RoadVitals

1980 Volkswagen Rabbit

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
2
Latest Apr 12, 1996
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest Mar 1, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
5
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1980 Volkswagen Rabbit, most frequently naming the driver assistance category. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 5 NHTSA investigations name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Driver assistance2100.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
06E018000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Mar 1, 2006
266 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSES, P/N 171.611.107B, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 1975-1985 VOLKSWAGEN (VW) RABBIT; 1985-1992 VW GOLF; AND 1980-1992 VW JETTA PASSENGER VEHICLES. POSSIBLE BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE COULD OCCUR WHICH FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 106, "BRAKE HOSES."
The risk: BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE BRAKE HOSES WITH COMPLIANT BRAKE HOSES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS AT 305-885-8646 EXT. 11.
FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS, INC.Manufacturer number 171.611.701BView on NHTSA.gov
83V117000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

Nov 9, 1983
930,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE FUEL PUMP MAY STOP FUNCTIONING WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CAN OCCUR BECAUSE AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR IN THE FUSE PANEL MAY OVERHEAT AND INTERRUPT THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT.
The remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT THE FUSE BOX AND ITS CONNECTORS FOR CORROSION, AND CORRECT WHERE NECESSARY. A BYPASS ADAPTER TO THE FUEL PUMP ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT WILL BE INSTALLED.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCView on NHTSA.gov
81V058000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

May 15, 1981
133,000 units potentially affected
The defect: ON SOME VEHICLES, THE PRESSURE COULD INCREASE INSIDE THE FUEL TANK FROM HIGH SURROUNDING TEMPERATURES WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS MORE THAN HALF FULL.
The remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL A RESTRICTOR VALVE INTO THE FUEL FILLER PIPE, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP86009ClosedDefect Petition

UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION

Opened May 7, 1986
Closed Jun 19, 1986

UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DP82008ClosedDefect Petition

THROTTLE STICKING CASE - C81-02

Opened Apr 26, 1982
Closed Oct 29, 1982

THROTTLE STICKING CASE - C81-02

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
DP82003ClosedDefect Petition

FUEL PUMP CIRCUIT

Opened Jan 19, 1982
Closed Mar 10, 1982

FUEL PUMP CIRCUIT

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
DP82002ClosedDefect Petition

REAR VIEW MIRROR

Opened Nov 17, 1981
Closed Feb 2, 1982

REAR VIEW MIRROR

VISIBILITY

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Driver assistance
Filed Apr 12, 1996

THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELEARTED WHEN ONEDID NOT APPLY FORCE TO THE GAS PEDAL. *AK

NHTSA ID
982736
Incident
Mar 10, 1996
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 12, 1996

THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHEN NO FORCE WAS APPLIED TO THE GAS PEDAL. *AK

NHTSA ID
982731
Incident
Apr 12, 1996

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Volkswagen Rabbit by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2013000—
2012000—
2011000—
2010000—
2009622050.9
2008232052.4
2007542047.3
2006131041.4
2005000—
1985110—
1984120—
1983121—
1982521—
1981141—
1980Viewing245—
1979072—
19780103—
1977072—
1976062—
1975062—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.