2009 Volkswagen Jetta

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Fuel system is the leading concern among 904 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 26 Jetta model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 904

Of the 2009 reports, 31 involved a crash and 8 involved a fire. 17 people were injured.

Primary concernFuel system227 reports · 25% of complaints
Owner complaints904Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship7 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Fuel system227
  2. Service brakes215
  3. Diesel195
  4. Power train142
  5. Electrical system112
  6. Fuel/propulsion system103
  7. Electronic stability control (ESC)98
  8. Engine95

Recalls and investigations

  1. Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, master cylinderSep 23, 2020

    Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles. The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.

    If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact Tenneco customer service at 1-800-625-9319.

    Campaign 20E064000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Other or unspecifiedSep 25, 2019

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. 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.

    If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.

    Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.

    Campaign 19V679000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipDec 20, 2016

    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. The Antilock Brake System (ABS) control unit may fail during ABS or Electronic Stability Control (ESC) activation, possibly causing a loss of vehicle control.

    A loss of vehicle control can increase the risk of a crash.

    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. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

    Campaign 16V913000 on NHTSA.gov

  4. Fuel system, dieselOct 3, 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 SEPTEMBER 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 AUDI A3 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH A 2.0L TDI COMMON RAIL DIESEL ENGINE/CLEAN DIESEL ENGINE. THE FUEL INJECTION PULSES COULD COINCIDE WITH THE NATURAL FREQUENCY OF THE INJECTOR LINE #2, IN SPECIFIC LOAD AND RPM CONDITIONS. THIS RESONANCE CREATES ADDITIONAL STRESS IN THE FUEL LINE.

    DUE TO THE RESONANCE CONDITION, INJECTOR LINE NUMBER 2 COULD DEVELOP SMALL CRACKS WHICH COULD LEAD TO FUEL LEAKAGE. LEAKING FUEL IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.

    VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED FUEL INJECTOR LINE FOR THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER ON CERTAIN VEHICLES AND WILL INSTALL VIBRATION DAMPERS ON ALL OF THE INJECTOR LINES. VOLKSWAGEN AND AUDI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS TO HAVE THE VEHICLES REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

    Campaign 11V490000 on NHTSA.gov

  5. Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsDec 10, 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. THE JETTA, JETTA SPORTWAGEN, AND RABBIT VEHICLES MAY HAVE A SMALL PLASTIC TAB LOCATED ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR THAT MAY CHAFE AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE. THE NEW BEETLE AND THE NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A FASTENING CLAMP ON A HYDRAULIC HOSE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM THAT MAY BE LOCATED IN AN IMPROPER POSITION WHICH COULD CAUSE CHAFING AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE.

    IF CHAFING OCCURS, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A FUEL LEAK TO DEVELOP. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

    DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE UNDERHOOD FUEL LINE. ADDITIONALLY, DEPENDING ON THE VEHICLE MODEL, DEALERS WILL EITHER REMOVE THE PLASTIC TAB FROM THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR, OR INSPECT THE POSITION OF THE FASTENING CLAMP AND ADJUST THE RELATED FASTENING CLAMP INTO THE CORRECT POSITION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

    Campaign 10V621000 on NHTSA.gov

  6. Power train, automatic transmissionAug 20, 2009

    VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 2008 AND AUGUST 2009. THE WIRING HARNESS OF A TEMPERATURE SENSOR IN THE DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX (DSG) MAY HAVE CONNECTOR WIRES THAT WERE INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED. WITH INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED CONNECTOR WIRES, A TEMPERATURE SENSOR HAS THE POTENTIAL TO FALSELY DETECT A HIGH GEARBOX OIL TEMPERATURE, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO ABRUPTLY SHIFT TO NEUTRAL. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE SELECTOR LEVER POSITION INDICATOR WITHIN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL FLASH. IN ADDITION, THE "DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL" INDICATOR LIGHT WILL BE ILLUMINATED, ALERTING THE DRIVER TO APPLY THE BRAKES.

