YearToAvoid

2009 Volkswagen GTI Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA has 32 owner complaints about transmission problems in the 2009 Volkswagen GTI, 19% of all 167 complaints for this model year. That is #4 highest transmission complaint count among 21 GTI model years. Median mileage at failure: 31,500 miles.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
32
19% of 167
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
31,500 mi
Related recalls
1

When 2009 Volkswagen GTI transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 2, 2009, latest Jan 19, 2020.

2009 Volkswagen GTI transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month5Jun 2009Nov 2009Mar 2012Oct 2014Dec 2016Sep 2017Apr 2019
32 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2009 to Jan 2020; peak Jul 2009 (5).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2009 Volkswagen GTI

  1. NHTSA 09V333000Aug 20, 2009Transmission & Powertrain16,000 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission

    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.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by GTI model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20052 (25%)
  2. 200611 (26%)
  3. 200740 (52%)
  4. 200840 (60%)
  5. 200932 (19%)
  6. 201014 (26%)
  7. 201116 (29%)
  8. 20127 (18%)
  9. 20135 (15%)
  10. 20142 (20%)
  11. 201512 (12%)
  12. 20168 (12%)
  13. 20177 (13%)
  14. 20183 (18%)
  15. 201962 (35%)
  16. 20202 (25%)
  17. 20211 (25%)
  18. 20220 (0%)
  19. 20232 (33%)
  20. 20246 (21%)
  21. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Volkswagen GTI have transmission problems?
NHTSA has 32 owner complaints about the transmission in the 2009 Volkswagen GTI, 19% of all complaints for this model year. Median mileage at failure is 31,500 miles.
Which Volkswagen GTI year has the most transmission complaints?
The 2019 Volkswagen GTI has the most transmission complaints (62), compared with 32 for the 2009.
Is there a transmission recall for the 2009 Volkswagen GTI?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2009 Volkswagen GTI concerns the transmission: 09V333000.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.