2009 Volkswagen GTI Electronic stability control Problems
- Complaints
- 69about this part
- Share
- 41%of 167 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 81,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 69 complaints about the electronic stability control of the 2009 Volkswagen GTI, 41% of the 167 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 81,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While taking the kids to school, my traction control light and steering assist light came on followed by the check engine light and a loss of drive.after taking the vehicle to an official vw dealership they spent 2 days diagnosing the 6 pages of faults that came up and informed me that the ABS module has failed and will require replacement.”
NHTSA complaint #11290692, filed 2019-12, 62,300 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.”
NHTSA complaint #11103696, filed 2018-06, 89,000 miles“On 11/14/2014, I paid my vw dealer $1102 to have the faulty ABS control module replaced. At the time, my car had 72,648 miles on it. Early in 2017, vw announced a recall of some 2009 cars over the safety issue of a faulty ABS computer. My car was not listed in this recall- but I believe it should be, and I should be compensated for my repair costs.”
NHTSA complaint #10991602, filed 2017-05, 72,648 miles“Abs module failure. When I drive during snow and winter and my car starts to slide my dash lights up like a christmas tree and beeps loudly. I got kids and don't want to get into an accident with them in the car because of it. Abs doesn't work like it used to. 2k for a fix is definitely not something that I can stomach. Vw needs to step it up before someone gets hurt or killed.”
NHTSA complaint #10903123, filed 2016-09, 60,000 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.”
NHTSA complaint #10855107, filed 2016-04, 96,485 milesRelated recalls
- 16V913000Dec 20, 2016Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Volkswagen Jetta A5 Sedan, 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, Eos…Covers: Volkswagen GTI 2009, Jetta 2009–2010, EOS 2009 +4 more
Related service bulletins
- 10177854Jul 31, 2020Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) function test may not end on its own causing DTC.
Electronic stability control: other model years
Other parts of the 2009 Volkswagen GTI
98 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
32 complaintsElectrical system
31 complaintsSteering
20 complaintsEngine
15 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 Volkswagen GTI
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology