Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 167 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Volkswagen GTI, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 30 | 18% |
| Power train | 24 | 14% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 20 | 12% |
| Electrical system | 12 | 7% |
| Steering | 10 | 6% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 8 | 5% |
| Engine | 7 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 2% |
| Power train | 3 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the ABS control unit indicator light was illuminated. The vehicle wa
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
The warning light went on engine oil pressure off. Search manual. Then it wouldn't start. But lights where on so we put a new starter. But it wouldn't turn the engine. So We thought it must be the battery needs a jump st
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated while driving 35-40 MPH, the ABS warning light, traction control warning light, and the brake warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to b
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
I recently purchased this used car and discovered that there is a recall on it. I made an appointment for the recall service. Prior to the appointment, the ABS warning light came on while driving the car. I took the c
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
ABS MODULE HAS BEEN KNOWN TO BE DEFECTIVE ON THIS MODEL YEAR VOLKSWAGEN GTI. SOME VINS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT USES THE SAME ABS SYSTEM AND ABS MODULE THAT HAS BEEN KNOWN TO BE DEFECTIVE. ALL VINS T
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WITH AN ABNORMAL VIBRATION FELT IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE ABS WARN
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
VEHICLE HAS A RECALL FOR THE ABS MODULE, I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE VW OF MURIETTA CALIFORNIA DEALER TO GET THE RECALL TAKEN CARE OF ON 1/11/20 AND THEY CLAIMED THAT THEY ASSUMED THAT THE MODULE HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE AND TH
NHTSA complaint: Electronic stability control (esc)
AFTER DRIVING MY CAR FOR FIVE MINUTES, I HEARD A LOUD "POP" FROM THE CAR'S RIGHT SIDE. I LOOKED OVER AND OBSERVED THAT MY RIGHT SIDE VIEW MIRROR WAS BLACK BUT STILL INTACT. WHEN I PULLED OVER AND EXITED MY CAR, I FELT TH
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2009 Volkswagen GTI. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 Elec
Risk: A loss of vehicle control can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 2008 AND AUGUST 2009. THE WIRING HARNESS OF A TEMPERATURE SENSOR IN THE DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX (DSG) MAY HAVE CONNECTOR WIRES THAT WERE INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED. WITH INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED CONNECTOR
Risk: THE ABRUPT SHIFT TO NEUTRAL COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: VOLKSWAGEN WILL REPROGRAM THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE WITH UPDATED SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
| Reliability raw | 71 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 69 | good |
| Maintenance | 64 | average |
| Depreciation | 78 | good |
| Performance | 52 | average |
| Efficiency | 43 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 167 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 30 of them (18%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 71/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 69/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2009 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 66/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.