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2009 Volkswagen Rabbit

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

51 reports with mileage · 11 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electronic Stability Control (esc). Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports

Service Brakes complaints

39 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2023
Forward Collision AvoidanceService BrakesCrashInjury

I am making a complaint against volkswagen for refusing to perform the abs safety recall. The ABS module is dead, I found out the hard way that I have no ABS or traction control. I stopped on the highway and lost control, I could have died and the van that hit me twice could did worse. The dealer refuses to perform the recall…

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I am making a complaint against volkswagen for refusing to perform the abs safety recall. The ABS module is dead, I found out the hard way that I have no ABS or traction control. I stopped on the highway and lost control, I could have died and the van that hit me twice could did worse. The dealer refuses to perform the recall and is completely unhelpful. Yes there were warning lights and thats why I took it to the dealer. P.S. This happened a day before the accident. Two different VW dealers refused to perform the ABS module recall on my car even though Volkwagen customer care called to make my appointment, the car was too old, the repair was to expensive and also that the module wasnt communicating. It specifically says it in the recall, that if the module is not responding to replace it. The next day when I driving the car on the highway, I stepped on the brakes and the car started spinning on the highway, It spun into another lane and hit another car. I realized that the car did exactly what a car with no ABS would do.

NHTSA ODI #11558482

30,000 miles · Mar 14, 2021
Service Brakes

ABS ,, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL IS BLINKING, THATS MEAN THE ABS MODULE IS FAIL

NHTSA ODI #11402941

Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2021
Service Brakes

NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V913000 LISTS 2009 VOLKSWAGEN RABBITS TO BE AFFECTED IN THIS RECALL. I AM CURRENTLY FACING THE SAME EXACT ISSUE DESCRIBED AND MY CAR ALSO MATCHES THIS DESCRIPTION. HOWEVER, WHEN I DID A VIN SEARCH, IT SHOWS THAT THIS CAR IS NOT LISTED. CAN I GET MY CAR ONTO THE LIST?

NHTSA ODI #11386851

146,000 miles · Oct 19, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainService Brakes

WHEN DRIVING, MY 09 RABBIT, THE POWER STARING LIGHT WILL FLASH YELLOW TO RED AND THEN STAY RED, I'M JERKED TO THE SIDE, RIGHT AND LEFT . ON SOME OCCASIONS WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN, IT FEELS AS THOUGH I'M BEING SLING SHOT FORWARD, I HAVE A TERRIBLE WOBBLE AND WHEN THIS HAPPENS I CANNOT ACCELERATE OVER 45 WITHOUT THE CAR SOUNDING …

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WHEN DRIVING, MY 09 RABBIT, THE POWER STARING LIGHT WILL FLASH YELLOW TO RED AND THEN STAY RED, I'M JERKED TO THE SIDE, RIGHT AND LEFT . ON SOME OCCASIONS WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN, IT FEELS AS THOUGH I'M BEING SLING SHOT FORWARD, I HAVE A TERRIBLE WOBBLE AND WHEN THIS HAPPENS I CANNOT ACCELERATE OVER 45 WITHOUT THE CAR SOUNDING LIKE A HELICOPTER, MY AC AND ABS LIGHT WILL FLASH ON THEN OFF SPORADICALLY. MY TRANSMISSION SLIPS PERIODICALLY AND THIS HAPPENS REGARDLESS IF I'M ON THE HIGHWAY OR CITY STREETS. I HAVE BEEN TO FOUR MECHANICS, I'VE HAD THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE REPLACED, TIRES ROTATED AND BALANCED, A NEW BATTERY AND A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. LUCKILY THE LAST MECHANIC I TOOK THE CAR TO HOOKED IT UP TO HIS MACHINE AND GOT CODES FOR THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL MALFUNCTION AND ABS MODULE MALFUNCTION. I HAVE CHECKED THE RECALL SITE AND BOTH MODULES HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR MY MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR, HOWEVER MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED.

NHTSA ODI #11269505

95,000 miles · Sep 16, 2019
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MCKENNA VOLKSWAGEN (18303 STUDEBAKER ROAD, CERRITOS CA, 90703, 1-855-995-7761) FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V913000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) IN 2017. THE VEHICLE FAILED THE DIAGNOSTIC MODULE TEST AND THE DEALER REFUSED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MCKENNA VOLKSWAGEN (18303 STUDEBAKER ROAD, CERRITOS CA, 90703, 1-855-995-7761) FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V913000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) IN 2017. THE VEHICLE FAILED THE DIAGNOSTIC MODULE TEST AND THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL MODULE AS STATED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ODI #11256014

