Skip to content
VINDecoder360
Menu

NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2006–2009

Volkswagen Rabbit recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 152 owner complaints for the Volkswagen Rabbit, covering model years 2006 to 2009. The 2009 model year drew the most complaints (62), and Service Brakes is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Volkswagen Rabbit VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 3 recall campaigns on file
  • 152 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 4 model years with data (2006–2009)
  • most complaints: 2009 (62 for that model year)
  • top component: Service Brakes (46 complaints)
  • latest recall 16V913000 (reported Dec 20, 2016)
  • 12 complaints reporting a crash (7.9%)
  • 10 complaints reporting a fire (6.6%)
  • 5 complaints reporting an injury (3.3%)
  • 1 complaint reporting a death (0.7%)

Volkswagen Rabbit complaints by model year

4 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2009 model year has the most complaints: 62 of 152, or 40.8%. Next come 2007 (54) and 2008 (23). The fewest are for 2006, with 13 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Volkswagen Rabbit owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2006–2009Column chart of 152 complaints across 4 model years. The highest is 2009 with 62. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2006: 13 complaints1320062007: 54 complaints5420072008: 23 complaints2320082009: 62 complaints622009
Volkswagen Rabbit complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Volkswagen Rabbit complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
2006130200
2007544220
2008232410
2009626221
All model years152121051

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Volkswagen Rabbit components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Service Brakes is the component named most often, in 46 complaints (30.3% of all 152), followed by Electrical System (29) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) (27).

Components named most often in Volkswagen Rabbit complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Volkswagen Rabbit complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Service Brakes4630.3%
Electrical System2919.1%
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)2717.8%
Air Bags1811.8%
Power Train1711.2%
Steering1711.2%
Seats138.6%
Vehicle Speed Control127.9%
Engine and Engine Cooling106.6%
Fuel System, Gasoline106.6%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic106.6%
Engine74.6%
Unknown or Other63.9%
Fuel/Propulsion System53.3%
Structure53.3%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Volkswagen Rabbit recalls

3 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Rabbit, newest first. The 3 campaigns cover model years 2006 to 2009. The 2007, 2008 and 2009 model years appear in the most campaigns (2 each).

  • 3 recall campaigns
Volkswagen Rabbit recall campaigns covering each model year
2006: 1 campaign2007: 2 campaigns2008: 2 campaigns2009: 2 campaigns
Highlighted: the model years with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 16V913000

    Reported

    Electronic Stability Control (ESC); Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip

    Model year 2009

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Volkswagen Jetta A5 Sedan, 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, Eos, GTI, Rabbit and Audi A3 vehicles, and 2010 Volkswagen Golf A6 vehicles. The Antilock Brake System (ABS) control unit may fail during ABS or Electronic Stability Control (ESC) activation, possibly causing a loss of vehicle control.

    Consequence:
    A loss of vehicle control can increase the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS control module software to improve the module's self-testing abilities. Any module that fails the new diagnostic test will be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  2. NHTSA campaign 10V621000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings

    Model years 2007–2009

    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.

    Consequence:
    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.
    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.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  3. NHTSA campaign 07V442000

    Reported

    Exterior Lighting › Headlights

    Model years 2006–2008

    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.

    Consequence:
    Noncompliance can inhibit proper headlamp aim adjustment for roadway illumination, improperly aimed headlamps could cause reduced road visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
    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.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Volkswagen Rabbit questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Volkswagen Rabbit have?

NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recall campaigns for the Volkswagen Rabbit, covering model years 2006 to 2009. The most recent, 16V913000, was reported on December 20, 2016 and is filed under “Electronic stability control (esc); service brakes, hydraulic”. The 2007, 2008 and 2009 model years are covered by the most campaigns (2 each).

Which Volkswagen Rabbit model year has the most complaints?

The 2009 model year, with 62 of the 152 complaints in NHTSA’s file (40.8%). The next are 2007 (54) and 2008 (23). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Volkswagen Rabbit complaint?

Service Brakes is the component named most often: 46 complaints, or 30.3% of all 152. Electrical System (29) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) (27) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Volkswagen Rabbit?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Volkswagen dealer.

How many Volkswagen Rabbit complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 152 complaints, 12 report a crash, 10 a fire, 5 at least one injury and 1 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Volkswagen models

8 models · most complaints first

The Volkswagen models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Volkswagen VIN decoder with every Volkswagen model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Volkswagen models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.