    THE ABRUPT SHIFT TO NEUTRAL COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

    VOLKSWAGEN WILL REPROGRAM THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE WITH UPDATED SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

    Campaign 09V333000 on NHTSA.gov

  7. Power train, driveline, driveshaftMay 19, 2009

    VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 25,594 MY 2006-2009 JETTA 5TH GENERATION EQUIPPED WITH 2.01 ENGINE. THE FASTENING SCREW CONTACT SURFACES ON THE DRIVESHAFT COVER PLATE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS. SOME SCREWS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TORQUED PROPERLY DURING ASSEMBLY AND COULD LOOSEN OVER TIME, CAUSING A KNOCKING SOUND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE DRIVESHAFT SCREWS COULD LOOSEN TO THE POINT WHERE THE DRIVESHAFT DETACHES FROM THE GEARBOX.

    IF THE VEHICLE IS MOVING WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE DETACHED DRIVESHAFT COULD CAUSE DAMAGE THE GEARBOX HOUSING. A DAMAGE GEARBOX HOUSING COULD LEAK GEARBOX OIL ONTO THE STREET AND CREATE A RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND OTHER MOTORISTS.

    DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVESHAFT SCREWS AND REPLACE THE SCREWS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 24, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

    Campaign 09V164000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: diesel

195 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Fuel system, Diesel, Jul 23, 2012

    A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP LEFT MY WIFE WITHOUT POWER AS SHE WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. THERE WAS NO PRECEDING INDICATION AND IN OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES COULD HAVE CAUSED A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT. WHEN THE HPFP FAILED, ALL NON-ELECTRICAL POWER FAILED WITH A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT CONTROL AND BRAKING PROBLEMS. *TR

  2. Fuel system, Diesel, Power train, Jul 17, 2012

    2009 TDI JETTA HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. THREE PUMPS HAVE BEEN PUT IN AND IT KEEPS FAILING ON THE HIGHWAY TWICE AND WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND I AM OVER WARRANTY AND IT SEEMS TO BE A FAULTY DESIGN. DON'T KNOW WHAT STEPS TO TAKE HERE THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR ALMOST 90 DAYS. *TR THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED TWO TRANSMISSION FANS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. HE WAS THEN TOLD A NEW TURBO WAS NEEDED AT A COST OF $3000. UPDATED IVOQ 12/10/12

  3. Fuel system, Diesel, Jul 12, 2012

    JETTA IS A TDI, DIESEL. GLO PLUG ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING AND EXPERIENCED DECREASED (BUT NOT COMPLETE) LOSS OF POWER. PULLED OVER. EXAMINED ENGINE, WHICH WAS SHAKING. TURNED CAR OFF AND GLO PLUG WARNING LIGHT WENT OFF, SO ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE, BUT GOT LESS THAN A MILE DOWN THE ROAD BEFORE GLO LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING AGAIN AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AT THIS TIME, I PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE CAR, AND HAD IT TOWED TO OCALA VOLKSWAGEN (FLORIDA). AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, I HAD BEEN DRIVING ON THAT TANK OF GAS FOR APPROXIMATELY 100 MILES OR SO (IE, WAS NOT THE RESULT OF PUTTING GAS IN A DIESEL TANK -- DEALER PERFORMING REPAIRS WILL CONFIRM). DIAGNOSIS IS EX/IMPLODED HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HPFP) RESULTING, LIKELY, FROM CONTAMINATED FUEL -- NOT THE WRONG FUEL (I AM CAREFUL TO ONLY PUT ULTRA LOW SULFUR HIGHWAY DIESEL IN). VW PAYING FOR ALL COSTS TO REPLACE FUEL SYSTEM (PUMPS, INJECTORS, RAILS) BUT NOT FUEL TANK. DANNY AT VW OCALA HAS BEEN VERY GOOD TO DEAL WITH, BUT I'M CONCERNED THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND VW MAY NOT BE SO KIND/RESPONSIBLE TO COVER COSTS. NOT SURE WHETHER NEW HPFP SYSTEM WILL BE INSTALLED, OR THE SAME ONE AS BEFORE (THUS LEAVING ME AT THE MERCY OF HAVING TO "CHOOSE" THE RIGHT GAS STATIONS). CAR IS IN FOR REPAIRS AT THIS TIME. *TR

