Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit. The contact stated while driving 20-30 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle stopped abruptly and pulled to the right. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving and applying a moderate amount of pressure on the brake pedal. The check engine warning light and the ABS warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the ABS module was not communicating with the transmission. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) which he related to the failure; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted several times. …
I am making a complaint against volkswagen for refusing to perform the abs safety recall. The ABS module is dead, I found out the hard way that I have no ABS or traction control. I stopped on the highway and lost control, I could have died and the van that hit me twice could did worse. The dealer refuses to perform the recall and is completely unhelpful. Yes there were warning lights and thats why I took it to the dealer. P.S. This happened a day before the accident. Two different VW dealers refused to perform the ABS module recall on my car even though Volkwagen customer care called to make my appointment, the car was too old, the repair was to expensive and also that the module wasnt communicating. It specifically says it in the recall, that if the module is not responding to replace it. …
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit. 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 while driving at various speeds or while idling, the vehicle occasionally stalled, and had to be restarted to operate as needed. The failure was intermittent. The contact stated that the ABS, tire pressure, and air bag warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that the recall repair could not be completed due to there not being a specific diagnostic code showing the extending ambiance reading a code of only 100 times and the requirement was 125 times. …
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control) after the contact had experienced the failure. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the ABS warning light illuminated, and the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The vehicle stalled, and after several attempts, the vehicle restarted and was able to be driven to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed as ABS failure. The dealer was made aware of the failure but advised the contact that the failure had happened outside of the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
I believe the faulty ABS was the reason I got in a car accident on dec 20, 2016 and again on March 14, 2017. On dec 20, I was driving on the highway in chicago, after recent snow, so roads were a little wet. 2 other cars hit each other in front of me, so I pressed the brake pedal with more than enough distance between me and them to stop in time in most correctly functioning cars. When I put brakes on, I realized I wasn't slowing down quick enough, and ended up hitting the car in front of me. I originally attributed it to conditions, but now I believe bad ABS allowed this accident to happen. On March 14, I was also driving on the highway after recent snow, and a little snow fell on the lane in front of me (I think from 18-wheel truck in right lane), I applied brakes, started fishtailing, and ended up loosing control and ended up doing 180 before another car hit me. …
Put on brakes suddenly. Car spun out of control to the left hitting a highway divider and then to the right hitting a car. My car was totaled and the ins. Co. Paid me the full market value for it. This happened twice before about 6 month and 5 years ago with no damage to the car.
Vehicle was taken to a Volkswagen dealership to perform an ABS software update as per the Volkswagen recall notice. Prior to service, vehicle did not display any warning lights or alarms sounds that would indicate service needed. Per the dealership, the ABS software update was performed and as a result a failure code was detected that did not match the failure code identified per the recall test plan. Per the dealership, the ABS repair and software update could not be completed because the failure code found is not identified per the recall test plan. Per the dealership, there is no understanding of the fault code received, whether it May have been the result of the software update, or perhaps an error performed by the technician, and that no further diagnostics would be performed. …
I had observed twice that the ABS and brake system lights illuminated under heavy braking. I read the service manual and several vw forums and my understanding was that this was normal under what is called 'emergency break'. I both cases turning the ignition off and on again restored the car to normal. On February 2013 the ABS/ESC system failed and the car crashed against a wall while braking before a turn. Airbags did not deploy. We were two passengers on board: brian foxe and myself. Fortunately, none got hurt although I had to be picked up by paramedics. We both have taken that turn many times and we could not explain what went wrong went we used the brakes before the turn. We never understood what happened until I got the recall. …
As per NHTSA 16v-913 my Volkswagen Rabbit has been presenting the symptoms stated in the safety recall. The ABS light, electronic stability control, and brake light have come on numerous times and hard braking, and in not so hard braking in the snow. He problem has progressively worsened to the point that these lights no longer go out after and ignition cycle. I am essentially driving without ABS or stability control, one of the main reasons I purchased this car. The code for u0121 lost communication with anti-lock brake system (ABS) control module no longer clear with a hand held code reader or a laptop running ross-tech's vcds software. I took my broken Volkswagen to danbury vw in danbury ct to perform the safety recall (16v-913). …
5/31/18 took car in for the ABS module recall. They did a "system update" less then six months later when driving all of a sudden every light on the dash started flashing and the car became difficult to steer and break so we immediately took it to the dealership. At first they said it needed the fans replaced so we paid $980.88 to have that done. When driving the car home from the dealership all the lights started flashing again and so we took it back to the dealership and after two weeks at the dealership and "39 different communication codes" they said the ABS module failed completely and needs replaced. I called cooperate vw for help but cooperate vw refuses to replace the module as part of the recall because " it doesn't show a certain code" and "it didn't fail at the time they did the system update". This is over a $2000.00 fix and we are unable to afford it. …
Brake complaints in other Rabbit years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit?
NHTSA has 44 complaints about the brakes of the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit, 71% of the model year's 62 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit, though it has 2 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 Rabbit brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to brakes 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.