Owners have filed 78 complaints
about the 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit with NHTSA between 2006 and 2024.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 4 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 61
Against the median year of the Volkswagen Rabbit. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 60
11.5% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 71
42% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2007 compares with every other Volkswagen Rabbit
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
1117.7%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
46.5%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
812.9%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
34.8%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
58.1%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
1016.1%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
914.5%
150,000+ miles
1219.4%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Dec 2006peak 6Apr 2024
Recalls on the 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
10V621000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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.
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.
07V442000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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.
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.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 201044430,255 units in Canada
Fuel System
On certain Golf, Golf wagon, Jetta and Rabbit equipped with a 2.5L Engine, a small plastic tab located on the windshield washer fluid reservoir may chafe against an underhood fuel supply line. If chafing occurs fuel leakage could develop which, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and, if necessary, replace the fuel line. In addition, as a preventive measure, the plastic tab from the windshield washer fluid reservoir will be removed.
Recall 200730652,475 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
Certain vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of CMVSS 108 - Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment. 1). The required cap designed to disable the headlamp horizontal aim may not have been installed during vehicle assembly. 2). A cap may have been inadvertently installed to disable the vertical aiming screw. 3). An adjustment mechanism allows aiming of the low beam relative to the high beam. Correction: Dealers will affect repairs.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 88,000 milesMadison, WICrash
SERVICE BRAKES
UPON APPROACHING A RED LIGHT BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT DID NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE. RATHER THAN STOPPING THE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR WITH RESISTANCE BUT NEVER SLOWED THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN A REAR END COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #11102272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Francisco, CAFire
SEATS
THE SEAT HEATERS ARE NOT REGULATING TEMPERATURE CONSISTENTLY AND I NOTICED THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAS A HOLE BURNED IN IT FROM THE HEATER. I AM AFRAID TO USE IT IN CASE IT CAUSES A FIRE, SINCE IT APPEARS IT ALREADY BURNED A HOLE.
NHTSA complaint #11065750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesHarrisburg, PAFire
SEATS
THE HEATED DRIVER'S SEAT BECAME UNCOMFORTABLY HOT AND BURNED SEVERAL HOLES THROUGH THE FOAM AND FABRIC.
NHTSA complaint #10563709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesHarrisburg, PAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE HEATED DRIVER'S SEAT BECAME UNCOMFORTABLY HOT AND BURNED SEVERAL HOLES THROUGH THE FOAM AND FABRIC.
NHTSA complaint #10563709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 107,000 milesWallingford, CTCrash1 injured
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE SHE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A CONCUSSION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO SEND PICTURES OF THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WAS 107,000.
NHTSA complaint #10422414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 23,550 milesChilliwack, B.c., Canada, 00Crash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I BOUGHT A USED 2007 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT WITH 22,500 KM JAN. 10, 2009. I DROVE THE VEHICLE FAIRLY STEADILY IN THE CITY AND ON THE FREEWAY THE WEEK AFTER THE PURCHASE . WHILE ON THE FREEWAY I DID NOTICE A SUBSTANTIAL ACCELERATION ON ONE OCCASION WHEN I PASSED ALTHOUGH I DID NOT ACCELERATE VERY MUCH, HOWEVER I THOUGHT I MIGHT HAVE ENGAGED PASSING ACCELERATION. THEN A FEW DAYS LATER ON JAN. 17, 2009 A WEEK LATER, I WAS IN QUITE A FRIGHTENING ACCIDENT THAT RESULTED IN CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS INJURED. I HAD GONE TO A SMALL SHOPPING MALL THAT HAD PARKING IN FRONT OF THE SHOPS. I PULLED INTO A STALL IN FRONT OF ONE OF THE SHOPS AND WAS GENTLY ACCELERATING TO PULL UP TO THE STALL CURB WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL INTO THE SHOP DAMAGING THE BUILDING AND THE CAR. THE WHOLE THING HAPPENED SO QUICKLY, I COULDN'T EVEN REACT TO PUT ON THE BRAKES. HAD PEOPLE BEEN WALKING IN FRONT OF THE CAR, THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I AM NOT AN AGGRESSIVE DRIVER AND I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT IN 25 YEARS. I WAS IN A STATE OF SHOCK. DUE TO THE SERIOUSNESS OF WHAT HAPPENED, I THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW IN THE EVENT OTHERS START TO HAPPEN. RIGHT NOW I AM IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND TRY TO DETERMINE WHAT HAPPENED.
NHTSA complaint #10255504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Elgin, IL
SEAT BELTS
Seat belt and air bag also steering
NHTSA complaint #11584176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elgin, IL
AIR BAGS
Seat belt and air bag also steering
NHTSA complaint #11584176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elgin, IL
STEERING
Seat belt and air bag also steering
NHTSA complaint #11584176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington Heights, IL
SEATS
Drivers side heated seat has a problem. The seat over heats and has burnt a hole in the fabric and melted part of the seat.
