2006 Volkswagen Rabbit Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2006 Volkswagen Rabbit, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine529.4%
- Electrical317.6%
- Powertrain (other)211.8%
- Fuel system211.8%
- Interior & seats211.8%
- Airbags15.9%
- Driver assistance15.9%
- Exterior lighting15.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER 2006 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT ON US 98 PREPARING TO ENTER I-4 WHEN THE VEHICLE ENTERED LIMP HOME MODE (EPC LIGHT & CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON) RPMS WENT TO OVER 3000 AND VEHICLE REFUSED TO GO ABOVE 25MPH, SHE WAS ALMOST KILLED BY THE SEMI THAT WAS BEHIND HER ON US 98 LUCKILY THE SEMI SWERVED TO AVOID HER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND PER THEIR DIAGNOSTICS THE CAM POSITION SENSOR, AIR BAG SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT AND BATTERY WERE SHOWING CODES BUT THEY ASSURED US THAT THE PROBLEM THAT CAUSED LIMP HOME MODE WAS THE CAM POSITION SENSOR PROBLEM AND REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF OVER 700.00 WITHOUT CHANGING BATTERY OR AIR BAG SENSOR, FOUR DAYS LATER THE SAME PROBLEM RETURNED THE DEALERSHIP STATED TO BRING VEHICLE BACK FOR RE-DIAGNOSTICS AND IF THE CAM POSITION SENSOR IS BAD THEY WILL CHANGE IT FREE, I REPLACED THE BATTERY AND VEHICLE WORKED FINE FOR ANOTHER DAY THEN SAME PROBLEM RESURFACED. AFTER THIS HAS HAPPENED I CAN ONLY SAY I WILL NEVER BUY OR RECOMMEND A VOLKSWAGEN AGAIN. I GOGGLED THE PROBLEM AND IT IS LISTED ALL OVER THE INTERNET FORMS BUT VOLKSWAGEN REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A PROBLEM. IT IS NOT ONLY THEIR RABBIT IT IS HAPPENING IN MANY OF THEIR VEHICLES SOME WITH LESS THEN 3000 MILES AND THEY HAVE BOUGHT THOSE VEHICLE BACK FORM THE CUSTOMERS TO COVER UP THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DESIGN FAILURE IN THEIR DRIVE BY WIRES SYSTEM EPC SYSTEMS. HOPEFULLY THEY HAVE SOME REALLY DEEP POCKETS BECAUSE IT'S JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE GET HURT OR KILLED.
2006 VW RABBIT, 2.5L, 5 CYL. HAS BEEN STALLING INTERMITTENTLY WHILE IDLING, OVER AND OVER AGAIN SINCE BUYING THIS CAR BRAND NEW IN 2006. I PREFER NOT TO GIVE MY VIN # FOR CONFIDENTIALITY REASONS. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS POSTS ON FORUMS ONLINE, INCLUDING VW EMPLOYEES WHO OWN THE CAR AND CLAIM VW OF AMERICA IS PRETENDING LIKE THEY DON'T KNOW OF SUCH AN ISSUE WHEN IT HAS OCCURRED MANY TIMES. MY CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES AND THEY SAY ITS FINE, WELL I DON'T THINK IT IS AND I HAVE 2 LITTLE KIDS THAT RIDE IN THIS CAR ON A DAILY BASIS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE IDLING CAR AFTER STARTING, SEAT WARMER WAS TURNED ON. DRIVERS SIDE INSIDE BACK WARMER SHORTED OUT AND CAUSED A GRAPE SIZE BURN HOLE IN CLOTH SEAT. *TR
2006 VW RABBIT, 2.5L, 5 CYL. HAS BEEN STALLING INTERMITTENTLY WHILE IDLING, OVER AND OVER AGAIN SINCE BUYING THIS CAR BRAND NEW IN 2006. I PREFER NOT TO GIVE MY VIN # FOR CONFIDENTIALITY REASONS. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS POSTS ON FORUMS ONLINE, INCLUDING VW EMPLOYEES WHO OWN THE CAR AND CLAIM VW OF AMERICA IS PRETENDING LIKE THEY DON'T KNOW OF SUCH AN ISSUE WHEN IT HAS OCCURRED MANY TIMES. MY CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES AND THEY SAY ITS FINE, WELL I DON'T THINK IT IS AND I HAVE 2 LITTLE KIDS THAT RIDE IN THIS CAR ON A DAILY BASIS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAD SUSPECTED THAT MY DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL ON MY MANUAL 2006 RABBIT W/ 24K WAS BEGINNING TO FAIL BECAUSE I HEARD/FELT SOMETHING SHAKING AROUND IN THE BELL HOUSING OF THE VEHICLE 1 OUT 10 TIMES THAT I WOULD DEPRESS THE CLUTCH PEDAL IN 1ST GEAR. THE SHAKE HAD BEEN PRESENT SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR BUT IN THE PAST YEAR IT HAD GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. SO I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP WHEN MY CAR BEGAN SHIFTING POORLY. THE GEAR WOULD ENGAGE RIGHT WHEN I LIFTED MY FOOT OFF THE CLUTCH PEDAL. IT WOULD NOT GO INTO 2ND GEAR. THE CAR WOULD SHAKE AND VIBRATE AT IDLE AND MAKE A TICK OVER NOISE WITH ENGINE REVS UP. AS MY SHIFTS GOT WORSE AND WORSE I DECIDED TO TAKE THE NEXT EXIT AND FIND A SAFE SPOT TO STOP THE CAR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED IN THE REST OF THE WAY. THE DEALER DROPPED THE TRANSMISSION AND FOUND MY DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL WAS STINKING AND IT HAD ALSO SHREDDED THE CENTER BUSHING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FLYWHEEL. BOTH THE CLUTCH DISC AND PRESSURE SHOWED NO DAMAGE AND THE VWOA REPLACED MY DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT HAD SHOWN NO SIGNS OF ABUSE LIKE HEAT SPOTS OR CLUTCH DUST. