10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
12 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
78,448 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #42

Jun 012016

Jetta

  • 27,940 miles
ABS, traction control, and brake light warnings all flashing. ABS control module faulty and needed to be replaced

- Raeford, NC, USA

problem #41

Dec 012016

Jetta

  • 86,750 miles
Multiple warning lights on dashboard, ABS, traction control and brake lights along with 3 audible beeps. ABS system no longer functioning along with traction control. Mechanic has indicated there is a known defect with the ABS module in this model year and just within the last week VW has issued a partial recall but has not expanded to include all vehicles. Repair costs are over $2000.

- Arvada, CO, USA

problem #40

Nov 022016

Jetta 4-cyl

  • 65,240 miles
My wife was driving her 2009 VW Jetta and the ABS, traction control and brake light comes on the dashboard the other day with a beeping sound also. First let me say this car just turned 65,000 miles. I have owned many vehicles in my lifetime and this is unacceptable for a major safety device to fail as this did so early in the life of this car. I have read many other complaints that the ABS control module fails and consumers have lost steering. This part is $1550 and another $375 to install, total of $1925. You can only buy this part new at the VW dealer ( just called). I can't believe this has not been recalled by now. Please someone look into this problem. I don't want my wife driving this car, it is not safe with no ABS working and possible loss of steering. Also don't know if this is connected to the ABS problem but the rear brakes are used up way to soon. Brake dust all over the rear wheels. I'm a car guy and work on cars, this is not right.. thank you..

- Brandon, FL, USA

problem #39

Aug 202016

Jetta

  • 105,000 miles
The failure that occurred was while the vehicle was in motion, on a city street, almost all the indicator lights turned on (brake, ABS, check engine, and stability control) and the fuel and speedometer gauges went out. After pulling over and restarting the car, it seem to operate ok, but then everything lit up again. I pulled over on a side street to test the brakes and it seemed to brake "normal" without engaging the ABS. It seem like the car operates without ABS, stability control, the speedometer, and fuel gauge.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #38

Nov 052016

Jetta

  • 82,000 miles
While driving the vehicle, I had to stop quickly due to possible impact with a car which ran a red light. My ABS kicked in to prevent wheel lock up and suddenly esp/ABS lights came on along with 3 loud beeps and my wheels locked up. ABS/esp lights stayed on and my traction control, stability control and ABS did not function anymore. Conventional braking was still working normal and car was drive-able. Upon performing a ABS/esp scan for faults, it indicated a internal failure of the ABS control module. Turning the car on and off resets the lights and ABS function is restored, but if you attempt to do another panic stop- all the lights come on and anti-lock brakes do not function- brakes lock up.

- Palatine, IL, USA

problem #37

Jul 012014

Jetta

  • 110,000 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.

- Doylestown, PA, USA

problem #36

Jun 192016

Jetta

  • 67,000 miles
ABS module failed on my vehicle without warning and for no apparent reason as I was driving at about 40mph. Car has only done about 67,000 miles. The failure of the part affected not only the ABS itself but the power steering, the gas gauge and the speedometer, all of which started to intermittently fail. The part cost over $1600 to replace and I was without a vehicle for several days as it took them a long time to reprogram the car. It would seem this is a very common problem with the 2009 Volkswagen and as the part is so expensive to replace, VW needs to address this.

- Windsor Heights, IA, USA

problem #35

Jul 212016

Jetta

  • 87,000 miles
I bought a 2009 Jetta after it was listed in the NHTSA article "safest used cars for teens." Wish I hadn't. VW has a problem with their ABS modules failing unexpectedly, but it is not a recall issue. My anti-locks failed today as I attempted to avoid a vehicle nearly side swiping me on an urban interstate during daytime traffic. This caused me to spin about 180 degrees and can't believe I wasn't T-boned. This vehicle should be taken off of that list, and not be recommended as a safe vehicle for teens.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #34

Jun 132016

Jetta

  • 100,000 miles
Here's another ABS module failure thanks to VW's horrible design. The failure is causing the entire dash cluster to go haywire. Car beeps all the time because it thinks the emergency brake is on. Speedometer doesn't work! fuel gauge jumps up when engaging brakes. ABS, traction, epc, cel lights constantly on, and sometimes it goes into limp mode making it dangerous to drive on the highway. VW charges $2,000 for the part excl labor which is 20% of the price of the car new. This should not happen with a seven year old car at only 100K miles

- Spring Valley, CA, USA

problem #33

Jun 242016

Jetta

  • 99,999 miles
Jetta's ABS light and traction lights came on. Speedometer will sputter and car dashboard will have a beeping sound with the brake light on as well as the ABS light. Can will still drive normally but the warning lights and beeping sound will appear every few minutes. Took it to the dealer and was told my ABS module needs to be replaced and the repair will cost $2400. Searched online and other Jetta owners seem to have this same problem.

