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2009 Volkswagen GTI transmission problems

32 complaints (19% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 31,500.

owner complaints
32
of this car's complaints
19%
typical mileage
31,500
crashes
0
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission
    14

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Volkswagen GTI transmission problems in other years

199620052010201520202024

Specific symptoms reported on the 2009 Volkswagen GTI transmission

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Jerking 7

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmissionReported August 20, 2009 · 16,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
The abrupt shift to neutral could lead to a crash without warning.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 09V333000 · Recall details

Related investigations

Vehicle stall/loss motive powerOpened July 17, 2009, closed November 19, 2009

The subject vehicles are equipped with direct shift gearbox (dsg) transmissions, which feature a 6-speed automatic gearbox with two wet running clutches (dual clutch) in which the clutch mechanism and gear changes are electrohydraulically operated by a mechatronic control unit.the dsg mechatronic controller includes extensive self diagnostic functions and strategies to ensure safe operation and prevent system/component damage in the event of component failures or harsh operating conditions.the basic hierarchy of fault modes includes some that only result in the storage of a diagnostic trouble code (dtc) and cause no loss of function, some that store a dtc and reduce vehicle operation to a limp home mode, and some that store a dtc and cause an interruption of motive power (I.e., open clutch).the driver is alerted to the latter two modes by the dash gear position indicator (prnds) flashing. One of the conditions that results in interruption of motive power is excess gearbox temperature.the system initially responds to increased gearbox temperature by ramping down engine torque.if the temperature keeps rising the mechatronic unit responds by opening the clutch.in a defect information report submitted to the federal safety agency on august 20, 2009, volkswagen described a potential defect in the wiring harnesses of the dsg gearbox temperature sensors used in approximately 16,000 model year (my) 2009 and 2010 volkswagen (eos, jetta and gti) and audi (a3 and tt/tt roadster) vehicles equipped with dsg transmissions and built from september 2008 through august 2009 (the federal safety agency recall no. 09v‑333, volkswagen recall no. 37e3/s7 and audi recall no 37e4/j7). Volkswagen provided this description of the defect, the wiring harness of a temperature sensor in the dsg may have connector wires that were insufficiently crimped by the connector supplier during a limited production period.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.in heavy traffic, the abrupt shift to neutral could lead to a crash without warning.volkswagen estimated that less than one percent of the recalled vehicles may contain the defect condition. Odi identified 40 complaints that appear to be related to the temperature sensor defect condition described by volkswagen.volkswagen received 139 complaints related to the condition, with 7 involving vehicles reported to odi, resulting a 172 total complaints to odi and volkswagen.all of these complaints involve the my 2009 an 2010 vehicles subject to recall 09v‑333. Odi also identified complaints of harsh/jerky shifting in some volkswagen vehicles with dsg.volkswagen attributed this condition, which typically occurs at very low speeds, to excessive wear in the bushings of the two solenoid valves in the mechatronic unit that control clutch operation.volkswagen does not believe that the this condition is a safety defect because the changes in shift quality develop gradually over time, do not cause a loss of motive power and have not resulted in any fatalities, injuries or serious crashes (there were three reported property damage incidents resulting in minor body damage in very low speed, parking maneuvers).volkswagen addressed this problem in the field with a customer service program that includes the replacement of potentially affected mechatronic units as well

PE09035

What 2009 Volkswagen GTI owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 19, 2020 · Transmission · 114,000 miles · CO

My prnds lights flashing. When I put car in d or r nothing happens. Acts like its in neutral. Happened while driving 65mph on why. Fix this problem now.

Filed Aug 29, 2019 · Brakes, Transmission · 110,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 volkswagen gti. The contact stated that the ABS brake module malfunctioned. Several years ago, the vehicle was taken to be repaired per the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v913000 (power train) by heritage volkswagen parkville (9215 harford rd, parkville, md 21234, (877) 398-1963). After a couple of days, the dealer refused to perform the recall repairs because the vehicle was showing the incorrect failure codes. The contact received a second recall notice in the mail and was informed by the dealer that the vehicle would be repaired. The contact stated that the brakes started grinding and twitching and the entire instrument panel illuminated. In addition, the speedometer stopped working, the steering became loose, and the vehicle stopped accelerating after the accelerator pedal was initially depressed. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer and they stated that the repairs would be covered; however, they later called the contact back stating the recall repairs would not be covered. The incorrect failure codes were vag00290 (driver's side rear ABS wheel speed sensor with mechanical function) and vag00285 (passenger side front ABS speed sensor). The contact stated that she received a letter from the dealer that the recall had to match two of the specific codes, which was why the recall repairs were not performed. The contact was instructed to call the manufacturer. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that they would contact the dealer. The contact received the run around for a week with both the dealer and manufacturer, stating they were waiting to hear from each other. Recently, the contact was informed that the recall repairs would not be performed and the contact made arrangements to have the vehicle repaired by an independent mechanic. The failure mileage was 110,000.

Filed Apr 11, 2019 · Driver assistance, Transmission · 100,000 miles · CA

The vehicle shifted gears in motion while driving on city streets. Parked the car in may of 2017 and haven't driven it since. Vw has refused to take responsibility, even though I've brought the issue of the vehicle having trouble switching to reverse from a parked position while I was at the dealership for service. Have received multiple occasions where the ABS/check engine light came on. Repeatedly taking it into the dealership to no avail. ** note: vw has refused to repair the issues "free of charge" as stated. That I'd have to pay for inspection by a dealership and since I'm 'out of warranty', I'm sure they'd charge me for the service as well. In addition, there was no 'open inspections' done to look into the recall before my purchase of the vehicle as a pre-owned certified car from the vw dealership. This was in dec. 2010. ** tried submitting this before, which caused an error and fail. It erased all my data. Please review my attached document.

