2009 Volkswagen Gli problems
The Volkswagen Jetta is a compact car/small family car manufactured and marketed by Volkswagen since 1979. Positioned to fill a sedan niche above the firm's Golf hatchback, it has been marketed over seven generations, variously as the Atlantic, Vento, Bora, City Jetta, Jetta City, GLI, Jetta, Clasico, and Sagitar (in China).
The Jetta has been offered in two- and four-door saloon / sedan, and five-door wagon / estate versions – all as four- or five-seaters. Since the original version in 1980, the car has grown in size and power with each generation. By mid-2011, almost 10 million Jettas have been produced and sold all over the world. As of April 2014, Volkswagen marketed over 14 million, becoming its top selling model.
Nameplate etymology
Numerous sources note that the Jetta nameplate derives from the Atlantic 'jet stream' during a period when Volkswagen named its vehicles after prominent winds and currents (e.g., the Volkswagen Passat (after the German word for trade wind), Volkswagen Bora (after bora), and Volkswagen Scirocco (after sirocco).
A 2013 report by former VW advertising copywriter Bertel Schmitt, said that — after consulting VW sources including Dr. Carl Hahn, former Volkswagen of America Chief and W.P. Schmidt, former sales chief at Volkswagen — no evidence suggested Volkswagen employed a naming theme for its front-drive, water-cooled vehicles; nor was there evidence the names derived from a theme; nor that a naming system "was ever announced, either officially or confidentially."
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Common 2009 Volkswagen Gli problems
Based on complaints from owners of the 2009 Volkswagen GLI, several common problems have been reported:
- Smoke from Exhaust During Hard Driving:
Owners have reported seeing smoke from the exhaust when the engine is driven hard, especially on long uphill runs. This issue could indicate potential engine problems or issues with the exhaust system. - Manual Gearbox Crunching on Fast Downchanges:
Another common problem is the manual gearbox crunching on fast downchanges. This issue can be concerning as it may point to transmission issues that need to be addressed by a qualified mechanic. - Sensor Faults:
Sensor faults are quite common in modern cars, including the Volkswagen GLI. These faults can lead to various warning lights on the dashboard, affecting the car's performance and safety. It is essential to diagnose and repair sensor issues promptly. - Reversing Lights Malfunction:
The primary function of reversing lights is to alert the car behind during reversing. If these lights malfunction, it can pose a safety hazard, especially in low-light conditions. Owners should ensure the proper functioning of these lights for safe driving. - Engine Problems:
Some owners have experienced significant engine issues that may require replacement. While the car is older, it's crucial to address any engine-related problems promptly to avoid further damage and ensure the vehicle's longevity.
These common problems reported by owners of the 2009 Volkswagen GLI highlight the importance of regular maintenance and prompt attention to any issues that arise to ensure the vehicle's reliability and safety.
Are Volkswagen GLI reliable?
Volkswagen GLI Reliability Problems
GLI owners have made 20 complaints over 3 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 11th in overall reliability out of 25 VW models , with real interior and body concerns.
How long do Jetta GLI engines last?
In many cases, the VW Jetta can run for more than 200,000 miles when properly maintained. Most VW Jetta owners drive their cars for 7 and a half years, which is usually around 75,000 miles before they upgrade to a new model with the latest features.
How many miles can a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta last?
The 2009 Jetta lasts around 200,000 miles with some brake and engine complaints. At $4,594 – 6,922, it's an excellent value for shoppers looking for an entry-level German car.
Is a GLI better than a Jetta?
5 days ago
Compared to the original Jetta, the 2021 Jetta GLI is better equipped to handle all that extra power, with features such as: Adaptive sport dampers with dynamic chassis control. A mechanical self-locking differential. High performance front and rear stabilizer bars.
Are Volkswagen GLI reliable?
Volkswagen GLI Reliability Problems
GLI owners have made 20 complaints over 3 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 11th in overall reliability out of 25 VW models , with real interior and body concerns.
Is the 2009 Jetta reliable?