  4. Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Diesel, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 13, 2012

    I WAS GOING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND STALLED. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THEN HAVE IT TOWED. MY SPOUSE IS AN ENGINE MACHINIST, AND AFTER TALKING TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP, AND TAKING THE CAR APART, FOUND METAL SHAVINGS THROUGHOUT THE FUEL SYSTEM. SO FAR, HE HAS SPENT $3200 FOR PARTS WHICH HAS DEPLETED OUR SAVING ACCOUNT. HE IS SELF EMPLOYED AND I WORK PART TIME AND PART TIME STUDENT, PAYING $400 A MONTH FOR A CAR WE THOUGHT WOULD BE SAFE, DEPENDABLE AND ECONOMICAL! THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE, DOCUMENTED FOR OVER 2 YEARS WITH NO RESPONSIBILITY TAKEN BY VW, WHO HAS FALSELY DENIED ANY ONGOING ISSUE OF THIS SORT. FORTUNATELY, MY HUSBAND CAN DO THE LABOR, BUT PEOPLE ARE SPENDING $8,000 TO $10,000 TO GET THIS VW PROBLEM FIXED, AND IN SOME CASES HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS HIGH PRESSURE FUEL SYSTEM IS FAULTY AND UNSAFE. VW NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR PRODUCT TO ENSURE CUSTOMER SAFETY ON THE ROADWAYS. *TR

  5. Fuel system, Diesel, Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, May 30, 2012

    FOR THE SECOND TIME MY FUEL PUMP WENT OUT. ALSO FOR THE SECOND TIME I WAS ACCUSED OF USING BIO DIESEL OR REGULAR FUEL BY THE DEALER. I WAS DRIVING A LONG IT SOUNDED LIKE A GEAR WAS TUMBLING AROUND THEN A GRINDING NOISE FOLLOWED. LUCKILY I WAS A LOW RATE OF SPEED AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO A SIDE STREET WITH OUT PROBLEM. LAST WEEK THE GEAR BOX WENT OUT AS WELL. IT HAD ISSUES ON GOING IN TO REVERSE FROM DRIVE. OFTEN I WOULD HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN TO PARK TURN IT OFF THEN RESTART TO GET IT TO GO IN TO REVERSE. *TR

  6. Fuel system, Diesel, Fuel/propulsion system, May 12, 2012

    I WAS DRIVING OUR 2009 VW JETTA TDI AT APPROXIMATELY 60MPH AND THE DISPLAY FLASHED ENGINE MALFUNCTION AND DISPLAYED A SYMBOL INDICATING GLOW PLUG PROBLEM. THE ENGINE FELT SLUGGISH SO I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL VW DEALER AND ASKED IF I COULD STILL DRIVE IT AND HE TOLD ME YES AND TO BRING THE CAR TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING MORNING. I PULLED BACK ONTO THE HIGHWAY, GOT UP TO 50MPH. THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED, THEN DIED COMPLETELY. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO PULL OFF SIDE OF HIGHWAY. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO DEALER. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE CAR AND EXPLAINED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED AND METAL SHAVING AND CONTAMINANTS WERE THROUGHOUT THE FUEL SYSTEM AND THAT THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AWAITING A THIRD PARTY INSPECTION FROM THE WARRANTY COMPANY. ALL REQUIRED VEHICLE SERVICES HAVE BEEN PERFORMED AT THE REQUIRED INTERVALS. THE DIESEL FUEL INJECTION LINES HAD RECENTLY BEEN REPLACED IN MARCH 2012 BY THE DEALER SECONDARY TO A RECALL BY VW (V5 23J9). *TR

