Vehicle recall 80V035000 · March 26, 1980

Volkswagen Rabbit and Scirocco

On some vehicles, the fender opening through which the antenna cable is routed may not be properly sealed.

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

Summary: On some vehicles, the fender opening through which the antenna cable is routed may not be properly sealed. As a result, splashed water from the tires could enter passenger compartment through the opening, enter the fuse relay board and cause corrosion of the terminals. Also, because water is a good conductor of electricity, the starter can be activated accidentally; the high flow of electricity may exhaust the battery within a short period of time. Thus restarting the engine would become impossible and parking lights and emergency flashers would become inoperative.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, seal the radio antenna holes and replace corroded components without charge to owner..
Notes: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions.system: structure; antenna cable opening.consequences of defect: vehicle would become disabled and a vehicle accidentcould occur if traffic is present.

Recall details

NHTSA campaign: 80V035000
Reported to NHTSA: March 26, 1980
Filed by: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Owner notification: June 9, 1980
Vehicles potentially affected: 140,000
Initiated by: NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation
Components: Structure › Body

Recall 80V035000 on nhtsa.gov, with the manufacturer’s documents

Vehicles covered

As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.

Volkswagen Rabbit (1975-1979): 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975
Volkswagen Scirocco (1975-1979): 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975

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