Filed Mar 13, 2019 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · IL

My car disengages itself when shifting in reverse I give it gas it suddenly catches gear and almost caused an accident. 2009 volkswagen gti. Volkswagen dealer will not take responsibility for this recall telling me there are non but when checked on the federal safety agency website there is.direct shift gearbox dsg recall#09v333000

Filed Dec 30, 2017 · Engine, Transmission · 50,000 miles · PA

Defective timing chain tensioner went and destroyed the entire engine that has less than 50,000 miles on it. Apparently this is a known issue with vw that I found out about after the fact. Luckily it happened in my driveway.

Filed Sep 25, 2017 · Brakes, Transmission · 101,000 miles · MI

While driving down a rural highway in clear conditions and light traffic,at about 45 MPH, several lights came on the dash, and the tachometer started jumping up and down I had no acceleration, and was lucky to be in a place to get off the road. I don't recall if I touched the brakes or not just before this happened, as it is sometimes necessary when driving with other cars on the road, but there was no hard braking. I was just driving normally. If I touched them at all, it would have been lightly,.the car would start fine but no gears. Towed to dealership. Their report said "small metal shards about the size of a grain of sand" in the trans fluid, and "it appears the transmission commuter did not disengage the clutch in use as it engaged the clutch for the next gear and tried running the vehicle in two gears at the same time at cruising speed., which in turn damaged the transmission internally and destroyed the dual clutch friction discs." I recently found out that there is a recall for the ABS module on my vehicle. Another driver (the federal safety agency id 10944646) indicated that when his ABS module failed, that his vehicle randomly downshifts to first gear, and is unable to switch back. He said "what starts as a simple brake problem is now an undriveable car". Is this what happened to my car? Could my ABS module failure cause the transmission to downshift while travelling at 45 MPH? Should the transmission repair be included in the ABS recall program? This was a very dangerous situation, and I had no warning before it happened. Also, it was very hot out, about 90 degrees, if temperature plays a role in this situation. I am making an appointment to have the ABS issue repaired under the recall, but volkswagon is taking no responsibility for the transmission failure. They said it is out of warranty. I think they may be related, and customers need to know if this is a possibility.

Filed Jun 13, 2017 · Driver assistance, Transmission · 55,000 miles · MA

I submitted a complaint last year with complaint #: 10907462. Summary of the unexpected ABS module breakdown that happened last year. The module broke down the first time on 09/06/216 on my way to work and it occurred while I was driving on the highway. I slowed down the speed to around 45 after I lost control of the vehicle when it happened and the lights and beeping did not stop with the engine light turned on. The car was eventually towed and repaired (paid out of pocket) at vw dealership. After searching online, the ABS module apparently has been a problem on gti and gli jetta. Most recently, there is a recall on the ABS modules on certain vw vehicles; however my car was not one of them even though it is the same part that almost caused me a car crash on the highway! Please investigate into this problem and have the vw officially extend their qualification for recalls. It is not right to only recall certain vehicles as other care models/years also use the exact same manufacturer defect ABS modules!

Filed Feb 10, 2017 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 84,000 miles · MA

Abs and stability control lights on permanently. Brake light blinks always. Steering wheel, epc and check engine like all come out intermittently. When steering wheel light is on steering is stiff at low speeds. Speedometer only works intermittently. Engine fault workshop and please refuel come up randomly on the info screen even when gas is full. When speedometer is not working, automatic dsg transmission will randomly downshift gears making car quickly and dangerously decelerate. Has almost caused accidents while driving on wet or snowy roads. Car has also locked doors while in park when speedometer not working, locking me out of the car. Girlfriend also witnessed it happen while waiting in idling car.

Filed Dec 19, 2016 · Brakes, Transmission · FL

2009 89,000 miles. Abs control module failure for the past couple of weeks my car would intermittently throw up the ABS and traction lights but this would go away shortly afterwards. I get in my car about 30 minutes and start driving for maybe 1/16th of a mile and everything just freaks out. Speedometer is dropping to zero (while in motion doing about 15 MPH) and fluctuates all over between 0 and 20 MPH. Brake light is on. Traction light is on. Abs light is on. Steering light is on. Epc light is on. Check engine light is on. And the mfd is saying "engine fault workshop". As time has gone on it now tends to happen atleast 15+ times a day. It now happens as soon as I turn the key on. I'm to scared to even drive it. I don't want to drive my 10 year old son in it. Please do a recall, not something we should have to pay out of pocket for!!!

Filed Dec 6, 2016 · Transmission · 93,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 volkswagen gti. While the vehicle was idling, the rpms revved to a higher level and an oil leak was noticed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear main seal was leaking, which caused the vehicle to surge. The check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

Questions about the 2009 Volkswagen GTI transmission

Does the 2009 Volkswagen GTI have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 32 complaints about the transmission of the 2009 Volkswagen GTI, 19% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2009 Volkswagen GTI transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 31,500 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2009 Volkswagen GTI transmission?

Yes, 1 recall: 09V333000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Volkswagen GTI have bad transmission?

The Volkswagen GTI model years with the most transmission complaints are 2019 (62 complaints), 2007 (40 complaints) and 2008 (40 complaints).

Other 2009 Volkswagen GTI problems

Brakes 98Driver assistance 69Electrical 31Steering 20Engine 17Acceleration 6Airbags 4Fuel system 4Lights 3Body 1Tires 1Visibility 1Wheels 1

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