The 2009 Jetta lasts around 200,000 miles with some brake and engine complaints. At $4,594 – 6,922, it's an excellent value for shoppers looking for an entry-level German car. Interior materials are luxurious, there's more cargo space than rivals and the engines are powerful.
What problems does the Jetta TDI 2009 have?
One concerns the fuel line, which, in Transport Canada's words, could crack, and "diesel fuel leakage may ignite on a hot engine surface and cause a fire, which could result in property damage and/or personal injury." The second, meanwhile, concerns the automatic transmission, which could experience shifting issues and ...
How many miles can a 2009 Volkswagen last?
Most Volkswagen vehicles will last between 100,000 and 200,000 miles, although well-kept models can last even longer than that. All VWs are remarkably reliable vehicles.
2009 Volkswagen Gli car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Volkswagen Gli problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Service brakes problems
- Electronic stability control (esc) problems
- Electrical system problems
- Power train problems
- Steering problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2009 Volkswagen Gli vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2009 Volkswagen Gli complaints
The NHTSA has received 8 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2009 Volkswagen Gli.
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-01-30
- VIN: 3VWFJ81K79M
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON A CITY STREET AND HAD TO BRAKE HARD TO AVOID ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHEN I DID MY TIRES LOCKED UP AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR. THE "ABS", "TRACTION CONTROL", AND "BRAKE" LIGHTS ALL CAME ON. I REALIZED THERE MUST HAVE BEEN A ABS SYSTEM FAILURE SO I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON. THE SYSTEM RESET ITSELF AND I DROVE HOME. ON MONDAY (1/30/17) I TURNED MY CAR ON AND THE SYSTEM HAD FAILED. THE LIGHTS WERE ON THE DASH CLUSTER. MY ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WAS NO FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD STOP SHIFTING AND DROP BACK INTO FIRST GEAR ONLY. THE SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGES WERE MOVING ON THE OWN AND NOT INLINE WITH MY CURRENT SPEED OR FUEL LEVEL. *TR
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-09-06
- Components: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: HERE IS ANOTHER DYSFUNCTION OF THE ABS MODULE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED UNEXPECTEDLY ON THE DAY WHEN I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK. IT BROKE DOWN THE FIRST TIME AS I CAME TO A STOP, AND ABOUT TO WENT ON THE HIGHWAY. ALL THE DASH LIGHT CAME ON WITH TERRIFYING NONSTOP BEEPING AND THE CAR STALLED WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE TO MOVE THE CAR TO A SAFER SPOT. WHEN THE FIRST BREAK-DOWN HAPPENED, I WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY, AND LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL AS I TRIED TO MOVE. THE LIGHTS WENT AWAY AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES WHILE I WAS STRUCK ON THE TURNABOUT, SO I CONTINUED TO DRIVE, AFTER ANOTHER 10 MINUTES (2 MILES), ALL THE LIGHTS AND BEEPING CAME BACK WITH A WARNING SIGN. AT THIS MOMENT, I WAS AGAIN, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY, AND NEEDED TO MERGE TO OUTSIDE LANE TO PULLOVER. FINALLY, I PULLED-OVER THE CAR, A VERY BAD SPOT WHICH WAS VERY CLOSE TO THE MAIN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC IN A RAINY DAY, I WAS STUCK AGAIN, STRANDED BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO STEP OUT OF THE CAR AND GOT RAN OVER BY THE TRAFFIC. I WAS STUCK THERE AGAIN FOR ANOTHER 1-1.5 HOURS, CALLING FOR ROAD-SIDE ASSISTANCE. AFTER CHECKING ONLINE, THIS ABS FAILURE IS VERY COMMON FOR ALL THE GLI/GTI, WITH VERY LOW MILEAGE. CALLED THE VW COMPANY AND REQUESTED THEM TO COVER THE REPAIR FEE ($2500), BUT WITH NO POSITIVE RESULT. VW NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IN A PROMPTLY TIME MANNERS BEFORE ANYONE GETS HURT OR KILLED ON THE ROAD. