VehicleVerdict

2009 Volkswagen Rabbit problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 123 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 61.5 times the median Rabbit year — the 2009 model ranks #1 of 15 Rabbit years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 5 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 44 reports (36% of the total).

123

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

10

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

5

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other Rabbit years?

Rabbit NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted123 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 2 complaints1981: 1 complaints1982: 5 complaints1983: 2 complaints1984: 2 complaints1985: 1 complaints2006: 18 complaints2007: 78 complaints2008: 35 complaints2009: 123 complaints
Rabbit NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Rabbit years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes4436%
Electrical System3629%
Steering108%
Speed Control54%
Transmission54%
Engine54%
Fuel System32%
Other32%
Airbags32%
Seats22%
Tires & Wheels22%
Body & Structure11%
Suspension11%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Driver Assistance11%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V913000Electrical SystemDecember 20, 2016 · 135,683 units

Defect

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.

10V621000Fuel SystemDecember 10, 2010 · 228,236 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“PUT ON BRAKES SUDDENLY. CAR SPUN OUT OF CONTROL TO THE LEFT HITTING A HIGHWAY DIVIDER AND THEN TO THE RIGHT HITTING A CAR. MY CAR WAS TOTALED AND THE INS. CO. PAID ME THE FULL MARKET VALUE FOR IT. THIS HAPPENED TWICE BEFORE ABOUT 6 MONTH AND 5 YEARS AGO WITH NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 19, 2016 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING AROUND TOWN USING THE HEATED SEATS THE PASSENGER SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CABIN FILLED UP WITH THICK SMOKE AND WE COULD NOT BREATH. WE HAD TO STOP THE CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. MY WIFE JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AND WE PUT OUT THE FIRE. THIS IS A KNOWN VW PROBLEM THAT HAD A FULL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 20, 2016 · fire

“ABS BRAKE MODULE. COMPUTER LOSES COMMUNICATION WITH ABS BRAKE MODULE, POWER STEERING IS DISABLED, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL IS DISABLED ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER BECOME DIABLED. WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT CAN CAUSE OVER STEER AND UNDER STEER. ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT ON TWO OCCASIONS. RECALL SENT, VW…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · March 8, 2017

“WHILE DRIVING AT A NORMAL SPEED OF 45MPH, THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE SLIGHTLY. ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FLASHED ON, AND THE FUEL GAUGE ALONG WITH THE SPEEDOMETER BEGAN TO FAIL. AS A RESULT, THE CAR NEEDED TO BE PULLED OVER AND STOPPED IN ORDER TO PREVENT A SERIOUS ACCIDENT FROM OCCURRING. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · August 26, 2015

“THE CAR WOULD SHAKE IN THE HIGHWAY AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AT CERTAIN MOMENT. ALSO STOPS RANDOMLY I DON'T KNOW WHY MY CAR ACTING THAT WAY AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE EVEN THE REPAIR SHOP DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE IS.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 1, 2015 · fire

2009 Volkswagen Rabbit — common questions

Is the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 123 complaints put the 2009 model at #1 of 15 Rabbit years. It is one of the Rabbit years to avoid.

What are the most common 2009 Rabbit problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (44 complaints), electrical system (36 complaints), steering (10 complaints).

Does the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Volkswagen Rabbit years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Rabbit years to avoid are 2009, 2007, 2008. The cleanest record among Rabbit years belongs to 1979.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.