2009 Volkswagen Jetta Electronic stability control Problems
- Complaints
- 93about this part
- Share
- 10%of 889 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 103,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 93 complaints about the electronic stability control of the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta, 10% of the 889 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 103,500 miles. 9 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.
“My 2009 vw Jetta has the ABS, electronic stability program (esp) warning lamps illuminated with a flashing brake warning light during normal highway driving. The ABS system program was updated by my local vw dealer about two years ago as a part of a vw recall that was mailed to us. The car is extremely sensitive to wet or moist roads on a 90f day, it acts like it's driving on ice.”
NHTSA complaint #11253098, filed 2019-09, 150,000 miles“While driving my 2009 vw Jetta I went to pull out into intersection and the car shut off with no warning. At this time a light came on that says epc and prior to this my car would not start and would say safe on warning lights. This is a hazard to drive does anyone know what the problem could be and when item is replaced do I have to have the computer reprogrammed after this what a pain”
NHTSA complaint #11005594, filed 2017-07, 130,000 miles“Driving down the highway I had to slam on my brakes, expecting the ABS to kick on I kept my foot down until I realized all my tires had locked up and I started to slide sideways. In heavy traffic I began pumping my brakes. Ever since, my ABS system will work for a brief second before shutting off. This is a known issue for many 2009 mark v vw vehicles including the Jetta. I was told by vw that it would bea $1600 replacment ABS module. This should be recalled as a safety hazard by vwoa.”
NHTSA complaint #10925547, filed 2016-11, 110,000 miles“I was driving at approximately 45 MPH when a deer came into the road from the right side. I seen the deer and should have had plenty of time to miss it and come to a stop. I removed the car from 5th gear while using both the clutch and brake pads. Once I applied significant pressure to the brakes the completely locked up, as did the steering wheel. My car collided with the deer and subsequently traveled off the right side of the road in a spin, stopping approximately 40 feet down an embankment. Since then I have had no luck keeping the vehicle running. …”
NHTSA complaint #11354594, filed 2020-09, 125,000 miles“Going down the interstate at 70mph beside a semi, the car slightly (not enough to take me out of my lane) pulls to the side & ding! Ding! Ding! 'ABS' & 'esp' lights come on & the emergency 'brake' light on the dash starts flashing. No additional symptoms that I noticed on the next 15miles to work, just the dash lights. Upon arriving at work I park & shut the car off. Restart it. And everything appears as thou it was an aberration. No lights. No dinging. …”
NHTSA complaint #10629116, filed 2014-08, 93,400 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 Jetta 2009–2010, EOS 2009, GTI 2009 +4 more
Electronic stability control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 2% |
| 2019 | 5 | 1% |
| 2017 | 5 | 3% |
| 2016 | 4 | 2% |
| 2015 | 1 | 1% |
| 2014 | 10 | 3% |
| 2013 | 7 | 1% |
| 2012 | 10 | 2% |
| 2011 | 15 | 2% |
| 2010 | 21 | 2% |
| 2009 | 93 | 10% |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% |
| 2007 | 1 | 1% |
| 2006 | 6 | 1% |
| 2005 | 3 | 1% |
| 2004 | 3 | 1% |
| 2003 | 1 | 0% |
| 2001 | 3 | 0% |
| 1999 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
307 complaintsBrakes
205 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
141 complaintsElectrical system
107 complaintsEngine
96 complaintsEngine cooling
72 complaintsAir bags
35 complaintsOther or unknown
35 complaintsVehicle speed control
29 complaintsExterior lighting
24 complaintsSteering
24 complaintsBody and structure
16 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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