2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Pedal to the Metal? Pretty Much

Brake feel has always been mushy in my 99 Jetta TDI, but the brakes perform very well. Don't sweat it.

oh boy is this a red flag for me? Mushy brakes, 2.slo models need a quarta oil a week, friends 2.0 model rear driver window acting up, and only random jetta models have the rear cuoholder that is hidden under that revolving slider ashtray type plastic thingamabob...

It never fails that, no matter what make a car is, at the first sign of trouble, someone will say "Ahh, see! This car is crap! Car Brand X is much better!"

These kinds of comments really get boring after a while. One failure on a car doesn't necessarily indicate the whole car is faulty.

One good sign was that the VW mechanics were diligent in trying to correct the problem rather than saying "They all do that," and sending you on your way.

altimadude00.......that is not a failure, it is a design flaw....much worse.

Hold on i said red flag. I didn't say I wouldn't get the Jetta.

Btw, I've had problems with my Honda. Would I buy another? No. Not because of the problems, but because I find the styling boring, (on all but the new accord coupe and last TL) the driving entertainment lacking, and nearly everyone on the road has one. Even in my "old" 95, I see sooo many matching mine in color and exterior features.

I still want the Jetta, but the 1.8Ts are more $$, the vr6s pre-2002 dont pass my mpg requirement(even with todays $2.17 gas), leaving me with the wheezing 8v 2.Slow.

-Cj

In my friends Jetta and on my test drive, I enjoied the mushy brakes because my brakes are mushy and insufficient. At least the Jetta has a bite that makes me feel confident in city driving.

In other words, Yea, The Jetta Brakes may suck, but they're a whole world better than the ones on my current car.

"a loose pin in the brake module"??? What bunch of baloney that is. That's like saying your muffler bearings are due for a change.

Poor pedal feel is a common complaint across all the MkV platform cars - my GTI included. An annoyance, yes, but something I've just gotten used to over time. Fortunately it doesn't seem to have anything to do with actual braking performance.

Mikeolan - come on, at least try to add something constructive. Categorizing German auto engineering as junk speaks poorly to your understanding of anything car related.

Zcalvert is right the the pads the main culprit on the MKV platform. A set of Hawk HPS pads and new brake fluid do wonders for the feel and actual stopping performance. I also own a MKV GTI

Mushy brakes were also a problem on mkIV cars. Somewhere in this blog there is an entry complaining of mushy pedal feel on the 2005 TDI, and in my personal experience my NB also had the same mushy brakes (never had a problem with braking performance though)...and also drank a quarter of oil every now and then.

The A/C didn't work on my 2008 Rabbit when I got in it to drive home after buying it. They sent me home in a Mazda CX-7 loaner, and I returned two days later to pick it up. That incident wasn't very comforting when buying a brand-new car, but that's the only problem I've had with it in 10,000 miles. I hardly consider the car to be junk.

I wouldn't describe my '04 GTI's brakes as "mushy" (I've driven old Chevy pickups, after all). They have some give at the top of the pedal and increased pressure does move the pedal toward the floor but you'd have to stand on the pedal (and have some pretty phenomenal leg strength, which I kinda do have) to push it to the firewall. Regardless of whether that counts as 'mushy' or not, they're confidence inspiring, easy to modulate, and more resistant to fade than most brakes at that price point.

clarkma5 - i should have been more specific in my first post... i agree that most of the "give" in the pedal seems to occur at the beginning of the stroke. i also find it's more noticeable at low to moderate speeds. a hard stab at highway speed results in a more confidence-inspiring pedal feel.

again, the actual braking performance of all the MkV based cars is pretty good; you get used to the pedal feel over time.

VW/Audi with a spongy brake pedal: common.

VW/Audi dealer actually paying attention to a customer: rare.

I have nothing but good things to say about my VW dealer in Peoria, IL.

Just a thought on improving that "squishiness". Maybe put some steel-braided brake lines in or replacing the old one? Perhaps your old rubber ones are worn out and blowing up like balloons when you stand on them rather than holding their shape to direct the brake fluid. If thats the case, it may explain why you've got working brakes but are still able to push it to the floor.

Owned two Audis, both TT Coupes, and I can admit the brakes have a bit more cushy brake feel than other cars I've driven, so I expected similar traits in a VW. But it's a feeling that becomes quickly comfortable and natural in everyday driving in the same way shifting throws in different manual models upon stepping behind a different model vehicle the first time. Perhaps because I've driven an Audi the last 8+ years, the 09 Jetta TDI's braking didn't feel strange or mushy at all...perfectly responsive. Getting used to a DSG transmission and more evident turbo lag on the other hand will possibly take some time getting used to.

On the service tip: I have had an overwhelming positive experience over at Keyes Audi in Van Nuys, especially their service department. I'd stick with Audi's except for their out of warranty costs exceed my in the pocket income. Like someone mentioned, treat the service department with polite respect and it's often returned in kind.