- Union, NJ, USA

problem #32

May 022016

Jetta

  • 59,000 miles
Randomly, most of the vehicle warning lights, check engine or malfunction indicator light, brake system, ABS, traction control or esp, airbag fault, appear while I am using a brake for red light and driving on any kinds of roads. Then I feel the wheel as heavier than usual, the past (cannot turn smoothly like before). I just purchased the used vehicle on December 16, 2015. The cardealer, autonation, sold the car by advertising that's well maintenanced and all checked. However, within6 months after the purchase, those vehicle warning lights came up on the display. Autonation suggested me to go to wollswagen dealer. The mechanic at the local Volkswagen dealer gave me an estimates for the repair around 2,000 usd saying that ABS system is not working and needs to be replaced by a new one. I asked a help to autonation, but the dealer said that's why Volkswagen car is known as a risky choise. The dealer appolozied me saying that he cannot help me. Is there any way to return the car to autonation or to get my car repaired by autonation?

- Costa Mesa, CA, USA

problem #31

May 132016

Jetta

  • 20 miles
I had scary moments while I was driving my VW Jetta last Friday May 13, 2016. Suddenly the vehicle started acting up. The lights on the dashboard that comes on for warning started blinking included engine, brake lights are constantly flashing, steering, ABS, and E.T.C. (electronic throttle control) + bold red line flashing across drive gears display all in one!!!!!! which is not makes any sense. ''. had to maneuver over to the side of the road, lucky we didn't get in an accident!!!! what actually happens when it comes on it is hard to steer, acceleration goes slow, beeping hearing test noise frequents, gas gauge goes to E, and speedometer goes all the way to the end. This happens frequently and doesn't matter what road or highway I'm in, which makes it more dangerous when it's hard to steel and the brake lights are constantly flashing and when I steer the vehicle goes back not forward. I towed my vehicle to a local VW dealership and it was determined that the ABS module failed and caused the problems. The cost to replace ABS module is $2350 ($1650 ABS module +$700 labor). This is obviously a manufacturing defect which can cause an immediate harmful affect if I was on a highway or not being careful I could have easily been in a life threatening accident I don't think it's fair that consumers should absorb the cost of this type of repair I think VW should send a recall immediately. VW knows about this problem and they replaced the ABS part # 1K0 614 517 bef with new part # 1K0 614 517 bk bef ( I request the old parts from the dealer) -attached my video that I recorded at the time that I had this incident. Https://drive.google.com/file/D/0B1qrivbdbo7qmla2Z1rmanbru3M/view"usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/D/0B1qrivbdbo7qwdbmrnhgedheeee/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/D/0B1qrivbdbo7qbfa2two5ofvit2M/view"usp=sharing

- Locust Grove, GA, USA

problem #30

Nov 142015

Jetta

  • 55,000 miles
During normal driving ABS, brake, and ESC lights turned on to inform me there's problem with the braking system. My vehicle at the time only had around 55,000 miles. I believe the ABS module prematurely malfunctioned. VW dealer confirmed a faulty ABS module and it will cost $2,200 to fix it. When searching for related issues on the internet, if found numerous similar complaints regarding the ABS failure. I can only assume that there are more drivers who have experienced the problem like me, but has not filed a complaint yet. I didn't even consider filing a complaint until I finally got it confirmed that it was the ABS module failure. I believe VW should replace the ABS module at no cost to owner.

- Murrieta, CA, USA

problem #29

Nov 252015

Jetta

  • 90,000 miles
Here's a video I made that shows the effects: youtu.be/ubg3nmsa75M I'll just be driving along and suddenly the car will start beeping and the power steering will quit working and every warning light on the dashboard will come on at the same time and the speedometer will drop to zero no matter what speed I'm driving and sometimes the car will pop out of gear while I'm driving 70 miles an hour on the freeway. It started out intermittently in 2014 and the dealership couldn't diagnose the problem. But then it started happening more and more frequently and the issue could be identified in late 2015. So now 2 different VW dealerships have told me that the issue is a faulty ABS module. It's crazy that an ABS module can shut down so many different systems while the car is in motion. If you look around online you'll find it affects several different VW models, at least the Jetta and the golf, maybe others. My wife and I don't drive the car anymore because we don't want to get in a wreck when the car just pops out of gear for no reason. But I bet other people have been hurt by these faulty ABS modules and all the dangerous effects they have on the car.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #28

