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1980 Volkswagen RabbitProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 2 owner complaints about the 1980 Volkswagen Rabbit, most often about the vehicle speed control. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints20 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem2Vehicle speed control

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 12, 1996. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1980 Volkswagen Rabbit has problems

2 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
Vehicle speed control20

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

1980 Volkswagen Rabbit recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Volkswagen.

Best & worst years

1980 vs. every other Rabbit year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Rabbit median. How we score

'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'06'07'08'09
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
5 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1980 Volkswagen Rabbit, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FUEL PUMPDP81012 · closed Nov 2, 1981
    No recall
  2. REAR VIEW MIRRORDP82002 · closed Feb 2, 1982
    No recall
  3. FUEL PUMP CIRCUITDP82003 · closed Mar 10, 1982
    No recall
  4. THROTTLE STICKING CASE - C81-02DP82008 · closed Oct 29, 1982
    No recall
  5. UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATIONDP86009 · closed Jun 19, 1986
    No recall

Own a 1980 Rabbit?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.