  7. Fuel system, Diesel, May 6, 2012

    THE INCIDENT HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY MINUTES AFTER I LEFT WORK. SOME OF THE LIGHTS CAME UP ON THE DASHBOARD THAT MADE ME PULL OVER AND STOP TO CHECK WHAT THEY MEAN. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND CHECKED THE MEANING OF THE ICONS IN THE AUTO MANUAL. PER ADVISE IN THE MANUAL, I CONTACTED VW DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD TO BRING THE CAR IMMEDIATELY IN. UNFORTUNATELY, THE CAR DID NOT START ANYMORE AND I WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CAUSE FOR THIS WAS INTERNAL PUMP FAILURE WHICH MEAN REPLACING HIGH PRESSURE PUMP, FUEL TANK ETC. I POSSES ALL THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS WITH THE DETAIL INFORMATION AND CORRECT DEFINITIONS OF EXACT FAILURE. IT HAS CAUSED GREAT INCONVENIENCE SINCE THIS IS THE ONLY CAR IN OUR FAMILY. IT ALSO COST US $219.92 OUT OF POCKET TO COVER THIS INCIDENT SINCE EXTENDED WARRANTY OF VW DID NOT PICK UP THE TAB IN FULL. AGAIN, ALL DOCUMENTS ARE IN MY POSSESSION TO PROVE IT. IT TOOK 7 DAYS TO RECEIVE THE CAR BACK. *TR

  8. Fuel system, Diesel, Apr 17, 2012

    2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI 2.0L. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A FAULTY FUEL PUMP SYSTEM *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE CAME UPON A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT, ENGINE LIGHT AND A MESSAGE INDICATING ENGINE FAULT WORKSHOP ALL FLASHED. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO RE-START THE VEHICLE. AS SHE CONTINUED TO DRIVE, SHE NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS BECOMING LESS RESPONSIVE. SHE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR, ONLY TO SEE THE RPM'S RAISE VERY HIGH AND THEN DROP TO ZERO WITH NO FLUCTUATION IN SPEED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE STARTED, BUT WAS BARELY RUNNING. THE VEHICLE HAD COMPLETELY LOST IT'S ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. SHE SHIFTED THE GEAR INTO DRIVE AND MANAGED TO GET TO A LOCAL AUTO PARTS STORE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE FUEL SYSTEM WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER VW WAS COVERING THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. *JB

  9. Fuel system, Diesel, Mar 12, 2012

    THE DIESEL HPFP FAILED WHILE DRIVING. CAR LOST POWER AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

  10. Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Diesel, Jan 5, 2012

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK STALL AND NO WARNING LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,000. UPDATED 02/15/12*LJ THE DEALER STATED THE STALLING PROBLEM WAS DUE TO NOT LETTING THE GLOW PLUG WARM-UP. UPDATED 02/22/12 UPDATED EVOQ 06/26/12

  11. Fuel system, Diesel, Dec 20, 2011

    WHILE DRIVING, OUR 2009 VW JETTA TDI STALLED AND STOPPED IN AN INTERSECTION. WHEN RESTARTED THE GLOW-PLUG LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON WHILE THE CAR LIMPED TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE LOCAL VW DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED AND THE TOTAL FUEL SYSTEM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED DO TO CONTAMINATION. I WAS SURPRISED WHEN THE EST'D COST OF $7,500 TO REPAIR MY CAR WAS PRESENTED TO US WITH NO OFFER OF HELP BY VW. I WAS EVEN MORE SURPRISED WHEN THE SERVICE WRITER SAID THAT PART HAS BEEN REDESIGNED A NUMBER OF TIMES TO HELP DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR

  12. Fuel system, Diesel, Dec 20, 2011

    THE CAR IS A 2009 VW JETTA TDI CLEAN DIESEL. WHILE ON THE NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY AT 55 MPH, SUDDENLY THE CAR'S WARNING CHIME SOUNDED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE GLOW PLUG WARNING LIGHT FLASHED AND THE CAR IMMEDIATELY LOST POWER, AND I COASTED TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER. IT WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM AT VW'S COST. THEY SAID IT WAS THE HPFP (HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP) THAT DISINTEGRATED AND DESTROYED THE FUEL SYSTEM, FROM THE FUEL TANK FORWARD. *TR

