2008 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
35
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
6
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2008 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT
The 2008 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT has received a total of 35 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. 6 technical service bulletins have been issued by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (6 complaints), Electrical System (5 complaints), and Power Train (4 complaints).
Recalls for the 2008 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT
NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 2008 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT, potentially affecting up to 568,236 vehicles.
Recall 10V621000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
| 228,236 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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.
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...
View full details →Recall 07V442000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 340,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2008 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT
35 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasoline | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainautomatic Transmission | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seatsfront Assemblyseat Heatercooler | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulic | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasher | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Safety Rating for the 2008 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2008 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2008 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has issued 6 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2008 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
V171901201285536 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION
Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)
V571603_2014599 — STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
THIS BULLETIN WAS UPDATED TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL MODEL YEAR APPLICABILITY (JETTA SPORTWAGEN).
Edition101 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VW Elsa Newsletter
Edition101 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VW Elsa Newsletter
V211302 2024061 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
Technical Bulletin (Rattling Noises from Engine Compartment Area or Exhaust System): Customers may complain of a rattling noise from engine or exhaust area while accelerating from 1800-3000 RPM. In order to complete proper diagnosis and ensure that the noise is coming from the turbocharger use the procedure in this document.
2015831 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
VOLKSWAGEN: EXHAUST HEAT SHIELD, REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES. HEAT SHIELDS ARE TO BE INSPECTED AFTER COMPLETION O ANY TYPE OF REPAIR TO THE UNDERBODY (EXHAUST SYSTEM TRANSMISSION, ETC.), AND IF DAMAGED, REPLACED. *PE
NHTSA Investigations for the 2008 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT
- 2005 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT — 0 complaints
- 2006 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT — 18 complaints
- 2007 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT — 78 complaints
- 2008 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT (current)
- 2009 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT — 123 complaints
- 2010 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT — 0 complaints
- 2011 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT — 0 complaints
- 2012 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT — 0 complaints
- 2013 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT — 0 complaints
Other VOLKSWAGEN Models
- VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — 13,715 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 10,288 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE — 3,613 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN — 3,104 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS — 2,635 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN GOLF — 1,991 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN GTI — 1,916 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 — 1,568 total complaints