The most-reported Rabbit run is WVWDR71K87W (2007 builds) with 4 complaints, 3.1× the typical run. Service brakes problems make up 30% of reports; 2009 is the worst model year at 1.5 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for Rabbit model years 1981–2009.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Volkswagen Rabbit has 95 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 13% of every Rabbit complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WVWDR71K87W•••••• | 2007 | 1 | — | |
| WVWAA71K09W•••••• | 2009 | — | — | |
| WVWBB71K59W•••••• | 2009 | 1 | — | |
| WVWBB71K29W•••••• | 2009 | — | — | |
| WVWBA71K59W•••••• | 2009 | 1 | — | |
| WVWAR71K97W•••••• | 2007 | — | — | |
| WVWBB71K89W•••••• | 2009 | — | — | |
| WVWDR71K57W•••••• | 2007 | — | — | |
| WVWBR71K67W•••••• | 2007 | — | — | |
| WVWBB71K69W•••••• | 2009 | — | — | |
| WVWBA71K88W•••••• | 2008 | — | — | |
| WVWAR71KX7W•••••• | 2007 | — | — |
Each of the other 83 Rabbit runs has 2 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 10 Rabbit VINs so far, most often 2008, 2009, 1983 builds; 1 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Volkswagen Rabbit the gap between build years is 1.5×: a 2009 car draws 1.5 complaints per run, a 2006 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 52 | 35 | 4 | |
| 2008 | 21 | 19 | 2 | |
| 2007 | 40 | 30 | 4 | |
| 2006 | 9 | 9 | — |
Heaviest year here is 2009 at 1.5 complaints per run; lightest is 2006 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 30% of everything Volkswagen Rabbit owners report: Service Brakes, 50 of 125 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 4 | — | |
| Electrical System | — | 4 | |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | — | — | |
| Power Train | — | — | |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | |
| Air Bags | 5 | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | — | |
| Seats | — | 3 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 8 recall campaigns on the Volkswagen Rabbit; the 6 below cover build years 1981 to 2009. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 06E018000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1981–1984 |
| 10V621000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings | 2007–2009 |
| 07V442000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 2006–2008 |
| 85V015000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:carburetor System | 1982–1984 |
| 16V913000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip | 2009 |
| 82V016000 | Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly | 1981 |
The Rabbit against its rivals
The Rabbit draws 1.3 complaints per production run; the Hyundai Tiburon 2.7. That is the lowest rate of the 2.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Rabbit | 125 | 95 | 8.8% | |
| Hyundai Tiburon | 560 | 208 | 13.8% |
How serious were they
Of the 125 reports on the Volkswagen Rabbit, 8.8% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Volkswagen Rabbit | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 125 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 11 (8.8%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 7 (5.6%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 7 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 52% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Volkswagen Rabbit share of that is 125 complaints over 95 runs, 0.01% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Volkswagen Rabbit VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 125 NHTSA complaints from 95 Rabbit runs and 8 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Rabbit production run has the most complaints?
WVWDR71K87W, a 2007 build, with 4 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical Rabbit run has 1.3.
Which Rabbit years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2009 is heaviest at 1.5 complaints per run and 2006 lightest at 1.
Does the Rabbit get more complaints than the Hyundai Tiburon?
No: 1.3 complaints per production run for the Rabbit against 2.7 for the Hyundai Tiburon.
How many Rabbit complaints involve a crash?
8.8% of 125 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 7 involved a fire.
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