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM, AND REQUEST THE COMPANY TO MAKE OFFICIAL RECALL OR EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS ABS MODULE. THE CUSTOMER WHO ALREADY PAID FOR THE REPAIR SHOULD ALSO GET FULL REFUND FROM THE COST. THIS IS LIFE-DEATH ISSUE CAUSED BY THE ABS MODULE FAILURE OF VW, AND TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE FOR ANYONE WHO NEEDS TO GO THROUGH.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-04-15
- VIN: VWDJ71K79M0
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: ABS MODULE FAILED UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING DASH LIGHTS TO COME ON AND TOTALLY DISABLED THE ABS SYSTEM. IT FIRST STARTED HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING, AND ABS REMAINED DISABLED UNTIL MODULE WAS FIXED AND REPLACED INDEPENDENTLY. VWOA WOULD NOT COVER FAILURE OF THE PART.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-07-04
- VIN: 3VWFA71K29M
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: ABS MODULE FAILURE CAUSING CAR TO RANDOMLY LOCK BRAKES DURING CORNERING/ABS ACTIVATION EVENTS. THIS ORIGINALLY OCCURRED WHEN ROADS WERE SLIPPERY IN WINTER 2014 (60K ON VEHICLE), CONTINUES TO GROW WORSE TO WHERE IT NOW HAPPENS DURING LONG SLOW CORNERS (HIGHWAY OVERPASSES). REPAIR FROM DEALERSHIP COSTS $2300 (10% OF THE PRICE OF NEW MSRP), VWOA REFUSES TO ASSIST WITH REPAIR EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED SAFETY ISSUE THAT OCCURS ON ALL 2009 VW GOLF/JETTA VARIANTS. I HAVE HAD 3 EVENTS WITH COMPLETE LOSS OF TRACTION, AND UNCOUNTED PARTIAL LOSS EVENTS. I HAD AN INDEPENDENT DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSE, AND THE ISSUE WAS CONFIRMED AS THE COMMON FAILURE. ...UPDATED 08/30/16 *BF
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-06-01
- VIN: 3VWBA71K99M
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: YET ANOTHER ABS MODULE FAILURE. CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW ON THE PART OF VW. THE ENTIRE DASH CLUSTER HAS MALFUNCTIONED. LOUD BEEPS ON STARTUP. ABS LIGHT. BRAKE LIGHT, STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT...ALL LIT UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE. ENGINE FAULT - WORKSHOP WARNING. SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T WORK! FUEL GAUGE WILDLY FLUCTUATES. LOW FUEL WARNING STAYS LIT EVEN WITH A FULL TANK. TRIP COMPUTER DOES NOT WORK. OTHER ELECTRICAL FAULTS AS WELL PROBABLY RELATED TO THE SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTION. THE CAR'S ELECTRONICS THINK IT'S NOT MOVING SO ALL ELECTRONIC FUNCTIONS TIED INTO THE SPEED OF THE CAR ARE COMPROMISED. TRUNK RELEASE MECHANISM STOPPED WORKING. I'M LOOKING AT A $2000 REPAIR ON A CAR WITH ONLY 50,000 MILES!! VW NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND PROVIDE A FIX TO ITS CUSTOMERS.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2014-12-18
- VIN: 3VWDA71K99M
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: MY 2009 GLI HAS THE SAME PROBLEM THE TIGUANS HAD IN THEIR FUSE BOXES THAT LEAD TO THEM BEING RECALLED. THE RIGHT SIDE LIGHTS, MAIN BEAM, REAR LIGHT, TURN SINGLES DO NOT WORK AFTER STARTING THE CAR.
