2008 Volkswagen Rabbit: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 23 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags; the 2006 model year looks 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 23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Pulled car up to propane display outside of heb grocery store. Once tanks were exchanged, noticed smoke billowing from engine. Turned care off, got out and noticed fire underneath engine. Store employee got hood open, doused fire. Called wrecker to tow car home. On december 25, 2020 neighbor noticed smoke and burning wire smell coming from hood of car. Opened hood disabled battery.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2020
“Steering stopped working and caught fire, there is a hole in the side of it like a laser shot out of the electromechanical steering gear box. I had parked in my driveway, and within 15 min after it was parked, smoke came billowing out from under the hood, it ended up being the electronic steering on fire.”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2018
“Was in a tight spot at a parking lot, when I was backing up I hit a barrier behind me, after stopping and shifting to go forward, the car sped up uncontrollably until it crashed into a wall in front. The space and time was very small/short, but the force was so rapid that the airbags were deployed.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“I had the heated seats on at the lowest setting of 1. I was driving on the main road by my house and the side of the driver's seat started getting really hot and I smelled smoke. I had to pull over as I was worried the seat was on fire. I turned off the seat heater, got out and checked the seat. There was a hole burned into the seat and into the jacket I was wearing. *tr”Owner report · Seats · Dec 2016
“The air bag light is on and the horn is not working. Dealer diagnosed problem as a broken clock spring. Other vws have been recalled for the same problem, but mine is not included in the recall. I was told the airbag will not work in the event of a crash and I think the horn is needed in order to alert drivers around me in the case of an emergency. Both safety problems are caused by the same broken clock spring and should be included in the recall.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2016
“In motion: the transmission is not properly shifting up. There is delay, therefore the car is 'jumping' before the higher level of gear automatically shift. This problem last for about 4 months in motion: the use of fuel is much higher than used to be, even all injectors are properly working. This problem is now about 5 months old. The rear door - its latch broke in november 2014. The door felt on my head. Contacting vw usa - I was told that the repair has to be done by vw dealer.. Vw dealer made me a quote of $ 3.5 k which I rejected. Since that time I am carrying in car board of wood and using it for support of open door.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2014
“While driving in second gear, the vehicle abruptly stopped leaving dual skid marks on pavement. The engine was restarted but vehicle would not move forward or reverse. When towed, a pool of transmission fluid was found under car, mechanic reports new transmission is needed but exact cause currently unknown. Vehicle is 5 months and 14,300 miles over warranty and volkswagen dealer will not cover any costs since out of warranty and is 5 speed. More importantly, if this occured at higher speed, injury or death could occur. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2013
“The airbag light came on, because the clock spring is bad. This has also caused the horn button to not work. Sometimes the horn honks when I make sharp turns. It is unclear whether or not the driver airbag would deploy in the event of an impact, but from what I can tell it is quite unlikely. This also effects the functionality of the buttons on the sticks on either side of the steering wheel for the cruise control, the multi function display, and the windshield wipers. Sometimes those buttons work, sometimes they don't and sometimes they do things they aren't designed to do. From the research I have done this is a problem which occurs very frequently with this car. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 volkswagen rabbit. The contact stated while operating the windshield wipers and applying the brakes, the windshield wipers would suddenly disengage. When he would depress the accelerator, the windshield wipers would resume operation. The dealer could not diagnosis a failure within the vehicle and could not offer a remedy. The contact stated the failure has occurred since the date of purchase. The current and failure mileages were 20,000.”Owner report · Visibility · Apr 2010
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 volkswagen rabbit. The contact stated that the brakes failed while attempting to brake from 5 mph. The contact stated that the brake failed twice prior to the most recent failure and the vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer test drove the vehicle but could not find any problems with the brakes. The manufacturer was contacted who stated that they would contact the dealer to have the brakes inspected. The dealer later advised the contact that they were unable to diagnose or duplicate a failure within the braking system. A complaint was filed with the manufacturer but no assistance was offered. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 27,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Apr 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 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 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit reliable?
NHTSA has 23 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 2008 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.