Jan 282016

Jetta 4-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving at various speeds, the ABS module malfunctioned and caused the vehicle to shift out of gear. The affected parts included the speedometer and the power steering. The speedometer shifted to zero mph without the assistance of the driver, and the steering wheel stiffened, which caused further difficulties for the contact. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 09/22/16

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #27

Feb 242016

Jetta

  • 95,000 miles
The ABS module needs to be restore or replace. The lights on the dashboard that comes on includes engine, brakes, steering, ABS, and E.T.C.(electronic throttle control).what actually happens when it comes on is it hard to steer, acceleration goes slow, beeping hearing test noise frequents, gas gauge goes to E, and speedometer stops working. This happens frequently and doesn't matter what road or highway I'm what makes it more dangerous when its hard to steel and the brake lights are constantly flashing.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #26

Oct 192015

Jetta

  • 57,642 miles
Driving home when exiting off to the hwy my Jetta will flash the ABS, brake and ESC lights while beeping. Took car to mechanic it was relayed that the ABS module was bad. I refuse to take car to VW dealer because I already have issues with them about the erc valve and diesel fuel particulate filter (engine light constantly stays on) being 1 of the issues VW has admitted being faulty but still not doing anything about it. To get the ABS fixed it's going to be over $2500 and the have the erc & diesel fuel particulate filter fixed is over $3000. Each of these items are faulty and should be taken care of by the dealer with a cent paid from my pocket. Both are life threatening faults that eventually could lead to my death or deaths of others. I have no choice as this is my sole source of transportation so I have to drive it. Even though VW admits fault they are doing nothing to help except for offering "consolation" gifts - none will cover cost to fix car and get myself and others out of danger. VW needs to be held responsible.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #25

Sep 192015

Jetta

  • 79,181 miles
ABS warning light solid yellow, break light flashing red and beeping, esp/asr light solid yellow (inactive.) VW dealership replaced ABS module and pump total bill $ 3109.44

- Panama City, FL, USA

problem #24

Sep 222014

Jetta

  • 72,000 miles
I was driving down the highway at approximately 55mph when a construction vehicle swerved into my lane in front of me. I braked quickly - firmly but not a full panic brake - and immediately felt the car lose traction and start to spin. There was no ABS brake pedal feedback. The car did a perfect 180 and I ended up between the left and middle lanes, facing the wrong direction. Thankfully I didn't spin off of the road and the cars behind me were able to stop in time - about a foot from where my front bumper stopped. I was extremely lucky and I could have been killed. I reversed the car, got facing in the right direction and then pulled off into the shoulder to catch my nerves and evaluate the car. There was a beeping sound and 'brake' illuminated on the dashboard. I turned the car off, waited a minute and turned it back on. No warning sounds or dash lights showed anything was wrong after the restart. I scheduled an appointment with my local VW dealer and found out my ABS module needed to be replaced at a cost of around $2300. Not to mention the two rear tires I needed to replace from the wheels locking up and flat-spotting them. I called VW usa to complain and after 3 calls explaining that this seems to be a recurring problem from the NHTSA website complaints area, was told a 25% discount on the repair was as good as they could do and have a nice day. No concern or comments on the lack of any warning lamp of ABS failure before the incident or after the car was restarted. The failure could have occurred 2 years prior while the car was in warranty but I didn't know until I actually needed the ABS to work and found out the hard way. Shame on VW... it appears to be a known safety issue and they are looking the other way to save a buck.

- Flanders, NJ, USA

problem #23

Jun 242015

Jetta

  • 72,015 miles
I was driving down the street when a loud beeping and the red ABS failure + every light on dashboard lit up. Every gauge stopped working (the gas gauge, speedometer, etc) I was close to home and carefully proceeded to the house. After a half mile the car stalled and the engine died. Because I was prepared for an event, I immediately set hazards and rolled to the side of the road. I restarted the car and made it the rest of the way home (2 blocks) without it stalling again. I have not driven the car since, I took it the VW dealer and it was determined the ABS module failed / broke and caused the problems. This is obviously a manufacturing the defect which can cause an immediate harmful affect. If I was on a highway or being careful far beyond any normal sense I could have easily been in a life threatening accident.

- Aliso Viejo, CA, USA

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