  13. Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Diesel, Dec 17, 2011

    VEHICLE ABRUPTLY LOST POWER, NO CONTROL OVER ACCELERATION, HAD TO PULL OFF OF INTERSTATE TO SHOULDER OF ROAD. CAR RESTARTED FINE. TAKING TO VW DEALER FOR EVALUATION. *TR

  14. Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Diesel, Nov 2, 2011

    HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE IN TDI DIESEL CAUSING CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE TO MAJOR ENGINE COMPONENTS INCLUDING COMMON RAIL, INJECTORS , FUEL TANK ETC... APPEARS TO BE MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. MERELY REPLACING WILL NOT SOLVE PROBLEM WITHOUT ASSURANCE THAT NEW DESIGN HAS BEEN DEVELOPED AND UTILIZED. *TR

  15. Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Diesel, Oct 29, 2011

    AS MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TOWARDS A STOP SIGN AT A RELATIVELY SLOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN THE CAR DIED. AS SHE STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS, SHE STOPPED THE CAR AND WAITED FOR THE OTHER TRAFFIC TO CLEAR. SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND DRIVE IT HOME AS SHE WAS LESS THAN A MILE AWAY. AFTER I RETURNED HOME, I STARTED THE CAR AND NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. AT THAT POINT THE CAR SEEMED FINE. I WENT TO AUTOZONE TO SEE IF THEY COULD DOWNLOAD THE ERROR CODES THAT MIGHT PROVIDE SOME INSIGHT INTO WHAT COMPONENT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. THEY COULD NOT DO THAT ACCORDING TO CA LAW. I PURCHASED A OBDII CODE READER AND DISCOVERED CODE P0191 AND P0087, BOTH RELATING TO THE FUEL SYSTEM. P0191 INDICATED THE FUEL RAIL PRESSURE SENSOR A CIRCUIT RANGE / PERFORMANCE. THE P0087 INDICATED THE FUEL RAIL / SYSTEM PRESSURE TOO LOW. WHILE RESEARCHING THESE CODES ON THE INTERNET I DISCOVERED A HUGE AMOUNT OF INFORMATION RELATING TO THIS ISSUE. I AM THANKFUL MY WIFE WAS NOT IN A HUGE AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC AS SHE COULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF THE CAR SHUTTING DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON WITH THE TDI DIESEL ENGINE SINCE 2009. WHY HAS THERE BEEN NO RECALL TO FIX WHAT I BELIEVE IS A DEFECTIVE OR INFERIOR FUEL PUMP. IN THE MANY WORK ORDERS I HAVE READ VW IN MANY CASES BLAMED BAD FUEL (GAS IN THE DIESEL TANK) AS THE PROBLEM. I HAVE WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION FOR EVERY GALLON OF FUEL THAT HAS BEEN PUT IN THIS CAR SINCE IT WAS NEW. THE CAR HAS HAD ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE COMPLETED SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. IF THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WHY WASN'T A RECALL ISSUED LIKE THEY DID WITH THE DSG TRANSMISSION. IS THIS DENIAL ON VW'S PART SO THEY DON'T GET A BUNCH OF BAD PRESS? *TR

