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 received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, there was a burning odor coming from outside the vehicle, and the odometer was inoperable. The ABS, Brake, DRL, and EPC warning lights were illuminated. During the failure, the vehicle drove like the parking brake was engaged. The contact stated that on two separate occasions, while driving and experiencing the failures, the vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road, and the contact exited the vehicle, and observed smoke coming from all four wheels. …
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, and the brake pads made grinding sounds. The brake pedal went to the floorboard, but the vehicle failed to stop immediately. The ABS, traction control, and brake warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the speedometer was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control) which was associated with the VIN. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, who performed the recall repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control) by updating the ABS control module software; however, the failure recurred. …
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control (ESC)) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the ABS warning chime was activated, and the warning light had illuminated on the instrument panel along with several other unknown warning lights. The dealer was contacted, and the vehicle was taken to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the dealer attempted to charge for the ABS module replacement despite the recall campaign stating that the ABS module should be replaced. …
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS warning light, EPC warning light, and power steering warning light illuminated. The contact mentioned that the EPC warning light and power steering warning lights illuminated intermittently; however, the ABS warning light remained illuminated. Additionally, the transmission failed to shift as needed, and the speedometer failed to function properly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control). The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who informed the contact that they were unable to diagnose the vehicle due to other warning lights being illuminated, not just the ABS warning light. …
The contact's daughter owns a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that on several occasions while her daughter was driving at undisclosed speeds, several unknown warning lights intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the ABS had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control). The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ABS control module software needed to be updated and the ABS module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that she would be responsible for the cost of the repair. No additional assistance was provided. …
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that ABS and the ESC warning lights illuminated intermittently. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the ABS module needed to be replaced; however, the dealer informed the contact that the manufacturer had denied the recall repair coverage due to lack of communication between the computer and the ABS module. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the ABS and ESC warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle was experiencing the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the failure that the was experiencing was not related to the recall because the computer was not able to communicate with the ABS module. The contact was referred the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 123,000.
My vw Jetta tdi had many problems since I purchased it. First, we had problems with the injection system imploding. They asked if we ever put in gasoline instead of diesel. I told them absolutely not. They wanted to charge me $6500 because car was out of warranty but service manager got vw to pay for it because I said I was going to get an attorney. On June 27, 2014 we had with an electrical problem where the battery was draining from a short in the radio modulator. The car had 101,348 miles. They fixed the problem which took 9 days to fix and cost $1238.56. I noticed the radio would stayed on with the key out of the car after that though. Then we had the check engine, air bag, ABS and traction lights on at 109,452. I took it to my service station on 11/28/2014, but he said the dealer had to program update the software and check the ABS module for electrical problem. …
On June 22, 2016, while driving on a winding road the ABS/ESC lights illuminated and flashed. They went away when the car was turned off and restarted. Then, on November 15, 2016, I made a defensive driving maneuver after being cut off by another car. I was driving approx 60 MPH on the freeway and applied the brakes quickly to avoid hitting the other car. The brakes locked up causing the care to skid. The car began to fishtail and lose control. I was unable to steer properly and the ABS system never engaged. The car spun and did 180 degree turn slamming into the side of the freeway wall causing over $4000 in damage to the car. After the crash the ABS/ESC caution lights were illuminated and flashing. The lights went away when the car was turned off and restarted. Then on jan. 5 2017, during adverse weather conditions (snow packed roads), my car slid off the freeway and became stuck. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving 30 MPH, the ABS warning indicator illuminated as the brake pedal was depressed. The contact's vehicle did not stop and crashed into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact to call her insurance company. The manufacturer opened case number: 180215369. The vehicle was towed and deemed a total loss. The dealer was not contacted. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V913000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electronic stability control) after the crash, which could have contributed to the brake failure. The failure mileage was 163,129. Engine was placed with a remanufactured engine in November 2014 due to original engine failure. …
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 Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA has 94 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta, 11% of the model year's 889 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2009 Volkswagen Jetta 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 Jetta traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 102,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 9 crashes, 0 fires and 3 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.