2009 Volkswagen Jetta: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta: 6 recalls, 889 owner complaints and up to 32 mpg combined.
Recalls
6 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #09V164000 · 2009 · 25,594 vehicles
What's wrong: 01 engine. The fastening screw contact surfaces on the driveshaft cover plate May not have been manufactured to factory specifications. Some screws May not have been torqued properly during assembly and could loosen over time, causing a knocking sound when the vehicle is in motion. The driveshaft screws could loosen to the point where the driveshaft detaches from the gearbox.
Why it matters: If the vehicle is moving when this happens, the detached driveshaft could cause damage the gearbox housing. A damage gearbox housing could leak gearbox oil onto the street and create a risk of a vehicle crash for both the driver and other motorists.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the driveshaft screws and replace the screws free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2009.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #09V333000 · 2009 · 16,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The wiring harness of a temperature sensor in the direct shift gearbox (dsg) May have connector wires that were insufficiently crimped. With insufficiently crimped connector wires, a temperature sensor has the potential to falsely detect a high gearbox oil temperature, causing the transmission to abruptly shift to neutral. If this happens, the selector lever position indicator within the instrument panel will flash.…
Why it matters: The abrupt shift to neutral could lead to a crash without warning.
The fix: Volkswagen will reprogram the transmission control module with updated software free of charge. The recall began on October 20, 2009.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #10V621000 · 2010 · 228,236 vehicles
What's wrong: 5l engines. The jetta, jetta sportwagen, and rabbit vehicles May have a small plastic tab located on the windshield washer fluid reservoir that May chafe against an underhood fuel supply line. The new beetle and the new beetle convertible vehicles May have a fastening clamp on a hydraulic hose of the power steering system that May be located in an improper position which could cause chafing against an underhood fuel…
Why it matters: If chafing occurs, there is the potential for a fuel leak to develop. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
The fix: 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 reservoir, or inspect the position of the fastening clamp and adjust the related fastening clamp into the…
Fuel system (diesel) Vehicle recall #11V490000 · 2011 · 168,275 vehicles
What's wrong: 0l tdi common rail diesel engine/clean diesel engine. The fuel injection pulses could coincide with the natural frequency of the injector line #2, in specific load and rpm conditions. This resonance creates additional stress in the fuel line.
Why it matters: Due to the resonance condition, injector line number 2 could develop small cracks which could lead to fuel leakage. Leaking fuel in the presence of an ignition source, May lead to a fire.
The fix: 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 owners to have the vehicles repaired free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during…
Stability control, Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #16V913000 · 2016 · 135,683 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A loss of vehicle control can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Other / unknown Vehicle recall #19V679000 · 2019 · 113 vehicles
What's wrong: Volkswagen group of america, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen passat, 2018 tiguan lwb, 2007-2009 jetta sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 jetta, 2013 jetta hybrid, 2008-2009 jetta sportwagen, 2015 golf sportwagen, 2013 golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 beetle and beetle convertible, 2008-2010 beetle, and beetle convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation…
Why it matters: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Brakes (hydraulic) Equipment recall #20E064000 · 2020 · 38 vehicles
What's wrong: The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder May be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.
Why it matters: If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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. The recall began October 30, 2020.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 8 mention a fire, 17 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Fuel system (diesel) (195): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (126), warning light on (63), won't start (19).
- Brakes (165): the most common themes are warning light on (67).
- Transmission & drivetrain (141): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (69), stalls / loses power (37), warning light on (24).
- Electrical (107): the most common themes are electrical failure (38), warning light on (34), stalls / loses power (23).
The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta has 889 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 37 Jetta model years for complaints (3.2× the average Jetta year). Complaints peaked in 2011 (119 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 60,149 miles. Neighboring years: 2008 (188 complaints, 4 recalls), 2010 (852 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 37 | 32 | Diesel |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 39 | 32 | Diesel |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 31 | 25 | Premium |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 29 | 25 | Premium |
| 2.5 L 5-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 30 | 24 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 5-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 24 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta.
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FAQ
Does the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recalls for the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2009 Volkswagen Jetta problems?
Owners have filed 889 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are fuel system (diesel) (195), brakes (165), transmission & drivetrain (141).
What gas mileage does the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta get?
EPA ratings run up to 32 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic (S6)), across 6 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.