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Volkswagen RabbitYears to avoid, problems & recalls

NHTSA has 163 owner complaints and 20 safety recalls on record for the Volkswagen Rabbit.

Volkswagen Rabbit
Years to avoidNoneBased on weighted complaintsBest years—Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints163Top: Service brakesSafety recalls201975–2009 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years. Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Best & worst years

Volkswagen Rabbit years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Rabbit median. Tap a year for its full report.

'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'06'07'08'09
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2009Not rated–/10062 complaints · 2 recalls2008Not rated–/10023 complaints · 2 recalls2007Not rated–/10054 complaints · 2 recalls2006Not rated–/10013 complaints · 1 recall1985Not rated–/1001 complaint · 1 recall1984Not rated–/1001 complaint · 1 recall1983Not rated–/1001 complaint · 1 recall1982Not rated–/1005 complaints · 1 recall1981Not rated–/1001 complaint · 3 recalls1980Not rated–/1002 complaints · 3 recalls1979Not rated–/1000 complaints · 6 recalls1978Not rated–/1000 complaints · 9 recalls1977Not rated–/1000 complaints · 6 recalls1976Not rated–/1000 complaints · 5 recalls1975Not rated–/1000 complaints · 5 recalls
Complaints by system

Most common Volkswagen Rabbit problems

All model years combined: 163 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Service brakes465
Electrical system305
Electronic stability control (ESC)270
Air bags186
Power train170
Steering172
Vehicle speed control152
Seats135
Fuel system, gasoline131
16 other systems6012
20 recalls

Volkswagen Rabbit recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

43%Electronic stability control (ESC)16V-913 · 2009 · Dec 20, 2016 · 135,683 vehicles–Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings10V-621 · 2007–2009 · Dec 10, 2010 · 228,236 vehicles–Exterior lighting: headlights07V-442 · 2006–2008 · Sep 24, 2007 · 340,000 vehicles–Seat belts85V-031 · 1985 · Mar 25, 1985 · 21,000 vehicles–Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system85V-015 · 1982–1984 · Feb 12, 1985 · 25,000 vehicles–Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system83V-117 · 1977–1980 · Nov 9, 1983 · 930,000 vehicles–Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings83V-116 · 1975–1979 · Nov 9, 1983 · 661,585 vehicles–Linkages: tie rod assembly82V-016 · 1981 · Feb 23, 1982 · 5,200 vehicles–Structure: body81V-113 · 1977–1979 · Sep 24, 1981 · 448,167 vehicles–Linkages: tie rod assembly81V-106 · 1981 · Sep 9, 1981 · 4,800 vehicles–Tank assembly: filler pipe and cap81V-058 · 1980–1981 · May 15, 1981 · 133,000 vehicles–Vehicle speed control: cables81V-012 · 1977–1980 · Jan 28, 1981 · 110,000 vehicles

Showing the 12 newest of 20 recalls. Each model-year page lists all recalls for that year.

7 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the Rabbit

  1. UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATIONDP86009 · 1980 · closed Jun 19, 1986
    No recall
  2. BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE DUE TO CORROSION OFDP83003 · 1975–1979 · closed Nov 18, 1982
    No recall
  3. THROTTLE STICKING CASE - C81-02DP82008 · 1980 · closed Oct 29, 1982
    No recall
  4. FUEL PUMP CIRCUITDP82003 · 1980 · closed Mar 10, 1982
    No recall
  5. REAR VIEW MIRRORDP82002 · 1975–1983 · closed Feb 2, 1982
    No recall
  6. FUEL PUMPDP81012 · 1980 · closed Nov 2, 1981
    No recall
  7. DIESEL TIMING BELTDP79041 · 1978 · closed Jun 25, 1979
    No recall