  16. Fuel system, Diesel, Oct 17, 2011

    FIRST TIME OCCURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 42,150 MILES. CAR DRIVING ON HIGHWAY IN 6TH GEAR WITH CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND FLASHING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, "ENGINE FAULT WORKSHOP" DISPLAYED. CAR CAN NO LONGER REACH HIGHWAY SPEEDS. PULLED OVER AT NEXT EXIT. TURNED OFF CAR, CHECKED UNDER HOOD, NO NOTICEABLE ISSUES. RESTARTED CAR, NO LIGHTS OR WARNINGS. DRIVES NORMAL. CALLED DEALER AND BROUGHT IN LATER THE SAME DAY WITH 42,259 MILES. THEY PUT IT ON THE COMPUTER AND FOUND A TSB 2020606 FOR A SOFTWARE UPDATE. DROVE VEHICLE OUT OF DEALER LOT, GOT ON HIGHWAY APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES FROM DEALERSHIP IN 6TH GEAR AROUND 70 MPH AND SAME ISSUE WITH FLASHING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND LOSS OF POWER. IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE FLASHING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON. THEY BROUGHT INTO THE SHOP AND WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANY ISSUE. PERFORMED ANOTHER SOFTWARE REFLASH. HAD TO PAY $102.60 (ONE HOUR OF LABOR, PLUS TAX). THIS ISSUE HAD BEEN ONGOING FOR MONTHS, THROUGH THE SUMMER WITH NO RESOLUTION. TYPICALLY HAPPENS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, BUT SOMETIMES IN 2ND OR 3RD GEAR ON LOCAL ROADS. FINALLY, IN SEPTEMBER WITH APPROXIMATELY 54K MILES, CAR ONCE AGAIN HAD ISSUE ON HIGHWAY. THIS TIME, RESTARTED, AND A SOLID CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. IMMEDIATELY CALLED VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA HOTLINE AND EXPLAINED MY ISSUE, STATED IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I'M CONCERNED. THEY GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER AND TOLD ME TO CALL THE DEALER. DEALER WAS ABLE TO GET MY CAR IN LATER THAT DAY, AND WAS ABLE TO PULL CODES FOR FUEL SYSTEM ISSUE. DEALER TOOK A FUEL SAMPLE, FOUND SHAVINGS IN FUEL CANISTER, AND GOT AUTHORIZATION TO PERFORM WARRANTY REPAIRS OF ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM FROM VW. THEY SAID MY CAR WOULD BE FINE TO DRIVE FOR NOW. ONE MONTH LATER AT APPROXIMATELY 57K MILES BRINGING CAR IN. CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE ISSUE, AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT FROM POWER LOSS. VERY CONCERNING PROBLEM. *TR

  17. Fuel system, Diesel, Oct 15, 2011

    HPFP FAILURE: METAL FILINGS BLOWN THROUGHOUT FUEL SYSTEM: THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT TURNED ON AND THE CAR IMMEDIATELY STALLED, A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION HAD I BEEN SURROUNDED BY OTHER VEHICLES. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND RE-STARTED...DROVE APPROXIMATELY 1,000 METERS AND THE CAR FAILED AGAIN. WOULD NOT RE-START. TOWED TO DEALER 165 MILES AWAY....DEALER CONDUCTED FUEL ANALYSIS FOR GAS AND WATER...NO CONTAMINATION.....100% DIESEL AND CAR ALWAYS MAINTAINED. PROBLEM: HPFP FAILURE, THE PUMP DISINTEGRATED BLOWING METAL FILINGS INTO FUEL INJECTORS/LINES, CLOGGING THE FUEL SYSTEM. I CONDUCTED RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM. TURNS OUT BOTH NHTSA AND VW ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TDI FORUM BLOG HAS NUMEROUS RECORDS OF VW JETTA TDI HPFP FAILURE. I THINK THE CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED. CONSUMERS OF TDI VEHICLES EXPECT THE AUTO TO RANGE UP TO 300,000 MILES BEFORE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONS OCCUR OF THIS SERIOUS NATURE...THEY ALSO PURCHASE CARS FOR FUEL MILEAGE AND REDUCED EMISSIONS. VW IS REPAIRING THE AUTO AT NO COST...I'M MORE CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY OF OTHERS...WHAT IF THIS OCCURS AT 75 MPH WITH A TRACTOR TRAILER BARRELING ON YOUR TAIL! *TR

  18. Fuel system, Diesel, Oct 14, 2011

    LOST POWER DRIVING ON A DIVIDED HIGHWAY. FAST CARS SLOWED TO 15 MPH BEHIND WHEN I WENT INTO LIMP MODE. WOULD NOT START AT THE STOP SIGN. JAMMED UP TRAFFIC. HIGH FUEL PRESSURE PUMP FAILURE FIXED BY DEALER. *TR

