2007 Volkswagen Rabbit: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 54 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is seats (14% of complaints); the 2006 and 2008 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2010
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 54 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Seats · Mar 2023
“ABSmodule is defective, Known problem for this car and volkswagon will not repair under warranty. after 2007 model year they will cove repair”Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2022
“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.”Owner report · Seats · Dec 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 2019
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2019
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2018
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2018
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2017
“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.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Dec 2017
“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???”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Rabbit by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit reliable?
NHTSA has 54 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit. The most complained-about area is seats (14% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 75,000 miles or less.
Does the 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.