2009 Volkswagen Jetta: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Mar 18, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 177,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, there was a burning odor coming from outside the vehicle, and the odometer was inoperable. The ABS, Brake, DRL, and EPC warning lights were illuminated. During the failure, the vehicle drove like the parking brake was engaged. The contact stated that on two separate occasions, while driving and experiencing the failures, the vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road, and the contact exited the vehicle, and observed smoke coming from all four wheels. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the cylinder to the ABS module had failed to communicate with the computer and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired, but the contact was made aware of an associated recall. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed, and determined that the ABS module was inoperable and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 177,000.

Filed Nov 18, 2019 · Seats · 197,000 miles · MD · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that the driver's seat caught fire while driving. The contact stated that the driver's seat felt warmer than usual while the seat warmer was activated. The contact placed a lumbar cushion on the seat and found that the driver's seat was on fire. The seat back and cushion were burned. There were no injuries. The fire department was present to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was towed to heritage volkswagen parkville (9215 harford rd, parkville, md 21234, (877) 398-1963) where it was determined that the seat cover and coil needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 190942827. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 197,000.

Filed Mar 14, 2016 · Electrical · 74,000 miles · CA

I smelled something burning in my car for a little while last night. This morning, when the sun was out, I was able to see that there was a burn mark in my seat from the seat warmer.

Filed Sep 6, 2015 · Electrical, Lights · 70,000 miles · CA

I think there is an electrical problem with my car. Since the beginning of this yr 2015 my seats burnt a hole threw the seat and my clothes. I no longer use the heated seats cause I am afraid my car will catch on fire. Also my I have a light go out every time I replace a light. First a head light then a blinker light then a tail light next the licenses plate light and currently another front light. This has been over the last 6-8 mons.

Filed Dec 3, 2013 · Electrical, Lights · 73,000 miles · PR

The electrical wire insulation of the passenger side head light is crumbling and falling off the wires, I noticed when I had to change the light bulb for the second time in less than a month. When I opened the access cover to replace it I saw pieces of the wire insulation all over inside the head light compartment. I'm very afraid and scared that my car will catch on fire due to that manufacturer deficiency of the electrical wire insulation. I sent one message to volkswagen on america yesterday but they have not contacted me to get additional information or provide guidance. I took pictures with my iphone and will provide them upon request, my personal email is [xxx]please advice what can I do to have vw repair that deficiency at no cost to me. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Aug 30, 2013 · Brakes · 56,000 miles · MA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, he noticed smoke and flames coming from the rear driver's side tire. The contact stated he was able to put the fire out with water. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The mechanic stated that the rear driver's side caliper had seized and overheated, which would have to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 56,000.

Filed May 31, 2012 · Fuel system · 74,200 miles · NY

This is a vw jetta 2009 tdi with 74,200 miles. I have been the only owner. Vehicle suddenly lost power and black smoke came from exhaust, red lights on dashboard came on with error message "engine failure". Technician at vw dealer found the turbo charger had an internal failure. The faulty turbo pumped oil throughout the exhaust system into the cat converters, and hoses. All would need to be replaced and costs $7,200.

Filed Nov 29, 2011 · Electrical, Engine · MS · fire

My car caught fire today.car was parked while I was at the doctors, girl came into the office asked if anyone had a white car and that it was on fire. We called 911. The fire department put out the fire. Yesterday I received a recall notice and I called the dealership today to set up a date to get it fixed. I asked if it was safe to drive. I guess it wasn't. The fire dept. Thinks it might be electrical but the recall was for fuel injectors. The dealership sent out a flatbed to tow the car back to there garage. Not sure how it will turn out.

Filed Oct 6, 2011 · Fuel system · 28,000 miles · CA · 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.

Filed Feb 12, 2011 · Brakes · 37,800 miles · TX

I am an aerospace engineering consultant. My 09 jetta had rear passenger caliber, rotor, and brake line replace at 10,000 miles for excessive wear. 1st noticed when going around corners applying brakes a dragging effect would come from rear passenger brake. Dealer could not give any reason for this happening and replace rotor, caliper, and brake line at 10k. Summer time weather. Car exhibited the smell of hot brakes and rubber several times between the next failure. The next failure occurred at 34000 mile. Driver side rotor was so pitted and warped from excessive heat dealer replace rotor and caliper and gave no reason problem. Summer time weather. At 37080 mile on feb 10 2011 at 4:30 am with outside temperature around 20f degrees I released parking brake and started driving to job site. The car felt like it was straining to accelerate. Within two miles from the house the car pulled violently to left , the ABS light came on and the car stopped into oncoming traffic and would not move. I shut the esp system off car still work not move forward. I drove in reverse back to house about 1.5 miles. When I looked at rear brake rotor on driver side since it was still dark the rotor was glowing red like the burner on electric stove. Smell of burning materials was in the air. Called dealer which is ancria of san antonio, tx. Dan minor the service manager thinks it was the emergency brake cable spring not releasing brake. Car was dropped of friday feb 11th 2011 at dealer. A case has been open with vw engineering. Vw dealer is clueless as to why this is happening. I suspect the good german engineers are too proud to say we have a problem fix what seems to be a well documented problem with 09 jettas. Someone is going to get hurt and no one is listening. Thankfully the dealer has been replacing things to date.

Filed Dec 31, 2009 · Fuel system · 12,000 miles · CA

Possible events leading up to the failure is once in a while when the car is off and parked the engine fan will come on running very high and the car smells. This occurred about 4 times in 4 months. Then in the 5th month of ownership, while driving 50 MPH, I heard a beep, looked down at my dash and before I could finish reading the message the car died. The dash indicated something about get to a workshop, then the message disappeared and the coil light came on. I put my foot on the gas pedal and nothing happened. Thankgoodness no one was behind me or we would have been hit, I pushed the car to the shoulder of the road and called a tow truck. I was 80 miles from home and just minutes from getting on the main freeway. I was towed to the nearest vw dealer. It was a weekend so the service dept was closed. Monday I was told the entire fuel system went out and was going to be completely replaced. It was replaced. It's been 4 weeks since it was replaced and today when I drove 25 miles and parked my car, the engine fan came on running very high, and loud with the smell of burnt rubber and smoke coming from the hood. I called the dealer and will be taking it into the dealer next week, they are concerned with the smell.

Filed Sep 6, 2009 · Brakes · 8,850 miles · NY

This complaint is for a 2009 vw jetta tdi. On a recent road trip I noticed a burning odor coming from my drivers side rear. I stopped my vehicle to inspect the wheels and sure enough only the drivers side rear wheel, and rotor was hot enough to instantly fry a egg. This wheel also had a burning smell coming from it (no smoke was observed). The next morning I went to a v.w. Dealer located in allentown to have my brakes inspected. The dealer reported that "road tested the car and checked all brakes and they are all wearing evenly no problem found at this time." on my drive home while the drivers side was a little warmer then the other wheels, the burning problem did not reoccur.