NHTSA complaint #11510759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Belton, SC
SERVICE BRAKES
ABSmodule is defective, Known problem for this car and volkswagon will not repair under warranty. after 2007 model year they will cove repair
NHTSA complaint #11457029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 197,000 milesMeddybemps, ME
SEATS
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON CITY STREET IN NORTH CHATHAM, MA. SMELL OF BURNING. PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE ELECTRIC SEAT HEATER HAD BURNT A HOLE IN THE DRIVERS SEAT BACK. A HOLE WAS ALSO BURNT IN THE OUTER LAYER OF MY GOOSE DOWN COAT WHERE IT MADE CONTACT WITH BURNING SEAT BACK. BURNT HOLE IN SEAT IS APPROXIMATELY 0.375 INCH DIAMETER.
NHTSA complaint #11300351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesMilford, NH
STEERING
DISPLAYING ABS LIGHT, ELECTRONIC STABILITY LIGHT, EMERGENCY BRAKE BEEPS THEN LIGHT REMAINS ON BLINKING, STEERING ALIGNMENT LIGHT DISPLAYS, CHANGED OUT THE REAR ABS SENSORS AND THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL HUB, ALL LIGHTS REMAIN ON. BECAUSE MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2007 IT IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL FOR THE ABS MODULE (A KNOWN ISSUE) SO EITHER I PARK THE CAR PERMANENTLY OR COUGH UP A RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY TO FIX A KNOWN ISSUE. I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR AT LOWER SPEEDS AND SEVERAL TIMES WAS FORCED TO RELY ON THE E-BRAKE BECAUSE THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT OPERATE. IT IS SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS TO HAVE ON THE ROAD DUE TO AN ISSUE THAT VOLKSWAGEN BEEN AWARE OF FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.
NHTSA complaint #11210024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesMilford, NH
SERVICE BRAKES
DISPLAYING ABS LIGHT, ELECTRONIC STABILITY LIGHT, EMERGENCY BRAKE BEEPS THEN LIGHT REMAINS ON BLINKING, STEERING ALIGNMENT LIGHT DISPLAYS, CHANGED OUT THE REAR ABS SENSORS AND THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL HUB, ALL LIGHTS REMAIN ON. BECAUSE MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2007 IT IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL FOR THE ABS MODULE (A KNOWN ISSUE) SO EITHER I PARK THE CAR PERMANENTLY OR COUGH UP A RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY TO FIX A KNOWN ISSUE. I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR AT LOWER SPEEDS AND SEVERAL TIMES WAS FORCED TO RELY ON THE E-BRAKE BECAUSE THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT OPERATE. IT IS SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS TO HAVE ON THE ROAD DUE TO AN ISSUE THAT VOLKSWAGEN BEEN AWARE OF FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.
NHTSA complaint #11210024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesMilford, NH
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
DISPLAYING ABS LIGHT, ELECTRONIC STABILITY LIGHT, EMERGENCY BRAKE BEEPS THEN LIGHT REMAINS ON BLINKING, STEERING ALIGNMENT LIGHT DISPLAYS, CHANGED OUT THE REAR ABS SENSORS AND THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL HUB, ALL LIGHTS REMAIN ON. BECAUSE MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2007 IT IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL FOR THE ABS MODULE (A KNOWN ISSUE) SO EITHER I PARK THE CAR PERMANENTLY OR COUGH UP A RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY TO FIX A KNOWN ISSUE. I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR AT LOWER SPEEDS AND SEVERAL TIMES WAS FORCED TO RELY ON THE E-BRAKE BECAUSE THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT OPERATE. IT IS SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS TO HAVE ON THE ROAD DUE TO AN ISSUE THAT VOLKSWAGEN BEEN AWARE OF FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.
NHTSA complaint #11210024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5 milesLongmont, CO
POWER TRAIN
WHILE STARTING THE CAR, SEVERAL DIAGNOSTIC LIGHTS CAME ON, INCLUDING THE ECP AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. ENTERING THE REVERSE GEAR MADE THE CAR ACCELERATE FAST BACKWARDS WHEN RELEASING THE BREAKS BUT NOT USING THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE. THE SURPRISE IT CAME WITH COULD HAVE LED TO BACK INTO CARS OR PASSENGERS STANDING BEHIND. THE CAR FELL INTO A SAFETY MODE, FORWARD ACCELERATED VERY SLOWLY TO MAX 30 MPH WHILE HEADING TO A SHOP.
