The Lemon Index2009 Volkswagen Jetta.
The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 380 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 438, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about fuel system, diesel, it has 7 recalls, and it gets 24 to 32 mpg combined. The best Volkswagen Jetta year is 2018.
Lemon alert. 4.4× the average car's complaints.
Best year 2018
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 905 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Volkswagen Jetta year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 29K to 100K miles on the car (818 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- fuel system, diesel complaints mostly came at 27K–73K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 65K–120K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 2K–79K miles
Recalls 7
- brakes 2020
The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.
- unknown or other 2019
Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
- brakes 2016
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) control unit may fail during ABS or Electronic Stability Control (ESC) activation, possibly causing a loss of vehicle control.
Show all 7 recalls
- fuel system, diesel 2011
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL 2009-2012 JETTA AND JETTA SPORTWAGEN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2008 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2009 THROUGH SE…
- fuel system, gasoline 2010
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 JETTA, NEW BEETLE, NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, MODEL YEAR 2009 JETTA SPORTWAGEN AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 RABBIT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES.
- transmission & drivetrain 2009
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 2008 AND AUGUST 2009.
- transmission & drivetrain 2009
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 25,594 MY 2006-2009 JETTA 5TH GENERATION EQUIPPED WITH 2.01 ENGINE.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Volkswagen told dealers about
Volkswagen sent dealers 1058 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Concerns regarding fluid leaking from the transmission area, inspect the transmission oil pan's
- Gff test plan, ground connection verification
- Malfunction light is on and there is noise with the engine running rough
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenAir bag clockspring failure2018
- ClosedHigh-pressure fuel pump failure2011–2015
- ClosedDiesel fuel injector line leakage2011
- ClosedHigh pressure fuel pump failure (hpfp)2010–2011
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $2700–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 5-cyl.
In owners' words
When starting to move the car such as at a stop sign or at an intersection, when putting the accelerator pedal down to start the vehicle moving, the whole car almost stalls as engine power disappears for a terrifying few seconds.
2009 Volkswagen Jetta owner · NHTSA complaint 10447540
More owner reports
The transmission disengaged and display started to blink just as I was entering an intersection had to stop and restart car.
NHTSA complaint 10285745
Fuel pump failed - car lost power on a busy interstate.
NHTSA complaint 10365606
Quick answers
Is the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 4.4× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 438; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Volkswagen Jetta year by this measure is 2018.
What are the most common 2009 Volkswagen Jetta problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are fuel system, diesel (38%), transmission & drivetrain (26%) and engine (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta have?
7 safety recalls (latest: brakes). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta get?
24 to 32 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Volkswagen Jetta problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 29,900 and 100,000 miles. The middle report was at 61,000 miles, from 818 complaints.
Does the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 26% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta cost in fuel a year?
About $2700 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 5-cyl.
What Volkswagen Jetta year is better than the 2009?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2018, 2020 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works