Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Volkswagen GTI owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control). Upon reprogramming the ABS module, the dealer informed the contact the ABS module failed the diagnostic test and needed to be replaced; however, the dealer informed the contact that he had to pay for the repair even though the recall remedy stated that the ABS module replacement was free of charge. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000.
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 was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a communication loss; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The failure mileage was 132,000.
I was driving on the freeway when I had to make a sudden stop. My brakes locked up and my ABS, brake, and ESC lights came on. I tried to regain control but ended up spinning out on the freeway and hitting the guard rail. Had to fix taillight and bumper is scratched. This problem is extremely dangerous because when I was braking I was braking under the impression that my ABS system was working correctly and I did not pump the brakes. I was only notified that my ABS, ESC, and brake were having issues after I was in the panic brake and it was too late to react and start pumping the brakes. The ABS, ESC, and brake lights turn off after the car is restarted but the problem is still there. I have tried braking hard on wet pavement afterwards to test the issue and the ABS, ESC, and brake lights turn on again when the ABS is supposed to engage. …
Beginning around 55K miles (car was approximately 6 years old) I occasionally would experience a chime followed by ABS light flashing when taking tight turns. It turned off when cycling the engine off/on. Also, sometimes there would be three chimes upon starting the car followed by ABS and ESC warning lights flashing. This could not be removed by cycling the engine off/on. It would stay on while driving and only go away randomly the next time I restarted it later; sometimes it would stay on for many consecutive stops/starts. The symptom of the three chimes upon startup got more frequent recently (70K miles). It would appear almost every day. I researched this on web chat forums and the symptoms appeared to be consistent with other 2009 vw GTI drivers experiencing ABS control module failure. …
I submitted a complaint last year with complaint #: 10907462. Summary of the unexpected ABS module breakdown that happened last year. The module broke down the first time on 09/06/216 on my way to work and it occurred while I was driving on the highway. I slowed down the speed to around 45 after I lost control of the vehicle when it happened and the lights and beeping did not stop with the engine light turned on. The car was eventually towed and repaired (paid out of pocket) at vw dealership. After searching online, the ABS module apparently has been a problem on GTI and gli jetta. Most recently, there is a recall on the ABS modules on certain vw vehicles; however my car was not one of them even though it is the same part that almost caused me a car crash on the highway! Please investigate into this problem and have the vw officially extend their qualification for recalls. …
The vehicle shifted gears in motion while driving on city streets. Parked the car in May of 2017 and haven't driven it since. Vw has refused to take responsibility, even though I've brought the issue of the vehicle having trouble switching to reverse from a parked position while I was at the dealership for service. Have received multiple occasions where the ABS/check engine light came on. Repeatedly taking it into the dealership to no avail. ** note: vw has refused to repair the issues "free of charge" as stated. That I'd have to pay for inspection by a dealership and since I'm 'out of warranty', I'm sure they'd charge me for the service as well. In addition, there was no 'open inspections' done to look into the recall before my purchase of the vehicle as a pre-owned certified car from the vw dealership. This was in dec. 2010. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen GTI. While driving various speeds, the antilock brake system (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC) warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ABS module malfunctioned and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure continued intermittently until the warning indicators remained illuminated at all times. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V913000 (service brakes, hydraulic, ESC). The vehicle was then taken to gunther Volkswagen of fort lauderdale (1660 s state rd 7, fort lauderdale, fl 33317, [phone]) where it was confirmed that the ABS module needed replacement. The vehicle was not serviced per the recall because insufficient pcu ground connection was not detected. …
ABS brakes and stability control failure, every time the ABS or stability control is activated the systems immediately fail and dash lights all turn on with three loud chimes. Other times the failure happens during normal driving. Power cycling the vehicle resets everything but the failure will soon occur again. This is a well known problem with 2009 models and in my opinion is dangerous -- ABS & stability control system are critical to safety during emergency braking. Some time ago I had to use the brakes to avoid an accident, my wheels all locked up and my vehicle began to skid sideways -- not what one would expect on a vehicle that comes with ABS brakes. I just now learned I can file a complaint. This issue has been ongoing for over approximately 18 months. …
For several weeks, solid ABS, solid traction control, and flashing "brake" lights would illuminate on the dashboard occasionally upon turning on the vehicle, accompanied by 3 audible beeps. Then, the ABS, traction control, brake, epc, steering, and check engine lights began to come on while driving. ABS and traction control stay illuminated, while the epc, steering, check engine, and brake lights come on intermittently, accompanied by 3 audible beeps. The message "engine fault - workshop!" also shows up on the message display center in the dash. In addition, while the car is in motion, the speedometer will repeatedly alternate between the actual speed reading and a reading of 0 MPH. When the speedometer drops to 0 MPH, the engine rpms increase. Finally, the car sputters and bucks when attempting to accelerate rapidly, and steering feels a bit stiff. …
Hello, I recently learned about the recall that Volkswagen has for 2009-2010 GTI's. The recall was for the ABS control module that caused a safety concern to our cars. What I cannot understand is how my friend got a recall ketter and I did not (we have the same exact cars).. My ABS module went out last year and I remember driving on the roads every day without traction, ESC control, pretty much my whole dash was lightened up.. I am a college student and had to pay 1600 dollars out my tuition fund just to pay for this problem that is now a recall a year later! I am wondering if vw figured that my car was good and thought I wouldnt need a recall letter. But guess what, if my friend is getting his GTI ABS module repaired for free by Volkswagen, I think its only fair for me to get my money back that I spent for this problem.. …
Related recalls
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.
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.
Traction Control complaints in other GTI years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2009 Volkswagen GTI?
NHTSA has 69 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2009 Volkswagen GTI, 41% of the model year's 167 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2009 Volkswagen GTI traction control problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-913 (electronic stability control (esc), Dec 20, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2009 Volkswagen GTI traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to stability & traction control problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.