 miles
One of the hid headlamp stopped working causing the bulb fail warning light on the dash to be illuminated. I went to the auto parts store and bought a new bulb. Upon removal of the bulb access cover I found that all the insulation on allof the wiring in the headlight unit to have disintegrated causing the bare wires to touch and short out. I then inspected the other side of the vehicle and found the exact same condition. Upon contacting the dealer I was told that as the car was out of warranty I would have to purchase two new headlamp units at a cost of $500 per unit. I then contacted vwofa ( customer care ref #[xxx]) only to be told that again being out of warranty it was my responsibility to incur the repair costs. As the vehicle only has 60K and this is not only a safety issue but potentially hazardous and a manufacturing defect please investigate. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Longwood, FL, USA

problem #27

Jan 172018

GTI

  • 150,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving the vehicle on street roads and highways the car will shift down into a unknown gear and all lights start flashing putting the car into a neutral that doesn't fix until it's restarted.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #26

Jun 132018

GTI

  • 89,000 miles
My gear indicator lights (prnds) flash and my car either will not engage into gear or will limp. It has done it several times while driving on the highway. It will slam into a low gear causing RPM to max to 8000 and acts as if I slammed on the breaks. Also the number 3 fuse on top started smoking and melted inside the fuse box. Feared my car was king to catch fire.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #25

Mar 212018

GTI

  • 136,500 miles
I researched my VIN when I purchased the vehicle and found an incomplete safety recall on the ABS module. That recall number is 16V913. Before I could take the vehicle to the scheduled appointment the ABS module failed. The Volkswagen dealer in Tacoma, Washington charged me a diagnostic fee because the module failed communication, in which they found the module did indeed fail, but they would not replace it because they claim it wasn't covered under the warranty or the recall. They submitted a secondary claim to VW of America to try to have them approve the claim which was also denied. I am reaching out to hopefully get help with getting my vehicle fixed and once again safe to drive. Attached will be a copy of the invoice from the dealer and their findings.

- Lacey, WA, USA

problem #24

Jul 222017

GTI

  • 31,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The 12 volt outlets in my car aren't working. When I went to check the fuse, I discovered that the diagram of the fuse box provided by volkswagon in my manual does not match the actual fuse box in my car. I can't tell which fuse to replace to correct the problem. On-line, many other people have commented that their fuse box diagrams in their manuals are wrong too. Please help us get accurate diagrams of our fuse boxes.

- Charlottesville, VA, USA

problem #23

May 052017

GTI

  • 81,600 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Gti. While starting the vehicle, the ABS indicator illuminated. Also, while making a turn at various speeds, the instrument panel and the fuel gauge randomly failed. The vehicle was taken to a local ancira Volkswagen dealer located in san antonio, tx where it was diagnosed that the ABS module needed to be updated. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V913000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electronic stability control). The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the codes did not match the faults listed in the recall. The contact was denied the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 81,600.

- Heletos, TX, USA

problem #22

Dec 122015

GTI

  • 95,120 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Gti. When the brake pedal was depressed at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated to respond and the instrument panel warning indicators flickered on and off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that an unknown steering mechanism failed and the steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ABS control module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V913000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electronic stability control). The failure mileage was 95,120.

- Boca Raton, FL, USA

problem #21

Feb 022017

GTI

  • 61,000 miles
Timing chain failure 60000 miles; 6 months later engine coils failed.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #20

Jan 192017

GTI

  • 3 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Buford, GA, USA

problem #19

Jan 022017

GTI

  • 67,000 miles
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.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #18

Oct 172016

GTI 4-cyl

  • 74,900 miles
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.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #17

Nov 302016

GTI

  • 118,000 miles
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.

- Cranford, NJ, USA

problem #16

Nov 012015

GTI

  • 60,000 miles
Failed ABS module which makes speedometer, ABS, traction control not work intermittently.

- Akron, OH, USA

problem #15

Aug 192016

GTI

  • 88,000 miles
ABS module failure at 88K miles. Multiple fault codes presents with constant beeping and an error message reading " engine fault! workshop! in the heads up display (epc, emergency brake, electronic steering assist off, traction control off fault codes). This is a safety feature failure that can result in loss of power steering, antilock braking system functionality, and traction control at the same time. The failure of this module represents a serious danger to occupants in the vehicle as the safety features are disabled due to the failure of this crucial part. This can happen at any speed while driving/turning.

- Leander, TX, USA

problem #14

Apr 202016

GTI

  • 120,000 miles
When driving the car, a lot of the warning lights flash out of nowhere. The ABS light, traction, power steering, epc lights all flash. I also lose power steering. On top of that, the speedometer does not work. This happens abruptly and sometimes at high speeds. It is extremely dangerous. From what I've read, it is the ABS module failing. This seems to be a common problem of 09 Gtis and needs to be recalled!

- Red Bank, NJ, USA

problem #13

Mar 282016

GTI

  • 96,485 miles
My ABS pump & module were determined to need replacement. Searching online, it seems a large number of people with the 2009 model are having this issue. I was quoted at $2200 to fix it. I was driving on a city street to a restaurant after my wedding and the ABS, traction control and brake lights all came on. Days later the car started to rev weird and the speedometer would not work.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #12

Apr 042016

GTI

  • 115,000 miles
Just last week my Gti started having electrical problems and soon realized most 2009 Gtis eventually have this problem with their ABS control modules. Solid ABS, solid power steering light, solid check engine light, solid traction control, and flashing "brake" lights would illuminate on the dashboard occasionally upon turning on the vehicle, accompanied by 3 audible beeps. Then, the ABS, traction control, brake, epc, steering, and check engine lights began to come on while driving. ABS and traction control stay illuminated, while the epc, steering, check engine, and brake lights come on intermittently, accompanied by 3 audible beeps. The message "engine fault - workshop!" also shows up on the message display center in the dash. Steering feels a bit stiff. The dealer has indicated an internal fault in the ABS control module.

- Huntsville, AL, USA

problem #11

Mar 072016

GTI

  • 67,000 miles
For several weeks, solid ABS, solid traction control, and flashing "brake" lights would illuminate on the dashboard occasionally upon turning on the vehicle, accompanied by 3 audible beeps. Then, the ABS, traction control, brake, epc, steering, and check engine lights began to come on while driving. ABS and traction control stay illuminated, while the epc, steering, check engine, and brake lights come on intermittently, accompanied by 3 audible beeps. The message "engine fault - workshop!" also shows up on the message display center in the dash. In addition, while the car is in motion, the speedometer will repeatedly alternate between the actual speed reading and a reading of 0 mph. When the speedometer drops to 0 mph, the engine rpms increase. Finally, the car sputters and bucks when attempting to accelerate rapidly, and steering feels a bit stiff. The dealer has indicated an internal fault in the ABS control module.

- Miami, FL, USA

Read the next 10 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?