Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 Jetta City.
As a passenger car positioned within Volkswagen's lineup, the 2009 Jetta City is defined less by its transportation utility and more by a notoriously problematic ownership record. This specific model year has amassed 903 total owner complaints alongside seven separate recalls, marking it as a statistically troubled entry for researchers to examine. With the fuel system—specifically its diesel components—standing out as the top complaint area, the 2009 Jetta City occupies a low point in the model's reliability history, meaning prospective owners must anticipate significant diesel-related repairs rather than expecting dependable, trouble-free motoring.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 540 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 172.4 in |
| Overall width | 68.5 in |
| Overall height | 57.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 98.8 in |
| Curb weight | 2895 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 59.8 / 58.7 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 60/40 |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine DOT 4 brake fluid. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.10-1.21 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 3.38-4.05 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 47 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 540 cca |
| Optional BCI Group Number | 94R |
| Brake Application | WITH FN3 |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 18 ft-lbs / 26 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 140 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in |
| Brake Application | WITH FN3 |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 0.984 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 0.984 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 0.866 in |
| 1 | 6 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 | 6 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 44 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 | 44 ft. lbs |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Owner complaints about the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta City top in one area — the fuel system, diesel, 134 of 903 reports (15%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 7 recall campaigns target the fuel system, diesel, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 31 of the reports describe a crash and 8 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the fuel system, diesel pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.
All 903 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015… Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298…
Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles… Remedy: Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged…
Showing 5 of 1068 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| TT 10-18-02_2 | 2026-06-18 | Engine | Lubricating engine components before reassembly. |
| TT 13-20-01_3 | 2026-06-18 | Engine | Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start. |
| V6919012010479_17 | 2026-06-11 | Air Bags | Inquiries |
| V1719012012855_81 | 2026-06-04 | Engine | Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards |
| VOS-26-21 | 2026-03-27 | Engine | This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.