STEERING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2014-11-12
- VIN: 3VWFA71K29M
- Components: STEERING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: I OWN 2009 VW JETTA THAT HAS RECENTLY DEVELOPED WHAT I FEEL IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. WHILE DRIVING TO WORK 11/12/14 MY ABS ACTIVATED WHILE COMING TO A STOP. WITHIN MOMENTS OF THE ABS ACTIVATION THE DASH EMITTED THREE LOUD BEEPS AND THE ABS, TRACTION AND BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED (BRAKE LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING. THE BRAKE SYSTEM LOCKED MOMENTARILY, SENDING THE CAR INTO A SLIDE. I WAS ABLE TO RECOVER FROM THE SLIDE, HOWEVER THE TRACTION AND ABS WERE DISABLED. I PULLED INTO THE NEXT AVAILABLE PARKING LOT AND RESTARTED THE CAR AT WHICH POINT THE ISSUE APPEARED TO RESOLVE. LATER IN THE DAY WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE TO LUNCH THE ISSUE OCCURRED AGAIN, NEARLY SENDING ME SLIDING INTO A POLICE CRUISER. AFTER ANOTHER SHUTDOWN THE ISSUE APPEARED TO RESOLVE, BUT THE ISSUE OCCURRED AGAIN WITH DISTURBING REGULARITY. WHENEVER THE ABS WOULD ACTIVATE THE SYSTEM WOULD FAIL AND LOCK THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS THROWING FAULTS 01130 (ABS OPERATION IMPLAUSIBLE SIGNAL) AND 16352 (CONTROL MODULE ELECTRICAL ERROR), WHICH IS INDICATIVE OF A FAILED ABS CONTROL MODULE. AFTER PERUSING THE NHTSA SITE AS WELL AS A FEW ENTHUSIAST FORUMS I FOUND THIS ISSUE WAS NOT UNCOMMON AMONG OWNERS OF THE 2009 MY VOLKSWAGENS. IT ALSO APPEARS THAT VW IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE, AS THERE ARE MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS OF INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING ASSISTANCE TOWARDS THE REPLACEMENT OF THE AFFECTED MODULE, AND A REVISION OF THE COMPONENT WAS RELEASED THAT CORRECTS THE FAILURE. AN ABS CONTROLLER SHOULD NOT BE A MAINTENANCE ITEM, AND THE FAILURE OF THIS SAFETY COMPONENT PLACED MY LIFE AND THE LIFE OF OTHERS AT RISK MULTIPLE TIMES DURING THE COURSE OF MY COMMUTE. I WOULD EXPECT THE BASIC SAFETY SYSTEMS OF WHAT I FEEL IS A WELL DESIGNED AND VALUABLE VEHICLE TO LAST MUCH LONGER THAN 72500 MILES, ESPECIALLY AS I DO NOT DRIVE AGGRESSIVELY OR PARTICIPATE IN TRACK DAYS. (OTHER COMPLAINANTS HAVE STATED THIS OCCURS ANYWHERE BETWEEN 20K-100K MILES. *TR
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2013-10-22
- VIN: 3VWDA71K99M
- Components: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: EVERY TIME I BRAKE HARD OR GO INTO A LETS SAY DOWN HILL TURN AT MODERATE SPEED MY ABS, TRACTION CONTROL AND BRAKE LIGHTS LIGHT UP THE DASH WITH 3 LONG BEEPS. AFTER THAT ALL SAID COMPONENTS DON'T WORK ANY MORE UNTIL NEXT RESTART. THAT MORNING I GOT THE LIGHTS COME ON IN THE MORNING ON MY WAY TO WORK AND I COULDN'T JUST STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY TO POWER CYCLE MY CAR SO I CONTINUED DRIVING WITH CAUTION. AFTER I MADE AN EXIT FROM THE HIGHWAY I HAD TO MAKE A DOWN HILL SLOW (25-30 MPH) RIGHT TURN (IT JUST STARTED RAINING SO THAT DIDN'T HELP EITHER) AND MY CAR STARTED OVERSTEERING AND MADE A 90 DEGREE SPIN COMING TO A STOP ON THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. IF THERE WERE ANY TRAFFIC COMING FROM OTHER WAY I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE ACCIDENT FOR SURE. VW IS SAYING THAT THEY CAN'T COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY SINCE THE CAR IS OLDER AND THE REPAIR IS LIKE $2,000.00 - THAT'S A LITTLE BIT TOO CRAZY AND SHOULDN'T HAPPEN TO A $27K VEHICLE AFTER 5 YEARS OF OWNING. I SEARCHED THE FORUMS AND FOUND A LOT OF 2009 VW GTI'S AND GLI'S WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND SOME OF THOSE GUYS WERE INVOLVED IN CAR CRASHES. THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED ASAP BEFORE MORE PEOPLE GET INVOLVED IN CAR CRASHES AND GET HURT. I THINK IT'S A BAD BATCH OF ABS CONTROL MODULES THAT THE FACTORY WOULD HAVE TO CORRECT AND REPLACE UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR
Negative 2009 Volkswagen Gli car reviews
Positive 2009 Volkswagen Gli car reviews
