Model year guide

2009 Volkswagen Rabbit

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 8 on record.

2009 Volkswagen Rabbit — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2009 Volkswagen Rabbit at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints62
Combined24 mpg
Typical price$5,668

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2009 Volkswagen Rabbit recalls 2

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip NHTSA Campaign #16V913000 · 20/12/2016

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.

Fix: 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 Vo…

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings NHTSA Campaign #10V621000 · 10/12/2010

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 JETTA, NEW BEETLE, NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, MODEL YEAR 2009 JETTA SPORTWAGEN AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 RABBIT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES. THE JETTA, JETTA SPORTWAGEN, AND RABBIT VEHICLES MAY HAVE A SMALL PLASTIC TAB LOCATED ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR THAT MAY CHAFE AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE. THE NEW BEETLE AND THE NEW BEETLE CONV…

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE UNDERHOOD FUEL LINE. ADDITIONALLY, DEPENDING ON THE VEHICLE MODEL, DEALERS WILL EITHER REMOVE THE PLASTIC TAB FROM THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR, OR INSPECT THE POSITION OF THE FASTENING CLAMP AND ADJUST THE RELATED FASTENING CLAMP INTO THE…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2009 Volkswagen Rabbit common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 62 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Forward Collision Avoidance
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2009 Volkswagen Rabbit MPG & running costs

Combined24 mpg
City21 mpg
Highway30 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,550

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit worth?

Low
$3,495
Typical price
$5,668
High
$8,750

From 8 comparable 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$12,750
Depreciation (5 yrs)$4,250
Total$17,000
Per mile$0.23

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($5,668) with the same model 3 model-years older ($3,128), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2009 Volkswagen Rabbit trims & engines on record

Trims
S PZEV · S
Engines
2.5L 5-cyl 170 hp

2009 Volkswagen Rabbit vehicles on record

Other Volkswagen Rabbit model years

2009 Volkswagen Rabbit — frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit?

Based on 62 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are service brakes, electronic stability control (esc), hydraulic.

What gas mileage does the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit at about 24 mpg combined (21 city / 30 highway).

How much is a 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit worth?

Comparable 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit listings run roughly $3,495–$8,750, typically around $5,668 (from 8 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.