RoadVitals

2008 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.
23
Latest Dec 25, 2020
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.
2
Latest Dec 10, 2010
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.
0
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.
6
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 23 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit, most frequently naming the airbags, electrical and fuel system categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 368 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

  • Airbags617.1%
  • Electrical514.3%
  • Fuel system411.4%
  • Powertrain (other)411.4%
  • Steering38.6%
  • Engine25.7%
  • Body & structure25.7%
  • Visibility25.7%

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

2 campaigns cover this model year

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
10V621000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Dec 10, 2010
228,236 units potentially affected
The defect: VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 JETTA, NEW BEETLE, NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, MODEL YEAR 2009 JETTA SPORTWAGEN AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 RABBIT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES. THE JETTA, JETTA SPORTWAGEN, AND RABBIT VEHICLES MAY HAVE A SMALL PLASTIC TAB LOCATED ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR THAT MAY CHAFE AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE. THE NEW BEETLE AND THE NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A FASTENING CLAMP ON A HYDRAULIC HOSE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM THAT MAY BE LOCATED IN AN IMPROPER POSITION WHICH COULD CAUSE CHAFING AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE.
The risk: IF CHAFING OCCURS, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A FUEL LEAK TO DEVELOP. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE UNDERHOOD FUEL LINE. ADDITIONALLY, DEPENDING ON THE VEHICLE MODEL, DEALERS WILL EITHER REMOVE THE PLASTIC TAB FROM THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR, OR INSPECT THE POSITION OF THE FASTENING CLAMP AND ADJUST THE RELATED FASTENING CLAMP INTO THE CORRECT POSITION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INCManufacturer number 20I4/U1View on NHTSA.gov
07V442000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Sep 24, 2007
340,000 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." SOME VEHICLES MAY NOT HAVE HAD A REQUIRED CAP INSTALLED WHICH DISABLES THE HEADLIGHT HORIZONTAL AIM AND SOME VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN A CAP THAT DISABLES THE VERTICAL AIMING SCREW.
The risk: NONCOMPLIANCE CAN INHIBIT PROPER HEADLAMP AIM ADJUSTMENT FOR ROADWAY ILLUMINATION, IMPROPERLY AIMED HEADLAMPS COULD CAUSE REDUCED ROAD VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF A CAP IN THE SOCKET OF THE LOW BEAM HORIZONTAL AIMING SCREW AND INSTALL ONE IF MISSING, AND INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF A CAP IN THE SOCKET OF THE VERTICAL AIMING SCREW AND IF PRESENT, THE CAP WILL BE REMOVED. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 31, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INCManufacturer number Q8View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 23
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Dec 25, 2020
Fire reported

PULLED CAR UP TO PROPANE DISPLAY OUTSIDE OF HEB GROCERY STORE. ONCE TANKS WERE EXCHANGED, NOTICED SMOKE BILLOWING FROM ENGINE. TURNED CARE OFF, GOT OUT AND NOTICED FIRE UNDERNEATH ENGINE. STORE EMPLOYEE GOT HOOD OPEN, DOUSED FIRE. CALLED WRECKER TO TOW CAR HOME. ON DECEMBER 25, 2020 NEIGHBOR NOTICED SMOKE AND BURNING WIRE SMELL COMING FROM HOOD OF CAR. OPENED HOOD DISABLED BATTERY.

NHTSA ID
11384934
Incident
Dec 23, 2020
Mileage
123,984 mi
Body & structureFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 5, 2019

IN MOTION: THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT PROPERLY SHIFTING UP. THERE IS DELAY, THEREFORE THE CAR IS 'JUMPING' BEFORE THE HIGHER LEVEL OF GEAR AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT. THIS PROBLEM LAST FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS IN MOTION: THE USE OF FUEL IS MUCH HIGHER THAN USED TO BE, EVEN ALL INJECTORS ARE PROPERLY WORKING. THIS PROBLEM IS NOW ABOUT 5 MONTHS OLD. THE REAR DOOR - ITS LATCH BROKE IN NOVEMBER 2014. THE DOOR FELT ON MY HEAD. CONTACTING VW USA - I WAS TOLD THAT THE REPAIR HAS TO BE DONE BY VW DEALER.. VW DEALER MADE ME A QUOTE OF $ 3.5 K WHICH I REJECTED. SINCE THAT TIME I AM CARRYING IN CAR BOARD OF WOOD AND USING IT FOR SUPPORT OF OPEN DOOR.

