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2009 Volkswagen GTI Base 4dr 6M

All Volkswagen GTI 1K trims (2006–2009) → All Volkswagen GTI generations →
2009 Volkswagen GTI – front
Photo: 2005 Volkswagen Golf GTi 2.0 Front by Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Photos show the Mk5 (1K, 2006–2009); trim, color, and model year may differ.
All photo credits
  1. Photo: 2005 Volkswagen Golf GTi 2.0 Front by Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  2. Photo: Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk V black (1) by Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  3. Photo: Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk V black (2) by Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  4. Photo: 2005 Volkswagen Golf GTi 2.0 Rear by Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  5. Photo: Golf V GTI Pirelli Interior by Berlin tommy, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The 2009 Volkswagen GTI Base 4dr 6M is a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 with a 6-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $23,830 MSRP and is rated at 25 mpg combined.

EPA fuel-economy estimates are 21 mpg city and 31 mpg highway (25 mpg combined).

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeHatchback
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$23,830 ($36,106 *)
MSRP with Destination$24,530 ($37,167 *)
Destination Charge$700
Engine
Engine Type2.0L Inline-4 turbocharged TSI
Displacement2 L
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
Transmission6-speed manual
Fuel Economy
City21 MPG
Highway31 MPG
Combined25 MPG
Recommended FuelPremium unleaded
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover Not rated
Tested variant: 2009 Volkswagen GTI 4-DR. w/SAB
Other tested variants (1)
  • 2009 Volkswagen GTI 2-DR. w/SAB: overall not rated

Recalls

2 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2009 Volkswagen GTI. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Dec 20, 2016 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

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.

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

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 16V913000

Aug 20, 2009 · 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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign 09V333000

167 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2009 Volkswagen GTI

Owner Complaints

167 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Volkswagen GTI (5 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 1 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Service Brakes98
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)69
Power Train32
Electrical System31
Steering20
Engine15
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Apr 21, 2026 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
“The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the ABS control unit indicator light was…”
Sep 9, 2023 · Electrical System Fire
“The warning light went on engine oil pressure off. Search manual. Then it wouldn't start. But lights where on so we put a new starter. But it wouldn't turn the engine. So We thought it must be the…”
Sep 1, 2022 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
“The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated while driving 35-40 MPH, the ABS warning light, traction control warning light, and the brake warning light illuminated. The vehicle was…”
Apr 27, 2022 · Service Brakes
“I recently purchased this used car and discovered that there is a recall on it. I made an appointment for the recall service. Prior to the appointment, the ABS warning light came on while driving the…”
Jan 18, 2021 · Service Brakes
“ABS MODULE HAS BEEN KNOWN TO BE DEFECTIVE ON THIS MODEL YEAR VOLKSWAGEN GTI. SOME VINS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT USES THE SAME ABS SYSTEM AND ABS MODULE THAT HAS BEEN KNOWN TO BE…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2009 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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