Vehicle recall 81V012000 · January 28, 1981

Volkswagen Scirocco and Rabbit

The accelerator cable which leads from the transmission lever to the throttle housing may malfunction.

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

Summary: The accelerator cable which leads from the transmission lever to the throttle housing may malfunction. Accelerator cable may have been bent during installation or during servicing of engine components. This could cause the steel band cable to bind and can result in delayed response during deceleration, high engine idle and hesitation during acceleration.
Remedy: The accelerator cable will be replaced with a newly designed one. In addition, other components of the acceleration system will be checked, lubricated, and if necessary, replaced. This will be done without charge.
Notes: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with fuel-injected gasolineengines and automatic transmissions.system: fuel system; accelerator cable.consequences of defect: the ability to control engine speed could becomeimpaired with little or no warning. Loss of vehicle control and an accident mayresult.note: any abnormal throttle control operation or irregular pedal operationshould be reported to dealer.

Recall details

NHTSA campaign: 81V012000
Reported to NHTSA: January 28, 1981
Filed by: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Owner notification: May 13, 1981
Vehicles potentially affected: 110,000
Initiated by: NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation
Components: Vehicle speed control › Cables

Recall 81V012000 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 (1977-1980): 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977
Volkswagen Scirocco (1976-1980): 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976

Has your Volkswagen been repaired?

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