NHTSA ID
11287388
Incident
Nov 14, 2014
Mileage
138,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 3, 2019

AIRBAG FAULTY LIGHT AND MESSAGE ON DASHBOARD STARTED WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION

NHTSA ID
11286743
Incident
Nov 29, 2019
Mileage
116,300 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Nov 29, 2018
Fire reported

STEERING STOPPED WORKING AND CAUGHT FIRE, THERE IS A HOLE IN THE SIDE OF IT LIKE A LASER SHOT OUT OF THE ELECTROMECHANICAL STEERING GEAR BOX. I HAD PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, AND WITHIN 15 MIN AFTER IT WAS PARKED, SMOKE CAME BILLOWING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD, IT ENDED UP BEING THE ELECTRONIC STEERING ON FIRE.

NHTSA ID
11154668
Incident
Nov 20, 2018
Mileage
1,690 mi
AirbagsBody & structureDriver assistance
Filed Apr 15, 2018
Crash reported

WAS IN A TIGHT SPOT AT A PARKING LOT, WHEN I WAS BACKING UP I HIT A BARRIER BEHIND ME, AFTER STOPPING AND SHIFTING TO GO FORWARD, THE CAR SPED UP UNCONTROLLABLY UNTIL IT CRASHED INTO A WALL IN FRONT. THE SPACE AND TIME WAS VERY SMALL/SHORT, BUT THE FORCE WAS SO RAPID THAT THE AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED.

NHTSA ID
11085159
Incident
Apr 14, 2018
Mileage
180,000 mi
Heating & air conditioningInterior & seats
Filed Dec 20, 2016
Fire reported

I HAD THE HEATED SEATS ON AT THE LOWEST SETTING OF 1. I WAS DRIVING ON THE MAIN ROAD BY MY HOUSE AND THE SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT STARTED GETTING REALLY HOT AND I SMELLED SMOKE. I HAD TO PULL OVER AS I WAS WORRIED THE SEAT WAS ON FIRE. I TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER, GOT OUT AND CHECKED THE SEAT. THERE WAS A HOLE BURNED INTO THE SEAT AND INTO THE JACKET I WAS WEARING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10936470
Incident
Dec 19, 2016
Mileage
93,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Dec 19, 2016

THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND THE HORN IS NOT WORKING. DEALER DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS A BROKEN CLOCK SPRING. OTHER VWS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT MINE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I WAS TOLD THE AIRBAG WILL NOT WORK IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH AND I THINK THE HORN IS NEEDED IN ORDER TO ALERT DRIVERS AROUND ME IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. BOTH SAFETY PROBLEMS ARE CAUSED BY THE SAME BROKEN CLOCK SPRING AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

NHTSA ID
10936290
Incident
Dec 18, 2016
Mileage
121,600 mi
AirbagsElectricalSteering
Filed Oct 26, 2014

THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, BECAUSE THE CLOCK SPRING IS BAD. THIS HAS ALSO CAUSED THE HORN BUTTON TO NOT WORK. SOMETIMES THE HORN HONKS WHEN I MAKE SHARP TURNS. IT IS UNCLEAR WHETHER OR NOT THE DRIVER AIRBAG WOULD DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN IMPACT, BUT FROM WHAT I CAN TELL IT IS QUITE UNLIKELY. THIS ALSO EFFECTS THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE BUTTONS ON THE STICKS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE MULTI FUNCTION DISPLAY, AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. SOMETIMES THOSE BUTTONS WORK, SOMETIMES THEY DON'T AND SOMETIMES THEY DO THINGS THEY AREN'T DESIGNED TO DO. FROM THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE THIS IS A PROBLEM WHICH OCCURS VERY FREQUENTLY WITH THIS CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10650149
Incident
Mar 1, 2013
Mileage
65,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

V171901201285567

ENGINE

VW Engine oil quality standards

V171905201285566

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

VW Engine oil quality standards

V271901201189425

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

Battery Testing and Charging Using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000VAS Charger. Update Tool terminology

V0018092053065_4

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Safety Related Inquiry and Reporting

V171901201285565

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards

V271503201607612

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Diagnostic assistance for excessive static current draw

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

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
2008Viewing232052.4
2007542047.3
2006131041.4
2005000—
1985110—
1984120—
1983121—
1982521—
1981141—
1980245—
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.