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I noticed the GLI while walking down the lot and decided to test drive it. I was immediately impressed with how well the car handled and fell in love with it. The GLI is a true German car, with high-quality materials and engineering. The frame is made of solid steel, and when you open and close the door, you can feel the car's sturdiness. The GLI comes with a four-cylinder turbo engine and a DSG dual-clutch transmission that can shift faster than any human. The sports suspension and Pirelli tires allow the GLI to handle like a sports sedan, which was very impressive. I ended up purchasing the GLI since it was $10,000 cheaper than the Audi and handled better.
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I really enjoy driving this car! It's not a Jetta, but it drives even better than my family's Audis and Lexuses. I think everything about this car is amazing. Recently, I was rear-ended at high speeds, but thankfully I'm 100% fine. This car is so much fun to drive and I haven't had any problems with it yet, even though I've already driven over 50,000 miles. Plus, I get great gas mileage, between 28-38 MPG mixed highway and city driving.
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I used to own a 00 VW GTI VR6, and I believe that this GLI captures the essence of that car and improves upon its strengths. Although the exterior of the Jetta is not my favorite, the GLI has enough touches to make it look sharp. This practical sedan begs to be driven. In my opinion, this VW offers what my 04 BMW 330i with limited edition performance package did, but at a much better value. Having power and great gas mileage is a huge plus in today's economy. The DSG transmission is phenomenal. Although I am still breaking mine in, the speed of the shifts is like driving a car in an arcade video game! My wife was not thrilled about the purchase until she saw and drove it for the first time!
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I had owned a 2003 GLI which hurt to trade in for a larger vehicle (family). I was in the market for a second vehicle and knew I had to check out the 09 GLI. I drove it once and that was it. Right away you feel the German engineering in the solid build it has. The acceleration of the 4 cylinder turbo is awesome. The gas mileage is great, got up to 33 mpg at one time! I have the autobahn package. The GLI stitching is cool and the leather bucket seats keep you in place. The 6 speed manual makes it that much more fun to drive. For the price you get a car comparable to a BMW 3 series.
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I bought my car about 2 months ago and I couldn't be happier! The DSG is an absolute blast and I love the sound of the engine when in Sport mode. I spent quite a while comparing the Subaru WRX and the GLI, but ultimately, everything else is better in the GLI. The only advantage of the WRX is the AWD. The GLI has wider rubber and much nicer rims, a cleaner and nicer exterior look, and I also got a decent deal on it. I love driving it hard on curvy roads - it has lots of grip and I am having a blast. This is the first car I've had that, after two months, I still can't wait to get behind the wheel!
Other years of Volkswagen Gli
Are you having problems with your 2009 Volkswagen Gli?
Reece Walter 2024-08-19
I've mainly purchased BMWs and Audis, probably for good reason. When my wife and I test drove the 08 GLI 4dr with DSG, I found the transmission to be fairly jumpy, the brakes not as solid, and the handling to be very loose. Of course, I'm coming from a 06 325i and comparing it to this VW. In my opinion, it isn't as sporty as some people think it is or handles as well. However, I was very impressed with the 08 Mini Cooper S AM, a vehicle that compares well to BMW and is not an Audi or Mercedes. I am considering purchasing one. I understand that VW makes Audi and etc., but the transmissions are different. I don't think the DSG compares well enough to Audi's tiptronic nor BMW's SMG. Sorry.