1981 Volkswagen Rabbit recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-21. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
4 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. CERTAIN HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSES, P/N 171.611.107B, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 1975-1985 VOLKSWAGEN (VW) RABBIT; 1985-1992 VW GOLF; AND 1980-1992 VW JETTA PASSENGER VEHICLES. POSSIBLE BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE COULD OCCUR WHICH FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 106, "BRAKE HOSES."
What could happen: BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE BRAKE HOSES WITH COMPLIANT BRAKE HOSES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS AT 305-885-8646 EXT. 11.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1981 RABBIT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 06E018000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Summary: CERTAIN HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSES, P/N 171.611.107B, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 1975-1985 VOLKSWAGEN (VW) RABBIT; 1985-1992 VW GOLF; AND 1980-1992 VW JETTA PASSENGER VEHICLES. POSSIBLE BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE COULD OCCUR WHICH FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 106, "BRAKE HOSES."
Consequence: BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE BRAKE HOSES WITH COMPLIANT BRAKE HOSES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS AT 305-885-8646 EXT. 11.
Notes: CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
2. Steering
What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. A LOCK NUT WHICH SECURES THE TIE ROD TO THE INNER BALL JOINT OF THE STEERING SYSTEM MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SECURELY FASTENED ON SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES DURING ASSEMBLY. IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS AND THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ALONG POOR ROADS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE TIE ROD COULD SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING ASSEMBLY.
What could happen:
The fix: DEALER WILL CHECK THE LOCK NUT FOR ADEQUATE TIGHTNESS, CORRECTING WHERE NECESSARY.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1981 RABBIT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 82V016000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
Summary: A LOCK NUT WHICH SECURES THE TIE ROD TO THE INNER BALL JOINT OF THE STEERING SYSTEM MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SECURELY FASTENED ON SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES DURING ASSEMBLY. IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS AND THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ALONG POOR ROADS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE TIE ROD COULD SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING ASSEMBLY.
Consequence:
Remedy: DEALER WILL CHECK THE LOCK NUT FOR ADEQUATE TIGHTNESS, CORRECTING WHERE NECESSARY.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND PICK-UP TRUCKS.SYSTEM: STEERING; TIE ROD, INNER BALL JOINT, LOCK NUT.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL ANDAN ACCIDENT.
3. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. ON SOME VEHICLES, THE PRESSURE COULD INCREASE INSIDE THE FUEL TANK FROM HIGH SURROUNDING TEMPERATURES WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS MORE THAN HALF FULL.
What could happen:
The fix: DEALER WILL INSTALL A RESTRICTOR VALVE INTO THE FUEL FILLER PIPE, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1981 RABBIT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 81V058000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
Summary: ON SOME VEHICLES, THE PRESSURE COULD INCREASE INSIDE THE FUEL TANK FROM HIGH SURROUNDING TEMPERATURES WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS MORE THAN HALF FULL.
Consequence:
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL A RESTRICTOR VALVE INTO THE FUEL FILLER PIPE, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT TRUCKS AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITHCONTINUOUS FUEL INJECTION SYSTEMS.SYSTEM: FUEL; FUEL TANK.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: UNDER THESE CONDITIONS, IF FUEL FILLER CAP IS OPENEDRAPIDLY, FUEL COULD SPURT OUT ONTO NEARBY PERSONS, POSSIBLY CAUSING SKINIRRITATION OR FIRE IN THE PRESENCE OF A SOURCE OF IGNITION.NOTE: FUEL FILLER CAP SHOULD BE OPENED SLOWLY TO REDUCE CHANCES OF FUELSPILLAGE UNTIL THE DEALER HAS MADE THE NECESSARY MODIFICATIONS.
4. Steering
What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. THE LEFT AND RIGHT OUTER TIE ROD ENDS OF THE STEERING SYSTEM MAY HAVE CIRCUMFERENTIAL CRACKS DUE TO AN IMPROPER MACHINE SET-UP IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS.
What could happen:
The fix: THE TIE ROD ENDS WILL BE INSPECTED AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1981 RABBIT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 81V106000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
Summary: THE LEFT AND RIGHT OUTER TIE ROD ENDS OF THE STEERING SYSTEM MAY HAVE CIRCUMFERENTIAL CRACKS DUE TO AN IMPROPER MACHINE SET-UP IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS.
Consequence:
Remedy: THE TIE ROD ENDS WILL BE INSPECTED AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND PICK-UP TRUCKS.SYSTEM: STEERING; TIE ROD ENDS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IF A VEHICLE HAVING A CRACKED TIE ROD IS DRIVEN OVERROUGH ROADS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE TIE ROD COULD LOOSEN ANDEVENTUALLY THE OUTER SHELL WOULD SEPARATE FROM ITS BALL SOCKET. THIS COULDRESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND, POSSIBLY, AN ACCIDENT.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Seat belts (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (1)
08/13/1998 · Seat belts · crash
CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT AND SEAT BELTS DID NOT HOLD. DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERAL INJURIES. *AK