THE ABS MODULE IN MY VEHICLE FAILED AROUND 90,000 MILES, WHICH I'M NOW DISCOVERING IS A VERY COMMON FOR THIS PARTICULAR MODEL AND YEAR. THE ABS SYSTEM CEASED TO FUNCTION BUT OTHER SYSTEMS WERE AFFECTED AS WELL; MY SPEEDOMETER WOULD STOP WORKING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AT A TIME, AS WELL AS MY FUEL GAUGE. POWER STEERING WOULD CUT OUT AND I WOULD EXPERIENCE A CONSIDERABLE LOSS OF POWER FROM THE ENGINE. …
2009 Volkswagen Rabbit steering problems
moderate 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$700
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN MOVED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V913000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VOLKSWAGEN OF EDMOND (14220 BROADWAY EXTENSION HWY) DIAGNOSED THAT BEFORE THEY COULD…
THE ABS CONTROL HAS FAILED (DIAGNOSED BY VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP), ABS, TRACTION CONTROL AND BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON, SPEEDIMOTER IS ALWAYS ON ZERO, THE CAR LOOSES STEERING CONTROL
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN CONSTANT SINCE PURCHASING (I.E. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON DURING LONG TRIPS, THE PRND LIGHTS LIGHTING ALL AT ONCE AT RANDOM). THESE ISSUES WERE NOT MUCH OF A PROBLEM UNTIL RECENTLY. I STARTED THE CAR AND IMMEDIATELY THE ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, AND BRAKE LIGHTS LIT UP AND THE CAR MADE 3 "BEEPS". I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN, AND THE …
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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