  19. Fuel system, Diesel, Oct 7, 2011

    FUEL LINE BROKE WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS. SMOKE BEGAN POURING OUT FROM UNDER HOOD AND FILLING CABIN. TOOK VEHICLE STRAIGHT TO DEALERSHIP, WHERE I WAS TOLD THE #2 INJECTOR LINE BROKE. ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS SOAKED WITH FUEL, DIESEL WAS DRIPPING FROM ALL PARTS UNDER HOOD. I WAS CONCERNED WITH THE DIESEL DETERIORATING THE RUBBER HOSES AND COMPONENTS UNDER HOOD. VW DEALERSHIP CHANGED #2 INJECTOR LINE, AND RECOMMENDED CHANGING THE REST AS WELL AS THE ENGINE COVER. I OPTED TO NOT CHANGE THE REST, ONLY THE CRACKED ONE. IT DUMPED ABOUT A HALF TANK OF FUEL IN A MATTER OF MINUTES. *TR

  20. Fuel system, Diesel, Oct 6, 2011, fire

    MY 2009 VW JETTA TDI BURST INTO FLAMES 15-20 MINUTES AFTER BEING PARKED. NO ONE WAS IN OR NEAR THE CAR AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR EXTENDED FIRE DAMAGE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE HOTSPOT IS IN THE FRONT LEFT OF THE CAR, WITH SEVERE DAMAGE TO ALL COMPONENTS UNDER THE HOOD AND FRONT INTERIOR OF THE CAR. THE CAR HAD BEEN IN LIKE-NEW CONDITION WITH SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON-TIME BY A VW DEALER; THERE HAD NEVER BEEN ANY MAINTENANCE OR PERFORMANCE ISSUES THAT I KNEW OF PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. I CONTACTED VW ON 9/20/2011 ABOUT THE INCIDENT. THEIR FIRE INSPECTOR STUDIED THE REMAINS OF THE CAR ON 9/22/2011 AND DEDUCED IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE WITH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, AND THE LEAK/FIRE PROBABLY STARTED AS I WAS STILL DRIVING. THERE WAS NO RECOURSE OR FURTHER ACTION. AT THE TIME, THE VIN # OF MY CAR HAD NOT BEEN A PART OF ANY RECALL. I BELIEVE MY CAR MIGHT/SHOULD HAVE BEEN PART OF A RECENT RECALL ANNOUNCED ON 10/5/2011 ON TDIS DUE TO FIRE HAZARD. *TR

  21. Fuel system, Diesel, Oct 6, 2011

    CAR STALLS OUT FOR NO REASON WHEN SHIFTING. *TR

  22. Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Diesel, Oct 4, 2011

    THIS CONCERNS A 2009 VW JETTA TDI (CLEAN DIESEL VERSION). CAR DASHBOARD PUT OUT WARNING MESSAGE "ENGINE MALFUNCTION" THEN CAR BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND LOSE POWER. ELECTRONIC DASHBOARD SHOWED THERE WAS PLENTY OF DIESEL GAS IN THE TANK (ENOUGH TO CONTINUE DRIVING 250 MILES). (THE CAR HAD BEEN FILLED UP WITH DIESEL GASOLINE ON THE DAY BEFORE, FRIDAY, AND DRIVEN ON A SHORT TRIP THAT SATURDAY DURING THE DAY HOURS; DRIVER HAD FILLED UP AT THAT STATION REGULARLY ACROSS THE LAST 2 YEARS SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED.) ELECTRONIC DASHBOARD ALSO SHOWED ALL OTHER SYSTEMS FUNCTIONING REGARDING BATTERY, TEMPERATURE SENSOR, ETC. DRIVER WAS ON BUSY CITY AVENUE IN FULLERTON, CALIFORNIA TRAVELING AT ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN SPUTTERING BEGAN. CAR POWER SLOWLY DECREASED TO ABOUT 20 MPH, BUT FORTUNATELY DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT THROUGH SEVERAL GREEN LIGHTS TO A COMMERCIAL AREA. FORTUNATELY SATURDAY NIGHT TRAFFIC WAS NOT HEAVY, SO A LANE CHANGE TO THE RIGHT WAS POSSIBLE WITHOUT AFFECTING OTHER DRIVERS WHO WISHED TO GO AT A FASTER SPEED. CAR SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 5 MPH AS DRIVER MANEUVERED CAR FOR THE LAST 500 FEET INTO A GASOLINE STATION PARKING LOT. CAR ENGINE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS WAS LESS THAN 5 MINUTES AFTER THE FIRST "ENGINE MALFUNCTION" WARNING ON THE ELECTRONIC DASHBOARD. ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE ENGINE WERE UNSUCCESSFUL; A CLICKING SOUND IN THE IGNITION WAS HEARD. CAR ENGINE SUBSEQUENTLY WOULD NOT TURN OVER AND HAD TO BE TOWED SATURDAY NIGHT. *TR

