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SteeringPart report

2009 Volkswagen Jetta Steering Problems

Complaints
24about this part
Share
3%of 889 total for the year
Median mileage
90,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the steering of the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta, 3% of the 889 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I had made an appointment with Volkswagen dealership to have my car looked at because of the recall. My ABS light came on and has been on for weeks. It hasn't turned off. When I took my car in they tried to perform a software update but weren't able to because apparently the module went out before the recall. I haven't had any problems with this until just a few weeks ago so I don't understand how that is possible. Now they are saying its technically my fault and now im stuck paying 1200 on an ABS module and maintenance. …”

NHTSA complaint #11173206, filed 2019-01, 140,150 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

“The ABS module faulting is a known and common problem for these vehicles. Vw has a recall for the ABS software-recall #16v913. If your module doesn't crash when the dealer performs the update, which it likely won't, then they do not replace the module. We feel this is a workaround to cover them to not have to replace them. Ours went out this month while I was driving. This was extremely dangerous as I lost steering control and the vehicle kept downshifting below 30 MPH on a highway that I should have been traveling 60 MPH on. The epc and ABS lights came on. …”

NHTSA complaint #11277060, filed 2019-10, 140 miles

“I was traveling along the outer loop of 495 beltway in the right center lane at approximately 7:15am when the car suddenly shut off. The doors locks clicked unlock and the dash lights went black. The car drifted to the shoulder of the road. After about 5 minutes the car started and I drove 1/2 mile and shut off again in the same manner. The car was towed to Volkswagen of waldorf where they cited a electronic control unit in the steering column was faulty.”

NHTSA complaint #10428913, filed 2011-10, 56,447 miles

“My ABS light came on and then my red brake light came on, a few days later my epc light came on. About a week after that that my speedometer stopped working and I noticed that the mileage had stopped counting. I took it to napleton's Volkswagen service department in orlando and (short version) received a quote to do the work of over $1700 to fix the ABS before they could even tell me if there was a problem with the ABS as they could not upload the software for the recall..the problem was directly related to the ABS module..which in my paperwork is described in the recall information. …”

NHTSA complaint #11115502, filed 2018-08, 76,528 miles

Steering: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026117%
202513%
202424%
202312%
2022716%
202134%
202047%
2019122%
2017149%
2016117%
2015158%
2014174%
2013377%
2012428%
2011234%
2010132%
2009243%
200832%
200742%
2006102%
200521%
200442%
200310%
200281%
200151%
200082%
199982%
1998126%
199724%
1996310%
1995146%
199411%
199126%
198716%

Other parts of the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta

Fuel system
307 complaints
Brakes
205 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
141 complaints
Electrical system
107 complaints
Engine
96 complaints
Electronic stability control
93 complaints
Engine cooling
72 complaints
Air bags
35 complaints
Other or unknown
35 complaints
Vehicle speed control
29 complaints
Exterior lighting
24 complaints
Body 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