Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Volkswagen Jetta owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the headlights and the turn signal lights had failed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the wiring was damaged. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 355,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the exterior brake lights remained illuminated. In addition, the dealer diagnosed that the ABS modules failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer had not yet given the approval for the repair. The vehicle was taken to the dealer per NHTSA campaign number: 16V913000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electronic stability control). The dealer provided the contact with a loaner vehicle. The contact did not know if the dealer would update the ABS control module software and replace the ABS modules. The manufacturer had not provided a reasonable solution. The approximate failure mileage was 147,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Passenger side headlight and rear brake light not working. Also the passenger signal lights not front and rear not working. I was driving from homedepot and made a right turn, notice the dash right turn indicator was flashing rapidly than when I entered my garage I notice that the passenger headlight wasn't on as well. The rear backup light not working a well on the passenger side. I drive into orlando for work and have had near rear collision when making right turns because we have alot of tailgaters in florida. Read that there was a recall on this problem. Please advise...
I think there is an electrical problem with my car. Since the beginning of this yr 2015 my seats burnt a hole threw the seat and my clothes. I no longer use the heated seats cause I am afraid my car will catch on fire. Also my I have a light go out every time I replace a light. First a head light then a blinker light then a tail light next the licenses plate light and currently another front light. This has been over the last 6-8 mons.
Fuse box in engine compartment melted. The location is where the right sit headlight fuse is. Rf headlight and turn signal do not work. I looked the problem up and found that there are many other people that have same type vehicle with this same problem.
Intermittent electrical problems from undetermined source for last year, ended up losing all lights on passenger side of car, and some lights/light function on driver's side, including brake lights, turn signals, headlights etc. Random security alarm going off without being able to turn it off, brake warning lights, traction control issues. After a quick internet search I became aware that this is a very common problem and known vw issue, and found f16 fuse to be melted along with a portion of the fuse box. Called the only vw dealer in the city 10/23/14 and was told I had two safety recalls on my car, one for an ECM software update and one for this electrical issue, neither of which I was notified of, yet have been notified to have the "diesel only" sticker installed, and haven't moved since long before I purchased the car. …
The electrical wire insulation of the passenger side head light is crumbling and falling off the wires, I noticed when I had to change the light bulb for the second time in less than a month. When I opened the access cover to replace it I saw pieces of the wire insulation all over inside the head light compartment. I'm very afraid and scared that my car will catch on fire due to that manufacturer deficiency of the electrical wire insulation. I sent one message to Volkswagen on America yesterday but they have not contacted me to get additional information or provide guidance. I took pictures with my iphone and will provide them upon request, my personal email is [redacted]please advice what can I do to have vw repair that deficiency at no cost to me.
Passenger headlamps, passenger front turn signal and all rear turn signals stopped working. The right signal was not operational. Took car to dealer and they indicated the fuse box and the 30 amp fuse ( f16) under the hood had overheated and melted. They are charging me $580.00 to replace the fuse box and fuse. When asked was this a defect and how can this situation be prevented, they said it has happened with other cars. It is something that happens and good thing I brought it in because other major damage to the car could have occurred. My concern is that this defect is a safety issue that could lead to serious consequences. Other Volkswagen vehicles have been recalled for this same issue (melted fuse box and fuses) and it is not clear why Volkswagen isn't extending a recall to all cars that exhibit the same defect.
While traveling on rt 287 @ 10:30 pm all of sudden the lights on passenger side went out from front to back of vehicle (headlights,markers,blinkers,and brake light. And then the the other side went out also I found myself in the dark which is a safety concern when you have tractor trailers traveling around you at excessive speeds. Which I almost got hit. The next day everything was working again then it went off again. I can only drive this vehicle before sunset. ( there should be recall on this before someone gets killed as it almost happen to me.) if you research this you will notice that others are having same issue.
My '09 Jetta had a "bulb failure" light sporadically turn on over the course of 3 days (sometimes it was on and sometimes it wasn't when I started the car), and when it was on, I noticed that my passenger-side headlight was out. I took it in to the dealership and it turned out to be a burnt fuse, and they notified me that it affected my brake lights as well. They replaced the entire fuse box for a price of $515.00 (this was on wed. 9/18/2013). On Friday, 9/27/2013, the "bulb failure" light came on again, and now my driver's side headlight is out. I have found that this is occurring a lot with other 2009/2010 vw vehicles.
Headlight complaints in other Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the lights of the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta, 3% of the model year's 889 complaints. The component named most often is brake lights (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Volkswagen Jetta headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2009 Volkswagen Jetta headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
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.