NHTSA complaint #11194395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5 milesLongmont, CO
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE STARTING THE CAR, SEVERAL DIAGNOSTIC LIGHTS CAME ON, INCLUDING THE ECP AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. ENTERING THE REVERSE GEAR MADE THE CAR ACCELERATE FAST BACKWARDS WHEN RELEASING THE BREAKS BUT NOT USING THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE. THE SURPRISE IT CAME WITH COULD HAVE LED TO BACK INTO CARS OR PASSENGERS STANDING BEHIND. THE CAR FELL INTO A SAFETY MODE, FORWARD ACCELERATED VERY SLOWLY TO MAX 30 MPH WHILE HEADING TO A SHOP.
NHTSA complaint #11194395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5 milesLongmont, CO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE STARTING THE CAR, SEVERAL DIAGNOSTIC LIGHTS CAME ON, INCLUDING THE ECP AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. ENTERING THE REVERSE GEAR MADE THE CAR ACCELERATE FAST BACKWARDS WHEN RELEASING THE BREAKS BUT NOT USING THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE. THE SURPRISE IT CAME WITH COULD HAVE LED TO BACK INTO CARS OR PASSENGERS STANDING BEHIND. THE CAR FELL INTO A SAFETY MODE, FORWARD ACCELERATED VERY SLOWLY TO MAX 30 MPH WHILE HEADING TO A SHOP.
NHTSA complaint #11194395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 117,000 milesChicago, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION ON THE ACC POSITION. I CAN ONLY START THE CAR. IT WILL NOT TURN TO THE OFF POSITION. THE ONLY WAY I AM ABLE TO SHUT OFF THE CAR IS TO PULL 2 FUSES UNDER THE HOOD. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN THIS PROBLEM BEGAN.
NHTSA complaint #11194179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,000 milesMadison, WICrash
SERVICE BRAKES
UPON APPROACHING A RED LIGHT BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT DID NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE. RATHER THAN STOPPING THE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR WITH RESISTANCE BUT NEVER SLOWED THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN A REAR END COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #11102272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 186,000 milesFort Walton Beach, FL
POWER TRAIN
DOWNSHIFTING HARD ON ITS ON OIL LEAKING ON TOP AND BOTTOM OF ENGINE
NHTSA complaint #11083788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 186,000 milesFort Walton Beach, FL
AIR BAGS
LIGHTAIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REVS AND SLOWS ABRUPTLY; FUEL SYSTEM LIGHT PAINT FLAKING OFF VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint #11083785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 186,000 milesFort Walton Beach, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DOWNSHIFTING HARD ON ITS ON OIL LEAKING ON TOP AND BOTTOM OF ENGINE
NHTSA complaint #11083788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 186,000 milesFort Walton Beach, FL
STRUCTURE:BODY
LIGHTAIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REVS AND SLOWS ABRUPTLY; FUEL SYSTEM LIGHT PAINT FLAKING OFF VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint #11083785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 186,000 milesFort Walton Beach, FL
ENGINE
DOWNSHIFTING HARD ON ITS ON OIL LEAKING ON TOP AND BOTTOM OF ENGINE
NHTSA complaint #11083788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 186,000 milesFort Walton Beach, FL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
LIGHTAIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REVS AND SLOWS ABRUPTLY; FUEL SYSTEM LIGHT PAINT FLAKING OFF VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint #11083785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Francisco, CAFire
SEATS
THE SEAT HEATERS ARE NOT REGULATING TEMPERATURE CONSISTENTLY AND I NOTICED THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAS A HOLE BURNED IN IT FROM THE HEATER. I AM AFRAID TO USE IT IN CASE IT CAUSES A FIRE, SINCE IT APPEARS IT ALREADY BURNED A HOLE.
NHTSA complaint #11065750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Niceville, FL
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON STATING MAULFUCTION WHEN CHECKED COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM.WAS TOLD DO NOT WORRY ABOUT IT DO I HAVE A REASON TO WORRY???
NHTSA complaint #11062490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 97,000 milesAndover, NH
SERVICE BRAKES
ABS CONTROL MODULE - APPROXIMATELY $2,000 TO REPLACE VW HAS ALREADY RECALLED THE ABS CONTROL MODULE FOR '08 AND UP CARS...I HAPPEN TO HAVE AN '07 WITH THE SAME MODULE THAT IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #11056176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Murrieta, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HALOGEN HEADLAMP BULB LIFETIME IS SHORTER THAN EXPECTED. TOO OFTEN I HAVE TO BUY NEW BULBS AND IT'S VERY UNSAFE ON THE ROAD DURING A DAY.
NHTSA complaint #11056016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Murrieta, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HALOGEN HEADLAMP BULB LIFETIME IS SHORTER THAN EXPECTED. TOO OFTEN I HAVE TO BUY NEW BULBS AND IT'S VERY UNSAFE ON THE ROAD DURING A DAY.
NHTSA complaint #11056016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.