  23. Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Diesel, Oct 1, 2011

    30 SEPT 2011. WHILE SITTING AT AN INTERSECTION WE NOTICED A RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM OUR 2009 JETTA TDI. COULD ALSO FEEL A SLIGHT VIBRATION THROUGH THE SHIFT LEVER AND STEERING WHEEL. INITIAL THOUGHT WAS AN A/C CLUTCH ISSUE DUE TO A SQUEALING SOUND THAT STARTED. PROCEEDED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AND ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE "ENGINE FAULT WORKSHOP" LIGHT CAME ON AND THE SOUND BECAME VERY LOUD. WE IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT TO INVESTIGATE. LOUD METALLIC NOISES APPEARED TO BE INTERNAL TO THE ENGINE NOT EXTERNAL. SHUT THE CAR OFF AND IT WOULD NOT RESTART. CAR WAS TOWED TO MOSSY VW (CLASSIC VOLKSWAGEN) IN ESCONDIDO, CA AT CLOSING TIME AND WILL BE TROUBLESHOOT IN THE MORNING. 50,000 MILES ON THE CAR. GREAT DEALER SO FAR, SERVICE STAYED LATE TO ASSIST AND ENSURED WE HAD TRANSPORTATION HOME. A QUICK ONLINE SEARCH REVEALED HPFP FAILURES FOR 2009 VW TDI CARS ARE BECOMING MORE COMMON AND UNFORTUNATELY THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGING AND SOME DEALERS ARE BLAMING ON FUEL CONTAMINATION WITH UNLEADED GAS. OWNERS ARE REPORTING $10,000 REPAIR BILLS. WE HAVE OUR DIESEL FUEL RECEIPT FROM YESTERDAY, 29 SEP 2011, CONFIRMING CORRECT FUEL WAS USED. *TR

  24. Fuel system, Diesel, Sep 25, 2011

    DRIVING ON MOUNTAIN ROAD AT NIGHT. SUFFERED ABRUPT LOSS OF VEHICLE DRIVE POWER. CAR STALLED AND CAME TO STOP AT SIDE OF NARROW ROAD (PARTIALLY BLOCKING ROADWAY). TOWED TO MODESTO CALIFORNIA AND THEN TO VW DEALER IN MODESTO CA THE NEXT MORNING. DIAGNOSED AS FUEL PUMP FAILURE. WIFE WAS DRIVING, I WAS A PASSENGER. *TR

  25. Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Diesel, Sep 24, 2011

    FLASHING GLOW PLUG WARNING LIGHT AND LOSS OF POWER WHILE GOING 70 MPH ON TURNPIKE. CAR WENT INTO "LIMP MODE" ALLOWING EXIT FROM TURNPIKE. CAR TRAVELED SEVERAL BLOCKS THEN STALLED AT STOP LIGHT AND WOULD NOT START. CAR WAS TOWED TO VW DEALER AND DIAGNOSED WITH FAILED HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND METAL PARTICLES CONTAMINATING DIESEL FUEL. DEALER TO REPLACE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM. *TR