118,000 miles · Apr 25, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

ABS BRAKE MODULE FAILED DEACTIVATING ESC AND POWER STEERING CAUSING UNEXPECTED OVER STEER AND UNDER STEER, CAUSING MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. RECALL ISSUED AND NEW SOFTWARE FLASHED TO MODULE. VWOA FAILED TO REPLACE FAULTY MODULE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. FAILURE OCCURRED ON A CLEAR DRY AFTERNOON IN CITY DRIVING AT 45 MILE…

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ABS BRAKE MODULE FAILED DEACTIVATING ESC AND POWER STEERING CAUSING UNEXPECTED OVER STEER AND UNDER STEER, CAUSING MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. RECALL ISSUED AND NEW SOFTWARE FLASHED TO MODULE. VWOA FAILED TO REPLACE FAULTY MODULE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. FAILURE OCCURRED ON A CLEAR DRY AFTERNOON IN CITY DRIVING AT 45 MILES AN HOUR IN A CURVE. ALMOST PUT VEHICLE IN DITCH.

NHTSA ODI #11203635

127,000 miles · Feb 28, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V913000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CRESTMONT VOLKSWAGEN (730 NJ-23, POMPTON PLAINS, NJ 07444, (973) 839-4000). AFTER UPDATING THE SOFTWARE FOR THE ABS, T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V913000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CRESTMONT VOLKSWAGEN (730 NJ-23, POMPTON PLAINS, NJ 07444, (973) 839-4000). AFTER UPDATING THE SOFTWARE FOR THE ABS, THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE ABS HYDRAULIC PUMP WAS NOT WORKING AND WOULD COST $2,500 TO REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

NHTSA ODI #11183144

63,752 miles · Nov 12, 2018
Service Brakes

5/31/18 TOOK CAR IN FOR THE ABS MODULE RECALL. THEY DID A "SYSTEM UPDATE" LESS THEN SIX MONTHS LATER WHEN DRIVING ALL OF A SUDDEN EVERY LIGHT ON THE DASH STARTED FLASHING AND THE CAR BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER AND BREAK SO WE IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. AT FIRST THEY SAID IT NEEDED THE FANS REPLACED SO WE PAID $980.88…

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5/31/18 TOOK CAR IN FOR THE ABS MODULE RECALL. THEY DID A "SYSTEM UPDATE" LESS THEN SIX MONTHS LATER WHEN DRIVING ALL OF A SUDDEN EVERY LIGHT ON THE DASH STARTED FLASHING AND THE CAR BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER AND BREAK SO WE IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. AT FIRST THEY SAID IT NEEDED THE FANS REPLACED SO WE PAID $980.88 TO HAVE THAT DONE. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP ALL THE LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING AGAIN AND SO WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AFTER TWO WEEKS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND "39 DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION CODES" THEY SAID THE ABS MODULE FAILED COMPLETELY AND NEEDS REPLACED. I CALLED COOPERATE VW FOR HELP BUT COOPERATE VW REFUSES TO REPLACE THE MODULE AS PART OF THE RECALL BECAUSE " IT DOESN'T SHOW A CERTAIN CODE" AND "IT DIDN'T FAIL AT THE TIME THEY DID THE SYSTEM UPDATE". THIS IS OVER A $2000.00 FIX AND WE ARE UNABLE TO AFFORD IT. I AM LEFT PAYING ON A CAR I STILL OWE $4000.00 ON THAT ISN'T SAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD AN ADDITIONAL $2000.00 TO FIX A KNOW PROBLEM THAT VOLKSWAGEN WON'T FIX. THIS IS HEARTBREAKING AND BEYOND UPSETTING WHEN THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP "AGREES THAT COOPERATE SHOULD FIX IT BUT THERE IS NOTHING HE CAN DO". HE EVEN SAID THAT THIS IS "A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH A MAJORITY OF THE CARS HE HAS BEEN WORKING ON". IT'S JUST NOT RIGHT!!!

NHTSA ODI #11151053

Mileage unknown · May 24, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteering

ABS MODULE. THE ABS LIGHT AND OTHER LIGHTS CAME ON. VW RELEASED A RECALL. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY WILL ONLY REPLACE FOR FREE IF THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE GROUND ON THE MODULE. THEY ARE TRYING TO CHARGE $1500+ TO REPLACE THE MODULE.

NHTSA ODI #11097851

Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2017
Service Brakes

2009 VOLKSWAGON RABBIT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ABS FAILURE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS. UPDATED 10/31/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI #11024291

Official recalls

2

16V913000 · Electronic Stability Control (esc); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

Dec 20, 2016

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A loss of vehicle control can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electronic Stability Control (esc)

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.

Consequence: A loss of vehicle control can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

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.

Consequence: A loss of vehicle control can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

10V621000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Dec 10, 2010

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 JETTA, NEW BEETLE, NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, MODEL YEAR 2009 JETTA SPORTWAGEN AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 RABBIT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L 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 SUPPLY LINE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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 CORRECT POSITION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.