2006 Volkswagen Rabbit recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. 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.
What could happen: 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 fix: 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 A…
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 2006 RABBIT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 07V442000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-822-8987.
- 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: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Summary: 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.
Notes: VOLKSWAGEN RECALL NO. Q8. 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.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2006 Volkswagen Rabbit owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (5), Fuel system (3), Electrical system (3), Gasoline (2), Seats (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
03/12/2013 · Fuel system
MY CAR IS A 2006 AND AFTER ONE OF MY FUEL UPS WITH THE WIFE WE SMELLED GAS, THOUGHT IT WAS NOTHING MAYBE SOME GAS ON MY HAD OR SOMETHING. DURING THE WEEK WE STILL GOT SMELLS OF GAS OFF AND ON, WELL THE SMELL WAS SO STRONG THAT MY WIFE WAS GETTING HEADACHES FROM IT. I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR TO SEE FOR FUEL LEAK, AROUND THE GAS TANK BUT NOTHING. I WENT ONLINE…
03/11/2013 · Seats
WHILE DRIVING NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A DULL PAIN BEGINNING IN MY BACK, LOOKED AT THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT AND NOTICED THAT SEAT HEATER SHORTED OUT AND LEFT DIME SIZED HOLE IN UPHOLSTERY AS WELL AS DISCOLORING PIECE OF CLOTHING I WAS WEARING. *TR
11/24/2012 · Engine
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER 2006 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT ON US 98 PREPARING TO ENTER I-4 WHEN THE VEHICLE ENTERED LIMP HOME MODE (EPC LIGHT & CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON) RPMS WENT TO OVER 3000 AND VEHICLE REFUSED TO GO ABOVE 25MPH, SHE WAS ALMOST KILLED BY THE SEMI THAT WAS BEHIND HER ON US 98 LUCKILY THE SEMI SWERVED TO AVOID HER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP…
08/13/2012 · Airbags
ON TWO SEPARATE INCIDENTS I HAD MY AIR BAGS LIGHT CAME ON. I BROUGHT IT TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER AND THEY FIXED THE WIRES UNDER THE SEAT THE FIRST TIME AT NO CHARGE THE SECOND TIME I WAS CHARGED $100.00. THE PROBLEM WAS THE SAME BUT ON BOTH SEATS FIRST, WAS THE PASSENGERS SEAT THE SECOND TIME, WAS THE DRIVERS SEATDRIVER SEAT. I CONTACTED CUSTOMER CARE AT…
12/04/2011 · Electrical system · fire
WHILE IDLING CAR AFTER STARTING, SEAT WARMER WAS TURNED ON. DRIVERS SIDE INSIDE BACK WARMER SHORTED OUT AND CAUSED A GRAPE SIZE BURN HOLE IN CLOTH SEAT. *TR
07/22/2009 · Transmission / drivetrain
I HAD SUSPECTED THAT MY DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL ON MY MANUAL 2006 RABBIT W/ 24K WAS BEGINNING TO FAIL BECAUSE I HEARD/FELT SOMETHING SHAKING AROUND IN THE BELL HOUSING OF THE VEHICLE 1 OUT 10 TIMES THAT I WOULD DEPRESS THE CLUTCH PEDAL IN 1ST GEAR. THE SHAKE HAD BEEN PRESENT SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR BUT IN THE PAST YEAR IT HAD GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. SO I WAS…
12/29/2008 · Transmission / drivetrain
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT. WHEN STARTING OFF FROM A STOPPED POSITION AND THE CONSUMER STEPS ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE MOVES FORWARD ABOUT TEN FEET AND THEN DIES NO RESPONSE FROM THE ACCELERATOR. IN THE SAME POSITION AS WHEN STARTING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. THE CAR STAYS IN HESITATION MODE FOR A PERIOD OF 2-5 SECONDS, THEN THE VEH…
11/16/2008 · Engine
2006 VW RABBIT, 2.5L, 5 CYL. HAS BEEN STALLING INTERMITTENTLY WHILE IDLING, OVER AND OVER AGAIN SINCE BUYING THIS CAR BRAND NEW IN 2006. I PREFER NOT TO GIVE MY VIN # FOR CONFIDENTIALITY REASONS. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS POSTS ON FORUMS ONLINE, INCLUDING VW EMPLOYEES WHO OWN THE CAR AND CLAIM VW OF AMERICA IS PRETENDING LIKE THEY DON'T KNOW OF SUCH AN ISSUE W…