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT. WHEN STARTING OFF FROM A STOPPED POSITION AND THE CONSUMER STEPS ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE MOVES FORWARD ABOUT TEN FEET AND THEN DIES NO RESPONSE FROM THE ACCELERATOR. IN THE SAME POSITION AS WHEN STARTING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. THE CAR STAYS IN HESITATION MODE FOR A PERIOD OF 2-5 SECONDS, THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATOR RAPIDLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,000. UPDATED 02-18-09 UPDATED 02/18/09. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY CAR IS A 2006 AND AFTER ONE OF MY FUEL UPS WITH THE WIFE WE SMELLED GAS, THOUGHT IT WAS NOTHING MAYBE SOME GAS ON MY HAD OR SOMETHING. DURING THE WEEK WE STILL GOT SMELLS OF GAS OFF AND ON, WELL THE SMELL WAS SO STRONG THAT MY WIFE WAS GETTING HEADACHES FROM IT. I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR TO SEE FOR FUEL LEAK, AROUND THE GAS TANK BUT NOTHING. I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V621000 WHICH STATED ,"RABBIT VEHICLES MAY HAVE A SMALL PLASTIC TAB LOCATED ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR THAT MAY CHAFE AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE." SO I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND FOUND EXACTLY WHERE IT WAS AS STATED ABOVE, ONLY MY CAR IS A 2006 AND NOT "MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 RABBIT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES" SO IT IS A 175 DOLLAR COST TO ME. THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A FIRE WITH MY WIFE IN THE CAR AS SHE IS THE MAIN DRIVER OF THAT CAR, GOOD THING I DO NOT HAVE KIDS YET. *TR
2006 VW RABBIT, 2.5L, 5 CYL. HAS BEEN STALLING INTERMITTENTLY WHILE IDLING, OVER AND OVER AGAIN SINCE BUYING THIS CAR BRAND NEW IN 2006. I PREFER NOT TO GIVE MY VIN # FOR CONFIDENTIALITY REASONS. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS POSTS ON FORUMS ONLINE, INCLUDING VW EMPLOYEES WHO OWN THE CAR AND CLAIM VW OF AMERICA IS PRETENDING LIKE THEY DON'T KNOW OF SUCH AN ISSUE WHEN IT HAS OCCURRED MANY TIMES. MY CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES AND THEY SAY ITS FINE, WELL I DON'T THINK IT IS AND I HAVE 2 LITTLE KIDS THAT RIDE IN THIS CAR ON A DAILY BASIS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A DULL PAIN BEGINNING IN MY BACK, LOOKED AT THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT AND NOTICED THAT SEAT HEATER SHORTED OUT AND LEFT DIME SIZED HOLE IN UPHOLSTERY AS WELL AS DISCOLORING PIECE OF CLOTHING I WAS WEARING. *TR
WHILE IDLING CAR AFTER STARTING, SEAT WARMER WAS TURNED ON. DRIVERS SIDE INSIDE BACK WARMER SHORTED OUT AND CAUSED A GRAPE SIZE BURN HOLE IN CLOTH SEAT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON TWO SEPARATE INCIDENTS I HAD MY AIR BAGS LIGHT CAME ON. I BROUGHT IT TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER AND THEY FIXED THE WIRES UNDER THE SEAT THE FIRST TIME AT NO CHARGE THE SECOND TIME I WAS CHARGED $100.00. THE PROBLEM WAS THE SAME BUT ON BOTH SEATS FIRST, WAS THE PASSENGERS SEAT THE SECOND TIME, WAS THE DRIVERS SEATDRIVER SEAT. I CONTACTED CUSTOMER CARE AT VOLKSWAGEN AND THEY SAID DUE TO THE AGE AND MILEAGE (2006 WITH 69000 MILES ) THE COST WONT BE COVERED I FEEL THAT SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE (INTERNET) THEY SHOULD BE A RECALL AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT. WHEN STARTING OFF FROM A STOPPED POSITION AND THE CONSUMER STEPS ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE MOVES FORWARD ABOUT TEN FEET AND THEN DIES NO RESPONSE FROM THE ACCELERATOR. IN THE SAME POSITION AS WHEN STARTING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. THE CAR STAYS IN HESITATION MODE FOR A PERIOD OF 2-5 SECONDS, THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATOR RAPIDLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,000. UPDATED 02-18-09 UPDATED 02/18/09. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
2006 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT. HIGH MOUNT CENTER THIRD BRAKE LIGHT IS INACCESSIBLE. BULB IS BLOWN OUT AND I CANNOT ACCESS TO REPAIR IT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .